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Scripture: 2 John
Background: 2 John is the only book of the Bible
written as a personal letter to a woman. The author is the
Apostle John. Bible scholars have dated 2 John as having been
written around 90 to 100 A.D.
Church historians traditionally believe that this elect lady was
Martha of Bethany and that the children referred to in verse 13
were Mary’s children. While this is plausible there is no
Bible proof of it so we may want to add this the list of
questions we want to ask Jesus when we get to heaven.
Second John is divided into three distinct sections.
Verses 1-6 give praise to the lady for walking steadfastly in the
truth.
Verses 7-11 give a warning of people who do not teach the Gospel
of Jesus Christ.
Verses 12-13 are the conclusion of the letter.
Every time the word commandment or commandments is used in this
passage it means injunction, authoritative prescription. I also
looked up the Greek words translated love in this text and have
put their meaning in parenthesis.
2 JOHN 1:1-13
The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love (in a
social or moral sense) in the truth; and not I only, but also all
they that have known the truth;
For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us
for ever.
Grace be with you, mercy, [and] peace, from God the Father, and
from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and
love. (Affection or benevolence)
I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth,
as we have received a commandment from the Father.
And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new
commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning,
that we love (in a social or moral sense) one another.
And this is love, (affection or benevolence) that we walk after
his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard
from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not
that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an
antichrist.
Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have
wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of
Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ,
he hath both the Father and the Son.
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive
him not into [your] house, neither bid him God speed:
For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
Having many things to write unto you, I would not [write] with
paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to
face, that our joy may be full.
The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
Verse 1. John leaves no question about the lady’s spiritual
condition for he calls her the elect lady. 1Peter 2:9 “But
ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation,
a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him
who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”
He not only refers to her as being elect which means chosen but
goes on to say that everyone who knows the truth recognizes that
she is walking in the truth. What a testimony she had!
John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth,
and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Verse 2. John reminds this lady of the indwelling of the Holy
Spirit of Truth. John 14:17 [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the
world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth
him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in
you.
Verse 3. John offers a blessing of grace, mercy and peace. I
wonder what an impact we would have on others if we blessed or
brothers and sisters in Christ in this way.
Verse 4. John praised her about her children. We all know that
you can get a mother's attention and really make her day just by
praising her children. This praise was again based in her
obedience to follow God’s commands. (Proverbs 22:6, Titus 2)
Verses 5 & 6. John is simply cheering her on. Encouraging her
to continue to be faithful. John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep
my commandments.” John 14:21 “He that hath my
commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he
that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him,
and will manifest myself to him.”
Verse 7. John knew this was a generous compassionate lady and so
he warned her about those who deny the deity of Jesus. The name
Jesus means Saviour but it was and in some cultures still is a
popular name. Christ means anointed, consecrated, and sacred and
is only used for the Messiah. 2 Peter 2:1 “But there were
false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be
false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable
heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon
themselves swift destruction.”
Verse 8. John reminds the elect lady that it is possible to lose
spiritual rewards by failing to remain steadfast. 2Timothy 4:7-8
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I
have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:
and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his
appearing.”
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