Faithlife Study Bible (Biblia.com)

2 John

1–4 Second John follows the conventions of ancient letter writing. It begins with a greeting and blessing followed by the body of the letter, and closes with a benediction. The author, who calls himself “the elder,” greets the elect lady and expresses joy over her children, who walk in the truth. This is an official letter from an elder to a church likely in the midst of attempted deception by false teachers (see 2 John 10 and note).

The date of 2 John depends on when the events the letter addresses took place and the relationship between 1 John and 2 John. The letter was likely written sometime between ad 85 and the early second century.

If 2 John addresses the same community addressed in 1 John, then these false teachers have already attempted to deceive this Christian community before (see 1 John 2:26 and note) and seceded from them (see 1 John 2:19 and note). Second John’s concern is with false teachers spreading their message, especially among new churches.

Introduction to 2 John

The Gospel of John and the Johannine Letters

How to Study the Bible

1 The elder The identity of the elder is unknown. It may be John the apostle, to whom church tradition ascribes the authorship of 1 John and the Gospel of John, or another early church leader named John, who is referred to in early church writings as “John the elder.”

Docetism DLNT

to the elect lady and her children Although John may be addressing a literal woman (compare Rev 2:20, 23), he is likely addressing a congregation within a community of believers in Ephesus (see 1 John 1:3 and note). Biblical writers commonly referred to churches with feminine nouns and pronouns (see Rev 21:9; 22:17).

John (Disciple), Ecclesiastical Tradition AYBD

Greek and Latin Letters AYBD

Metaphors for the Church

love John frequently writes about love in his letters; for example, he mentions it 38 times in 1 John.

4 some of your children If the reference to the lady in 2 John 1 refers to a congregation, then this refers to the members of the same congregation or a house church that was part of the larger Christian community John addresses.

Architecture, Early Church DLNT

walking in the truth John metaphorically refers to living by the instruction and revelation of Jesus and the received apostolic teaching.

5–11 This warning echoes that of 1 John and seems to address a similar situation (see v. 10 and note). John warns the congregation to beware of false teachers—those he calls the antichrists who contest Jesus’ true identity as the Son of God who came in the flesh (v. 7; compare 1 John 2:18–19). John aims to cut off the influence of the false teachers by denying them hospitality in the homes of believers.

5 love one another See 1 John 2:8 and note; John 13:34–35.

6 according to his commandments The link between love and keeping the commandments is made also in 1 John 5:2–3.

7 Christ coming in the flesh John is warning against the false belief that Jesus did not take on a physical body but only appeared to have a bodily existence.

This belief was later labeled as the heresy Docetism. See 1 John 4:2 and note.

the antichrist Someone who denies the fully human and fully divine nature of Jesus and instead teaches a false Jesus. John has multiple people in mind, not just one individual. See 1 John 2:18 and note.

8 full reward Refers to the authentic work of the Christian community, especially as seen in the eternal life that Christ has granted them. John is not suggesting that people achieve their own salvation—only Jesus’ work can offer that—but instead that they should witness the work of salvation within their community (1 John 5:4–12; compare note on 1 John 5:18).

9 not remain in the teaching of Christ This represents the main point of John’s letter: Those who have bought into the false teachers’ distorted view of Jesus no longer remain in the teaching of Christ. John warns the congregation to avoid such people and teaching.

10 this teaching Refers to the “teaching of Christ” (2 John 9).

do not receive him into your house John encourages the Christian community to avoid those he calls the antichrists and their infectious heresy at all costs. The house here probably refers to the house church and thus John’s audience may be welcoming these antichrists in as teachers, when they should be refuted and rejected.

Welcoming someone into your home in the ancient world often involved elaborate hospitality, including providing food and lodging. People often stayed for extended lengths of time, since travel in the ancient world was slow and difficult. Visitations regularly involved practicing a trade in whatever location people found themselves. John realizes that the false teachers (the antichrists) will not be able to economically sustain their efforts if they are not received by the Christian community. In addition, hospitality in the ancient world would have been perceived as an endorsement and thus confused people in the community.

If this letter is by the Apostle John, then John was probably writing at the height of the schism between the recipients of the letter and those who withdrew from their congregation (compare 1 John 2:18–19). If this reconstruction of events is affirmed, then John is merely carrying forward what he has already emphasized in his first letter—that there is no point in engaging with or helping those who perpetuate falsehood (1 John 5:10 and note). It causes more harm than good.

11 who speaks a greeting to him Such a greeting implied much more than a verbal reception. The greetings in mind involved extended hospitality that would create the impression of acceptance and endorsement. See Matt 10:9–14 and note.

Chairō Word Study

his evil deeds John indicates that he views extending hospitality to an antichrist or false teacher from the community as collaboration with that person.

Hospitality AYBD

12–13 John’s description of his future travel plans follows the custom of ancient letter writing. He expresses his desire to finish his conversation in person.

13 The children of your elect sister If the children referenced in 2 John 4 are members of a congregation, this likely refers to members of a sister church—a nearby congregation.

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