2 John

The Second Letter of John is a true letter. (See the characteristics of the typical ancient letter described above.) In its original form, it probably filled one side of a sheet of papyrus. The sheet would then have been rolled up, sealed and sent to the recipient by messenger. The Second Letter of John is written by a person who identifies himself as” the Elder.” It was sent to “the Elect Lady and her children” (2 John 1 ESV), a designation that refers to a community of believers that are in agreement with the teaching of the Elder.

The letter is concerned with exhorting the members of the community to continue on the path of truth. In 2 John 4–6, the author presents a complicated argument in which he begins by urging his readers to “walk in truth” just as they have received a commandment from God. Then he urges his readers to love one another (just as they were commanded also) and explains that true love for the brothers is manifest in walking in truth. Thus he argues that both of the commandments ultimately urge the community to do the same thing: to walk in truth. He then exhorts his readers not to be deceived by those who do “not continue in the teaching of the Christ” (2 John 9 NIV) because they do not walk in the truth.

The author also warns his readers not to accept false teachers into their homes lest they become “co-workers” in the spread of errors (2 John 10–11). The author then closes by indicating his desire to come and visit the community in person (2 John 12).