2nd John 1-13, Lesson Eleven
by Lane Rogers
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1The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2for the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever: 3Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 4I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father. 5Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it. 7For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh This is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. 9Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. 10If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; 11for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds. 12Though I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that your joy may be made full. 13The children of your chosen sister greet you
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INTRODUCTION
The second letter of John is written by one who styles himself as the elder, and it is addressed to an elect lady and her children. The letter has the same kind of attestation in the early church as 1st John. Its common style argues strongly that the elder and the author of 1st John are one in the same. The key theme: Loving and living the truth. The key verse is 2nd John 4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in truth, just as the Father commanded.
The dominant thoughts in this little Epistle are those of friendship and joy, even though these are mixed with warnings and concerns.
THE SECOND EPISTLE OF JOHN Walk in the Light A. The Significance of the term Elder John is presenting himself as an old man and not as the elder (bishop) of the church.
The word presbuteros has the literal meaning of an elder and John is simply saying he is an old man at the time of this writing.
John is not presenting himself as the elder (presbuteros) or bishop of the church.
a. Note Peter's way of speaking of himself as a fellow elder (1st Peter 5:1).
b. Elders of the church are always presented in the New Testament as a plural idea, not single.
John is just presenting himself as an old man and one whose demise is not far removed.
B. The One Addressed The Elect Lady Two possible meanings of the term elect lady (Gk. EKLEKET KURAIA).
a. A Christian Lady whose children are faithful.
1) KURA could be a personal name with elect or chosen as a descriptive modifier as in the elect Cyria.
2) ELKEKTE could be a proper name with kuria (lady) as an appositive to the lady Eklekte.
a) The term eklekte is most frequently used as an adjective meaning elect or chosen. Here, there is documentation for both eklekte and kuria as proper names.
b) Against the idea that Eklekte is a name is John's use of the same word in v. 13 to the elect sister.
3) Could be that neither term is a personal name and that both were meant to be descriptive to the elect lady with the person not identified.
The most likely answer is that we are speaking of a church congregation whose members are faithful.
a. The church is presented as the elect bride.
1) In the universal sense -Ephesians 5:22 Revelation 21:9
2) In the individual sense - 2nd Corinthians 11:2-3; 2nd Peter 5:13.
b. He addresses her in the singular voice in verse 5 And now dear lady...and then in verse 6 he addresses her in the plural, "As you (plural) have heard from the beginning."
c. 3rd John 9 I wrote to the church - John is probably referring to the letter we call 2nd John.
Note:
It seems to me that this really makes no difference one way or the other.
C. The Constancy and Importance of Truth...will be with us forever (vs. 1-13).
1. The truth has already been presented and is yet with us (vs. 1-2).
a. It is not open to change or new revelation.
b. Truth is consistent, it is a constant presence with Gods people.
2. John's salutation (v.3).
a. Grace - "a gift from God that we did not earn."
b. Mercy - "when we get what we do not deserve."
c. Peace - "a peaceful relationship with God."
D. The Standard of Truth - the commandments of the Lord (vs. 4-6).
1. The new/old commandment - to love one another.
2. Walk in love, God's people are to be consistent in the practice of the new/old commandment, to love one another sacrificially, devotedly, as God would love them if He were in our position.
3. False teachers are to be avoided. They teach that Jesus Christ did not come in flesh. See 1st John 2:18ff.
4. The truth about the nature of Jesus.
a. The verb tense says that Jesus not only came in the flesh He is still in the flesh.
b. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven.
c. Christ has ascended to heaven.
d. Therefore, His flesh and blood has undergone some kind of transformation.
5. Danger of losing heaven (v. 8).
6. Going onward is to transgress to go beyond the limits of apostolic revelation.
a. Not so much teachings by Christ as teaching about Christ.
b. Give no approval or pay no attention to false teachers.
c. Not to receive him into your house if he is teaching false doctrine.
d. Must not allow him to use your home as a base.
e. Must not be a part of spreading the false message.
E. The Conclusion to 2nd John (vs.12-13)
Practice Love, Righteousness and Obedience.
by Lane Rogers