2 John - Chapter 1
The Apostle John stresses the dangers of carnality and listening to false doctrines that had come to the church in the 1st century.
2 John - Chapter 1
1 The Elder, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth, 2 because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
Scholars agree this epistle was written by the Apostle John. Who the recipient is then is another matter. There are many speculations as to who is the elect lady and her children. Here are the most common thoughts given by the majority of biblical scholars.
- A personal letter to a particular lady and her family.
- To a particular woman who had some kind of leadership or even pastoral leadership over a local congregation. The “children” being then the members of her local church.
Unlike the directness of Gaius, the person the apostle wrote to in 3rd John, the lady and her children addressed to are more vague. Could the apostle be writing ambiguitously to hide the identify of a lady during the time of persecution that the people at that time were facing? Maybe! I lean toward the belief that this elect lady was a leader within the church - perhaps a pastor over a small home congregation. The Apostle John felt it important that he write a personal letter to this elect lady. Perhaps her congregation was tucked away from the seven churches in Asia - maybe up in the mountains. Either way, the apostle felt it necessary she receive this letter from him. Whomever the elect lady is, the Apostle John knew and loved her in the Lord. Apparently she was loved and respected by many.
All letters written by the Apostles Paul and John eventually became circular letters where they were passed from congregation to congregation throughout Asia Minor. The apostle also included in his salutation that this letter was written to "all who know the truth." This way, all believers, as far as the letter can be shared, were able to glean from whatever the apostle wrote. This was also what happened with all of the epistle letters written by the Apostle John and Paul.
In the Apostle John's greeting to the elect lady he presented a slightly expanded version of his standard greeting that he wrote in other letters. The words grace, mercy and peace in truth and in love were written to her and her congregation, giving further indications that he knew her personally.
Walk in the commands of Christ
4 I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. 5 And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. 6 This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.
As was typical of Christians in the 1st century, it is the same today. Not all Christians are walking in the truths of the Word of God. In other words, they believe in Jesus, but live their lives according to the flesh. The apostle was well aware of the carnal situation among some in the elect lady's church. This obviously has upset him tremendously because he is pleading with the elect lady to preach his strong message to her congregation with prayers they will wake up and walk in the truths of the Word of God. This is the message of his whole letter.
Who is on the throne of your life?
Beware of antichrist deceivers
7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
There have been many deceivers even from the very beginning of Christ's ministry who purpose to quiet the Word of God. How often do we look at the word antichrist, thinking it is a particular evil person. Well, God is telling us here that there have been many antichrists in the world.
Who is an antichrist? According to the dictionary, an antichrist is anyone who is against Christ. That could apply to billions of people throughout the world and throughout history. While scripture does tell us that in the very last of the last days THE antichrist will come on the scene to deceive the world, but throughout time there will be many who carry that spirit of antichrist, displaying their hatred to Christ and the things of Him. That being said, there are people all around us, including maybe even in our sphere of influence, that go beyond being an unbeliever. They actually hate Christ and all Christianity. They have a strong influence in the world.
The Apostle John was even so bold as to say that those who were in the cult of Docetism also are antichrists. Does that mean that any Christian cult of today or any individual who does not believe that Jesus is the Son of God is the antichrist? These are very strong words.
8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.
The apostle gives a harsh warning to not lose faith. While millions or billions of believers have worked hard to maintain their faith throughout the centuries, with reaching out in love to others in their obedience to Christ, they are not doing it to receive the maximum reward in heaven. Yes, it is true that each believer will receive their reward dependant on their obedience to God's Word, the main reason true believers are obedient to the Word is because of their love for Jesus.
With godless influence all around us, it is easy to lose faith if situations go wrong. Therefore, it is critical that believers stay strong in the Word and in prayer and to assemble and fellowship together to lift one another up in our faith (Heb 10:25).
9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.
The apostle is so opposed to carnality and does not even want to recognize it as part of a Christian's life. Therefore, he places people in two catagories - unbelievers and believers.
- Unbelievers - Anyone who sins and does not abide in the doctrines of Christ does not have God.
- Believers - He/she who abides in the doctrines of Christ - They have God and Christ living in them.
So then, has the Apostle John gone so far as to say that carnal Christians are not true believers? The question I raise is where do you draw the line on sin? What if you sin a little more than another believer? Does that make you an unbeliever? This much I do know. Carnal Christianity is deadly. It is a slippery slope downward which leads to hell. At what point has a person gone beyond reconcilation back to God is only known to God because God knows the heart of every person. Again, this point of no return is called the unpardonable sin or the blaspheme of the Holy Spirit. To prevent that from happening, with all the antichrist influences all around us, believers should avoid carnality at all cost.
10. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11. for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.
All churches in the 1st century were house churches. Some met in small homes with only a few congregates, while others had larger homes, able to house more people. The Apostle John concludes his message referring to traveling teachers who would go from congregation to congregation and staying in the homes of the congregates. Some of them were teaching Docetism and other false doctrines. John had spent all of I John and 2nd John explaining the dangers of false teachers. He went so far as warning to not receive them in your home, and certainly do not invite them to teach in their home church. The Apostle John was specifically warning the elect lady to not accept a traveling teacher who carries a different doctrines than what has been preached by the Apostle John. Could she have been guilty of that in the past? Very possibly! The apostle goes as far to say "do not even greet them because you don't want to share in their evil deeds. Truth must be adhered at all costs. Stay away from anyone who preached a different doctrine.
John’s Farewell Greeting
12 Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
While the Apostle John had many things to say to the elect lady and her congregation, he did not want to write them down in this letter. He stated that he was hoping to visit her on some future occasion. Whether he did, we do not know. He finished by wishing that her joy may be full.
13 The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.
The Apostle John gave a salutation greeting from other congregational members of the local churches that he visited. Amen
Written by Pastor Joyce A. Erickson
Believers Bible School, Founder https://believersbibleschool.com/