Text: The Book of 2 John (NKJV)
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.
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.
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. 8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. 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. 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.
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. 13 The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
This book is incredibly short compared to most of those in the Bible; in fact, it is the shortest in the entire New Testament. At only one chapter, it can easily be read in one setting. Despite its brevity, it has three distinct sections in its organization.
The author, the Apostle John, introduced himself here as "the Elder." The Greek presbyteros is the root from which we get Presbyterian. It is one of the three New Testament terms (pastor/shepherd, elder, bishop/overseer) used to describe those in pastoral leadership in local churches. Emphasizing his mature leadership, John wrote this to a church congregation with whom he was very familiar with and probably even had a personal relationship with it and its members. There is much debate among scholars as to who the "elect lady and her children" were. I believe that this letter was written to an actual woman and her children that hosted a house church. In the 1st Century AD, Christian churches usually met in individual's homes. While she would not have had authority in the church, as say, a pastor, she and her children would have exercised great authority as the owners of the home. I feel that this is the most natural, normal reading of the passage, since it is addressed to a lady and her children. Many interpret this as metaphorical speech for a church and its members, which it may be, but I just don't feel this view is the one best supported by the text.
In verses 5 and 6, John plead with the family to love one another. This would have had an even stronger impact with a church meeting in their home. It is often portrayed that Christians are to show love. That is true. John tells us that here. What is not commonly understood though is what that love really is in substance. John taught quite clearly here that loving one another means to obey God's Word. Does that mean sharing what we have with those in need? Yes, the Bible teaches that. Pretty much all people recognize this as part of Christianity. However, does this also mean confronting sin in the members of a church and removing them from the fellowship of the church if it comes to that? Yes, as in Galatians 6, Matthew 18, and 2 Corinthians 5. Though we might not often think of this as loving, it is. The expression "tough love" is quite true. Sometimes what is best for a person and organization is not always the fuzzy emotion we associate with love. Thus, if we are to love one another, we have to know the totality of what the Bible says. That takes a lifetime of study and discipline.
Verse 7 tells us that there will be those who deny that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. Without going into too much depth on historical examples, this was and still is something that groups believe today. If someone or some group denies this, you need to remove yourself from them. Furthermore in verse 9, we see that the doctrine of Christ is core to Christianity. Christians need to study Christ and know Him. If someone is in error teaching about Him, we need to separate from them. (This part of the book also leads to my understanding of the recipient of the letter as a literal woman and her children. John wanted them to use their authority as the home hosts of the church to essentially bar the doors to false teachers.)
Applications:
The applications of this passage are clear. First, show love for others. In order to do this, you must study and master God's Word. Then you must have the courage to apply what you learn to your relationships with others. Second, know the doctrine (collection of Biblical teachings) of Christ. Do not associate with those who do not teach Him properly. Yes, it is that important.
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