The following is a notable verse from 2 John is verse 6:
“And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of walking in obedience to God’s commands, particularly the command to love one another. It highlights the inseparable connection between love and obedience in the Christian life.
The Book of 2 John (PDF download)
An Overview
The Second Epistle of John, often referred to simply as 2 John, is a letter found in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Here’s an introduction to the Book of 2 John:
- Authorship: The author identifies himself as “the elder” (2 John 1:1), and while he does not explicitly identify himself as John, the apostle, early church tradition attributes the letter to John, the beloved disciple of Jesus Christ.
- Date and Context: The exact date of the composition of 2 John is uncertain, but it was likely written toward the end of the first century, between AD 70 and AD 100. The letter addresses concerns about false teachers and emphasizes the importance of love and truth in the Christian community.
- Purpose: The primary purpose of 2 John is to encourage believers to walk in truth and love and to guard against false teaching and deception. The letter warns against receiving false teachers and urges believers to remain faithful to the apostolic teaching they have received.
Themes
- Truth and Love: 2 John emphasizes the inseparable relationship between truth and love in the Christian life. The letter calls believers to abide in the truth of Christ and to demonstrate love for one another as evidence of their faithfulness to God’s commandments.
- Hospitality and Discernment: The letter addresses the practice of hospitality within the Christian community but warns against extending hospitality to false teachers who deny the truth of Christ. It underscores the importance of discernment and adherence to the apostolic teaching.
- Walking in Obedience: 2 John encourages believers to walk in obedience to God’s commandments and to remain steadfast in their faithfulness to Christ. It warns against deviating from the truth and emphasizes the need for discernment and spiritual maturity.
- Fellowship and Separation: The letter addresses the tension between fellowship with believers and separation from false teachers. It underscores the importance of maintaining purity and integrity within the Christian community and calls believers to exercise wisdom in their relationships.
- Witness and Testimony: 2 John emphasizes the role of believers as witnesses for Christ and bearers of the truth. It encourages believers to bear witness to the gospel message and to live lives that reflect the character and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Structure: The Book of 2 John is structured as a letter from the elder to the elect lady and her children, with a focus on exhortation and warning. It includes:
- Greeting and Salutation (2 John 1:1-3)
- Walking in Truth and Love (2 John 1:4-6)
- Warning Against Deceivers (2 John 1:7-11)
- Final Greetings and Farewell (2 John 1:12-13)
In summary, the Book of 2 John is a brief but powerful letter that emphasizes the importance of truth, love, and discernment in the Christian life. It encourages believers to remain faithful to the teachings of Christ, to guard against false teaching and deception, and to walk in love and obedience to God’s commandments.