Study notes

2 John 1

Introducing 2 JohnWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

1:1

  • The elder: The apostle John calls himself “the elder” to affirm his authority in the church.

  • To the chosen lady and her children: The Greek word kuria could be the name of a specific woman. However, it more likely refers to a local church and its members (see 1:13).

  • whom I love in the truth: This could mean “truly love” (see 1:5–6). More likely, it refers to the love shared by people who confess the same truth about Christ. This truth stands in contrast to the lies taught by the false teachers (1:7; see 1 John 2:21–23). John stresses the pronoun I to emphasize the difference from the false teachers, who lack love and reject the true church.

1:1–3

  • The apostle John begins a common introduction for a personal letter.

  • He mentions truth four times in this short opening and once more in 1:4. John wanted his readers to know the truths about Jesus Christ, to live according to those truths, and not to be led away by false teachers.

1:1–13 Section

John called himself the elder. He may have been talking about his age or about being a church elder. He said he was writing to a lady and her children whom God chose. This was a way to talk about the church.

It was common for churches to meet in someone’s home. It was also common for believers in Roman lands to be treated badly for following Jesus. John may have avoided using any names to protect the believers.

John wrote that the truth is that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He lived on earth as a human being with a human body. While Jesus was on earth he taught people how to live. People who follow Jesus’ teachings belong to God. They are part of God’s family together with everyone else who follows Jesus. That is why God’s children call one another brother and sister. They obey God’s commands. They lead a life of love like Jesus did.

John also wrote about the danger of lies and false teachings about Jesus. In John’s time, some people taught that Jesus didn’t ever have a human body. This teaching was based on a way of thinking called Docetism. These people thought that they knew many things and were proud of what they knew. John made it clear that people teaching these things didn’t follow Jesus’ teachings. They made themselves enemies of Christ. They didn’t lead a life of love. Instead, they did evil work. John warned the believers not to welcome such people. He meant that they weren't to be allowed to teach. John looked forward to visiting the believers and sharing his love and joy with them.

1:2

Christian love comes from understanding the truth. The truth that lives in us is more than just facts or teachings. The truth is the presence of God, who will be with us forever (see John 14:15–17).

1:3

Grace, mercy, and peace are blessings that John is confident God will give. These blessings are for people who live in truth and love and who show by their actions that they belong to God.

1:4–11

John now applies the truth and love that he mentioned in the introduction (1:1–3) to the situation of those he is writing to. Living in truth and love means maintaining unity or fellowship with true Christians (1:4–6). It also involves recognizing false teachers and choosing not to listen to or support them (1:7–11).

1:7

  • Many deceivers have gone out into the world: These people included the Docetists, who denied that Jesus Christ came in a real human body. John argued strongly against this false teaching in his first letter (see 1 John 4:2–3).

  • A false teacher is a deceiver because they mislead believers who are not careful. Such a person is also an antichrist because they turn people away from the true Christ. By using this strong apocalyptic title, antichrist, John shows how serious this false teaching is and points to the judgment that false teachers will face.

1:8

we: This word refers to the apostles and their co-workers. The apostles taught the truth and defended it against false teachings. Believers, referred to as you, are warned to guard their faith against teachings that could lead them away from God (1:9).

1:9

Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching: To run ahead means to disagree with the apostles' teachings about Jesus Christ and believe things the apostles did not teach. This is a warning to the church not to listen to the false teachers.

1:10–11

Christians should not invite any person who does not teach the truth about Christ into their homes. In the early church, Christians met for worship in homes (see Acts 2:46; 5:42; 8:3; 12:5, 12; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 1:2). Because of this, John may be referring to inviting false teachers into a meeting of the church.

This instruction may also refer to giving any type of hospitality to false teachers. Showing hospitality would support their work and help their message spread. John teaches that the only way to respond to them is to refuse to welcome them into the fellowship.

1:12

  • The English expression “face to face” has the same meaning as the Greek expression used here, which is literally “mouth to mouth” (see also 3 John 1:14).

  • so that our joy may be complete: This means that our relationship with Christ is not only a private experience. We experience the greatest joy when we live in peaceful fellowship with other believers.

1:13

The children of your elect sister: This probably refers to the sister church in Ephesus and its members. John was staying with them (see 1:1). He lived in that region and cared for several churches.

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources