ChristLife Servant Leadership Ministry

 The Second Epistle of John

A Study Series of the Testimonies and Writings of the Apostle John

Book One: The Gospel of John

Book Two: The First Epistle of John

 Book Three: The Second Epistle of John

 Book Four: The Third Epistle of John

 Book Five: The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Larry R. Gilmore, Mdiv.

Pastor/Evangelist/Servant

Forward

The Second Epistle of John

The Apostle John wrote this Second Epistle to the “Elect Lady and her Children.” This is believed to be a figurative reference to the church body, or possibly a respected person and her children who walked upright in the faith in a time of great discord and evil. The early church, as today, had its hands full of false teachers and prophesiers who perverted the Doctrine of Jesus Christ for their own benefit. John would none of it, and he was concerned about those of Faith who were being tempted and corrupted. This prevailing heresy, known as Docetism, was perverting the Faith by teaching that Christ did not actually come in the flesh. John, herein, warned believers to protect themselves against such false teaching and to stick to the Doctrine of Jesus Christ, the Doctrine of Truth, which they had from the beginning.

Dedication

All glory, praise, and honor be to God the Father, Jesus Christ the Risen Lord, and the Spirit of Holiness which inspired these writings!

My special heartfelt thanks to my wife, our children, our grandchildren, our family, our friends, and colleagues of Faith for their prayers, support, and inspiration in my writing of this Study Series of the Testimonies and Writings of the Apostle John.

Table of Contents

1. Overview
2.  2 John 1-13
3.   Personal Testimonial Essay
4.  Reference Sources

The Second Epistle of John - In the Second Epistle of John the false teachers which were threatening the church held the same error as those he confronted in First Epistle of John. John gives an earnest plea to continue in love of God and one another and so obeying Christ's Commandments. He also gives an admonition to reject those deceivers who deny that Jesus Christ truly became a human being. Here John refers to himself as an elder, rather than an apostle, which was a term respected by both Jews and Christians.

Bible Verses and References.

• Greetings to the Elect Lady and Her Children: “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 know the Truth, 2. Because the Truth which abides in us and will be 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.” (2 John 1-3)

             1. Colossians 1:5

             2. N/A

             3. 1 Timothy 1:2

•  Walk in the Truth in Faithful Obedience to the Commandments of Jesus Christ our Lord: “4. I rejoice 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.” (2 John 4-6)

             4. 3 John 3, 4

             5. John 13:34-35, 15:12-17

             6. 1 John 2:5, 24, 5:3

• Beware of many deceivers and antichrists: “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 loose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. 9. Whoever transgresses and does 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. I 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.” (2 John 7-11)

             7. 1 John 2:19-22, 4:1-2

             8. Mark 13:9; Galatians 3:4

             9. John 7:16, 8:31

             10. Romans 16:17

             11. N/A

• The Apostle 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. 13. The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.” (2 John 12-13)

              12. John 17:13; 3 John 13, 14

              13. 1 Peter 5:13

2 John Review.

Greeting the Elect Lady.

1-3 In John's introduction he reassures his readers of God's continuing grace, mercy, and peace. There are two distinct themes in this Epistle: (1) the truth about Jesus Christ; and, (2) the necessity for the love for others.

1 The elder refers to one who is older in knowledge and wisdom, one who holds authority, and is a leader of the church. John expresses his affection and bond to the people he is addressing. The elect lady is the church to whom the letter is addressed.  Her children are the church members. Truth of which he speaks is refering to Jesus Christ and the Christian faith (Col. 1:5 "... of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.")

2, 3 Because the truth of Christ's finished work on the cross abides in us, we are made confident of receiving God's grace, mercy, and peace. (Rom. 1:7 "to all ... beloved of God ... Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."; 1 Tim. 1:2 "Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.")

Walk in Christ’s Commandments.

4 John expresses his joy to see, after many years, people of the Christian community still walking in faith and truth. (1 Thess. 2:19, 20 "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? ... you are our glory and joy."; 3 John 3, 4 "For I rejoice greatly ... I have no greater joy than to hear my children walk in truth.")

5, 6 Here he expresses his joy for the ongoing love that each member has for another since the beginning (1 John 2:7-11 "... the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother is in darkness ... He who loves his brother abides in the light ... But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness ... because the darkness has blinded his eyes."; John 13:34, 35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. By this all will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."; John 14:15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments.")  

Beware of Antichrist Deceivers.

7 John warns the church against those who deny the deity and humanity of Jesus Christ. He calls them deceivers of the faith and antichrist. (1 John 2:19-22 "... Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.")

8 John instructs the readers to look to themselves and to rely on the truth they have been taught from the beginning, and not to those outside the church for instruction.  (Mark 13:9 "But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them."; Gal. 3:4 "Have you suffered so many things in vain - if indeed it was in vain?")

9 Those who do not abide in truth and who compromise the integrity of the Word of God, the truth is not in them and they no longer have the saving grace of either the Father or the Son. (John 7:16 "Jesus answered them and said, 'My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.' "; John 8:31 "Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, 'If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.' ")

10, 11 We are not to receive in any way, shape, or form any doctrine or any movement which denies the deity, the true humanity, or the atoning death of Jesus Christ. To appease or to support and condone such, compromises the truth and teachings of Holy Scripture and is to deny the Father and the Son, and we therefore share in their evil deeds and in their condemnation and judgment. (1 Kings 13:16, 17 "... I cannot return with you nor go with you; neither can I eat bread nor drink water with you in this place. For I have been told by the Lord, 'You shall not eat bread nor drink water there, nor return by going the way you came.' "; Rom. 16:17 "Now I urge you brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them."; Titus 3:10,11 "Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.")

John’s Farewell Greeting.

12, 13 There is an abounding joy and commitment which all faithful Christians, the elect, share. It is a bond of love that is found only in obedience to the will of the Father and in Christ Jesus. (John 17:13 "But now I come to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves." 1 Peter 5:13 "... Greet one another with a kiss of love.")

2 John Short Essay Questions.

1. In verses 1-3, Who are the Elect Lady and her Children? Who or What is the Truth that abides in John and those he is addressing?

2. In verses 4-6, What is the Commandment that John is referring to, and from Whom does It proceed?

3. In verse 7-11, Who are we to be aware of, and Why? Are we to fellowship with those who do not abide in the Doctrine of Jesus Christ? Why? What is the result of fellowship with those who do not believe and practice the Doctrine of Jesus Christ?

4. In verses 12-13, Why does John wish to speak to his beloved brethren in person? 

Testimonial Essay – After much prayer and discernment, as a sojourner of Faith, on separate paper write your spiritual Testimony of Faith (Minimum of 500+ Words), thus, bearing witness to Whom Jesus the Risen Christ is in your daily life, and in your daily walk of Faith. Begin your spiritual Testimony of Faith by reflecting from where you were before receiving Jesus the Risen Christ as the Savior of your life. Address how accepting Him as your personal Savior and Christ of your life has transformed and regenerated you. Include in your spiritual Testimony of Faith personal examples: spiritual, emotional, and physical, as well as others as applicable. Remember, this is you spiritual Testimony of Faith, so bless others with your witness. May our Lord God’s love, peace, and joy bring you fullness in your continued journey of Faith and discovery! Amen. Halleluiah. Amen!

If you need help with answers, or assistance, write to us or E-mail us at the below address!

Mailing Address  

Pastor Larry R. Gilmore

The Epistle of 2 John Study Series

P.O. Box 841026

Pearland, TX 77584

E-mail Address: 

larryrgilmorepastor@yahoo.com 

Web Site: http://larryrgilmorechristlifeservantleadershipministry.org

Reference Sources.

The Nelson Study Bible, New King James Version, Copyright @1997, Thomas Nelson, Inc. Publishers, Nashville.

Aramaic English New Testament, Andrew Gabriel Roth, Copyright @2008, Netzari Press, Jerusalem, Israel.

Greek-English New Testament, Nestle-Aland, Copyright @1994, DEUTSCHE BIBELGESELLSCHAFT, Munster/Westphalia.

Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, Copyright @1992, INTERVARSITY PRESS, Downers Grove, Illinois.

The Anchor Dictionary, Volume 3 H-J, Copyright @1992, Doubleday, New York.

The New Interpreter’s Bible, A Commentary in Twelve Volumes, Volume XII 1, 2 & 3 John, Copyright @1995, Abingdon Press, Nashville.

The Expositor’s Commentary, New International Version, Volume 12, 1, 2 & 3 John, Copyright @1981, The Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids.