2 John

1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.

3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, 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 found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

They are to shun those non-believers who teach false doctrines

10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

This is the second of three epistles or letters by John. Here he writes a short, but urgent note to a specific member of the church and her children. (v 1) John writes with the authority of eldership. (v 1) His message explains in a loving way that only those who are true in the faith should be welcome guests. (vv 9, 10) Aiding those who bring false teachings is like being part and parcel of what they proclaim. (v 11) Therefore discernment is required on the part of a host so as not to assist or be contaminated with false teaching.

1 The form of John's greeting to 'the elect lady' is done in Christian love. (Agapao - the all embracing God-given love.) It is in response to Christ's command to love one another as He loves His elect. (John 13:34) This love is central to the 'truth' (John 14:6) of the gospel. Only love based on the truth of God's word is acceptable, being the experience of all believers.

2 This truth lives eternally.

3 A short, but mighty prayer, expressing John's desire for the recipient to know the truth of the grace, mercy and peace available from God and Jesus.

4 John was joyful that some of the elect lady's children were living their lives in accordance with the word of God.

5, 6 He earnestly requested that this lady should put into practice the commandment of love of which she was aware. (John 14:23, 15:12, 1 John 2:24)

7 Those who do not confess that Jesus was born of a woman (That He came in the flesh as a man and yet was fully God.) are deceivers. (1 John 4:2, 3) They are against Christ, and allied with satan.

8 Being influenced by deceivers could result in loss. True believers can never lose their salvation, (John 17:6 - 10, Ephesians 1:4-14, 2 Thessalonians 2:13) but they may suffer loss. (1 Corinthians 3:15)

9 Those who apparently fall away because of false teaching are never true believers. The Father and the Son enable the faithful to persevere.

10 Christians are not to receive into their household as guests, those who would lead them astray by false doctrines.

11 Those Christians who would purposely receive false teachers would be partakers of their sin.

12 There were other urgent issues to address, but they would better be done by the spoken word when John would meet up with the elect lady. The purpose was to have full fellowship in Christ.

13 The lady's sister was also a Christian. (Elect - chosen of God.) Her children sent their greeting to their aunt.

 Once again, thank you for sharing these important teachings of John.

May our studies be for the glory of God, His worship, adoration and the extension of His kingdom.

My prayer, if you do not know Him, is that the Holy Spirit will enliven your soul to everlasting life, to the praise and glory of His Name.

If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to get in touch by E-mail to me, Bill Serjeant, at: w.serjeant@btinternet.com