2nd John Part 10

1:12-13 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. The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

It appears that John restrained himself from writing further to advance his conversation with his audience. He didn’t stop on account of having nothing more to say, but rather that he would finish saying these things face to face rather than through a letter. His intention was that their (mutual) joy may be full. Paul the apostle wrote much the same thing to the Christians at Rome when he said “For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me,” Romans 1:11-12.

2nd John Part 9

1:10-11 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Here John issues further warning to the elect lady that if such false evangelists arrive bearing this message that perverts the nature and person of Jesus Christ that she was not to admit him or even wish him well. There was to be no blessing given to someone so set against the truth of the gospel. Two possibilities exist here. Either the elect lady was the matron of a house church that gathered under her roof, or the “elect lady” is indeed a cipher for a church body that John may have planted.

2nd John Part 8

1:9 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.

John tells us that failing to abide in the doctrine of Christ delivered first by the apostles and then by evangelists and others was a transgression, Matthew 28:20; John 15:14. The Greek word for “transgresseth” John uses is “parabaino” and means “to go contrary, to violate a command, to go aside, or to go beyond.” To teach opposite of what Christ taught, to violate His command, to turn aside from His word, or to go beyond His word by adding our own, is to transgress His doctrine.

2nd John Part 7

1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

This verse first of all commands that Christians watch over one another, especially in terms of doctrinal deviance which results in moral degeneration. Paul writes that we are to bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ, Galatians 6:2. This is in regards to the Christian ministering to a saint that has gone astray, Galatians 6:1. We are to look after ourselves, but also have the interests of others in mind, Philippians 2:20-21. The word “likeminded” in Philippians 2:20 is the Greek “isopsuchos” and means “of equal soul.” This is the mindset that we have for the brethren; the exact same mindset that Christ Jesus has.

2nd John Part 6

1:6-7 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. 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.

We demonstrate our love in a visible, testable way by obeying the voice of God as He reveals His will in Scripture. We are to walk—that is, order our lives—after His commandments. Listen to one of Israel’s prophet’s concerning the nature of walking in the direction God points us in.

2nd John Part 5

1:4-5 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. 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.

John rejoices over the fact that some of this woman’s children are walking in the truth. It delights the apostle to know that the reception of the gospel has landed in the fertile soil of prepared hearts and has yielded a harvest of obedience. I use the word prepared not in any Calvinist sense, but with the notion that if someone sets their heart to find God, God will reward them with Himself as He promised, Jeremiah 29:13.

2nd John Part 4

1:2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.

John tells this matron that it is for the truth’s sake that she is loved; both by him and by all who have known the truth, verse 1. There are two important points that the apostle stresses about this truth which is the commonality if their love and faith. First, it dwells in them individually. Because there is this individual possession of the truth John speaks of there can be corporate unity amidst the brethren. Second, this truth shall be with “us” (namely every Christian) forever. The notion of “forever” (NKJV) conducts the idea of eternity. The truth dwells in us and will forever be with us.

2nd John Part 3

1:1 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, cont.

We know from hundreds of verses throughout the New Testament that faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ saves. For example:

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe,” 1st Corinthians 1:18-21.

2nd John Part 2

1:1 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, cont.

I do not expect this portion of my writing to be well received, but I am convinced that it is the Biblical structure the church was meant to be founded upon, and we have gone far away from it, led back into a priesthood/worshiper dichotomy courtesy of the RCC and similarly designed church structures. A plurality of elders, independently governing the local church they are a part of is God’s design for His body, with the Holy Spirit ruling over all.

2nd John Part 1

1:1 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;

Though a number of scholars believe the beginning of this verse is in reference to “John the Elder” a disciple of John’s, I don’t believe such an explanation is necessary. John is merely, through his letter, reminding the saint he is writing of his position in the church. Like Peter he is a fellow elder among other things, 1st Peter 5:1.