One Year Journey Through the New Testament
2 John 1
Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!
Greeting the Elect Lady
2 John 1–3 (NKJV)
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 known the truth, 2 because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us 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.
Points to Ponder:
- John opens this second letter by identifying himself as the elder, and addressing the letter to the elect lady and her household. He expresses love for her from himself and those who are fellow Christians.
- He then offers a blessing of grace, mercy, and peace from the Father and the Son.
Walk in Christ’s Commandments
2 John 4–6 (NKJV)
4 I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received a 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.
Points to Ponder:
- John compliments the elect lady by pointing out that her children walk in truth. He then reminds her of the call to love one another.
- He further describes that love as walking according to the Lord’s commandments. This is the basic foundational commandment, to love.
Beware of Antichrist Deceivers
2 John 7–11 (NKJV)
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 lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.
9 Whoever transgresses and does not 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 If 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.
Points to Ponder:
- John then describes the peril of deception in the world. There are deceivers in the world who fight against the true gospel. This antichrist spirit can pull believers from the truth and into error. He warns them to beware of this deception, so they will not lose their salvation.
- Anyone who denies the doctrine of Christ is lost. If you support and live in that truth, you have relationship with the Father and the Son. If someone brings a false doctrine to you, do not have fellowship with them. Do not share his or her evil sins.
John’s Farewell Greeting
2 John 12–13 (NKJV)
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.
Points to Ponder:
- John shares his wish to visit the elect lady soon rather than writing more in this letter.
- He sends greetings from her elect sister and closes the letter.
- The message here is one of encouragement toward holy living, true doctrine, and the love of God.
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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.
Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.
Devoted To You 