SUMMARY
John the Elder writes to a local church leader and her “children” (that is, the local house church), encouraging them to continue to walk in the truth and love of God. He warns them to avoid false teachers or “deceivers” who deny that JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God’s saving act for humanity More Christ has come fully in the flesh.
SO WHAT?
This letter reminds readers that theology matters to our “walk in the truth,” our daily lives in faith. Especially important to any Christian’s life is one’s view of Jesus Christ.
WHERE DO I FIND IT?
The Second Letter of John is the twenty-fourth book in the New Testament. It is the second of the three “Johannine Letters,” a collection of writings that share much in common with each other and with the Gospel of John.
WHO WROTE IT?
The “elder” who wrote this letter is often identified as John, the same person who probably wrote the Gospel of John (maybe in cooperation with other writers). This elder may or may not be the ApostleDerived from a Greek word meaning “one who is sent,” an apostle is a person who embraces and advocates another person’s idea or beliefs. At the beginning of his ministry Jesus called twelve apostles to follow and serve him. Paul became an apostle of Jesus… More John, son of Zebedee.
WHEN WAS IT WRITTEN?
The Second Letter of John comes from around 90 C.E. It was probably written before 1 John, but after the Gospel of John.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
John the Elder opposes the false teachers who deny that Jesus came in the flesh, and he encourages a local church and its leader to continue to walk in the truth.
HOW DO I READ IT?
Read this letter in its context, written to a local house churchIn the early days of Christianity, the social and political climate was not always favorable to followers of Jesus and they could not meet publicly. Rather some would gather in homes of fellow Christians to break bread, give thanks to God, and sing psalms and… More to keep its members from heresyHeresy is a belief or set of beliefs and actions contrary to those accepted by the Christian church. Gnostic thought is one example of an heretical belief. More. Recognize the importance that John the Elder puts on sound theology. The simple language conveys profound issues, and so we should read also for the deeper messages that continue to speak to us.
