Revised by Elisabeth Johnson (12/23)
Heresy
The letter notes how damaging false teaching can be to the church. It prompts contemporary readers to consider whether Christians should continue to be concerned about 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 in the present day.
Incarnation
This letter insists on the full coming of the Son of God into human flesh–a fully human Savior. Many philosophies and religions of the first and second centuries saw the body or flesh as inherently evil, and this led some people to resist the idea of JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God’s saving act for humanity. More as God incarnate. There are indications in 2 John that these ideas had influenced some in the Johannine community, and the author insists that those who do not confess that “Jesus Christ has come in the flesh” are deceivers and antichrists (2 John 1:7).