SUMMARY
The author warns against deceivers who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh and urges the community to abide in the teaching of Christ.
ANALYSIS
As in 1 John, the author identifies a critical problem troubling the community – those who deny that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh (v. 7). The author insists that “any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist! Once again, the term “antichrist” should not be confused with the beast of Revelation 13, whom some interpreters have labeled as the antichrist (even though this term is not used in Revelation). Both 1 John 2:18 and 2 John 7 make clear that there can be multiple deceivers or “antichrists” and that these are simply human beings who oppose the truth about Christ. The author encourages believers to be on guard so as not to be deceived by false teachings and thus lose their future reward (v. 8).
Verse 9 encourages believers to abide in “the teaching (didaché) of Christ.” There is debate as to whether this means “what Christ taught” or “the teaching about Christ.” Both are possible, although the context seems to favor the latter – i.e., the teaching that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. Whoever denies this teaching does not have God, but whoever abides in it has the Father and the Son (cf. 1 John 2:23).
Verses 10-11 instruct the faithful not to receive into their house or welcome anyone who does not teach the truth about Christ, for to have fellowship with them would be to participate in their falsehood and evil deeds.
