The marvelous epistle of II John emphasizes that “truth” and “love” are the prominent concerns of this letter. In relation to believers, this emphasis should provoke us to lovingly walk in cadence to the truth of God’s word. The outline of this marvelous epistle is as follows: I. Remain in God’s Commandments (vs. 1-6); II. Reject the Teaching of False Teachers (vs. 7-13).
I. Remain in God’s Commandments (vs. 1-6)
The second epistle of John in verse 1 is a personal letter coming from “the elder unto the elect lady and her children.” The Apostle John’s reference to an elder would designate a senior citizen or to an office in the church, namely a minister or a teacher. The reference to the elect lady and her children may be a figurative way of designating a local church and the spiritual children of the church.
In verses 1-2, the Apostle John is asserting his love for the elect lady (church) and for her children for walking in the truth. In addition, the Christian community who knew the truth were called God’s elect, i.e., Christians. The love that the Apostle John and others expressed for the Christian community was based on God’s truth. The love that the Apostle John is declaring is motivated by a knowledge of the truth which has been revealed in Christ. Truth is the basis of love.
In verse 3, the Apostle John asserted that those receiving this letter will be experiencing Grace, Mercy and Peace in truth and love. Grace is referred to as God’s unmerited favor; Mercy is God’s compassion for the wretched; Peace is the resultant entirely of a believer’s eternal standing. The elect lady’s children are being commended in verse 4 for walking in obedience to the commandments from the Father. As children of God, we are to order our lives in cadence to God’s word!
In addressing the elect lady, John enjoined her with nothing other than the command that we love one another. This beginning in verse 5 refers to the beginning of the ministry of Christ in reference to His incarnation.
As believers, we should love one another because love is the mark of our identity, for St. John 13:35 says: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” As believers, we truly express love as we obey God’s commandments! (v. 6). Believers who express love for one another are walking in the truth, that is living in response to what God has revealed in His word.
II. Reject the Teaching of False Teachers (vs. 7-13)
In verse 7, the Apostle John lays out a stern admonition against false proclaimers who rejected Christ’s incarnation. He identified these false proclaimers as deceivers and as antichrists. Because of the prevalence of these false proclaimers, or deceivers, believers should be watchful in knowing of the disastrous spiritual effects which any compromise with these deceivers may lead to (v. 8). We should not suffer receiving a full reward by compromising with deceivers or a cult that denies the incarnation or Deity of Jesus Christ.
In verse 9, the Apostle John issues a firm admonishment for believers not to “overstep” the boundaries of sound doctrine; they were admonished to “remain” or “continue” in the teaching about Christ. Those who continue in the sound teaching about Christ have both the Father and the Son. Having both the Father and the Son is saying that God is with those who persist in the true doctrine about Christ.
In verses 10-11, as believers we are to exercise discrimination in our dealing with those who are purveyors of false doctrine. We are not to fellowship with those who promote the spirit of the antichrist! In verses 12-13, the Apostle John expressed that he had many things to write to these recipients to fulfill their full joy; nevertheless, he closes this epistle with a greeting to the elect sister, a reference either to another local church or another Christian woman.
May God bless!
Dr. Johnny Calvin Smith
