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2 John Commentary

2 John 1

The apostle loved this elect lady "in the truth;" as did also all those who had known the truth and that for the truth's sake. He wished her blessing in truth and in love. He rejoiced that he had found some who were her children walking in the truth. He desired that there should be mutual love among Christians but this was love that they should keep the commandments; for many deceivers were come into the world. Now whosoever transgressed and did not abide in the doctrine of Christ had not God. He ends his epistle of which we have given an almost complete summary by exhorting this lady in case any one should come and not bring this doctrine not to receive him into her house nor say to him "God bless you or be with you " or "I salute you." For to do so would be to make herself a partaker in the evil he was doing.

The false doctrine which was abroad at that moment was the denial of the truth of Christ come in the flesh; but the apostle says in a general way that if any one transgressed and did not abide in the doctrine of Christ he had not God.

We learn several important things in this little epistle. The mission of a man who went about preaching was never brought into question but the doctrine which he brought; if he brought sound doctrine he was welcome.

A woman having the word-as this epistle for example-was capable of judging his doctrine and responsible to do so. Inexorable rigour was to be maintained if the doctrine as to the Person of Christ was touched. The door was to be shut against whoever falsified it. They were not even to say to him "I salute you;" for they who did so became partakers of his evil work. It would be to help on the deceits of Satan.

Moreover the semblance of love which does not maintain the truth but accommodates itself to that which is not the truth is not love according to God. It is the taking advantage of the name of love in order to help on the seductions of Satan. In the last days the test of true love is the maintenance of the truth. God would have us love one another; but the Holy Ghost by whose power we receive this divine nature and who pours the love of God into our hearts is the Spirit of truth; and His office is to glorify Christ. Therefore it is impossible that a love which can put up with a doctrine that falsifies Christ and which is indifferent to it can be of the Holy Ghost--still less so it such indifference be set up as the proof of that love.

The doctrine of the reward and crown of glory which the labourer possesses in the fruits of his ministry is presented in a very strong light in verse 8 This Second Epistle puts Christians on their guard against all that is equivocal with respect to the person of Christ; and exhorts to an unwavering firmness on this point.

── John Darby《Synopsis of 2 John》

2 John 1

Chapter Contents

The apostle salutes the elect lady and her children. (1-3) Express his joy in their faith and love. (4-6) Cautions them against deceivers. (7-11) And concludes. (12 13)

Commentary on 2 John 1:1-3

(Read 2 John 1:1-3)

Religion turns compliments into real expressions of respect and love. And old disciple is honourable; an old apostle and leader of disciples is more so. The letter is to a noble Christian matron and her children; it is well that the gospel should get among such: some noble persons are called. Families are to be encouraged and directed in their love and duties at home. Those who love truth and piety in themselves should love it in others; and the Christians loved this lady not for her rank but for her holiness. And where religion truly dwells it will abide for ever. From the Divine Persons of the Godhead the apostle craves grace Divine favour and good-will the spring of all good things. It is grace indeed that any spiritual blessing should be given to sinful mortals. Mercy free pardon and forgiveness; for those already rich in grace need continual forgiveness. Peace quietness of spirit and a clear conscience in assured reconciliation with God together with all outward prosperity that is really for good: these are desired in truth and love.

Commentary on 2 John 1:4-6

(Read 2 John 1:4-6)

It is good to be trained to early religion; and children may be beloved for their parents' sake. It gave great joy to the apostle to see children treading in their parents' steps and likely in their turn to support the gospel. May God bless such families more and more and raise up many to copy their example. How pleasing the contrast to numbers who spread irreligion infidelity and vice among their children! Our walk is true our converse right when according to the word of God. This commandment of mutual Christian love may be said to be a new one in respect of its being declared by the Lord Christ; yet as to the matter it is old. And this is love to our own souls that we obey the Divine commands. The foresight of the decay of this love as well as of other apostacies or fallings away might engage the apostle to urge this duty and this command frequently and earnestly.

Commentary on 2 John 1:7-11

(Read 2 John 1:7-11)

The deceiver and his deceit are described: he brings some error concerning the person or office of the Lord Jesus. Such a one is a deceiver and an antichrist; he deludes souls and undermines the glory and kingdom of the Lord Christ. Let us not think it strange that there are deceivers and opposers of the Lord Christ's name and dignity now for there were such even in the apostles' times. The more deceivers and deceits abound the more watchful the disciples must be. Sad it is that splendid attainments in the school of Christ should ever be lost. The way to gain the full reward is to abide true to Christ and constant in religion to the end. Firm cleaving to Christian truth unites us to Christ and thereby to the Father also; for they are one. Let us equally disregard such as abide not in the doctrine of Christ and those who transgress his commands. Any who did not profess and preach the doctrine of Christ respecting him as the Son of God and salvation by him from guilt and sin were not to be noticed and countenanced. Yet in obeying this command we must show kindness and a good spirit to those who differ from us in lesser matters but hold firmly the all-important doctrines of Christ's person atonement and holy salvation.

Commentary on 2 John 1:12 13

(Read 2 John 1:12 13)

The apostle refers many things to a personal meeting. Pen and ink were means of strengthening and comforting others; but to see each other is more so. The communion of saints should be maintained by all methods; and should tend to mutual joy. In communion with them we find much of our present joy and look forward to happiness for ever.

── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on 2 John》

2 John 1

Verse 1

[1] The elder unto the elect lady and her children whom I love in the truth; and not I only but also all they that have known the truth;

The elder — An appellation suited to a familiar letter but upon a weighty subject.

To the elect — That is Christian. Kuria is undoubtedly a proper name both here and in 2 John 1:5; for it was not then usual to apply the title of lady to any but the Roman empress; neither would such a manner of speaking have been suitable to the simplicity and dignity of the apostle.

Whom — Both her and her children.

I love in the truth — With unfeigned and holy love.

Verse 2

[2] For the truth's sake which dwelleth in us and shall be with us for ever.

For the truth's sake which abideth in us — As a living principle of faith and holiness.

Verse 3

[3] Grace be with you mercy and peace from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Father in truth and love.

Grace takes away guilt; mercy misery: peace implies the abiding in grace and mercy. It includes the testimony of God's Spirit both that we are his children and that all our ways are acceptable to him. This is the very foretaste of heaven itself where it is perfected.

In truth and love — Or faith and love as St. Paul speaks. Faith and truth are here synonymous terms.

Verse 4

[4] I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth as we have received a commandment from the Father.

I found of thy children — Probably in their aunt's house 2 John 1:13.

Walking in the truth — In faith and love.

Verse 5

[5] And now I beseech thee lady not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee but that which we had from the beginning that we love one another.

That which we had from the beginning — Of our Lord's ministry. Indeed it was in some sense from the beginning of the world.

That we may love one another — More abundantly.

Verse 6

[6] And this is love that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment That as ye have heard from the beginning ye should walk in it.

And this is the proof of true love universal obedience built on the love of God.

This — Love. Is the great commandment which ye have heard from the beginning - Of our preaching.

Verse 7

[7] For many deceivers are entered into the world who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Carefully keep what ye have heard from the beginning for many seducers are entered into the world who confess not Jesus Christ that came in the flesh - Who disbelieve either his prophetic or priestly or kingly office. Whosoever does this is the seducer - From God.

And the antichrist — Fighting against Christ.

Verse 8

[8] Look to yourselves that we lose not those things which we have wrought but that we receive a full reward.

That we lose not the things which we have wrought — Which every apostate does.

But receive a full reward — Having fully employed all our talents to the glory of him that gave them. Here again the apostle modestly transfers it to himself.

Verse 9

[9] Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son.

Receive this as a certain rule: Whosoever transgresseth - Any law of God.

Hath not God — For his Father and his God.

He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ — Believing and obeying it.

He hath both the Father and the Son — For his God.

Verse 10

[10] If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed:

If any came to you — Either as a teacher or a brother.

And bring not this doctrine — That is advance anything contrary to it.

Receive him not into your house — As either a teacher or a brother-Neither bid him God speed - Give him no encouragement therein.

Verse 11

[11] For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

For he that biddeth him God speed — That gives him any encouragement is accessory to his evil deeds.

Verse 12

[12] Having many things to write unto you I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you and speak face to face that our joy may be full.

Having many things to write I was not minded to write now — Only of these which were then peculiarly needful.

Verse 13

[13] The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

The children of thy elect or Christian sister - Absent if not dead when the apostle wrote this.

── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on 2 John》

Chapter 1. Walk in the Truth

Receive the Heresy
Share in Wicked Work

I. Love One Another in the Truth

1. John's Love
2. Family's Love
3. Congregation's Love

II. Practice in the Truth

1. Walk in the Truth
2. Rejoice in the Truth
3. Love in the Truth

III. Receive and Welcome in the Truth

1. Watch out the Deceiver
2. Run Ahead the Teaching of Christ
3. Do Not Take into House

── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》

 
A Letter To A Lady And Her Children (1-3)
 
THE SALUTATION (1-3)
 
 A. "THE ELDER
TO THE ELECT LADY AND HER CHILDREN..." (1-2)
 1. As discussed in the previous section
I understand John to 
 address a particular lady and her children
 2. Concerning this lady and her children
John writes of...
 a. His love for them: "whom I love in truth" (that is
whom
 he truly loves)
 b. The love held for them by others who are Christians ("those
 who have known the truth")
 3. The basis for this love?
 a. Not for any personal charm or unusual attractiveness
 b. But because of "the truth which abides in us"
 1) This "truth" may summarize all that is contained in 
 Jesus Christ and His gospel
  2) Sharing in this "truth" naturally engenders love for one
 another
 3) Especially the sort of "true love" or "sincere love" 
 made possible by our obedience to the truth - cf. 1 Pe
 1:22-23
 
 B. "GRACE
MERCY
AND PEACE WILL BE WITH YOU..." (3)
 1. Not so much a prayer (as usually found elsewhere)
but a 
 prediction
 2. These three words refer to wonderful blessings from God
 a. "grace" - unmerited favor
which God bestows on the 
 undeserving
 b. "mercy" - compassion
shown toward the guilty and helpless
 c. "peace" - tranquility
which is the result of receiving 
 God's grace and mercy
 3. The SOURCE of these blessings
  a. "from God the Father"
 b. "from the Lord Jesus Christ
the Son of the Father"
 -- together with verse 9
John makes it clear the Father and
 the Son are two distinct personalities in the Godhead
 4. The SPHERE in which these blessings are to be found: "in 
 truth and love"
 a. Grace
mercy
and peace are realized only when truth is 
 honored and held
 b. They are experienced only when the command to love is kept 
 (e.g.
there is no mercy shown to the unloving and 
 unmerciful)
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. With the words "in truth and love"
John sets the tone for what is 
 to follow in his letter...
 a. An exhortation to keep the commandment to love one another
 b. A warning against supporting those who would deny the truth
 
2. With this introduction to "A Letter To A Lady And Her Children"
I
 hope that I have set the tone for what should always be true in our
 relationship as Christians...
 a. A true love for one another because of the truth that we all 
 share
 b. A desire to walk in truth and love
for only then can we truly 
 receive grace
mercy
and peace
 
Have you received the grace
mercy
and peace that comes only from God
the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ
the Son of the Father?

Walking In Truth And Love (4-6)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In his greeting to the "elect lady and her children"
John wrote 
 that the grace
mercy
and love which proceeds from the Father and
 the Son is in the sphere of "truth and love" - 2 Jn 3
 
2. In verses 4-6
he expands upon the theme of "truth and love"

 doing so in the form of...
 a. A commendation for walking in truth
 b. An exhortation to love one another
 
3. In this study
let's examine this "commendation" and "exhortation"

 seeking to glean whatever principles or lessons that we can from 
 this passage
 
[Beginning with John's...]
 
I. COMMENDATION FOR WALKING IN TRUTH (4)
 
 A. "I REJOICED GREATLY..."
 1. Either by visiting or by receiving a report from others
John
 came to know that some of the "elect lady's" children were 
 walking in the truth
 2. This was a source of great joy to John
just as it was when he
 heard the same thing about Gaius - cf. 3 Jn 3
  3. As expressed to Gaius
there was no greater joy than hearing
 about others walking in truth - cf. 3 Jn 4
 4. What about the joy of hearing someone obeying the gospel?
 a. As great as that might be
there is always the possibility
 that one will not carry through with their initial 
 obedience to Christ
 b. That realization can temper one's joy
 c. But when time reveals that the person continues to walk in
 truth
that removes the question of whether one will carry
 through with their obedience to Christ
 5. Thus a great source of joy in the Christian faith can be in 
 the follow up of new converts
as well as in the 
 evangelization of the lost
 
 B. "...I HAVE FOUND SOME OF YOUR CHILDREN..."
 1. Unfortunately
John could not say "all"
but only "some"
 2. This reminds us that even the best of parents may have erring
 children
 a. Despite the fact that this mother was so special she was 
 called "the elect lady"
 b. Like Samuel
the prophet of God
she had some children who
 were not faithful to the Lord - cf. 1 Sam 8:1-3
 3. Whose fault is this?
 a. Some might say that in view of Pr 22:6
an erring child is
 always the parent's fault
 b. However
such a view of Pr 22:6 suggests a belief in 
 "environmental predestination"
 1) I.e.
that if the parent provides the proper environment
  in raising the child
there is no choice for the child
 but to turn out a certain way
 2) This would strip the child of any personal 
 responsibility
and lay the blame solely upon the
 parents
  3) While the parent will bear some responsibility if no 
 effort is made to restrain the child in his sin
the 
 ultimate responsibility is the child's - cf. 1 Sam
 3:11-13; Ezek 18:20
 c. There is another view of Pr 22:6...
 1) The literal rendering is "train up a child according to
 his own way..."
 2) I.e.
according to his own temperament
aptitude
etc.
 3) E.g.
if he is mechanically inclined
don't try to make
 him an office worker
 4) This view recognizes that this verse
like much of 
 Proverbs
is giving practical advice on the raising of
 children
and to realize that children are different and
 should raised according to their particular disposition
 and skills
 5) Failure to recognize this results in a child being 
 forced to become something he is not
and he will not 
 likely remain in it
 4. The fact remains that despite the best parenting
some 
 children simply choose to rebel against God
 
 C. "...WALKING IN TRUTH
AS WE HAVE RECEIVED COMMANDMENT FROM THE
 FATHER."
 1. This expresses the idea of living in harmony with the truth
 found in God's Word
 2. Everything one does demonstrates a life that is governed by 
 God's commandments
 3. Is this "legalism"? No! It is what it means to truly love 
 God - cf. 1 Jn 5:3; Jn 14:15; 15:14
 
[So with great joy in his heart
John commends the elect lady and her
children for their walking in the truth.
 
But an emphasis on walking in truth without an equal emphasis on loving
one another can easily develop a harsh
impatient
and insensitive 
disposition towards others
just as knowledge without love produces 
arrogance (cf. 1 Co 8:1).
 
Therefore it should not surprise us to find John following his 
commendation for walking in truth with an...]
 
II. EXHORTATION TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER (5-6)
 
 A. "AND NOW I PLEAD WITH YOU
LADY..."
 1. The tone of John's entreaty suggests the seriousness of this
 exhortation
 2. Certainly John stressed in his first epistle the importance of
 this command to love one another - cf. 1 Jn 2:10; 3:14; 
 4:20-21
 3. Therefore this is a commandment not to be taken lightly
 
 B. "NOT AS THOUGH I WROTE A NEW COMMANDMENT..."
 1. The commandment is not a new one
 a. It did not originate from John
 b. It is one which his readers had known since the beginning
 of their Christian experience - cf. 1 Jn 2:7; 3:11
 2. It is the commandment given by Jesus Himself - Jn 13:34-35;
 15:17
 
 C. "THAT WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER"
 1. The commandment given by Jesus is to love another
 2. Especially according to the standard of love laid down by 
 Jesus: "as I have loved you
that you also love one another"
 - Jn 13:34
 
 D. "THIS IS LOVE
THAT WE WALK ACCORDING TO HIS COMMANDMENTS"
 1. Here we learn what best demonstrates that we truly love one 
 another
 2. When I am keeping the commandments of God
I demonstrate true
 love for my brethren! - cf. 1 Jn 5:2
 3. I can claim brotherly love all day long
but unless I am 
 walking according to God's commandments my claim is 
 meaningless
 
 E. "THIS IS THE COMMANDMENT...YOU SHOULD WALK IN IT."
 1. This sentence is simply reinforcing what John has been saying
 a. The command to love is one we have had from the beginning
 b. We should therefore keep this commanding by walking in love
 2. Such repetition is often necessary...
 a. For there is always a tendency to hear and not obey
 b. The three "R's" of learning is "repetition
repetition

 repetition"
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. With joy in his heart
John commends; with a pleading voice he 
 exhorts
 a. He commends them for walking in truth
 b. He exhorts them to walk in love
 
2. There is ever a tendency to do one without the other...
 a. Some hold to the truth
but do so without love; this breeds 
 harshness
 b. Others are quick to display love
but neglect the truth; this 
 produces compromise
 
3. Both are wrong
and there is only one alternative: to walk in the 
 truth
and to walk in love!
 
May God help us always to do both faithfully!

Warning Against Receiving False Teachers (7-13)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In our brief survey of 2nd John
we have seen that John stressed the
 importance of "truth" and "love"...
 a. Four times in the first six verses he uses the word "love"
 b. Five times in these same verses he uses the word "truth"
 
2. Indeed
our last study observed that in verses 4-6 we have:
 a. A commendation for walking in truth - 2 Jn 4
 b. An exhortation to walk in love - 2 Jn 5-6
 
3. But what if someone comes our way
teaching doctrine contrary to 
 what we have learned from Jesus and His apostles...?
 a. Should our desire to "walk in love" permit us to receive and 
 support those teaching error?
 b. Can we do so
and still be "walking in truth"?
 
4. In the remaining portion of this short epistle
John (the "apostle 
 of love") is very explicit about such things...
 a. He tells us to beware of deceivers and antichrists - 2 Jn 7
 b. He tells us to look to ourselves lest we lose those things we 
 have worked for - 2 Jn 8
 c. He tells us of the danger of not abiding in the doctrine of 
 Christ - 2 Jn 9
 d. He tells us we cannot support teachers who fail to teach the 
 doctrine of Christ without sharing in their evil deeds - 2 Jn 
 10-11
 
In this "Warning Against Receiving False Teachers"
then
John warn us
about several things worthy of our careful consideration. Let's take a
closer look
beginning with the need to ...]
 
I. BEWARE OF DECEIVERS AND ANTICHRISTS! (7)
 
 A. JESUS AND HIS APOSTLES HAVE GIVEN US AMPLE WARNING...
 1. In His sermon on the mount - Mt 7:15
 2. In His discourse on Mt. Olivet - Mt 24:11
23-25
 3. Paul
in his farewell address to the Ephesian elders - Ac 20:
 29-31
 4. Paul
in his first epistle to Timothy - 1 Ti 4:1-3
 5. Peter
in his second epistle - 2 Pe 2:1-3
 
 B. EVEN IN JOHN'S DAY
THEY HAD BEGUN TO ARRIVE...
 1. Deceivers had gone out
denying that Jesus had come in the 
 flesh - 2 Jn 7
 2. Many false prophets had gone out into the world - 1 Jn 4:1
 3. Denying that Jesus Christ came in the flesh
they were 
 "antichrists" - 1 Jn 4:3; 2 Jn 7
 
[With such ample warning
and seeing that they had started to come even
in John's day
we should not be surprised to see many such deceivers
and antichrists today!
 
To guard against being misled by such deceivers
we do well to consider
the next important theme in our text...]
 
II. LOOK TO YOURSELVES! (8)
 
 A. THIS ADMONITION ALSO STRESSED THROUGHOUT THE SCRIPTURES...
 1. Several times on one occasion by Jesus - Mk 13:5
9
23
33
 2. By Paul in writing to the Corinthians - 2 Co 13:5
 
 B. THE NEED IS THERE
BECAUSE THE DANGER IS REAL...
 1. John was concerned that they not lose the things they worked
 for - 2 Jn 8
 2. The writer to the Hebrews was concerned that we not fall short
 of entering our heavenly rest - cf. He 3:12-4:1
 
[With the real danger of falling short of our eternal reward
and with
the ever present deceivers who can make it happen
it is imperative 
that we fully understand the basis upon which our relationship with the
Father and Son rests. 
 
John is clear about what that entails as he stresses the need to...]
 
III. ABIDE IN THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST! (9)
 
 A. THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST: OBJECTIVE OR SUBJECTIVE GENITIVE?
 1. Is it the doctrine about Christ
or the doctrine taught by 
  Christ?
 2. As pointed out in the Expositor's Bible Commentary
the 
 question is of little importance for John holds equally to 
 both positions
 a. It is fundamental to the faith to hold to the proper views
 about Christ - cf. 2 Jn 7
 b. It is fundamental to the faith to obey the commandments of
 Christ - cf. 1 Jn 3:24
 3. Thus what John says here applies in either case
 
 B. THE NEED TO ABIDE IN THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST...
 1. Those who do not abide
do not have God - e.g.
1 Jn 1:6;
 2:3-5
 2. Those who do abide
have both the Father and the Son - cf. 
 Jn 14:21
23
 -- Note: This verse strongly supports the concept of the
 Trinity
in which there is only one God
but three distinct 
 personalities in the Godhead (Father
Son
Holy Spirit)
 
[As long as we abide in the doctrine of Christ
keeping His 
commandments
we have no reason to fear being misled by deceivers
nor
losing our reward.
 
That brings us to the theme which may have prompted the writing of this
letter...]
 
IV. DO NOT RECEIVE FALSE TEACHERS! (10-11)
 
 A. THE CONTEXT IS LIKELY THAT OF SUPPORTING THEM IN THEIR WORK
 1. It was common for first century missionaries to depend upon 
 the hospitality of the early Christians - cf. Philemon 22
 2. In his third epistle
John commends Gauis for this sort of 
 hospitality - 3 Jn 5-7
 
 B. TO SUPPORT THEM IS TO SHARE IN THEIR EVIL DEEDS...
 1. Supporting a teacher made one a fellow worker with him who 
 taught
 a. That could make one a fellow worker for the truth - 3 Jn 8
 b. But if his teaching was contrary to the doctrine of Christ

 supporting him would be to share in his evil deeds - 2 Jn
 11
 2. Therefore the admonition to the elect lady not to receive or
 greet such false teachers...
 a. Not we should never seek to study with those in error who
 may come our way
 b. But not to receive those false teachers who seek only our
 acquiescence to their doctrine and our support to help them
 spread it!
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. With this "Warning Against Receiving False Teachers"
John purpose
 in writing is fulfilled
 
2. He then signs off with a brief farewell...
 a. Having so much more to write
but desiring to speak in person
 - 2 Jn 12
 1) Why? "...that our joy may be full"
 2) Despite the convenience of remote communication (e.g.
writing
  letters
talking on the phone
sending email)
nothing
 surpasses the joy of talking face to face
 b. Sending greetings from "the children of your elect sister" - 2 Jn
 13
 1) How one interprets "the elect lady and her children" in verse
 1 determines one's understanding of verse 13
 2) Either members of another church
or relatives of the "elect 
 lady and her children"
 
2. As we close our perusal of this epistle
I hope that we are left 
 with a strong sense of need...
 a. To walk in the truth
 b. To walk in love
 c. To be very careful about those teachers to whom we give our 
 support
 
How is our walk today? Are we walking according to the doctrine of 
Christ concerning truth and love? Remember the words of John...
 
 "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."

－－《Executable Outlines》

Walk in the truth

Receive the heresy

Share in wicked work

I. Love one another in the truth

1. John’s love

2. Family’s love

3. Congregation’s love

II.Practice in the truth

1. Walk in the truth

2. Rejoice in the truth

3. Love in the truth

III. Receive and welcome in the truth

1. Watch out the deceiver

2. Run ahead the teaching of Christ

3. Do not take into house

－－ Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》

Words of Counsel to the Elect Lady (2 John)

I. Three interpretations are given of the addressee ‘the elect lady’

1. Either an unknown sister addressed as ‘lady’ (Greek ‘kuria’ feminine of ‘lord’)

2. Or a believer whose name was ‘Kuria’

3. Or a community a local assembly

II. The writer the aged Apostle John given her a three-fold counsel—

1. Love one another-the Command (v.5)

2. Look to yourselves—the Warning (v.6)

3. Learn the doctrine—the Advice (v.9)

── Archibald Naismith《Outlines for Sermons》