TRUTH AND LOVE
2 John1-13, ESV
The second letter of John was written to the “elect lady.” The term may mean two things. It is written to a respectable or noble woman in the faith, or the term “elect lady” is a term used to refer to the local church. Many believe that it is used for the local church. The universal church is described in the feminine, so too the local church community.
2 John 1-3: The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.From the introduction, one can see John’s writing style. He speaks of truth and love, as well as the truth that abides. Some scholars even see the letter as a fitting intro to the first letter of John; one may also say it is a fitting conclusion.
Walk in Truth and Love
John reminds the reader of the new commandment: to love one another. He explained that love is about walking in the Lord’s commandments. He also mentions the phrase “from the beginning.” The whole short letter reveals John’s style of writing.
2 John 4-6: I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. 5 And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.John’s Gospel account and First Epistle reveal the command to love one another. But not only to love one another, but to walk in the truth. The truth is the gospel that they heard from the beginning, the truth about Christ and His work.
Guard the Truth
The author addresses the problem of false teachers, which he calls “deceivers.” They claimed that Jesus Christ did not come in the flesh. The apostle charged the readers to guard themselves. He clearly stated that those who do not abide in the teaching of Christ do not have God.
2 John 7-9: For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. 9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.What a person believes affects his or her standing before God. Therefore, the church cannot ignore doctrine. One cannot say, “forget doctrine, let us just love one another.” The context clearly states the importance of both truth and love.
Do Not Welcome
A believer cannot welcome everybody and anybody into their home. A believer cannot welcome anyone who deviates from the doctrines about Christ. Not only that, if he or she greets them, they take part in their wicked works.
2 John 10-13: If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works. 12 Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete. 13 The children of your elect sister greet you.There was more to write, but some discussions are better face-to-face. Reinforcing truth and practicing love for the community brings much joy to everyone. It gives the believer a sense of being complete.
Application
1. Let us walk in the truth, and let us love one another. Let us also rejoice when we see others walk in the truth and love one another. Let us remind each other to walk in the truth and love one another.
2. Guard ourselves and each other against false teachers and false teaching. There are many in the world then and now. Those who remain in the doctrines of Christ have God, but those who do not, do not have God.
3. Let us not welcome false teachers, and let us not even greet them. If we do, we take part in their wickedness. But let us welcome each other in truth and love, always.
Poem
DO NOT EVEN TALK by Ed Pilapil Jr In the gospel truth, we will walk We shall listen, and we shall talk Love one another, that’s His will Our hearts, Father and Son, will fill It’s love and His commandments Intertwined and no detachments Each element, part of the whole Father and Son in full control Deceivers are not in control In Christ, they’ll never be made whole False believers, clear detachment Rejecting our God’s commandments Deceivers cup, we will not fill Not even greet, that is His will Do not engage and do not talk Remain in the truth that you walk
Study Guide
1. In 2 John 1-6, what similarities can you find with the Gospel of John and the First Epistle?
2. Why is the truth about Jesus Christ so important? How does it affect our standing before God? (2 John 7-9)
3. What does the text say about those who do not remain in the teaching (2 John 4-6)? What should we NOT do when we encounter false teachers (2 John 10-13)? Explain why?
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