Letters · Act VI
2 John: Love within the truth
Walk in the Father's truth and love one another, remain in Christ's teaching, and refuse to support deceivers who deny His coming in the flesh.
Where 2 John sits
- In the story
- Act VI, Church · Last Apostle, Later first century
- In the Bible
- New Testament · Letters · book 63 of 66
- Before it in the story
- 1 John
- After it in the story
- 3 John
The church lives by the apostolic testimony to the Son who came in the flesh. Its love and hospitality must preserve the truth through which it knows the Father.
2 John summary
The elder greets the chosen lady and her children in the truth they share, with grace, mercy and peace from the Father and Son (1–3). He rejoices in their walk and recalls the command to love one another through obedience (4–6). Deceivers deny Jesus Christ's coming in the flesh, so the readers must watch themselves and remain in His teaching (7–9). Receiving and endorsing such teachers would make them partners in evil (10–11). The elder hopes for a personal visit and sends greetings from the elect sister's children (12–13).
2 John in context
- Written by
- The elder (1), traditionally identified as the apostle John. The letter itself supplies no personal name.
- Written to
- The chosen lady and her children (1), most likely a church and its members; an individual woman and her household remain possible.
- Setting
- Traveling deceivers deny the incarnation, creating a practical question about whom the community should receive and support (7, 10–11). No city is named.
- When
- Usually associated with John's later first-century ministry; its precise date and order among his letters are uncertain.
- Why
- To bind obedient love to the truth about Christ and prevent participation in the work of those who deny Him.
Themes of 2 John
- Abiding truth
- Obedient love
- The incarnate Son
- Responsible partnership
Key verses in 2 John
2 John 1:6
And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the very commandment you have heard from the beginning, that you must walk in love.
2 John 1:9
Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son.
2 John 1:11
Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.
2 John chapter by chapter
- 12 John 1: Love that remains in Christ's truth
Walk in truth and obedient love, refusing partnership with teachers who deny the incarnate Son.
Plus What TheoMaps holds for 2 John
- How 2 John points to Christ
- How it connects to 3 other books: John, 1 John and 3 John
- What each of its 4 themes means, with its verses
- 3 debated questions, with the main views, such as “Who is the chosen lady?”
TheoMaps Plus opens every book the way Genesis is open, on the map, with Challenges to help you remember it.