Walk In Love Series

The book of 2 John, a short letter, is written by John the beloved disciple. He was the closest person to Jesus during his earthly ministry. John was key in the growth of the early church. He was in and out of prison for sixty years following the death of Jesus.

When John wrote this letter he was, most likely, an elder in Ephesus. When John later wrote Revelation it was 95 AD. He was probably about 92 years old when he wrote Revelation. It seems like John’s other writings, 1,2,3 John and the Gospel of John were written before he was imprisoned on Patmos. That is why he could say he wanted to visit the church soon.

He may have been writing to one of the seven churches he addressed in Revelation. Not Ephesus, because he is writing from there, but one of the other six: Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia or Laodicea.

John had security concerns, so he wrote using some encrypted language. He used lady chosen by God instead of saying church. He said “her children” for Christians. He refers to himself simply as “the elder.” He said, “the children of your sister,” to refer to the members of another church who send greetings. These security concerns of John turned out to be real. He did go to prison on the Island of Patmos later. Probably when John wrote this letter the Apostle Paul and Peter were already executed for their faith. It was the infamous period of time when the Christians were being thrown to the lions.

Truth lives in us. (Verses 1-3)

The elder, To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth— 2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love. (2 John 1:1-3)

John used encrypted language for some of the context of his letter. When it came to the main point, he did not use encrypted language. He was clear. The truth lives in us. He mentions God the Father and Jesus Christ. This made the letter dangerous in the time of Nero throwing Christians to the lions, but there are some risks John is going to take. When it comes to the main thing John was clear. It was going to be difficult for the persecutors to know who to persecute if this letter was found.

Recently a leader in South Asia told me that extremists were looking to persecute the leader of a growing movement. The problem was, they did not know who was behind the movement. It was organic and those who had started the gospel spreading were behind the scenes and anonymous. It was going to be difficult for the extremists to identify and pin down John and throw him in prison. They would get him eventually, but he was not going to make it easy for them.

When it comes to the central message of the truth in Jesus Christ there is no encrypted language. The truth is used four times in verses 1-3 and one more time in verse 4. John loves the church in truth. They all know the truth. It is all because of the truth that lives in us. Grace of God is with us in truth. Everything is based on the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Walk in Love (Verses 4-6)

It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. (2 John 1:4-6)

John has been emphasizing love one for another throughout his Gospel and his letters. He said in his Gospel it is how we are known as disciples. There is how Nero’s henchmen can find those who should be persecuted. They have a supernatural love toward one another. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

John is about to warn the church of the deceivers. It is the truth and love that John has emphasized that helps you recognize the sheep from the wolves in sheep’s clothes.

Watch out for deceivers (Verses 7-11)