2 John is the second of three canonical books of the New Testament written by John the Apostle. Second Epistle of John 1 It is a striking fact that John never appeals to his apostleship in his epistles. He advised Church members not to heed or keep company with these individuals. The Second Epistle of John was written by one who refers to himself as "the elder." If the tradition of John’s long residence in Ephesus is correct, he could have written this epistle from there between A.D. 70 and 100. Authorship. In this short note, as well as in the next one, he is simply an … Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wrote that 2 and 3 John may be letters that John wrote to members of his immediate family (see Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. 2 For the truth’s sake which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us forever: 3 Grace be with you, mercy and peace from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Father, with [d]truth and love. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 192) [Miscellanies, 2.66], implies his knowledge of other Epistles of John besides the First Epistle; and in fragments of his Adumbrations [p. 1011], he says, "John's Second Epistle which was written to the virgins (Greek, "parthenous"; perhaps Parthos is what was meant) is the simplest; but it was written to a certain Babylonian named the Elect lady." The Second Epistle of John 1 This Epistle is written to a woman of great renown, 4 who brought up her children in the fear of God: 6 he exhorteth her to continue in Christian charity, 7 that she accompany not with Antichrists, 10 but avoid them. He that maketh shipwreck of doctrine, loseth all. The Second Epistle Of John 6 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 The apostle identifies himself as “the elder,” a title that reflects both his age at the time of the writing and his authority in the early church. by Jay Smith. We ought to have nothing to do with them that defend perverse doctrine. He explained that members who taught that Christ did not have a physical body should not be received into one’s house, or congregation (see 2 John 1:7–10). The Second Epistle of John, often referred to as Second John or 2 John, is a book of the New Testament written by the Apostle John.It is the second out of the three books in the trilogy of John's epistles. These words illustrate the joy and gratitude that Church leaders feel for those who remain faithful to the Lord. ‘The children’ of ‘the elect sister’ are members of that church, i.e. 3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace from God the Father, and from Christ Jesus the Son of the Father; in truth and charity. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts. Love and Truth: A Study of Second John. The Second Epistle of John . At least, unlike 3 John, 2 John does contain about two paragraphs of Christian doctrine. His warning against showing hospitality to false teachers may soundharsh and unloving to many today, yet these men were teaching heresy that couldseriously harm many believers - for eternity. 1 The Elder to the [a]elect [b]Lady, and her children, [c]whom I love in the truth: and not I only, but also all that have known the truth. As students study 2 John, they can be strengthened by John’s reminder to love one another, obey God’s commandments, and faithfully abide in the doctrine of Christ. In fact, 1 John is 5 chapters, and that was pretty straightforward for me to do some years ago. In these two short epistles the author introduces himself as the “elder” (Greek presbyteros).This term hardly describes the office of an elder in the assembly for it was generally restricted to a certain place or locality. This true profession consisteth both in love one toward another which the Lord hath commanded, and also especially in wholesome and sound doctrine, which also is delivered unto us: for the commandment of God is a sound and sure foundation both of the rule of manners and of doctrine, and these cannot be separated the one from the other. The Second Epistle of John, often referred to as Second John and often written 2 John or II John, is a book of the New Testament attributed to John the Evangelist, traditionally thought to be the author of the Gospel of John and the other two epistles of John. The Second Epistle of St. John the Apostle The Apostle commends Electa and her family for their steadfastness in the true faith and exhorts them to persevere, lest they lose the reward of their labours. He exhorts them to love one another. Don't miss this important and ground-breaking work proving that Christian Identity is indeed fully supported by Scripture. The Second Letter preserves the Johannine concerns of doctrinal purity and active love in the form of pastoral advice to a threatened community. As with 1 John, John apparently wrote this epistle to respond to false teachings that Jesus Christ did not literally come to earth in the flesh. Although I had many things to write unto you, yet would I not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak mouth to mouth, that our joy may be full. The Second Epistle and the Third Epistle of John. Watch out for false teachers (1-11) 2. In a time of persecution when identifying people by their real names could have endangered lives, John uses psuedonyms to refer to himself (‘the elder’) and the church (‘the chosen lady’) and its members (‘her children’) to whom he is writing. The Second Epistle of John is the sixty-third book in the Christian Bible, and the twenty-fourth in the New Testament.This book is believed to a short letter from John. A Christogenea commentary On the Gospel of John has recently been completed. The Second Epistle of John is addressed to the ‘elect lady’. It is unknown whether John was addressing his family or another specific group of people or was speaking to the Church collectively in figurative language. In denying that Jesus had a physical body, the docetists rejected the doctrine of the Incarnation. The First Epistle of John, often referred to as First John and written 1 John or I John, is the first of the Johannine epistles of the New Testament, and the fourth of the catholic epistles. All rights reserved. 1 This Epistle is written to a woman of great renown,  4 who brought up her children in the fear of God:  6 he exhorteth her to continue in Christian charity, 7 that she accompany not with Antichrists, 10 but avoid them. The Second Epistle of John is addressed to “the elect lady,” and closes with the words, “The children of thy elect sister greet thee;” but some would read instead of “lady” the proper name Kyria. 2 John Summary. That John, the beloved disciple, was the author of the Second and Third Epistles, as of the First Epistle, appears from IRENÆUS [Against Heresies, 1.16.3], who quotes 2 John 1:10 2 John 1:11 [3.16.8], he quotes 2 John 1:7 in First John. He that continueth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. Of the thirteen verses composing this epistle seven are in the First Epistle. He referred to himself as "the elder" and is certainly the last apostle living at the time. [1965–73], 3:409–10, 412–14). But with heretics to have no society, even not to salute them. Purpose of Writing: The Book of 2 John is an urgent plea that the readers of John’s letter should show their love for God and His son Jesus by obeying the commandment to love each other and live their lives in obedience to the Scriptures. the truth, 2 because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever: 3. 11 For he that biddeth him Godspeed, is partaker of his evil deeds. Second Epistle of John New Testament / Second Epistle of John 1-2 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; For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us forever. At the same time, he also expressed joy for Church members who had remained strong and loyal to the gospel (see 2 John 1:4). Introduction to the New Testament Seminary Teacher Manual, Lesson 1: Introduction to the New Testament, Lesson 5: Context and Overview of the New Testament, Home-Study Lesson: The Plan of Salvation–Introduction to and Context of the New Testament (Unit 1), Introduction to the Gospel According to St. Matthew, Home-Study Lesson: Matthew 1–5 (Unit 2), Home-Study Lesson: Matthew 6:1–13:23 (Unit 3), Home-Study Lesson: Matthew 13:24–17:27 (Unit 4), Home-Study Lesson: Matthew 18:1–22:26 (Unit 5), Lesson 27: Joseph Smith—Matthew; Matthew 24, Home-Study Lesson: Matthew 23:1–26:30 (Unit 6), Introduction to the Gospel According to St. Mark, Home-Study Lesson: Matthew 26:31–Mark 3:35 (Unit 7), Introduction to the Gospel According to St. Luke, Home-Study Lesson: Mark 10–Luke 4 (Unit 9), Home-Study Lesson: Luke 5:1–10:37 (Unit 10), Home-Study Lesson: Luke 10:38–17:37 (Unit 11), Introduction to the Gospel According to St. John, Home-Study Lesson: Luke 18–John 1 (Unit 12), Home-Study Lesson: John 11–15 (Unit 15), Home-Study Lesson: John 16–21 (Unit 16), Home-Study Lesson: Acts 13–19 (Unit 19), Introduction to the Epistle of Paul to the Romans, Home-Study Lesson: Acts 20–Romans 7 (Unit 20), Introduction to the First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, Home-Study Lesson: Romans 8–1 Corinthians 6 (Unit 21), Home-Study Lesson: 1 Corinthians 7–14 (Unit 22), Introduction to the Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, Home-Study Lesson: 1 Corinthians 15–2 Corinthians 7 (Unit 23), Introduction to the Epistle of Paul to the Galatians, Introduction to the Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians, Home-Study Lesson: 2 Corinthians 8–Ephesians 1 (Unit 24), Introduction to the Epistle of Paul to the Philippians, Home-Study Lesson: Ephesians 2–Philippians 4 (Unit 25), Introduction to the Epistle of Paul to the Colossians, Introduction to the First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians, Introduction to the Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians, Introduction to the First Epistle of Paul to Timothy, Home-Study Lesson: Colossians–1 Timothy (Unit 26), Introduction to the Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy, Introduction to the Epistle of Paul to Titus, Introduction to the Epistle of Paul to Philemon, Introduction to the Epistle of Paul to the Hebrews, Home-Study Lesson: 2 Timothy 1–Hebrews 4 (Unit 27), Introduction to the General Epistle of James, Home-Study Lesson: Hebrews 5–James 1 (Unit 28), Introduction to the First Epistle General of Peter, Home-Study Lesson: James 2–1 Peter 5 (Unit 29), Introduction to the Second Epistle General of Peter, Introduction to the First Epistle General of John, Introduction to the Second Epistle of John, Introduction to the Third Epistle of John, Introduction to the General Epistle of Jude, Home-Study Lesson: 2 Peter–Jude (Unit 30), Introduction to the Revelation of St. John the Divine, Home-Study Lesson: Revelation 1–11 (Unit 31), Home-Study Lesson: Revelation 12–22 (Unit 32), The Mortal Ministry of Jesus Christ at a Glance, “Introduction to the Second Epistle of John,” New Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2016), “2 John,” New Testament Seminary Teacher Manual. 6 And this is that love that we should walk after his commandments. It is the second out of the three books in the trilogy of John's epistles. The Second Epistle of John was written to “the elect lady and her children” (2 John 1:1). Published by Tolle Lege Press. He that is such one, is a deceiver and an Antichrist. Another possibility is that “the elect lady” actually refers to a Christian congregation (see 2 John 1:13). 2 John. This commandment is, that as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. 12 The sons of thine elect sister greet thee, Amen. The bond of Christian conjunction or linking together, is the true and constant profession of the truth. Despite its brevity, it is generally divided into two parts: 1. This letter was written by ‘the elder’ to ‘the chosen lady and her children’ (see 2 John 1:1). 2 John. The Second Epistle of John is a Really Short Book, just like 3 John. The Second Epistle of John, often referred to as Second John and often written 2 John, is a book of the New Testament attributed to John the Evangelist, traditionally thought to be the author of the Gospel of John and the other two epistles of John. the reports he had received, he understood that these believers were following the teachings of Christ Joseph Smith Translation, Revelation 12:1–3, 7. The Second Epistle of John, often referred to as Second John or 2 John, is a book of the New Testament written by the Apostle John. With true knowledge, which hath always love joined with it, and following it. There is no scholarly consensus as to the authorship of the Johannine works. 25 relations. In this epistle John warned about false teachers who had entered into the Church. Early Christians received the second epistle of John from the aged apostle in the latter quarter of the first century. However, it is not clear how well developed the idea of the Incarnation was at the time 2 John was written. Answer: John begins his second epistle with these words: “The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth” (2 John 1:1, ESV). Antichrists fighting against the person and office of Christ, were already crept into the Church in the time of the Apostles. Christians. It is written by the Disciple/Apostle John around 85-95 A.D. Key personality is John. In his Second Epistle, John expressed concern regarding apostate influences in the Church. Author. Second Epistle of John Codex Sinaiticus 2 John 1:1 The elder to the lady who is chosen by God – and her followers, whom I – and others who know the truth – truly love – It was written to encourage all Christians not to lose focus of Jesus Christ and to warn against persistent heresy. Conclusion (12-13)False teachers were a dangerous problem for the church to which John waswriting. But 2 John was written by the apostle John, and I think 1 John, 2 John and 3 John were probably written earlier than we have been led to believe. the second epistle of john Greeting 1 The ancient to the lady elect, and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth, 2 For the sake of the truth which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. The Second Epistle of John was written by one who refers to himself as "the elder." Many passages simply do not say what the modern churches think they mean! Together with its longer companion (1 John) the Second Epistle of John left an important legacy in speaking out against the heresy of docetism. 10 [j]If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, (B)receive him not to house, neither bid him Godspeed. The book of 2nd John is a General Epistle (Apostolic Letter). Date of Writing: The Book of 2 John would most likely have been written at about the same time as John’s other letters, 1 and 3 John, between A.D. 85-95. In number of verses, it is the shortest book in the bible. ( B) Grace, mercy, and peace will be with [ b]you from God the Father and from the … The author of the First Epistle is termed John the Evangelist, who most scholars believe is not the same as John the Apostle. 1 * a The Presbyter to the chosen Lady and to her children whom I love in truth—and not only I but also all who know the truth— 2 because of the truth that dwells in us and will be with us forever. The Greek word for church is feminine, and it was common to personify the Church as a woman (see Ephesians 5:25–27, 32; Joseph Smith Translation, Revelation 12:1–3, 7 [in the Bible appendix]; Revelation 19:7–8). General. 7 [g]For many deceivers are entered into this world, which confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Are you getting the most out of Bible Gateway? The Second Epistle of John was written to “the elect lady and her children” (2 John 1:1). The author identified himself as “the elder” (2 John 1:1), and tradition holds that John, one of the original Twelve Apostles, wrote this epistle (see Bible Dictionary, “John, Epistles of”). The Second Epistle of John was written to “the elect lady and her children” (2 John 1:1). This is no proper name, but to be taken as the word soundeth, that is to say to the worthy and noble Lady. It is unknown whether John was addressing his family or another specific group of people or was speaking to the Church collectively in figurative language. Most scholars believe the three Johannine epistles … Upgrade to Bible Gateway Plus free for 30 days. 4 [e]I rejoiced greatly, that I found of thy children walking in [f]truth, as we have received a commandment of the Father. The letter does not specifically endorse the concept that God incarnated in Jesus, only that one who denies that "Jesus Christ has come in the flesh" is an antichr… But 2 John isn’t as easy as you would think. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. If John was using cryptic language in this epistle, the chosen lady and her children would be the local church. It is unknown exactly when and where 2 John was written. 2 John 1 John reminds the Church of the commandment to love one another. 8 [h][i]Look to yourselves, that we lose not the things, which we have done, but that we may receive a full reward. He warns of false teachers and deceivers within the Church and counsels Church members to not allow them to remain in their congregations. The second epistle of John is the shortest book in the Bible at only 13 verseslong. 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV). Since the epistle addresses a group of people, many commentators conclude that “the elect lady” actually refers to a Christian congregation (see 2 John 1:13). It is my opinion that this last view is the correct one. One tells you, gentle reader, that … This expression and the ‘elect sister’ in verse 13 refer to a local church. 5 And now beseech I thee, Lady, (not as writing a new commandment unto thee, but the same which we had from the beginning) that we (A)love one another. In fact, 3 John (which is 14 verses), is even trickier. Nobody is quite sure why these two personal letters were included in the Bible. The authorship of the First century one who refers to himself as `` the elder '' and is the... Of ‘ the elect lady and her children ’ ( see 2 John 1:1 ) elder and. That John never appeals to his apostleship in his Second Epistle of John was written to encourage Christians. Thine elect sister ’ are members of that Church leaders feel for those who faithful... 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