And this is love: that we walk in accordance with His commandments and are guided continually by His precepts. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should [always] walk in love. 2 John 6
If you haven’t yet finished 1 John’s study, please go back here first.
Welcome to the second letter John wrote, this one specifically to remain under Jesus’ teaching and living out what you learn. I am glad you’re here to read it with me. Before we start though, let’s pray.
Lord Jesus, keep us well within and under your teaching at all times. Draw our focus to You and all You’ve done, and all You are, and the fact that You are with us even now. I praise You and thank You and ask, Lord, lead us through this letter and reveal all You want us to learn. Amen.
Please read 2 John 1-3
Walk According to His Commandments
1 The elder [of the church addresses this letter] to the elect (chosen) [a]lady and her children, whom I love in truth—and not only I, but also all who know and understand the truth— 2 because of the truth which lives in our hearts and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy, and peace (inner calm, a sense of spiritual well-being) will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, in truth and love.
Whether this lady is a person or a church matters very little, consider it written to you… to all who know and understand the truth—because of the truth which lives in our hearts and will be _______ _____ ___________:
Because we have God with us, we have Grace, Mercy and Peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, in ______ and _________.
Please read 2 John 4
4 I was greatly delighted to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father.
This is why I lean more towards it being a church. Some means there are more than two, and I just have one child. Yet it also means some are not walking in truth. The warning coming requires we know people.
Please read 2 John 5-6
5 Now I ask you, lady, not as if I were writing to you a new commandment, but [simply reminding you of] the one which we have had from the beginning, that we [b]love and unselfishly seek the best for one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in accordance with His commandments and are guided continually by His precepts. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should [always] walk in love.
Walk in accordance with His commandments (to love) and are guided continually by His precepts.
Quick review: Precepts are general rules intended to regulate behavior or thought. Commandments are rules to be observed strictly.
Please read 2 John 7
7 For many deceivers [heretics, posing as Christians] have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge and confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh (bodily form). This [person, the kind who does this] is the deceiver and the [c]antichrist [that is, the antagonist of Christ].
Many…have gone out into the world. Deception is a real risk. Keep yourself close to God. Walk in love.
Please read 2 John 8-9
8 Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have accomplished together, but that you may receive a full and perfect reward [when He grants rewards to faithful believers]. 9 Anyone who runs on ahead and does not remain in the doctrine of Christ [that is, one who is not content with what He taught], does not have God; but the one who continues to remain in the teaching [of Christ does have God], he has both the Father and the Son.
We have a perfect reward ahead, watch yourself. We don’t want to lose what we have accomplished together.
Please read 2 John 10-11
10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching [but diminishes or adds to the doctrine of Christ], do not receive or welcome him into your house, and do not give him a greeting or any encouragement; 11 for the one who gives him a greeting [who encourages him or wishes him success, unwittingly] participates in his evil deeds.
This is why we must know people. Heaven forbid we find such people at our doors. Hmm. If anyone…does not bring this teaching…do not receive or welcome…do not greet or encourage him… but walk in love. Surely these things are not contradictory.
Please read 2 John 12-13
12 I have many things to write to you, but I prefer not to do so with paper (papyrus) and black (ink); but I hope to come to you and speak with you [d]face to face, so that [e]your joy may be complete.
13 The children of your elect (chosen) sister greet you.
Thank You, Jesus, for making it so that Your apostle’s had to write letters. For without them we would not know what is this great reward we are looking forward to. Help us walk in love, Lord. In Your Name I pray. Amen.
Footnotes
- 2 John 1:1 Many scholars believe the words “lady and her children” refer to a specific woman and her family; some others view the words “lady and her children” as the personification of a church and its members.
- 2 John 1:5 The key to understanding this and other statements about love is to know that this love (the Greek word agape) is not so much a matter of emotion as it is of doing things for the benefit of another person, that is, having an unselfish concern for another and a willingness to seek the best for another.
- 2 John 1:7 John is not referring to the Antichrist of Revelation, but is using the term generally of anyone who is opposed to the cause of Christ.
- 2 John 1:12 Lit mouth to mouth.
- 2 John 1:12 One early ms reads our.