These final two chapters of John’s letters explain how to walk out the life of faith.
Please read 2 John 1:1-3
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.
You have to not just know but also understand the truth of the Gospel. Who He really is. What He’s already done for you. Then our lives will be full of grace, mercy and peace because He will be with us.
Please read 2 John 1:4-6
4 I was greatly delighted to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father. 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.
To always walk in love is to unselfishly seek the best for one another and to be in accordance with His commandments and guided by His precepts.
Now the difference between commands and precepts is not always clear and not always distinguishable. Precepts are commands or principles intended especially as a general rule of action. Whereas commandments, specifically those of Jesus John is talking about here are basically orders of what we are to do. Love. Love one another. That is the order, the commandment, the precept then is the steps or descriptions of how to obey this command.
At least that’s how I can understand it based on the dictionary and much Scripture study where the two words are used.
Please read 2 John 1:7-9
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]. 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.
Watch yourselves. What we’ve accomplished is so very valuable that in staying with it will receive rewards. So don’t hurry on ahead, keep moving with Him, peacefully, and He will stay with you.
Please read 2 John 1:10-13
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. 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.
This is why you have to watch yourself. Be very careful who you listen to.
Footnotes
[a] 2 John 1:1 -elect (chosen) [a]lady and her children- 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.
[b] 2 John 1:5 -we [b]love and unselfishly seek the best for one another- 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.
[c] 2 John 1:7 –[c]antichrist- 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.
[d] 2 John 1:12 -with you [d]face to face- Lit mouth to mouth.
[e] 2 John 1:12 -that [e]your joy may be complete- One early ms reads our.
Please read 3 John 1:1-4
You Walk in the Truth
1 The elder [of the church addresses this letter] to the beloved and esteemed Gaius, whom I love in truth.
2 Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually]. 3 For I was greatly pleased when [some of the] brothers came [from time to time] and testified to your [faithfulness to the] truth [of the gospel message], that is, how you are walking in truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my [spiritual] children are living [their lives] in the truth.
Staying faithful to the truth, walking in it, living by it, is the main point.
Please read 3 John 1:5-8
5 Beloved, you are acting faithfully in what you are providing for the brothers, and especially when they are strangers; 6 and they have testified before the church of your love and friendship. You will do well to [assist them and] send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7 For these [traveling missionaries] went out for the sake of the Name [of Christ], accepting nothing [in the way of assistance] from the Gentiles. 8 So we ought to support such people [welcoming them as guests and providing for them], so that we may be fellow workers for the truth [that is, for the gospel message of salvation].
Act faithfully. It’s all in how we live. Do we help or do we ignore or do we hurt others? This is mainly for traveling missionaries, which today there aren’t many of, but we can transition this to any faithful person who may come across our path. Really it’s in how you walk out your faith, so be very careful how you live.
Please read 3 John 1:9-10
9 I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to put himself first, does not accept what we say and refuses to recognize my authority. 10 For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, unjustly accusing us with wicked words and unjustified charges. And not satisfied with this, he refuses to receive the [missionary] brothers himself, and also forbids those who want to [welcome them] and puts them out of the church.
Self is the one we have to drop to follow Him. Putting Him first, Him on the throne of your life is the hardest thing to do and easiest way to walk out this life of faith.
Please read 3 John 1:11-15
11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but [imitate] what is good. The one who practices good [exhibiting godly character, moral courage and personal integrity] is of God; the one who practices [or permits or tolerates] evil has not seen God [he has no personal experience with Him and does not know Him at all]. 12 Demetrius has received a good testimony and commendation from everyone—and from the truth [the standard of God’s word] itself; and we add our testimony and speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.
13 I had many things [to say when I began] to write to you, but I prefer not to put it down with pen (reed) and [a]black (ink); 14 but I hope to see you soon, and we will speak [b]face to face.
15 Peace be to you. The friends [here] greet you. Greet the friends [personally] by name.
When it doesn’t feel possible to live the way you need to, imitate it. It’s exhibiting godly character, moral courage and personal integrity. None of which are all that easy, but we can learn them all through study when we believe and try to live it out what it says.
Footnotes
[a] 3 John 1:13 –[a]black (ink)- A mixture of water, charcoal, and gum resin used for writing.
[b] 3 John 1:14 –[b]face to face.- Lit mouth to mouth.
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