About 2 John
Love and truth are inseparable - walking in love requires standing firm in truth, including refusing to enable those who teach falsehood about Christ.
"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."
2 John 1:5
Written
circa AD 85-100
Author
John
Genre
Epistle
Position
24th NT book - Johannine Letters (shortest NT book at 13 verses)
Authorship
The Apostle John (identified as the elder). Written to the chosen lady and her children - likely a figurative address to a local congregation and its members.
Historical Context
False teachers denying Jesus's incarnation were traveling circuit to various churches. John warns against extending hospitality to these deceivers.
Purpose
To urge a church community to walk in truth and love, and to refuse hospitality to false teachers who deny Christ's incarnation.
Key Message
Love and truth are inseparable - walking in love requires standing firm in truth, including refusing to enable those who teach falsehood about Christ.
Book Structure
Interesting Facts
2 John is the shortest book in the NT at just 13 verses.
The instruction not to welcome false teachers (v.10-11) addresses a specific warning about traveling false teachers - not general inhospitality.
The chosen lady may represent a specific congregation using feminine language common in Greek correspondence.