II John Chapter 1
John addresses the church he is writing to as the “elect lady” – most likely he is simply meaning the chosen believers as a group that are in the local church he is writing to. These are people that John cared deeply for. He calls himself their elder which has the idea of a pastor. John had a pastor’s heart for these people even though he was not with them physically. He was also an old man at this point of his life and so he was proclaiming Godly advice in his letter to a younger generation of believers.
Let's Reflect
1. John put great emphasis on the truth. What exactly does he mean by thetruth? See also John 14:6.
2. This truth is so essential to our faith that without it, we have nothing. In fact, without this truth what we have is false doctrine or religion. What do you think it means when John uses the phrase “walking in the truth”? How does one do that practically?
3. The opposite of this truth deceives people. Anyone who deceives people of the truth would be called an antichrist. According to verse 7 what are the deceivers saying that is in opposition to the truth?
4. Many people in the world will tell you that they believe in God, but what does John say in verse 9 that they must also believe to be a true Christian?
5. John cautions us not to let someone who goes around teaching any other truth into your home. That may seem harsh because we want to reach the lost with the gospel. But John is saying to be careful, because when we allow them to come into our home, they will perceive that as accepting their ways and they may try to sneak some untruths in, that will undermine our faith. At this point in history the early church was meeting in homes and so this makes sense for him to advise them not to let false teachers into their homes.
John seems to be even more harsh by saying do not even greet him who takes part in his wicked ways. Upon first reading those words you might think that John has gone too far and is wrong. Obviously, we must show love to the unsaved so to win them to Christ. The wording is very important here to understand who John is talking about. When you go back to the beginning of the chapter and read that John is rejoicing about those who are walking in the truth and now think about those who would purposefully come to your house to deceive you - why would you greet them? Greeting them shows acceptance, tolerance and condoning of their wicked ways and teachings. What is the sad result of those who are deceived by false teachers?
6. John ends this letter by letting the church know that he would rather come and visit them than write to them. What is the result of fellowship with other believers?
