2 & 3 John
2 & 3 John are the shortest New Testament books. Each contains fewer than 300 words in the Greek text and could have fit on a single papyrus sheet.
Key Word: Truth
Date: written in about 90-100 A.D. from the city of Ephesus in Asia Minor.
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2 John
1 The elder – presbuteros with the definite article. (cf. Lev. 4:15; Num. 11:25; Deut. 25:7–8, etc.).Also known as the “disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 20:2; cf. 13:23; 19:26; 21:7, 20).
To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth – Some believe John is speaking metaphorically to the churches in that area or another local church. Other scholars see this as an actual person. Clement of Alexandria thought her name was “Electa” because of the word “chosen” in the Greek is eklektos which is where we get the English word “elect.” The Living Bible names her “Cyria” from the word “lady” Kuria in the Greek which is the feminine word for Lord.
4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us –
Walking In The Truth –
- Living in unparalleled freedom (John 8:32-34)
- Living in close proximity to Jesus, who is himself “the truth” (John 14:6)
- Living under the control and guidance of the Holy Spirit, “the Spirit of truth” (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13; 1 John 5:6)
- Living according to the principles and precepts of Scripture (John 17:17)
- Rejecting a sinful lifestyle (1 John 1:6)
9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God – The Gnostics said that they had “advanced” teaching far ahead of what the apostles had.
3 John
1 The elder, To my dear friend(agapetos) Gaius, whom I love in the truth – my loved one or my beloved.
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth – An exceptional commendation. He not only knew the truth, but also lived in conformity to it (cf. Luke 6:46–49; 11:28; John 13:17; James 1:22–23).
8 We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth – Cf. 1 Samuel 30:24-25; 1 Tim. 5:17.
9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us – Diotrephes may have destroyed the letter John is referring to.
10 So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church - The phrase “gossiping maliciously phluaron, literally means “to bubble up” from a root word which was used of water boiling up and throwing off bubbles. . Paul often mentioned people by name as well (e.g.: 2 Timothy 4:14-15).
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