Introduction to 2 John

This is the second of three letters John writes to believers sometime at the end of the first century. Although the specific date of writing is not known, the content implies that it was penned soon after his first letter and in regard to the same problem he addresses in 1 John. In his first letter, John primarily wrote to combat a group of false teachers who were seeking to infiltrate the church with teachings not representative of God. John spent most of his initial letter describing the characteristics of those who truly follow Christ so that believers could distinguish who represented God and who did not. The following is a list of those character traits which define the lives of those who follow God’s ways: continuing in the truth which God has revealed through Jesus and the apostles (1 John 1:1-4; 2:22-27; 4:1-6), obeying God’s commandments (1 John 2:3-6, 15-21; 3:1-9), and loving God as well as others (1 John 2:7-14; 3:10-23; 4:7-5:5). Since the lifestyle of the deceitful teachers did not reflect these qualities, it was safe for John’s readers to assume that their doctrine was also erroneous.

There is one major distinction between this letter and John’s first letter. 1 John is not addressed to a specific audience, while this letter is written from “the Elder, to the elect lady and her children…” (v.1). Even though this does not provide much detailed information about the recipients of this letter, it does reveal that John was writing to a woman and her children whom he knew well. From the words of the letter the reader can assume that the female recipient was a follower of Christ whom John wanted to warn about the deceitfulness of the false teachers. According to vv. 10-11, it appears that these false teachers had come into the community where this woman lived and were attempting to reside with believers; in other words, they were trying to take advantage of Christian hospitality. The woman to whom John addresses this letter may have opened her home to these evil teachers, so he was writing to provide instructions about the conditions upon which to extend kindness to others.

Some may read this letter and think that John’s words are harsh, especially since he has already written about the necessity of loving others; however, when a person or group of people are seeking to deceive believers, different actions apply. It is important that believers distance themselves from those who claim to represent God but, in reality, are trying to lead them away from the truth.

Dear God, provide understanding for this brief letter John has written and may I be careful to heed every word.