John’s second letter followed closely on the heels of the first, so we find many of the same themes and the same problem being addressed -- namely the false teachings of Cerinthus. Once more we find the apostle John not clearly identifying himself by name, but rather by literary style and through tradition. This is characteristic of all of John’s epistles and unlike his gospel and book of revelation. The big idea John communicates in this epistle is also similar, only instead of Fellowship with God leading to obedience and a love for their brothers and sisters he proclaims that love for God results in obedience and the ability to resist false teachings.

In his salutation (verses 1-3) he addresses a church he loves deeply and “in the truth” as the “chosen lady,” and its members as “her children.” Evidently, love for this church was not from John only, but from other believers as well, indicating that the church was well known throughout its province. It was loved because of its dedication to the truth which lives in all believers of Christ. He wishes for them “grace, mercy and peace” from both the Father and the Father’s Son. This construction of “Father’s Son” is unique, and is used to make clear the deity of Christ, as does that the blessing comes from both the Father and Jesus. This makes sense in light of the Circumincession that John reveals in his gospel (see yesterday’s post for details). These three blessings will abide with believers in truth and love, the foundational qualities of the Christian. As in I John, the themes of II John are once again truth and love. In fact, II John is very much like a greatest hits from John’s previous epistle, with a couple new tracks thrown in for variety.

Practicing the Truth
Evidently some from the church to which John is writing have visited John recently, and may have even occasioned the writing of this letter. For in verse four John writes that he has found some members of that church “walking in truth” even as they were commanded in I John. This pleased John (“It has given me great joy…”), and resulted in his reiterating his command to love one another by obeying God’s command to walk in love.

Protecting the Truth
Once more John warns his readers of false teachers, or antichrists, who claim to have apostolic authority and yet deny Jesus is the Christ. Not that they are in danger of losing their salvation for listening to such men, but rather that they are in danger of losing many of the rewards God has for them if they will but persevere in the truth. Once more John gives a proof for determining the credibility of a traveling teacher: if he continues in the teaching of the apostles, he is trustworthy; if he does not bring the same teaching as the apostles regarding Jesus, the man is not of God. All this is consistent with I John, but in verse 10 we see a new command: we are not to welcome anyone who brings a teaching other than that of the apostles. In fact, we are not to show them any form of hospitality whatsoever, for anyone who does so is guilty of supporting their teaching and their mission. In John’s mind, assistance given to a man results is an assistor participating in the assistees work. For this reason, we are to protect truth by not associating with false teachers.

Evidently John had more to say, but didn’t have the time to write it all out. Perhaps the church members who visited him and he found walking in the truth were to carry the letter back with them. Whatever his reason, he evidently was planning a trip to visit them soon to discuss these matters in greater detail. He looked forward to seeing them once again, thinking it would be a joyous occasion. He finishes the letter by sending greetings from the sister church John wrote from.