Lord’s Library editors created this introductory guide to the Gospel in 2 John to showcase how the Scriptures reveal salvation by grace through faith in 2 John.
The Second Epistle of John, attributed to the Apostle John, is a brief but poignant letter addressed to the “elect lady and her children,” which may refer to a specific Christian woman and her family or symbolize a local church community. This epistle focuses on the central themes of truth and love, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the teachings of Jesus Christ and warning against false teachers who distort the Gospel. Central to 2 John is the message that the Gospel, which is the foundation of the Christian faith, must be preserved in its purity and lived out through genuine love and obedience to God’s commandments.
A central theme in 2 John is the importance of abiding in the truth of the Gospel. John begins by emphasizing his joy in finding that some members of the community are “walking in truth,” as they have received the commandment from the Father (2 John 1:4). This emphasis on truth reflects the foundational role of the Gospel in the life of believers, guiding them to live according to God’s revealed Word. John urges the recipients to continue in this truth, warning them of the dangers posed by deceivers who deny that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh (2 John 1:7).
The letter also stresses the inseparable connection between truth and love. John exhorts the community, “And this is love, that we walk after his commandments” (2 John 1:6). Here, love is defined not merely as an emotion but as obedience to God’s commandments, particularly the command to love one another. This emphasis underscores that genuine Christian love is rooted in the truth of the Gospel and manifests in practical actions and faithful adherence to God’s will.
The Gospel in 2 John
The Gospel in 2 John Showcased in Scripture
- 2 John 1:3: “Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.”
2 John 1-3 is a greeting from the elder, John, to the elect lady and her children, whom he loves in the truth. He expresses that all who know the truth also love them, emphasizing the connection through the truth that abides in believers forever. The greeting includes a blessing of grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
- 2 John 1:5-6: “And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.”
2 John 1:5-6 urges the recipients to love one another, emphasizing that this commandment is not new but one they have had from the beginning. It defines love as walking according to God’s commandments and reiterates that this commandment to love is something they should continually practice.
- 2 John 1:9: “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.”
2 John 1:9 warns that anyone who goes beyond the teaching of Christ and does not remain in it does not have God. It states that those who remain in the teaching have both the Father and the Son.
These verses highlight the grace, mercy, and peace that come from God through Jesus Christ, the call to love one another, and the importance of abiding in the doctrine of Christ. While 2 John does not explicitly detail the Gospel message as other books do, it reinforces the foundational Christian principles of grace, love, and adherence to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
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Furthermore, 2 John provides a stern warning against false teachers and the necessity of maintaining doctrinal purity. John advises believers to “look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward” (2 John 1:8). He cautions against welcoming or supporting those who do not bring the true teaching of Christ, stating, “He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (2 John 1:9). This directive highlights the critical importance of discerning truth from error and safeguarding the integrity of the Gospel message.
As we explore these key aspects, it becomes clear that 2 John, though brief, offers a profound and urgent presentation of the Gospel’s core elements. The epistle emphasizes the necessity of abiding in the truth of the Gospel, living out genuine love through obedience to God’s commandments, and vigilantly guarding against false teachings. Through its clear and direct exhortations, 2 John provides a compelling vision of the Christian life, centered on the truth of Jesus Christ and expressed through steadfast love and faithfulness.
Lord's Library is a Christian resource hub. Our editors use a variety of internet research methods like search engines, audio and video, AI, consultations with ministry leaders in the field, and more. Lord's Library should never be a substitute for reading your Bible daily as the Scriptures are to be our final authority on all matters. Lord's Library participates in affiliate programs. We may make a small commission from products purchased through this resource.
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