Bible Commentaries
2 John 1

Verse 1

THE SECOND AND THIRD EPISTLES OF ST JOHN Introduction

Author —The writer of both epistles calls himself ’the ancient’ or ’the presbyter’, the name whereby he was well known to his readers. A tradition, but not nearly as strong as for the First Epistle, assigns these two short letters to St John the Apostle. Since he wrote them in his old age, and since St Peter calls himself a ’presbyter’, 1 Peter 5:1, St John, also, could appropriately use such a title.

As regards external evidence, St Irenacus twice quotes 2 Jn as the work of the Lord’s disciple, PG 7, 633, 927. By calling 1 Jn ’the longer epistle’, Clement of Alexandria seems to know of other epistles which St John wrote, PG 8, 1004. Origen concedes that St John wrote a second and a third epistle, according to Eusebius, HE 6, 25, who also quotes St Dionysius of Alexandria as evidence for the authenticity of these two short letters. Eusebius himself thinks they are genuine, Demonstr. Evang.3, 5, PG 22, 216; yet admits that ’not all consider these epistles to be genuine, HE 6, 25. St Jerome remarks that some attributed these letters to the Presbyter John, a different person from St John the Apostle, De Vir. Illustr.9, 18; his own opinion, however, was that St John the Apostle wrote them, Ad Theod. 75, 3; Ad Paulin. Ep. 53, 8; Ad Ageruch. 123, 12. St Cyril of Jerusalem, Catech.4, 36; and St Augustine, De Doctr. Christ.2, 8; admit them as genuine.

The Internal evidence is strongly in favour of authenticity. Both writings have the same characteristics of style and language that mark the First Epistle and the Fourth Gospel. We find repeated in these letters such expressions as ’knowing the truth’, 2 Jn 1; ’the truth which abides in us’, 2; ’walking in the truth’, 4; ’walk according to the commandments’, 6; ’the commandment of charity’, 6; ’to abide in the doctrine of Christ’, 9; ’follow not what is evil’, 3 Jn 11; ’to bear witness’, 12: all of which are genuine Johannine phrases.

Canonicity —Reference to one, and perhaps to both epistles is made in the Muratorian Fragment. They are definitely accepted as inspired writings by the Councils of Hippo ( a.d. 393) and Carthage ( a.d. 397), and subsequently were recognized universally as part of the canon of the NT.

Destination and Purpose —The Second Epistle is inscribed: ’To the lady Elect and her children’, 1:1. This inscription has puzzled exegetes from the earliest times. Is it addressed to a mother and her family or to a particular church, symbolically called ’a lady Elect’? The reasons for preferring the latter interpretation are chiefly, the salutation of 13, ’of thy sister Elect’, and the assurance in 1 that her children are loved by ’all that have known the truth’. While not apodictic arguments, these two phrases do seem more applicable to a local church than to a private family.

2 Jn is an earnest exhortation to practical charity, and a warning against false teachers. After a rather lengthy salutation, St John expresses his joy that the persons addressed live according to the true faith, and he beseeches them earnestly to love one another. By so doing they will keep the commandments. Let them be on guard against seducers, who deny the incarnation of Jesus Christ, and have the spirit of Antichrist. Let them continue to hold the doctrine of Christ, and refuse to communicate with heretics. Further instructions will be imparted by word of mouth when he comes to them.

3 Jn is addressed to a definite individual, ’to the dearly beloved Gaius’, and differs from 2 Jn by its personal tone. In this letter the Apostle mentions that for unworthy reasons certain missionaries have been refused hospitality by Diotrephes, who is presumably the bishop of the local church. For this the Apostle rebukes him, while praising Gaius for his faith and charity. May he continue to show hospitality to visiting brethren. Demetrius also comes in for a word of praise. Finally, St John expresses the hope of seeing Gaius shortly.

Verses 2-13

The Second Epistle John2-I 1-3 Salutation —The writer does not mention his name; merely assumes the title ’the ancient’ or ’the presbyter’. For the meaning of ’presbyter’ as a church official, cf.1 Peter 5:1. In view of his great age and singular authority, St John the Apostle could justly call himself ’the ancient’, by which title he probably was known to his contemporaries. The recipients of the letter are ’a lady Elect and her children’, cf. § 959d. The Apostle expresses high regard and love for the persons addressed, which sentiments, he remarks, are shared by all the faithful. He wishes them’ grace . . . mercy and peace’.

4-6 Exhortation to Fraternal Charity —The writer opens on a note of joy, the cause of which is the faith and charity ’of some of thy children’. He praises what he can, before pointing out what needs correction. The ’commandment from the Father’ is to walk in truth, i.e. live according to Christian principles. 5. There must have been some dissension in this community, or there would be no reason for insisting on the precept of charity. 6. Seven of the ten precepts directly concern the neighbour; hence, ’if we walk according to his commandments we practise charity; and the motive for keeping them all must be divine love.

7-11 Warning against False Teachers —A firm faith in the divinity and in the incarnation of Jesus Christ is needed to preserve true Christian charity. Many seducers are seeking to undermine this faith. These men should be avoided, because they have the spirit of the Antichrist, and may cause them to lose the full reward for their past good deeds. 9. They profess to advance beyond the teachings of Christ, as if our Lord had not taught the full truth. Now, whosoever follows their teaching, cuts himself off from God. 10. In order to prevent this threatening danger to the faith, the Apostle enjoins that the customary hospitality is not to be extended to teachers of false doctrines. 11. These men ought not even to receive the usual greeting, lest this be interpreted as a sign of recognition and approval.

12-13 Conclusion —St John hopes soon to visit this community, and to impart further instruction by word of mouth. He concludes with a greeting from ’thy sister Elect’, i.e. from the church where he is staying.