Human Author: The Apostle
John
Divine Author: God the Holy
Spirit
Key Thought: Walking in love
Key Verse: 2 John 1: 6
“And this is
love, that we walk after his commandments.”
In order to appreciate the
force of John's letters it is important to understand what was taking place in
the first century. To put it simply,
three different kinds of ministries emerged.
First, there was the ministry of the apostles, which stood above all
others. The
apostles had their opponents such as Paul found in Corinth but generally
apostolic authority was recognized.
Second, there was the ministry of the elders. The elders were the officials of the settled
local community. They were plural in number, appointed and had specific
qualifications to meet and duties to perform. The plurality of elders is
reflected in Acts 14:23. “And when they
had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they
commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.” The specific
qualifications of elders are addressed in two passages of Scripture:
1.
Titus 1:5-9
2.
1 Timothy 3:1-7
A third ministry found in the early church was the ministry of the
prophets or wandering preachers.
These individuals were not attached to any
one congregation. Rather, they moved in the sphere of the Christian community
claiming to have a message from the Lord.
For the most part, the early Church honored them and gave these
messengers a special place as illustrated in The Didache. The Didache
is the earliest book of Church order. In the Didache we find that the early Church recognized apostles, elders,
and prophets. The early Church also
recognized that each office was subject to abuse (The Apostolic Fathers, pp. 305-306; 316-317). Second and Third
John focuses in on the abuse of the wandering preachers also known as prophets.
These men had enormous prestige. They also had tremendous opportunity to abuse
the name of Christ, the work of the ministry and to hurt individuals. John did
not want the bride of Christ to be hurt and so he sat down and wrote a general
epistle to the elect lady and her children.
1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the
truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
1:1 The
elder. Church tradition goes unchallenged that the elder here is none other
than the apostle John. Like Peter, John calls himself a presbuteros because that denotes not only official authority but
also age and experience. Some things in life can only be said from the vantage
point of age and maturity. John is an old man.
He has seen much, done much, and knows
much.
He has a right to speak and a right to be heard. The elect lady and her children would do well
to listen to what John has to say.
1:1 The
elect lady. If the identity of John is certain, the identity of the elect
lady is not. There are those who believe
that the elect lady is a particular person such as Mary or Martha. This would
not be surprising for women have always played a vital part in the ministry of
the Church. Others believe that the elect lady is not a particular person but a
reference to the Church as the bride of Christ. In verses 4,8,10, and 12,
the word "you" is in the plural which suggests more than one
person is being addressed. In the final analysis, it does not matter. John feels that he has a right to give
counsel and instruction to individuals and to the Church and so he takes pen in
hand to write to all those who have known the truth. The great apostle is not
writing without a purpose. There is a
problem in the early Church. It is the problem of the wandering preachers.
2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
1:2 The
truths sake. The Elder says that it is in the sphere of truth that he loves
the elect lady. This reminds us that
Christian love is not indiscriminate.
Christian love does have boundaries.
The word for love here is agape.
Agape is not passion per se which ebbs and flows.
Nor is it an indulgent
sentimentalism. Rather, agape is more mature.
Dr. William Barclay describes it well when he writes, “Agape is undefeatable goodwill; it is the
attitude towards others which, no matter what they do, will never feel
bitterness and will always seek their highest good. There is a love, which
seeks to possess; there is a love which softens and enervates; there is a love which withdraws a man from the battle; there is a love which shuts its
eyes to faults and to ways which end in ruin. But Christian love will always
seek the highest good of others and will accept all the difficulties, all the
hardships and
all the toil which that search involves. It is of significance that John writes in
love to warn”
(The Letters of John And Jude, p. 139).
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.
1:3 Grace,
mercy and peace.
1. Grace.
The word grace (charis) originally
referred to a favor which was conferred freely, with no expectation of
return. The generous nature of an
individual was the motive. It was understood, however, that grace was always
favor shown to a friend, never an enemy.
Then came Christ and gave charis a
new meaning. Towards a hostile world,
towards a people full of bitter hatred for Him, God showed grace at Calvary
(Rom. 5:8).
“In looking through my tears one day,
I saw Mount Calvary;
Beneath the cross there flowed a stream
Of grace, enough for me.
Grace
is flowing from Calvary,
Grace as fathomless as the sea,
Grace for time and eternity,
Grace, enough for me.
~*~
2. Mercy.
And herein is mercy (eleos). As grace is undeserved favor demonstrated to
the unworthy, mercy is the kindness and goodness of God. Mercy elicits divine pity so that God desires
to do something to help man. God is not
indifferent to the plight of man. He
moves to help.
The mercy of God is an ocean divine,
A boundless and fathomless flood.
Launch out in the deep, cut away the shore line,
And be lost in the fullness of God.
Refrain
Launch
out, into the deep.
Oh let the shore line go.
Launch out, launch out in the ocean divine,
Out where the full tides flow.
Albert B. Simpson
~*~
3. Peace.
The loving mercy of God leading to His grace giving of His only Son allows man
and God to be bound together again. In the words of Kenneth Wuest, "Our
Lord made peace through the blood of His cross when He made it possible for a
holy God in perfect justice and holiness to bind together a believing sinner
and Himself in an indissoluble, living union." Apart from Calvary
there is no peace between God and man. There is only open conflict and warfare.
John declares that grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from the ultimate
source of God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the
Father.
“When peace, like a river,
attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea
billows roll;
Whatever my lot,
Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with
my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with
my soul.”
Horatio Spafford
~*~
This hymn was written after two major traumas in Spafford’s life. The first was the great Chicago Fire of October 1871, which ruined him financially for he had been a wealthy businessman. Shortly after, while crossing the
Atlantic, all four of Spafford’s daughters died in a collision with another ship.
Spafford’s wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, “Saved alone.” Several weeks later, as Spafford’s own ship passed near the spot where his daughters died, the Holy Spirit inspired these words. They speak to the eternal hope that all believers have, no matter what pain and grief befall them on earth.
Together the words, grace, mercy and peace declare the intimate relationship between Christ the Son and God the Father; the complete unity of the Triune God; and the very deity of Jesus for the Son possesses the essence of the Father. The great apostle covers much theological territory with so few words but always within the sphere of love grounded in truth.
4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
1:4 If John has a particular Church in mind
then again he is found to be rejoicing that the members of the congregation are
walking in the truth. By using the word "walking"
John, indicates a steady state of spiritual maturity. There are those who express their Christian
life in a spasmodic way. Sometimes
zealous for the Lord. Sometimes
not. A Christian Sunday School teacher
once told a student God would have Christians to be as stars continually
shining.
He does not want Christians to be comets
which blaze across the sky and then is gone forever. The walk of Christians, says John, only has
meaning in the sphere of truth. Pilate
asked, "What is truth?" The Bible
as a whole is the response. Do we
want to know the truth? Then we must
become diligent students of the Bible.
1:4 Thy
children. The word "children"
is a special word, teknon, referring
to a beloved child. It is a tender word
of affection. For those who walk in the
sphere of truth there is the ability to elicit from others tender relationships
in the family of God.
5 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.
1:5 I
beseech. Though he possesses all apostolic authority, John does not thunder
forth a command. Once, he might have
done so but the Lord has changed his nature, subdued his heart, and sweetened
his spirit so that John requests and entreats. The thing John is about to
earnestly request is not a new thing only that which he had received from the
beginning of his ministry with Christ: "that
we love one another."
6 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.
1:6 This
is love. What is this love that John has in mind? 2 John 1: 6 identifies it. "And this is love, that we walk after His commandments."
It has been said that love is one of those words which is easier to demonstrate
than to define. Looking at the life of
Christ we find love defined by demonstration for in Jesus we find sacrificial
giving.
In Jesus we see wonderful
acts of longsuffering, kindness, self-abasement, humility. Therefore, we can observe and say that love
is not easily provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, rejoices
in the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures
all things and never fails (1 Cor. 13:4-8).
John is determined that the saints he address should walk in it i.e., in
the sphere of truth. The alternative to
walking in the sphere of truth as defined and demonstrated by Christ is to walk
in the sphere of untruth and therefore spiritual darkness.
7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that
Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
1:7 Many
deceivers. A deadly poison administered with kindness and concern still
kills the body. Likewise, the wisdom of religious men, the philosophies of this
world, no matter how gentle and loving, no matter how sincere and devout will
still destroy the soul and therefore is not authentic love. Authentic love is more cautious. Authentic love is not just sincere, it is
safe.
The reason for the presence
of deceivers in the church can be traced back to Lucifer. As God demands love,
Satan wants it too. Lucifer wants to be
like God. Therefore, he duplicates or counterfeits religion and he counterfeits
ministers of righteousness. The Evil One has alternative suggestions to all
that God commands. He is the master of
deception and he sends out his deceivers into the world (2:7).
The deceivers of the devil
do not necessarily know that they are motivated and empowered by him. It was Jesus who told the religious Pharisee,
"You are of your father the devil
and the lusts of your father you will do." The Pharisees would not for a moment have
agreed to the proposition that they were motivated and empowered by the Evil
One but Jesus said they were.
The way that deceivers can
be identified is explained in verse 7.
They deny that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. The issue at state
here is not the historical reality of Christ.
The real issue is the denial of an advent of deity. There are those who
deny that God was made man.
To be sure, the concept of
the incarnation defies all of human rational and natural belief. How can the omnipotent, omniscient,
omnipresent Creator of the universe confine Himself to a human body? It seems impossible to many and so is denied.
This denial of the
incarnation is something that the Christian religious community has had to
struggle with in every generation including our own.
In theological classrooms
across our nation, in prestigious colleges the deity of Christ is questioned.
Elaborate ways are found to dismiss the biblical revelation that Jesus is
God. This is what makes the undermining
of the Christian faith all the more subtle and deceptive. To deny the incarnation, to deny that Jesus
has come in the flesh and that God has become man is to be a deceiver and an
anti-Christ. There is o other way to
state the conclusion.
The Boundaries of Love
To refer to a personality as a deceiver and an anti- Christ does not sound very loving. Where is John's gracious attitude? Where is the gentle spirit? The answer is that love has boundaries, as does truth. Loves moves to preserve and protect. Truth cannot be sacrificed in any way for a reason. To label is not libel. And this is love, to walk after the commandments of Christ. Christ has commanded us to believe Him, to embrace Him, to love Him. At a critical point in the first century a number of people broke with the commandments of Christ to enter into the Christian community and teach that which was contrary to the faith. For a variety of reasons they became deceivers. There were against Christ.
It is possible that John
knew some of these personalities who started out so well and ended up deceiving
the flock of God and manifesting a spirit against Christ. Perhaps he even had
found early memories of them yet under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, John
did not hesitate to renounce them. John
did not hesitant to divorce himself from such people because they had divorced
themselves from Christ.
There must be a sober
realization that many deceivers have entered into the world of the professing
Church. The deceivers can be identified
because sooner or later they will begin to downgrade the deity of Christ. The
Jehovah Witnesses, for example, believe that Jesus is the angel Michael. The Mormons believe that Christ is only one
of many sons of God. The Muslims believe
that Jesus was just a prophet. My God
deliver us from the deceivers. But we
believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God and the only
Saviour of the world.
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have
wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
1:8 Having described the spirit and deception
of those who walk not in truth and love, John issues faith a word of
exhortation saying, "look to
yourselves" or better, "even
keep a watchful eye upon yourselves." From this apostolic imperative
the following is learned.
First, pure religion requires constant self-examination. One godly author has
observed that, "Many professors
revolt at the thought of such inward survey; they content themselves with
looking (and that hastily) at external matters, but they will not look within,
though this neglect be at the peril of eternal good" (Matthew Henry).
Second, pure religion is constantly concerned with guarding the truth
not only in others but also in self.
Third, pure religion is extremely personal. It is easy to stand in judgment on
others. It is more difficult to bring
the spotlight of Divine judgment on self.
The reason why John desires self-examination is so the truths, which have been so diligently worked for, may pay off. The image presented is that of a workman who has put in a full days labor and receives a full days pay for a job well done.
John speaks of a common
effort of labor by the plural pronoun "we." The Church as a whole has labored to
preserve, protect, and present the wonderful doctrine of the deity of Christ.
Much physical and spiritual labor has gone into the effort and the reward for
truth is to be with Christ forever, to see new converts come to faith and to
find comfort in the great doctrines of grace.
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.
1:9 Whosoever. The word "whosoever" has reference to any professing Christian. It does not matter if a person is a minister, Sunday School teacher, a doctor, an elder or deacon, a prince or king. "Whosoever" is all-inclusive. The person that does not abide or that does not continue in the doctrine of Christ hath not God. There is no exception and there is no hope for apostate teachers.
The Bible warns all who turn away from the Christian faith to embrace a
lifestyle and faith contrary to the gospel.
The question is not how well does the ship start out but how well does
it reach its destination. Does it arrive with its cargo intact? The Titanic
started out well but was destroyed and many on board perished. In like
manner many a person starts out well. Gospel messages are heard, biblical
principles are learned, spiritual songs are sung, and religious services are
attended. But then the soul goes further then what is right or proper. There is transgression. "Such
souls," says John, "have
not God."
In modern day movements we see this pattern not only in the established cults but also in modernistic preaching whereby Jesus is declared to be merely our Goal, our Pattern, or our Example. His deity, the Church is told, does not really matter. John says it does matter. Eternal salvation hinges on abiding in the truth. Assurance of salvation is found in part by abiding in the doctrines of Christ.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
1:10-11 John continues with practical and
specific instructions in order to protect self against falling into error. Several elements are present in this passage.
Observe first, the certainty of being subjected to false doctrine. "If
there come unto you."
This is the "if" of a fulfilled
condition. There were teachers who were
circulating in the Christian community who were denying the deity of Christ as
taught by the apostles and Christ Himself.
What was the Christian to do? Two
things are forbidden:
1. receive him not into the
house,
2. neither hid him godspeed.
To not receive a person into
one's house must be understood in the official capacity in which the wandering
preachers would come with their false doctrines.
There are those who believe
this passage forbids even the witnessing to such people. For example, if the
Mormons or the Jehovah Witnesses or the Moonies came knocking at the door, they
should not be let inside. Others contend that every effort should be made to
present clearly and forcefully the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The context seems to support
the former position of teachers who desire hospitality all the while denying
the doctrine of Christ. Furthermore, a strong argument could be made that by
way of extension today this refers to not fellowshipping with those who are
Liberal or Modernist.
12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust
to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
1: 12-13 John has many other thoughts he wishes to convey to the Church but he deliberately decides to wait until he can speak face to face with the people he loves. For now John is content to issue a general principle involving two practical considerations.
First, in applying the
principle of 2 John the Church must be careful to guard the heart against
feelings of pride, arrogance, and self righteousness.
Second, the Church must not
expand the prohibitions against fellowship when Christians have legitimate
concerns over non-essential issues. Christians must be sensitive enough to
allow freedom for diverse opinions. True
evil is limited and defined by God.
1.
What is the purpose of John’s letter? What problem did he address?
Answer.
2.
Who is the elect lady of 1:1?
Answer.
3.
Define the term antichrist according to a biblical definition.
Answer.
4.
What is the boundary of love?
Answer.
5.
Define love Scripturally.
Answer.
1.
Do you walk after the commandments of Christ? Is there any doctrine or
teaching of Christ you do not endeavor to keep? Have you looked to yourself
lately? Explain.
2.
Comment on the statement, “The
question is not how well does the ship start out but how well does it reach its
destination. Does it arrive with its cargo intact?” Is a works salvation or works for the soul’s
security suggested such a concept?
3.
The divine prohibition of 2 John 1:10 has caused concern for many
pastors and Christians about close involvement with those who tolerate a
widespread Ecumenical spirit. Many conservative believers feel uncomfortable
with an indiscriminate policy and for this reason. According to 2 John 1:14, to officially
endorse those who deny
the cardinal doctrines of Christ is to partake of
their evil deeds. The cardinal doctrines
of Christ include His deity, virgin birth, substitutionary death, bodily
resurrection, sinless perfection, and true humanity. In the sight of God, evil
deeds include the proclamation of a teaching contrary to sound doctrine.
Alongside of murder, rape, stealing, and lying partaking of evil by official
association with teachers not of Christ seems to be included. Do you agree?
Defend your answer with a biblical example.
4.
There are many major religious groups in the world such as the Jehovah
Witnesses, Mormons, Christian Scientists, Islam, Judaism, and Hinduism. Does
embracing the ideas of these religions mean a person has stopped walking in the
sphere of Christian truth and love? Why
or why not?
5.
To what extent would you be involved in an ecumenical crusade or
Christian service?
2 John 1: 7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
1. God the Holy Spirit wants
the Church to know that "election on
the part of God in eternity is the source from which the process of salvation
springs and it is the ultimate reason for the salvation of men"(Matthew
Henry). 2 Thessalonians 2:13 plainly states, "We are chosen by God
unto salvation."
2. Election is not
salvation. Election is merely the divine
initiative whereby God chooses those whom He will certainly save. This election took place in Christ before the
foundation of the world. “According as he
hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be
holy and without blame before him in love” (Eph. 1:4).
3. Election was based solely
upon the sovereign will of God and not on the will of man. The election of
Jacob over Esau illustrates this truth. Romans 9:11 says, “(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or
evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works,
but of him that calleth).” Speaking to Jeremiah God said to him, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew
thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I
ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jer. 1:5). And John 1:13 states plainly that men are born
“not of blood, nor of the will of the
flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
4. Election was to the end that
the elect should be holy and without blame. 1
Thess 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should
abstain from fornication:
5. Any man, woman or young
person can know if they have been chosen by God in at least two different
ways.
6. A person can be part of the
elect body by believing the gospel. "But
as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even
to them that believed on his name" (John 1:12).
7. A person can know they are
part of the body of the elect by manifesting the fruits of righteousness, which
accompany salvation. In 1 Thessalonians 1:3,4 Paul writes that he remembers the
labors of the saints in the city. He has thought often about their “labor of love, and patience of hope in our
Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our faith.”
8. In 2 Peter 1:10 commands
Christians to make their calling and election certain. “Wherefore
the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure:
for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” A person’s calling and
election is fortified mentally when the doctrines of sovereign grace are
embraced.
9. Knowing basic biblical
theology is essential for authentic love can only exist in the sphere of truth.
Arguments and divisions come when the church sets aside apostolic doctrine and
substitute for truth the errors of wandering preachers.