Walking in Christ's Commandments - Bible Study

Walking in Christ's Commandments

These two brief letters to individuals show how completely the themes seen in John's first letter dominate his later thinking. Joy is found by walking in the truth. We are called and commanded to "walk in love" (2 John 6). As we continue in the teaching of Christ, we are protected from deceivers, who snap and tear at Christ's body on earth.

While each of the letters might be studied in its own right, the letters can also be looked at as a summation of John's thoughts. It is this way that you can best use these two pastoral notes to sum up the major teachings of the apostle of love.

The destination of this second letter is perplexing. Some believe that the "chosen lady" is a figurative way of designating a particular church ("chosen sister," v. 13, would then mean a different church). Others hold that the letter was addressed to an individual Christian and her family (in which case the "sister" would be her natural sister).

The circumstances and subjects of this letter indicate that it was written about the same time as the other letters of John and from the same place, Ephesus.

The main teaching of 2 John is walking in Christ's commandments.

OUTLINE OF 2 JOHN

·        Introduction and Greeting, vs. 1-3

·        Commendation for Walking in Truth, vs. 4

·        Commandment to Love One Another, vs. 5-6

·        Cautions Concerning False Teachers, vs. 7-11

·        Concluding Remarks and Greetings, vs. 12-13

2       John

1 The elder. John was an elder (perhaps in the Ephesian church) as well as an apostle.

   Either the congregation (if the chosen lady was a local church) or her natural offspring

   (if she was an individual Christian).

The truth, the gospel message (also in v. 2). 2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.

3        Grace is God's unmerited favor, mercy is God's compassion for us in our misery, and peace is the resulting wholeness of salvation.

4       John had evidently encountered some of the members of the congregation or the lady's household.

Walking in truth. Ordering one's life by the Word of God.

5       From the beginning of their Christian experience (as in 1 John 2:7). 7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

6       Love is defined as obeying His commandments.

7       Coming. This present tense participle seems to include the past coming of Christ in flesh at the Incarnation, the present continuance of His risen humanity, as well as His future coming to earth. By contrast, the perfect tense participle in 1 John 4:2 emphasizes only His incarnation.

Antichrist. 1 John 2:18 18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

8       We. reads "you" (plural). a full reward. All believers will receive praise at the judgment seat of Christ (1 Cor 4:5), but some will receive more rewards than others (1 Cor 3:11-15).

1 Cor 4:5 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God

1 Cor 3:11-15 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

9       The false teachers should be tested as to whether or not they continue in the teaching of Christ.

10    Do not receive him into your house. Do not give a false teacher hospitality. To do so would be investing in his deceiving ministry.

11    Participates, fellowships. He who gives such a person a greeting actually fellowships in the work of Antichrist.

12    Paper and Ink. The pith from papyrus reeds was cut into strips, which were laid across each other at right angles, pressed, and pasted together to form sheets of writing material. The word ink simply means "black," for ink in ancient times was compounded of charcoal, gum, and water.

13    Chosen Sister. Either another local church or another Christian woman.