2 John
Text: 2 John
Title: Be careful Who You Hang Out With!
Series: 2 John
I. Introduction:
A. Background:
B. Authorship/ Speaker
1. John the Apostle
C. Date: AD 90-95
D. Setting: Ephesus
1. False teachers influenced by Gnostics were threatening the church (v.7) JMSB
2. 2 John has a specific local group in mind (JMSB)
3. false teachers were seeking converts (v.10-11)
4. John wrights warning against receiving heretics into their homes or churches (Nelson’s)
5. threat to the basic truths of the faith
E. Book Outline
1. Remain in God’s commandments (v.1-6)
a. salutation (v.1-3)
b. walk in truth (v.4)
c. walk in love (v.5-6)
2. Remain not with false Teachers (v.7-13)
a. their doctrine (v.7-9)
b. avoid them (v.10-11)
c. benediction (v.12-13)
John says that hospitality, kindness and love are guided by truth
B. Proposition:
1. We are not to accept everyone but have discernment about who we show hospitality and kindness to.
C. Main Divisions:
1. Stay in God’s Commandments (v.1-6)
2. Stay not with False Teachers (v.7-13)
3. Modern Day False Teachers
II. Exposition:
Stay in God’s Commandments (v.1-6)
A. Salutation (v.1-3)
1. 2Jn 1:1-3 NKJV
(1) The Elder, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth,
(2) because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever:
(3) Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
a. “know” G1097
1. by experience
b. “abide” G3306
1) to stay, remain in a place
2) continue to be present; dwell permanently
c. “truth” G225 used 4x
1. basics of the faith (JMSB)
a. sound belief in Christ, obedience and love (1John)
2. Gospel; correct essential doctrine
d. “the Elder”
1. John stating his spiritual authority (JMSB)
e. “the elect lady and her children” (JMSB/Nelson)
1. metaphor for a local church (NET) or
a) children refers to the members
2. particular woman and her children who John knew
f. “love” G25
1. selfless, sacrificial, unconditional, nonreciprocal, consistent, active love
g. “grace” G5485
1. good will, loving-kindness (Thayer)
2. to be in favor with is to find grace with (VINE)
3. God’s unmerited favor (Rom 11:6; Eph 2:5)
4. God’s Riches AT Christ’s Expense
5. getting what you don’t deserve
h. “mercy” G1656
1. kindness or good will towards the miserable; with a desire to help them
2. assumes need on the part of him who receives it (VINE)
3. not getting what you deserve
4. comes after grace
i. “peace” G1515
1. resulting experience in the heart of man (Vine)
2. between man and God (Thayer) Act 10:36; Eph 2:17
3. view of peace as the present possession of the believer (WSD)
a. tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, fearing nothing from God and consequently content with its earthly lot, whatever it is.
This is the direct result of redemption by Christ (Eph_2:15, Eph_2:17) and consists primarily of a state of conscious reconciliation with God (Rom_5:1), although it is often used in a broader sense to denote all the blessings which accompany and flow from that reconciliation (Rom_1:7; 1Co_1:3; 2Th_3:16).
4. security, safety, prosperity
5. of God: content, secure
6. assurance of salvation, fearing not condemnation
7. Rom 5:1; Phil 4:7; Col 3:15
2. John says that true genuine love is guided by truth
a. he loves the lady and her children because of the truth that abides or resides permanently in them forever
1) they share the common truths of the faith: obedience, love and a correct view of Christ
2) also a manifestation of the Spirit of Truth who is permanently with believers (John 14:16-17) NET
b. we are called to speak the truth in love
1) Eph 4:14-15 NKJV
(14) that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
(15) but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ
a) being real or truthful in both conduct and speech. (NET)
c. truth generates love
1. 1Pe 1:22 NKJV
(22) Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
1Pe 1:22 NET.
(22) You have purified your souls by obeying the truth in order to show sincere mutual love. So love one another earnestly from a pure heart.
d. love that is not guided by truth is prone to deception and abuse
3. John warns against showing love and hospitality to false teachers, deceivers who do not abide in the truth of Christ (v.10-11)
a. it can promote false doctrine
b. it can lead people astray from the truth to false view of Christ etc.
4. Both God the Father and God the Son, Jesus Christ, grant grace, mercy and peace to those who live in truth and love (v.3)
a. true peace originates from the God of peace
b. this gives evidence of the deity of Jesus
c. God gives us His unmerited favor; salvation and forgiveness—grace
d. God gives everyone an opportunity to escape what they deserve, hell, by the cross— mercy
1. He provided the way of salvation
e. God’s grace and mercy results in peace, security and assurance with God and of God
1. those who receive God’s grace and mercy by being born again, receive a restored relationship with Him (2Cor 5:18-20)
f. His peace rules in the believer
5. Application
a. Do you love in truth?
b. Is your love discerning, being guided by truth?
c. Do not compromise truth to show love to those who want to destroy the basic truths of the faith.
d. Have you experienced God’s peace?
e. Have you received God’s offer of grace and mercy?
f. Do you want to have peace with God and of God?
g. There is noting you can do to receive God’s grace; it is a gift
h. to receive them you must receive Jesus as Lord and Savior; trusting that He paid for your sins on the cross.
1. He received the punishment for our sins and satisfied God’s holy demands
2. only when you believe the Gospel does God apply the value of Jesus’ work
B. Commendation (v.4)
1. 2Jn 1:4 NKJV
(4) I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father.
a. “walking” (G4043) continual
1) heb. For to live
a) to conduct or order one’s life
2. behave
3. living according to
2. John observed some in the church or in the lady’s home walking or living according to the truth of the faith
a. he commends and praises them for their sound belief in Christ, obedience and love
1. they made a regular habit of obeying the truth
b. he says that this living according to the truth is commanded by the Father Himself
1. God desires that we live our life according to the truth of His Word
C. Request (v.5-6)
1. 2Jn 1:5-6 NKJV
(5) And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another.
(6) This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.
a) “according”
1. toward
2. in accordance with
3. in agreement with
b) “from the beginning” of their salvation (JMSB on 1John 2:7)
2. John then makes a request that they love one another
a. he says he is not giving them a new commandment but one they heard before
1) Jesus: Joh 13:34-35 NKJV
(34) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
(35) By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
2) Joh 15:12-17 NKJV
(12) This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
(13) Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.
(14) You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
(15) No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
(16) You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
(17) These things I command you, that you love one another.
3) 1Jn 4:7-10 NKJV
(7) Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
(8) He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
(9) In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
(10) In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
4) Jesus told commanded us to love sacrificially, unconditionally, consistently, nonreciprocally, actively just as He modeled for us
a) He also redefined love; giving it a higher meaning and standard
5) OT commanded that God’s people love Him (Deut 6:5) and their neighbor (Lev19:18) (JMSB)
6) they heard this when they were first saved
b. John says love is walking according to or living in agreement with God’s commands (v.6)
1. loving God means doing what HE says and He says to love one another
a. 1Jn 2:3-5 NKJV (John 14:21; 15:10; 1John 5:2-3)
(3) Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
(4) He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
(5) But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
b. Joh 14:15 NKJV
(15) "If you love Me, keep My commandments.
c. obeying God is a demonstration of our love for Him and a test of knowing Him
1) believers have a habit of obedience (JMSB)
2) obedience (action) proves love
3) love proves faith (JMSB on 1John 5:3)
d. loving God means keeping or obeying His commands (1John 5:2-3)
2. he knows about the false teachers so he tells them to continue loving one another in the truth the way Jesus did
3. hospitality includes living in truth and in love (JMSB)
4. note: John does not describe love as an emotion but as an action
5. it is not enough to know the truth; we must show it through our actions wherever we are (Warren Wiersbe)
3. Application
a. are you conducting, ordering your life by obeying God’s word?
b. If you really love Jesus you will prove it by obeying His commands willingly
D. Summary
1. True genuine love is guided by truth
2. Common truths of the faith: obedience, love and a correct view of Christ
3. Truth generates love
4. Love that is not guided by truth is prone to deception and abuse
5. God grants grace, mercy and peace to those who live in truth and love
6. God desires that we live our life according to the truth of His Word
7. John makes a request that they love one another
8. Loving God means doing what HE says and He says to love one another
9. Hospitality includes living in truth and in love
Stay Not with False Teachers (v.7-13)
A. Description of Deceivers (v.7-9)
1. 2Jn 1:7-11 NKJV
(7) For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
(8) Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.
(9) Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.
(10) If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him;
(11) for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.
a. “for”
1. why; purpose; because
b. “deceives”
1. wandering
2. misleading, leading into error
3. imposter
c. “confess”—“acknowledge”
1. to agree with
2. not to deny
3. to praise; celebrate
d. “this is a deceiver and an antichrist”
1. metaphor: the opponents are accomplishing Satan’s work and preparing the way for the antichrist” (NET)
e. “transgresses”
1. goes too far
2. to go before
a) to proceed or go further than is right or proper
f. “doctrine” teaching or instruction
1. here: Christ’s own teaching (NET)
g. “Abide” G3306
1. remain
2. continue in time; place or condition
3. to wait for; endure
4. constant adherence (JMSB)
h. “have God”
1. idiom for to have a relationship to God as a believer (NET)
i. “receive”
1. to take
2. to make one’s own
3. not to refuse or reject; accept; invite
j. “greet”
1. to rejoice and be glad
2. Why they are to live in truth and love, obeying God’s commandments:
a. because many deceivers, imposters who lead others into error have gone out into the world who do not acknowledge or agree that Jesus Christ came physically
b. these false teachers did not agree that God the Son, Jesus, was fully God and fully man
1) 1Jn 4:1-2 NKJV
(1) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
(2) By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,
2) Php 2:5-8 NKJV
(5) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
(6) who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
(7) but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
(8) And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
3) Rom 1:1-4 NKJV
(1) Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God
(2) which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,
(3) concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,
(4) and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.
c. John calls them deceivers because they lead people into a false view of Christ and antichrists because they are against Christ.
1) Jesus warned deceivers would come
a) Mar 13:22-23 NKJV
(22) For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
(23) But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.
2) Paul also warned believers
a) 1Ti 4:1-3 NKJV
(1) Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
(2) speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
(3) forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
3) 2Pe 2:1-3 NKJV
(1) But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.
(2) And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.
(3) By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.
4) 2Ti 3:13-15 NKJV
(13) But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
(14) But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
(15) and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
3. John commands them to watch out so that they do not lose what they worked for (v.8)
a. he does not want the pastoral and missionary efforts and the truth they have taught to be lost if they welcome these false teachers (NET): present or
b. he does not want them to lose their reward in heaven for doing God’s work on earth (JMSB): future
c. he wants them to receive a full or complete reward
1) faithful service for Christ earns us an eternal reward (Rev 11:18; 22:12; 1Cor 3:10-17; 2Cor 5:8-10)
d. not walking in truth and love but showing hospitality to false teachers may caused them to lose eternal rewards (Col 2:18-19; 3:24-25)
e. truth determines the limits of hospitality and love
4. How to Notice Deceivers (v.9)
a. John gives us some guidelines
b. Anyone who goes too far or ahead and does not remain in the teachings of Christ or Christ’s own teachings does not have a genuine personal saving relationship with God
1. those who do not accept what Jesus said about Himself, His person and work, being fully man and fully God, God in human flesh are not born again
2. these people reject the correct view of Christ, love and obedience (JMSB)
3. 1Jn 2:22-23 NKJV
(22) Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.
(23) Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
3. John’s test of whether someone is a true believer or not
a) whether or not one show’s hospitality depends on how they respond
b) hospitality, kindness and love are guided by truth
c. anyone who remains or continues in the teachings of Christ has the Father and the Son, they have a personal relationship with God and so are born again
B. How to Handle Deceivers (v.10-11)
1. do not receive or take them as your own, accepting them in to your house
a. house—lady’s family or a church of believers
b. don’t hang out with those who teach false views about the fundamentals of the faith like Christ and salvation
2. do not greet them as fellow Christians
a. 2Jn 1:10-11 NLT
(10) If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don't invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement.
(11) Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work.
3. John says if they greet or receive these false teachers they will share or participate or partner with them in their evil wicked deceptive deeds.
4. we are not to greet them as fellow believers because they do not have God and doing so spreads their false teaching
5. receiving them and showing them hospitality tells others that we agree with their teachings and spreads their heresy
a. we must remain true to the correct teachings of and about Christ
6. we must deal properly with false teachers so that we will not be corrupted
7. We are not to accept everyone but have discernment about who we show hospitality and kindness to.
a. we are not called to accept everyone who claims to be a believer
b. we should show hospitality and kindness to those who accept the fundamentals of the faith
C. Closing (v.12-13)
1. 2Jn 1:12-13 NKJV
(12) Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
(13) The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.
2. John ends his letter by hoping to see his readers in person
3. “sister”
a. nieces and or nephews of the lady or another sister church
D. Summary
1. many deceivers, imposters who lead others into error have gone out into the world who do not acknowledge or agree that Jesus Christ came physically
2. these false teachers did not agree that God the Son, Jesus, was fully God and fully man
3. John commands to watch out so that they do not lose what they worked for
4. truth determines the limits of hospitality and love
5. How to Notice Deceivers
6. How to Handle Deceivers
1. do not receive or take them as your own, accepting them in to your house
2. do not greet them as fellow Christians
7. do not accept everyone but have discernment about who we show hospitality and kindness to.
E. Application
1. Do you agree that Jesus came physically in the flesh? And was fully God and fully man?
2. Beware of those who do not have a correct view of who Jesus is
3. Are you being watchful and living in truth and love; checking everything against Scripture?
4. Are you walking or living in both truth and love?
5. Don’t be deceived; don’t believe everything you hear, but check it out.
6. Have you met any false teachers who don’t believe the true teachings of Christ?
7. Do you accept what Jesus said about Himself as recorded in the Bible?
8. Do you hang out with people who teach false views about Christ?
9. What false teachers say may sound good but it is not true.
a. they tell you what you want to hear.
Modern Day False Teachers
A. Doctrine: teaching or instruction (Test All Things)
1. many say it is irrelevant, impractical, unknowable and divisive
2. but it is really important because it has people’s eternal future depends on it
3. Col 2:8 NKJV
(8) Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
Col 2:8 NLT
(8) Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.
B. Cults
1. a counterfeit or serious deviation from the true doctrines of classical Christianity (Test all Things)
a. every cult denies that Jesus was God in human form
b. they are a group of people who claim to be Christian but have a particular doctrinal system made up by a leader(s) or an organization that denies the central doctrines of our Christian faith as the Bible teaches (10 Keys Witnessing to Cults)
2. The Central Doctrines or Teachings of Christianity
a. God (Trinity): one God who eternally exists in 3 different persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit; all of whom are fully God and equal
b. Jesus being fully man and fully God
1) second person of the Trinity
2) always existed as God the Son
3) He became man
4) the only way to the Father
5) died on the cross as full sacrifice and payment for our sins
6) he died in our place to satisfy God’s justice and to establish peace
between believers and God
7) was buried and resurrected physically
c. Existence of God
d. Salvation by grace alone through faith alone
1. not by works
2. one must believe or trust that Jesus died for their sins and physically rose again
e. Humanities Sinfulness
f. Authority of Scripture
C. Examples of Cults (Christianity, Cults and Religions)
1. Jehovah’s Witnesses
a. say Jesus is not God; he was Michael, the archangel
b. he as a perfect man who was resurrected as a spirit
c. salvation by being baptized as JW and door to door work
2. Mormonism
a. Jesus is a separate god from Elohim, created as a spirit child by Elohim and Mary
b. salvation by works and membership
3. Christian Science
a. Jesus was not the Christ, but a man who displayed the idea of Chris; he was not God; He did not die on the cross and was not resurrected physically
b. man is already saved; sin, evil, sickness and death are not real but illusions
4. New Age
a. Jesus was not the savior but a spiritual model and a guru, he is now an ascended master. He tapped into divine power in the same way that anyone can
b. offset bad karma with good to be saved
III. Summation:
We learned that hospitality, kindness and love should be guided by truth. We are not to accept everyone but have discernment about who we show hospitality and kindness to. We studied some of the threats to the basic truths of the faith. We also learned that truth determines the bounds of love; to stay in God’s commands and to avoid false teachers.
IV. Invitation:
Do you believe that Jesus was fully God and fully man? He is the only way to the Father because
He is the only one who dealt with sin: He was the ultimate perfect sacrifice that appeased or satisfied God’s wrath on sin; He became our substitute, bearing our sins so that we could have peace and a restored relationship with God. The debt of sins had to be paid; a substitute had to be found if sinners were to be delivered from this obligation. Only God Himself was qualified to be this substitute (Isa 53:10; Act 4:12; John 14:6). Jesus is the only qualified substitute; if sinners accept the Lord’s atoning work by faith, God applies its value to their accounts; if sinners do not trust in the Savior as their substitute, then they themselves must bear the full punishment of their sins (John 3:36).
If you want to start a relationship with God all you have to do is agree with God that you have sinned and need a Savior and trust that Jesus died to pay for your sin.