The Strand Study Bible

II JOHN

Author: John, The Beloved Theme: Living the Truth

About the Author: John, whose name means “gift of God,” was a Jew from the city of Bethsaida, near the Sea of Galilee. He and his father (Zebedee) and older brother (James - Mt 4:21) were fishermen. According to the Bible, they seemed to have made a good living at their trade (Mk 1:20 and Jn 19:27). His mother’s name was Salome. Immediately following the miracle of the draught of fishes, John and his brother James, became apostles (Lk 5:9-10). He, along with Peter and James, became one of the three apostles closest to Christ. John was probably the youngest of the disciples and lived the longest (until c. AD 100). While on the cross, Christ personally asked John to care for his earthly mother (Jn 19:26-27). Twelve years later, in AD 44, after Christ’s resurrection, John lost his brother (James) to martyrdom (Acts 12:12). Six years later in AD 50, he and Peter, Paul and others took part in settling the controversy of circumcision in Jerusalem (Acts 15 and Gal 2:9). Tradition tells us that John spent many years as pastor of the church at Ephesus. Then, in the latter years of his life, he was banished by the Roman government on a deserted island called Patmos. Later, God used him to write The Revelation (Rev 1:9 – AD 96). About the Book: The Apostle John exhorts the elect lady (a local church) and her children (members of that local church) to continue to walk in the truth. He also cautions them to beware and avoid deceivers, who deny the fact that Christ is God. II John was written from Ephesus in approximately AD 90. Notes of Interest: 1. There are no OT quotations or characters found in II John . 2. Prophecies are referred to 2 times in II John . 3. There are no inset maps used in the book of II John . Outline of II John :

1. John rejoices in the elect lady (II Jn 1-6) 2. John cautions against deceivers (II Jn 7-13) II John 1 John rejoices over a local church that walks in the truth Date Written - c. AD 90

7 For 10 many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that 11 Jesus Christ is come 12 in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. P The promise of rewards to all who are found faithful when CHRIST returns (Fulfilled - Rev 4:2) 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a 14 full reward. P 9 15 Whosoever transgresseth, and abi- deth 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. 10 16 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him 17 God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. 12 18 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, 19 that our joy may be full. 13 The children of thy elect 20 sister greet thee. Amen.

1. or, “John” 2. or, “a local church” 3. or, “her born-again members” 4. Isa 7:14 & 9:6 & II Sam 7:13-14 & Heb 1:5 & Psa 2:7 5. III Jn 3-4 6. I Jn 3:11 7. Jn 13:34 & Lev 19:18 8. Jn 14:15,21,23 & I Jn 2:5 & 5:3 9. I Jn 2:24 10. Mt 24:5 & I Jn 4:1-3 11. Fulfilled - Rev 19:11-21 (Christ’s Second Coming) 12. Mt 1:23 & Jn 1:14 & I Tim 3:16 & I Jn 1:1-2 & 4:2 13. I Jn 2:18,22 & 4:3 14. Fulfilled - Rev 4:2 (NT Rewards) 15. I Jn 2:23 16. Rom 16:17 17. or, “an encouraging greeting” 18. III Jn 13-1 4 19. Jn 17:13 20. or, “sister church”

1 The 1 elder unto the 2 elect lady and 3 her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; 2 For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. 3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the 4 SON of the Father, in truth and love. 4 5 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. 5 And now I beseech thee, lady, 6 not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, 7 that we love one another. 6 And this is love, 8 that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, 9 as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. John cautions this local church to beware of decievers who deny the deity of JESUS CHRIST

1:6 This word ( love ) is the Greek word DJDSK ( agape ), and means “ to love unconditionally ” ( Mt 22:39 , Eph 5:25 and Titus 2:4 ). Agape-type love is an attribute of God, not man, and expresses the deep and constant interest of a perfect being toward entirely unworthy objects. According to I Corinthians 13, God’s type of love will always seek the welfare of others. The following four statements “sum up” agape-type love: 1. Agape-type love is not based on emotion (how one feels), but an act of the will (Jn 15:13 and I Jn 3:16) 2126