Second John The Second and Third letters of John are the shortest documents of the New Testament, shorter even than the letters to Philemon and the epistle of Jude. The same themes which are found in the first letter of John are found in these letters as well. There is an emphasis on obeying the truth (2 John 4), loving our brethren, false teaching and deceivers (2 John 9). Both of these letters equally deal with the question of hospitality to traveling Christians. Second John deals with the danger of supporting false teachers (2 John 9-11) and Third John deals with the danger of not helping faithful brethren (3 John 9-11). Outline Introduction: 1-3 The Message: 4-11 The Conclusion: 12-13
2 John 1 “The elder”: John refers to himself by the same title in Third John. It appears that such was a common way of referring the apostle John, that is, John the elder. This could mean that John was an elder in a local congregation (1 Peter 5:1), or it may mean that John was aged at this time and maybe the only apostle that was still living. “To the chosen lady”: Or, the elect lady. Even though the Third letter is written to a specific person (Gaius), it would appear that the expression “elect lady” refers to a local congregation. The church is composed to the “elect” (Ephesians 1:4), and the church is often referred to as a woman (2
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