Meditation

Hi there,

Today we round out 2 John with two warnings, one expected and one that seems to confound our typical understanding of Christian charity.

The first is a warning against false teaching in verses 7-9 and the second is a warning against misplaced charity (verses 10-11). This latter warning is surprisingly assertive, stating that even welcoming a false teacher into your home is to participate in their work.

The health of the early (in fact any) church is precarious and can't be risked. Standing in stark contrast to the earlier verses commending Truth and Love, these last categorical and assertive verses land with a heavy thud.

Today's text is 2 John 7-13 (and is called out in black)

2 John

1 The elder,

To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth— 2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:

3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.

4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.

6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

7 I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.

8 Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.

9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. 11 Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.

12 I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

13 The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings.

Encouragement

John's short letter makes one point and makes it well.

Love is... walking in the truth.

As he states at the end, he could write plenty more and cover a broader range of subjects, but the letter is all the more potent for it's focused brevity.

Next, we'll complete this season in the shortest books by copying John's third letter.

Andy

God's word in your hand

I've attached this explanation of 2 John from Bible Study Tools to help provide additional insight and an overview of the letter.

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