Author: Apostle John, the elder Sole survivor of the eyewitnesses of Christ Recipients: 2 nd John: chosen/elect lady real lady who has children, sister, and supposed nieces/nephews? figurative meaning for the church?
Purpose of 2 nd Epistle: (1) Urgent need to EXPOSE false teaching (2) Remind believers to WALK in truth and love Truth... TEACHING OF CHRIST AND ABOUT CHRIST Walk... MANNER OF LIVING; ongoing behavior
What we live is what we believe. Everything else is just religious talk. Vance Havner TRUTH MUST PERMEATE all aspects of individuals and the church: *preaching/teaching... praise/worship... evangelism... fellowship NO SUBSTITUTE/COMPROMISE for Truth
Verse 8 Watch yourselves Blepete signal a warning obe on constant guard... no place for laziness/complacency obe diligent, discerning... even suspicious
The rise of religious liberalism since the Enlightenment, the humanization of God, the deification of man, the growing acceptance of universalism all seem to be paving the way for a coming world dictator. The Bible s inerrancy and authority is routinely denied among many, especially in the mainline denominations. The amazing thing about it is that all of this is done under the guise of a LARGER CONCEPTION OF GOD. David Allen, Preaching the Word Commentary
According to verse 8... heavenly REWARD is at stake for the o False teachers offer you something you do not have, when in reality they take away what you already have. W. Wiersbe eternal DAMNATION is at stake for the o Heb. 10.26-31 if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins... judgement, fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries
Perseverance is Proof of Possession! Daniel Akin
Verse 9 anyone who goes too far / go beyond / go on or run ahead Go beyond the established bounds of teaching and instruction, with the implication of failure to obey o KJV transgress... violate command; go contrary to o Anti-ABIDE True Teaching new teaching True Gospel different gospel True Christ another Christ
Progressive thinking beyond gospel truth leads to untruth and is condemned for the error that it is. D. Allen When someone adds to the biblical testimony of Jesus Christ, a subtraction from truth of who He is and what He did is inevitable. D. Akin
Psalm 2.1-3 Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, 3 Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us! ESV NIV Let us burst their bonds apart Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles
Likely condition Lady or church true Gospel of Christ Verse 10 if anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching... Resist, turn away Do not receive him into your house place of meeting or gathering for worship Pray God s blessing on him... Instead, conversion & repentance Endorsement; take sides with Do not give him a greeting
Do not receive him into your house Do not give him a greeting Does NOT mean... TURN AWAY the blind/ignorant Believers may NOT INVITE unbelievers into your home Build a WALL of SEPARATION; keep distant from the world
Do not receive him into your house Do not give him a greeting Does mean... Do not provide financial support Withhold hospitality of room and board
Must stand in opposition to Evangelists of Error! Rom. 16.17-18 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. 18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.
Must stand in opposition to Evangelists of Error! 2 Thes. 3.14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame.
Must stand in opposition to Evangelists of Error! Ephesians 5.11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness... expose them ESV NIV KJV Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness... EXPOSE them. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness... EXPOSE them. Have no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness... REPROVE them.
To GOD: Obedience To EACH OTHER: Truth & Love To FALSE TEACHERS: Resistance