2 John

AUTHOR:

John, the apostle

AUDIENCE:

The chosen lady and her children—probably a local church

PURPOSE:

To emphasize the basics of following Christ—truth and love—and to warn against false teachers.

False teachers do the devil’s work. In John’s second letter he expressed concern for a woman and her children (which may represent a church and its members) who had come under the influence of some false teachers who taught that Jesus didn’t have a real human body. This view probably stemmed from a heretical Gnostic teaching, which saw the human body as evil and in need of punishment for purification. John encouraged his readers to reject this false teaching in light of God’s truth and unchanging love.

We can only imagine how such deceptive doctrines hurt people with disabilities, some of whom already struggle with a deep sense of inadequacy. It takes faith to see ourselves as God the Father sees us rather than through the world’s eyes. John calls the church to resist teachings that do not line up with Scripture or that deny Christ’s incarnation and humanity. Above all, “Be diligent so that you receive your full reward” (1:8).

SUFFERING AND DISABILITY THEMES

  floral bullet  Remain faithful; discern evil. The antidote to heresy and false teaching of any kind is to maintain an unwavering commitment to truth that is rooted in a deep, sincere love for God and his people. Don’t even associate with those who do evil.

  floral bullet  Love the truth. John reminds us that “the truth lives in us and will be with us forever” (1:2). John uses the word “truth” five times in this short letter, and in John's Gospel, Jesus says: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Living a life of truth will keep us safe from those who would draw us away from our Savior.