Define hospitality. What similar-sounding words (hospital, host, etc.) may shed light on the original root meaning of the term?
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Who do you know that excels in the ministry of hospitality? Why? What does it look like?
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Even a memo from one of the original disciples has great value, particularly if it was inspired by the Holy Spirit. The shortest of the New Testament books, 2 John includes only crucial encouragement and warnings.
The primary difference between 1 John and 2 John has to do with the audience. First John is addressed in a general way to Christians. Second John is written to a particular person—the only New Testament letter specifically addressed to a woman—and a particular church. John’s concern in this second epistle seems to have stemmed from this individual’s inadvertently or unwisely showing hospitality to false prophets. Although his exhortation to deny hospitality to these itinerant ministers may appear on the surface to be harsh or unloving, the acutely dangerous nature of their deceptive teaching justified such actions, especially since it threatened to destroy the very foundations of the faith.
Similar to John’s first letter, the apostle stresses the basic truth of Christ’s identity. To deny Christ’s humanity is to deny the bodily suffering and sacrifice Christ endured to redeem the world of sin.
Truth: Five times in the first four verses of 2 John, the apostle uses this term, from the Greek aletheia, meaning “corresponding to reality.” In the New Testament, truth often refers to the facts about God and the accurate teaching of these facts. Here, it refers to the basics or fundamentals of the faith that John has discussed in 1 John (sound belief in Christ, obedience, love) as well as the truths expressed in 2 John (e.g., vv. 4–6). Truth is the necessary condition of unity and, as a result, the basis of hospitality.
Read 2 John 1–13, noting the key words and definitions next to the passage.
2 John 1–13 (NKJV)
1 The Elder, to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth,
The Elder (v. 1)—refers to John’s advanced age, his spiritual authority over the congregations in Asia Minor, and the strength of his own personal eyewitness testimony to the life of Jesus and all that He taught (vv. 4–6)
the elect lady and her children (v. 1)—Some think that this phrase refers metaphorically to a particular local church, while “her children” would refer to members of the congregation. The more natural understanding in context, however, is that it refers to a particular woman and her children (i.e., offspring) who were well-known to John.
2 because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever:
truth . . . abides in us . . . will be with us forever (v. 2)—This is the cognitive truth of God’s Word (see Col. 3:16).
3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4 I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father.
children walking in truth, as we received commandment (v. 4)—The word “walking” has reference to continual walking in the truth, i.e., making obedience to the truth a habit in one’s life.
5 And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another.
new commandment . . . that we love one another (v. 5)—The word love has reference to practicing love as a habit in one’s life. Both walking in the truth and in love is the behavior of hospitality.
6 This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.
This is love, that we walk according to His commandments (v. 6)—John defines love, not as a sentiment or an emotion, but as obedience to God’s commands.
7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
many deceivers (v. 7)—John gives limits for Christian hospitality. This is the centerpiece of John’s thought in this epistle and expands the first two points.
who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh (v. 7)—The original language conveys the idea of a habitual denial of the undiminished deity and humanity of Christ. A biblical Christology maintains that Jesus Christ’s nature was both fully God and fully man with all the implications for the fulfillment of redemptive purposes.
8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.
do not lose those things we worked for (v. 8)—Although a reward is generally promised Christians for hospitality (Matt. 10:41; 25:40), the idea here is of the fullness of a believer’s reward for all the good he has done (see 1 Cor. 3:10–17).
9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.
does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God (v. 9)—Failure to be faithful to the fundamental, sound doctrines of the faith (a proper view of the Person and work of Christ, love, obedience) marks a person as having never been born again (1 John 2:23; 3:6–10; 4:20–21; 5:1–3). The word “abide” has the idea of constant adherence and warns that these fundamentals are not open to change or subject to the latest trends or philosophical fads.
10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him;
do not receive him into your house nor greet him (v. 10)—John’s prohibition is not a case of entertaining people who disagree on minor matters; these false teachers were carrying on a regular campaign to destroy the basic, fundamental truths of Christianity.
11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.
shares in his evil deeds (v. 11)—Hospitality to such leaders aids the spread of their heresy and leaves the impression of sanctioning the teachings of these antichrists (see 1 John 2:22).
12 Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
paper and ink (v. 12)—The word “paper” refers to a papyrus sheet. One papyrus sheet could contain the whole letter of 2 John. The term “ink” means “black” and refers to a mixture of water, charcoal, and gum resin that was used to write.
face to face (v. 12)—John literally wrote “mouth to mouth.” See Numbers 12:8 in which God spoke to Moses “mouth to mouth.”
that our joy may be full (v. 12)—The blessing of hospitality that is rooted in the biblical standards for fellowship is full joy (vv. 12–13) among believers because the truths of the Word are maintained.
13 The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.
The children of your elect sister (v. 13)—John refers to the nieces and/or nephews of the woman (“elect lady”) addressed in verse 1, who sent their greetings via John.
1) What is the implied reason that John wrote this letter?
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2) What do you learn about the “elect lady”?
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3) How did John emphasize the importance of truth?
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4) What positive counsel about Christian relationships does John offer?
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5) In verse 8, what sobering warning did John give to those who offer indiscriminate fellowship and hospitality to false teachers?
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Fighting against false teachers was one of John’s main concerns, and it was also a concern of the apostle Paul. Read 1 Timothy 4:1–4 and 2 Corinthians 11:13–15.
1 Tim. 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving;
2 Cor. 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.
14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
6) According to these passages, why do believers need to have an intimate acquaintance with the truth?
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7) In what way are truth and love related to walking in Christian unity (vv. 4–6)?
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8) Why was John so adamant in his epistles that we “confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh” (v. 7)?
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9) How should Christians respond when people from religious cults (Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Hare Krishnas, and others) knock on the door (v. 10)?
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Upholding the revealed truth of God’s Word will inevitably lead to conflict, because many oppose the truth. But if you and I live in the light of eternity, that won’t be an obstacle. Any effort we exert in this short life for Christ’s sake will be recompensed immeasurably in eternity. That’s one reason Paul called it “the good warfare” (1 Tim. 1:18 NKJV, emphasis added). J. C. Ryle comments further: “Let us settle it in our minds that the Christian fight is a good fight—really good, truly good, emphatically good. We see only part of it yet. We see the struggle, but not the end; we see the campaign, but not the reward; we see the cross, but not the crown. We see a few humble, broken-spirited, penitent, praying people; . . . but we see not the face of God smiling on them, the kingdom of glory prepared for them . . . There are more good things about the Christian warfare than we see” (Holiness [Hertfordshire, England: Evangelical Press, 1989], 62).
10) Are you fighting the good fight? Are you contending for the faith? Is it your desire to obey and proclaim the truth, no matter what the cost? Why or why not?
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11) What is the main lesson you are taking away from 2 John?
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12) In what specific way do you want to “imitate” the apostle John?
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Write out additional reflections, questions you may have, or a prayer.
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