Book Study: Second John

Book Overview

The book of 2 John is a short letter written by the apostle John to “the chosen lady and her children,” likely referring to a local church and its members. John emphasizes the importance of walking in truth and love, reminding believers that love is expressed through obedience to God’s commandments. He warns against deceivers who deny that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, calling them antichrists. Believers are urged not to welcome or support such false teachers, as doing so would share in their wrongdoing. The letter highlights the balance between truth and love: Christians must remain steadfast in the truth of Christ while practicing genuine love toward one another. John closes by expressing his desire to visit in person and share joy face-to-face, underscoring the relational nature of Christian fellowship. Though brief, 2 John reinforces the need for discernment, obedience, and steadfastness in both truth and love.

Brief Chapter Summaries

Chapter 1

John urges believers to walk in truth and love, warns against deceivers denying Christ’s incarnation, and instructs them not to support false teachers, emphasizing obedience to God’s commands and steadfastness in faith.

Key Verses

2 John 1:6

“And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you are to walk in it.”

2 John 1:7

“For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. “Beloved, let’s love one another; for love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

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