2 John                                         Introduction

1. THE STATISTICS
1. 1 Chapter, 13 Verses, 298 Words
2. 63rd Book in the Bible, 24th Book in the New Testament
3. Other Statistics
1. Shortest book in the Bible by number of verses with 13
2. Shortest book in the Bible by letter count with 1,204
3. Next to shortest book in the Bible by word count with 298
2. THE HUMAN AUTHOR
1. Still Unnamed
1. Never named in the Gospel of John
1. The disciple who leaned on Jesus’ breast (John 21:20-24 [20] Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? [21] Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? [22] Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. [23] Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? [24] This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.
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2. The disciple whom Jesus loved; often called the beloved disciple
1. At the Lord’s Supper (John 13:23-26 [23] Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. [24] Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. [25] He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? [26] Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
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2. At the cross (John 19:26-27 [26] When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! [27] Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
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3. At the tomb (John 20:1-8 [1] The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. [2] Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the LORD out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. [3] Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. [4] So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. [5] And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. [6] Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, [7] And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. [8] Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
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4. On the fishing boat (John 21:3-7 [3] Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. [4] But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. [5] Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. [6] And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. [7] Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.
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2. Never named in the Epistles of John
1. Paul’s epistles all begin with his name except Hebrews.
1. It is interesting to note that Paul did not begin with his name in his epistle to the Hebrews.
2. Remember when Moses did not want to go deliver the children of Israel in his own name (Exodus 3:11-14 [11] And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? [12] And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. [13] And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? [14] And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
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2. James’ epistle begins with his name.
3. Peter’s epistles begin with his name.
4. Jude’s epistle begins with his name.
2. His Life
1. His name John corresponds to the Old Testament name Jonah and means a dove.
2. His parents were Zebedee and Salome (Luke 5:10And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
   See All...; cp. Matthew 27:56Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees children.
   See All... with Mark 15:40There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
   See All...)
3. He was brother to James (Mark 1:19And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
   See All...) who died as a martyr early (Acts 12:1-2 [1] Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. [2] And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
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4. He was a fisherman (Mark 1:19And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
   See All...).
5. Jesus named James and John “Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:
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6. He had been a disciple of John the Baptist (Acts 1:22-23 [22] Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. [23] And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
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7. He was one of the inner circle of three (with James and Peter).
1. As a witness of the raising of the daughter of Jairus (Mark 5:37And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
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2. As a witness of the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9 [1] And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, [2] And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. [3] And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. [4] Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. [5] While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. [6] And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. [7] And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. [8] And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. [9] And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
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3. As an inquirer of the things to come (Mark 13:3-4 [3] And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, [4] Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
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4. As a witness to the agonies of Gethsemane (Mark 14:32-34 [32] And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. [33] And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; [34] And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
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8. He was considered a pillar of the early church (Galatians 2:9And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
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3. Connecting Words and Phrases
1. Truth
1. Found 27 times in the Gospel of John
2. Found 5 times in the Gospel of Luke
3. Found 3 times in Matthew and Mark
4. Found 5 times in 2 John (one of which is truth’s)
5. Found 6 times in 3 John
2. Commandment
1. Found 7 times in the Gospel of John
2. Found 2 times in the Gospel of Luke
3. Found 5 times in Matthew and Mark
4. Found 3 times in 2 John
3. Love
1. Found 22 times in the Gospel of John
2. Found 11 times in Matthew
3. Found 6 times in Mark
4. Found 12 times in Luke
5. Found 4 times in 2 John
6. Found 1 time in 3 John
4. Love one another
1. Found 5 times in the Gospel of John
2. Found 0 times in Matthew, Mark and Luke
3. Found 1 time in 2 John
5. Father and Son connected in a single verse
1. Found 13 times in the Gospel of John
2. Found 3 times in Matthew
3. Found 2 times in Mark and Luke
4. Found 2 times in 2 John
6. Joy may be full
1. Found only in John’s writings
2. Joy might be full is found in John 15:11These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
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3. Joy may be full is found in John 16:24Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
   See All...; 1 John 1:4And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
   See All...; 2 John 1:12Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
   See All....
7. Connection between 2 John 1:2For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
   See All... and John 14:17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
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4. His Writings in the New Testament – compared to other human authors
1. In number
1. Paul – 100 chapters (38.5%) –this includes the 13 chapters of Hebrews
2. Luke – 52 chapters (20.0%) –Luke, Acts
3. John – 50 chapters (19.2%) –John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Revelation
4. Matthew – 28 chapters (10.8%)
5. Mark – 16 chapters (6.2%)
6. Peter – 8 chapters (3.1%)
7. James – 5 chapters (1.9%)
8. Jude – 1 chapter (0.4%)
2. In classifications
1. John wrote of the Holy Ghost’s provision for three categories of New Testament writings.
1. He will “bring all things to your remembrance” (John 14:26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
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2. He will “teach you all things” (John 14:26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
   See All...) and will “guide you into all truth” (John 16:13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
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3. He will “shew you things to come” (John 16:13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
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2. This corresponds to the three major categories of writing in the New Testament:
1. Things brought to remembrance are books of History (Matthew through Acts).
2. The teaching of all things and guidance into all truth are the books called the Epistles (Romans through Jude).
3. The things to come would refer to the New Testament book of Prophecy (Revelation).
3. Of the New Testament authors, only John wrote major books in all three categories.
1. History – the Gospel of John
2. Teaching – the Epistles of John
3. Prophecy – the Book of Revelation
3. THE TIME OF AUTHORSHIP
1. Demonstrated by the Age of the Apostle
1. The age of the apostle during the ministry of our Lord
1. Though we are not given the specifics of the age of John, there are a few things that lead you to believe he was a young man.
2. When running to the tomb to see the absence of the body of Christ, John outran Simon Peter (John 20:4So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
   See All...).
2. The age of the apostle in the epistles of John
1. 2 John 1:1The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
   See All... – the elder
2. 3 John 1:1The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
   See All... – the elder
2. Demonstrated by the Doctrines
1. Early false teachers
1. Cerinthus
1. Appeared towards the end of the first century
2. A Gnostic teacher of Asia Minor
3. Separated the physical Jesus from the spiritual Christ.  Said Christ came upon Jesus at his baptism and left at his crucifixion.  Therefore, the spiritual Christ was not born and did not die.  John’s writings had much that fought this teaching (see 1 John 2:22Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
   See All...; 1 John 4:3And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
   See All...; 2 John 1:7For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
   See All...,9).
2. Basilides
1. A Gnostic who taught in Alexandria in the early second century
2. He also separated the physical Jesus from the divine Christ.
2. An early false doctrine - Docetism
1. Denied the humanity of Christ
2. Since the flesh is evil, Christ only appeared to have a human body.
3. Scripture references:  1 John 1:1-2 [1] That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; [2] (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
   See All...; 1 John 4:2-3 [2] Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: [3] And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
   See All...; 2 John 1:7For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
   See All...
4. THE DIVISIONS OF THE BOOK
1. Introduction (2 John 1:1-3 [1] The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; [2] For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. [3] Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
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2. Our Walk (2 John 1:4-6 [4] I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. [5] And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. [6] And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
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3. The Problem of Balance (2 John 1:7-11 [7] For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. [8] Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. [9] Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. [10] If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: [11] For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
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4. The Desire for Fellowship (2 John 1:12-13 [12] Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. [13] The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
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5. THE THEME OF THE BOOK

• 2 John deals with maintaining the proper balance between truth and love in the ministry.
• The word truth in this exact form is mentioned four times in the epistle (2 John 1:1The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
  See All..., 2, 3, 4). The word love is also mentioned four times (2 John 1:1The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
  See All..., 3, 5, 6).  The number four is connected to stability or balance in the scriptures.
• Most people tend to lean too far in one direction or the other.
• Truth without love becomes harsh and full of pride. “Knowledge puffeth up” (1 Corinthians 8:1Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
  See All...).
• However, love without truth quickly conforms to the world and soon believes nothing.
• John reminds the elect lady that true love is to walk in God’s commandments (verse 6).
• If we deny the teachings of the word of God, we lose everything.
• The theme of 2 John: keep the proper balance between truth and love in your service to Him.