2nd & 3rd John Bible Study
Scripture & Commentary Below the Videos
2nd John
2nd John Date of Writing: The Book of 2 John would most likely have been written at about the same time as John’s other letters, 1 and 3 John, between A.D. 85-95.
Purpose of Writing: The Book of 2 John is an urgent plea that the readers of John’s letter should show their love for God and His son Jesus by obeying the commandment to love each other and live their lives in obedience to the Scriptures. The Book of 2 John is also a strong warning to be on the lookout for deceivers who were going about saying that Christ had not actually risen in the flesh.
Greeting
2Jn 1:1 “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;
2Jn 1:2 For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
2Jn 1:3 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.
Walking in Truth and Love
2Jn 1:4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children WALKING IN TRUTH (Philippians 2:12 “Wherefore, my beloved, AS YE HAVE ALWAYS OBEYED, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING), as we have RECEIVED A COMMANDMENT from the Father.
2Jn 1:5 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.
2Jn 1:6 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 (AS JESUS WALKED 1ST JOHN 2:6).
2Jn 1:7 For MANY DECEIVERS ARE ENTERED INTO THIS WORLD, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
2Jn 1:8 LOOK TO YOURSELVES (BE ON GUARD CONSTANTLY, STAND FAST, RESIST THE DEVIL, A LITTLE LEAVEN DESTROYS THE ENTIRE LUMP, DON’T COMPROMISE), that we LOSE NOT (SALVATION) those things which we have wrought, but that we (THE OBEDIENT SAINTS OF GOD) receive a full reward (THE ULTIMATE “CROWN OF LIFE” = HEAVEN. Revelation 2:8-11 “And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 9 I KNOW THY WORKS and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I KNOW THY BLASPHEMY of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: BE THOU FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH, and (THEN) I WILL GIVE THEE A CROWN OF LIFE. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; HE THAT OVERCOMETH shall not be hurt of the second death. (SHALL NOT PERISH IN THE ETERNAL FIRE)”
2Jn 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth (ANY MORAL LAW OF GOD), 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. (CALL AFTER CALL TO ABIDE).
2Jn 1:10 IF THERE COME ANY UNTO YOU, AND BRING NOT THIS DOCTRINE, RECEIVE HIM NOT INTO YOUR HOUSE, NEITHER BID HIM GOD SPEED: (THOSE WITH FALSE DOCTRINE ARE ACCURSED AND WE ARE TO NOT YOKE WITH GALATIANS 1:8-9 HERETICKS OR SINNERS).
2Jn 1:11 For he that biddeth him God speed (ONE WHO CONDONES SIN) IS PARTAKER OF HIS EVIL DEEDS. (Proverbs 17:15 “He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even THEY ARE BOTH AN ABOMINATION to the LORD.”)
Final Greetings
2Jn 1:12 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.
2Jn 1:13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.”
3rd John
3rd John Author: The Book of 3 John does not directly name its author but it’s widely believed the author being John. Surely agree here.
Date of Writing: The Book of 3 John would most likely have been written at about the same time as John’s other letters, 1 and 2 John, between A.D. 85-95.
Purpose of Writing: John’s purpose in writing this third epistle is threefold. First, he writes to commend and encourage his beloved co-worker, Gaius, in his ministry of hospitality to the evangelists who were going from place to place to preach the Gospel of Christ. Second, he indirectly warns and condemns the behavior of one Diotrephes, a dictatorial leader who had taken over one of the churches in the province of Asia, and whose behavior was directly opposed to all that the apostle and his Gospel stood for. We are warned about these wolves many times in the bible like 2nd Peter Chapter 2, etc. John warns about this in his gospel (John 10:10 “THE THIEF (THE FALSE PASTOR/TEACHER) cometh not, but for to STEAL, and to KILL, and to DESTROY: I (JESUS) am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”) Third, he commends the example of Demetrius who was reported as having a good testimony from all.
Greeting
3Jn 1:1 THE ELDER (THERE IS GODLY ORDER IN THE LOCAL AND WORLDWIDE CHURCH) unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
3Jn 1:2 Beloved (BELIEVER), I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (SHOULD BE THE HEART OF EVERY TRUE CHRISTIAN).
3Jn 1:3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of THE TRUTH THAT IS IN THEE, even as thou WALKEST IN THE TRUTH. (1ST JOHN 2:6).
3Jn 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children WALK IN TRUTH (HOLY, RIGHTEOUS, SERVANTS CARING ABOUT THE DOWNTRODDEN AND LOST).
Support and Opposition
3Jn 1:5 Beloved, THOU DOEST FAITHFULLY whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; (THE TRUE HOLY, RIGHTEOUS, SELFLESS SERVANTHOOD OF A CHRISTIAN).
3Jn 1:6 Which HAVE BORNE WITNESSES OF THY CHARITY before the church (BRETHREN IN THEIR LOCAL CONGREGATION and ETC): whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: (YOU HAVE PRACTICED “PURE AND UNDEFILED RELIGION” (JAMES 1:27) BY HELPING THE BRETHREN FINANCIALLY, WITH A PLACE TO STAY, ETC FOR THEIR MISSIONARY JOURNIES – Acts 2:42-47).
3Jn 1:7 Because that FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE they WENT FORTH, taking nothing of the Gentiles. (THEY RECEIVED NOTHING FROM THE UNBELIEVERS AT THIS TIME, JUST FROM THE CHRISTIAN BRETHREN FOR THEIR MISSION).
3Jn 1:8 We therefore ought to RECEIVE SUCH, that we might be FELLOWHELPERS IN THE TRUTH. (All Christians cannot go forth to preach the gospel as a missionary or evangelist but ALL are commanded to contribute something to the support of those who do! All Christians are surely called to minister and witness to others in every way possible however. Don’t hide your “candelstick”)!
3Jn 1:9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. (DIOTREPHES WOULD NOT SUBMIT TO PROPER CHURCH AUTHOTITY THAT GOD HAS SET UP FOR HIS LOCAL FELLOWSHIPS. HE DESPISED EARTHLY CHURCH ORDER….).
3Jn 1:10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, PRANTING AGAINST US WITH MALICIOUS WORDS: and NOT CONTENT therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren (WITH HOSPITALITY), and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. (Diotrephes might have been a converted Jew, who was unwilling that the Gentiles should be received into the Church; or a Judiazing Christian. Either way, he was not a true Christian as so many today).
3Jn 1:11 Beloved, FOLLOW NOT THAT WHICH IS EVIL, but that which is GOOD. HE THAT DOETH GOOD is of God: but he that doeth evil (WILLFULLY SINS) HATH NOT SEEN GOD.
3Jn 1:12 Demetrius hath GOOD REPORT OF ALL MEN, and OF THE TRUTH itself (ALL OF THE TRUTH, NOT JUST SOME): yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true. (EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD HAVE SUCH CHARACTER. THEY WILL SURELY BE “HATED BY ALL” NON-BELIEVERS BUT (Romans 12:18 IF it be POSSIBLE, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.) (James 3:17 “But the WISDOM that is from ABOVE is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, WITHOUT PARTIALITY, and WITHOUT HYPOCRISY.”)
Final Greetings
3Jn 1:13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
3Jn 1:14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.”