2 John

The apostle John writes his second letter, this time to a particular group or house-church.  The point of the letter is basically the same as his first letter, that is, to refute the teaching of some itinerant, Gnostic teachers who have been teaching false doctrine among the churches John ministers to.  His purpose is to have his readers go back to the basics of Christianity, the fundamentals of the faith.  For John, the basics of Christianity are following the truth (v.4), love (v.5), and obedience (v.6).  These are the same themes seen in his first letter, however, he adds an additional but related theme concerning the biblical guidelines of hospitality.  As the apostle teaches, the basis of hospitality must be common love of, or interest in, the truth, and Christians are to share their love within the boundaries of that truth.  In other words, love must be discerning so as not to aid those who are perverting the truths of the faith.

The Basis of Christian Hospitality (1-3)

1.      John writes to a certain lady in the church who has shown hospitality to false teachers who take advantage of her kindness.  John knows that the false teachers are trying to get a foothold into the congregation in order to spread their lies and bring benefit to themselves.  John is quick to point out that he, a true representative of the faith, loves the lady and the congregation “in truth.”  This is the basis of Christian hospitality.  Truth refers to the basics of the faith that John has discussed in 1 John (sound belief in Christ, love, and obedience).  If there is going to be unity in the church, there must first be the fundamental belief in Christian truth.

2.      This truth lives in us and will be in our hearts forever.  Col 3:16 reads, “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another…”

3.      Those of us who are “In Christ” share the blessings of “grace” (receiving that which we don’t deserve), “mercy” (not receiving what we do deserve), and “peace” (the final aspect of a Christian’s faith as he is made complete in the Lord).

The Behavior of Christian Hospitality (4-6)

4.      The behavior of hospitality involves obedience to the truth (see (5,6).  In v.4, John says that he had met some of her children and found them “living” in the truth.  Some versions say, “Walking” in the truth.  The word “walking” refers to a continual walking, or living, in the truth, that is, making it a habit in one’s life.

5.      John links the commandment of truth to the commandment of love (1 John 2:7-11).  The word “love” refers to the practicing love as a habit in one’s life.  Both living in love and truth is the behavior of hospitality.

6.      John tells us what love is – not an emotion, but obedience to God’s commands the fundamentals of our faith (1 John 5:2,3).  Those who are obedient to the truth as seen in God’s commandments, are seen as living and walking in love.

The Limits of Christian Hospitality (7-11)

7.      John has been teaching that the basis of Christian hospitality is walking in truth.  He now expands that thought by talking about the deceivers from Satan who don’t believe that Jesus came to earth in a real body.  Christianity teaches that Christ’s nature was both fully God and fully man.  Why was it so?  In order to completely fulfill God’s redemptive purposes, the spotless Lamb must be killed and His blood shed for sin.

8.      John warns against indiscriminate hospitality of the kind offered to the false teachers.  This gave them a door into the church where they could spread their lies.  The believer who helps these teachers stands to lose the fullness of his eternal reward.

9.      He describes the false teacher as one who is unfaithful to the fundamental, sound doctrine of the faith (a proper view of the person and work of Jesus Christ, love, obedience).  One who doesn’t live by these standards is not born again (does not have God).  One cannot simply choose to believe the doctrines he chooses to believe, embracing some pet doctrine but excluding others.  It is all or nothing at all.  The “truth” covers every single word written and expressed in God’s Word.

10.  This warning is not against one who might disagree on minor matters, its focus is on those who carry out a regular campaign to destroy the basic, fundamental truths of Christianity.  John warns to disassociate oneself completely from them.

11.  Hospitality to these evil teachers leads to the spread of their work and leaves the impression of being in agreement with them.  Only loyalty to God and His Word alone must characterize the believer.

12.  John ends this short letter with the hope that he can see the believers in person “that our joy may be full.”  When believers uphold the biblical standards for fellowship, the result is genuine joy among the believers.