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Introduction
to 2 John
This summary of the book of 2 John provides information about the
title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a
brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of 2 John.
The author is John the apostle. Obvious similarities to 1 John and
the Gospel of John suggest that the same person wrote all three books. Compare
the following:
See Introductions to 1 John and the Gospel of John: Author.
The letter was probably written about the same time as 1 John
(a.d. 85-95), as the above comparisons suggest (see Introduction to 1 John:
Date).
During the first two centuries the gospel was taken from place to
place by traveling evangelists and teachers. Believers customarily took these
missionaries into their homes and gave them provisions for their journey when
they left. Since Gnostic teachers also relied on this practice (see note on 3Jn
1-5), 2 John was written to urge discernment in supporting traveling
teachers; otherwise, someone might unintentionally contribute to the propagation
of heresy rather than truth.
──《New
International Version》
Introduction to 2 John
This epistle is like an abridgement of the
first; it touches, in few words, on the same points. The Lady Electa is
commended for her virtuous and religious education of her children; is exhorted
to abide in the doctrine of Christ, to persevere in the truth, and carefully to
avoid the delusions of false teachers. But chiefly the apostle beseeches her to
practise the great commandment of Christian love and charity.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on 2 John》
2 John General Review
INTRODUCTION
1. In the First Century A.D., the early church enjoyed remarkable growth and spread throughout the world at that time - cf. Ac 8:5; Ro 10:14-18; Co 1:5-6,23
2. What accounted for this spread of the gospel? There were likely several factors, but one was certainly the "hospitality" of the early Christians... a. Paul was able to travel and depend upon Christians opening their homes to him - cf. Philemon 22 b. He encouraged Christians to support those who were teachers of good things - Ga 6:6 c. John commended and encouraged those who provided lodging and support for traveling missionaries - 3 Jn 5-8 3. But showing such "hospitality" was not without its potential for supporting the spread of false teachers and their doctrines... a. It would be easy for teachers of error to take advantage of the Christians' natural propensity to be hospitable to strangers b. Thus it was necessary to counsel Christians to use proper discernment in sending traveling teachers on their way 4. The Second Epistle of John, consisting of just one chapter, addresses this very problem a. Written to "the elect lady and her children" (see comments on recipients below) b. In which warning is given against showing hospitality to certain teachers - cf. 2 Jn 10-11 [In this study, the first of three lessons on Second John, we shall consider some background information of the epistle and then John's salutation as found in verses 1-3...] I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
A. THE AUTHOR - "THE ELDER" 1. Believed by most conservative scholars to be the apostle John 2. The INTERNAL evidence... a. The three epistles of John utilize much the same language and ideas b. All bear similarity to concepts and language to the Gospel of John c. The term "elder" would be a fitting description of John as the author, writing in his old age 3. The EXTERNAL evidence... a. Irenaeus, a disciple of Polycarp (who in turn was an associate of John), quotes from it and mentions the apostle John by name b. Both Clement of Alexandria and Dionysius, living in the third century A.D., credit John with being the author B. RECIPIENTS - "THE ELECT LADY AND HER CHILDREN" 1. Taken literally, the epistle is written to a particular woman and her children a. Many scholars understand this to be the case; e.g., Plummer, Ross, Ryrie b. Some have even supposed the Greek words for "elect lady" may refer to given names: 1) Electa the Lady 2) The chosen Kyria 3) Electa Kyria 2. Taken figuratively, it could refer to a local church a. Scholars who hold to this view include Brooke, Bruce, Marshall, Stott, Westcott b. They understand that "elect lady and her children" (1) and "children of your elect sister" (13) refer to particular congregations 3. Desiring to allow the most obvious meaning of Scripture to be the most correct meaning, I am willing to accept the literal view C. PLACE 1. Ephesus wrote this epistle, as he was known to live there in the later years of his life 2. Estimation of the date of writing varies widely, some placing it before the destruction of Jerusalem 70 A .D.), most however placing it around 90-95 A .D. D. PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE 1. To encourage brotherly love, and keeping the commandments of God - 2 Jn 5-6 2. To warn against supporting or encouraging false teachers - 2 Jn 10-11 E. BRIEF OUTLINE 1. Greetings (1-3) 2. Exhortation to walk in truth and love (4-6) 3. Warning not to receive false teachers (7-11) 4. Concluding remarks (12-13) [With this brief background to the epistle, let's take a closer look at...]
－－《Executable
Outlines》