2 John 1

Comments

This short letter from "the elder" to an unnamed "elect lady" the author warns about opening her home to false teachers and the importance of truth, avoiding doctrines other than the Doctrine of Jesus.
Some believe this first salutation is to an elected or chosen lady but to other it has been traditionally a metaphor for the church. John is the elder writing newer Church ministers. The children would be congregants of the local congregations. After all the Church is supposed to be the Bride of Christ providing care for the people who gather in his name.
This why he "rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father." in verse for emphasize the love for one another as the foundation of the commandments in verses 5 and 6.
Verse 7 speaks of those who "who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh" are not doubting that Jesus came in the flesh but that he was not the Christ, the anointed king of Judea and therefor of Israel and the kingdom of God.
By verse 9 he marks anyone and any Church who "abideth not in the doctrine of Christ" should be seen as separate from the Church and the body of Christ. Many modern Churches try to exclude some of the doctrines of Jesus saying He was speaking before the resurrection. Even Paul "preached Christ first" so that when he said we and us he was writing to people who had already repented and were walking in the ways of Christ.
By versus 10 an 11 it should be clear but the context of this letter that he is not talking about a lady with children but the churches and congregations who ought to be walking according to the doctrines of Jesus.
And then he signs off with the encouragement that The children/congregants of thy elect sister Church are aware and care about you.
The roll of the minister was to care about others in the network of churches and congregations as they did when they served their congregation.
While most of the early Church met in homes they were not isolated home Churches. Since the organized in intimate groups of Tens networked together by ministers chosen from the bottom they formed a body of peculiar people through free assemblies which was able to implement a daily ministration on both local and international levels.
Questions
Do you know of modern Church theologies or doctrines that teach the people they do not have to do what Jesus taught?

Greeting

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.

Walking in Truth and Love

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.

7 For many deceivers^[1] are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver^[1] 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.

Final Greetings

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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Footnotes

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Many deceived
Matthew 24:5 "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many... 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

Mark 13:6 "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."

Luke 21:8 "And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them."

2 John 1:7 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.

2 Peter 2:2 "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."

[mandeceived-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Many deceived
Matthew 24:5 "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many... 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

Mark 13:6 "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."

Luke 21:8 "And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them."

2 John 1:7 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.

2 Peter 2:2 "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."

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2 John 1

Contents

Greeting

Walking in Truth and Love

Final Greetings

Footnotes

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2 John 1

Greeting

Walking in Truth and Love

Final Greetings

Footnotes

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