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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE SECOND LETTER OF JOHN

THE LETTER

2 John 1-3 – An Elder’s Love and Eternal Truth

2JN1 The Presbyter, 1 to a chosen Lady and her children, 2 for whom I continue to have true affection. 3 And not only me, but all those knowing the Truth.

1	The Presbyter: The Greek is PRESBYTEROS and may be rendered older man or elder. [1 Peter 5:1] It was an office in the early Church. The writer simply calls himself the “older man” – not Apostle, not the last of Jesus’ chosen inner group, or even a relative to the Nazarene himself. Just, an elder.

2	To a chosen Lady and her children: There are two views regarding the recipient of this letter: a) a particular Christian woman named Kyria and her children; or, b) the Church, or, a church, under a cryptic title. Compare Peter’s possible use of the same device. [1 Peter 1:1]

3

For whom I continue to have true affection: Or, love in truth, held in highest affection. [1 Peter 2:17] He uses the Greek AGAPO, one of his favorite words. “Love” [compassionate affection, benevolent empathy] occurs 44 times in the Gospel of John, 28 times in 1 John, 5 times in 2 John, and 3 times in 3 John.

2JN2 For the truth continues to remain in us and it will be with us throughout all future periods of time. 4

4	It will be with throughout all future periods of time: Or, forever.

2JN3 [Also] with us will be unmerited favor, mercy, [and] peace – including Truth and compassionate affection 5 – from God [the] Father, and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father. 6

5	[Also] with us will be unmerited favor, mercy, [and] peace – including Truth and compassionate affection: He lists five attributes the Church will experience forever: unmerited favor, mercy, peace, truth, and love.

6

From God [the] Father, and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father: John does not confuse God and the Son; they are two separate beings. One is the Father, and another His Son. One came before the other, and at one time the Son did not exist, as he was not yet pro-created. [Revelation 3:14] God is mentioned 2 times, Father 4 times, Son 2 times, Jesus 2 times, and the spirit not once.

2 John 4-7 – Antichrist and the Meaning of Love

2JN4 I rejoiced exceedingly when I discovered 7 your children continue to walk in truth 8 in accordance with a commandment we received from the Father. 9

7	I rejoiced exceedingly when I discovered: Or, I was very glad, I was delight to find, it was a great joy. This may argue that this is either an individual Christian woman or a single ecclesia.

8	Your children continue to walk in truth: Here “truth” is without the article. [3 John 3] Despite the foretold apostasy and “falling away” [2 Thessalonians 2:3-9; 1 Timothy 4:1-3] these “children” conducting themselves according to the original Nazarene truth.

9	In accordance with a commandment we received from the Father: It is interesting he would say “the Father” rather than Jesus. What is this “commandment”? Compare 1 John 3:23 – it involves two major factors: conviction in Jesus as Christ and Son of God, and, loving concern for one another.

2JN5 And so now, Lady, I request you 10 – not as if writing a new commandment, 11 but rather [a commandment] we had originally 12 – to continue to show compassionate affection [for] one another. 13

10	And so now, Lady, I request you: Or, entreat, pray you. He asks a favor, or beseeches her. He does not command or order despite the loftiness of his office.

11	Not as if writing a new commandment: Compare the notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000© on 1 John 2:7.

12	[A commandment] we had originally: Compare John 13:34; 15:12.

13	To show compassionate affection [for] one another: Compare notes on 1 John 3:23.

2JN6 Now this is how such compassionate affection is manifest: 14 so that we may continue to walk in [God’s] commandments, 15 just as you originally heard, 16 that you continue walking in [that same compassionate affection]. 17

14	Now this is how such compassionate affection is manifest: Or, KJV: this is the love; WEY: the live I mean consists in obedience; MOF: to live by his commandments, that is what love means.

15	Continue to walk in [God’s] commandments: Compare John 14:15; 1 John 2:5; 5:3. One cannot separate love from obedient to the commandments of God and Jesus. [John 14:15; 15:14]

16	Just as you originally heard: Or, you learned from the first. Compare 1 John 1:1.

17	Continue walking in [that same compassionate affection]: Or, walk in it, follow love, guided by love, live in the spirit of love. [John 14:21] Paul writes that love never fails. In order words what starts as love must finish as love, or it was never love to begin with.

2JN7 For many deceivers have left [us] and gone back into the world-order of humanity. 18 These [deceivers] do not confess that Jesus Christ came in flesh. 19 These are the deceivers and the antichrist. 20

18

For many deceivers have left [us] and gone back into the world-order of humanity: Or, KJV: many deceivers are entered into the world; TCNT: many imposters have left us. Jesus foretold such. [Matthew 24:24] Paul did also. [Acts 20:29] And, Peter. [2 Peter 2:1] Compare also 1 John 2:18, 19 and 1 John 4:1.

19

Do not confess that Jesus Christ came in flesh: Jesus was a true anthropoid – a human being of flesh, bone, and blood. [John 1:14; Romans 5:14; 1 John 1:1, 2] He was physically nothing more than a perfect man. [Philippians 2:5-7] He was not God in the apparition of flesh, nor was he ever called a THEOS-ANTHROPOS, god-man. [1 John 4:2]

20

Deceivers and the antichrist: Or, GDS: imposter and Antichrist; NEB: arch-deceiver. Only John uses the designation “antichrist” which literally means against Christ. [1 John 2:22; 4:3] The designation includes all deceivers and apostates. They were mainly identified in the first century by three factors: a] false doctrine; b] a lack of loving concern for their fellows; and, c] unrighteousness. First John deals in such details. See notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000©. The “man of lawlessness” of 2 Thessalonians 2:3-9 is such an antichrist, whether a class, type, group, or individual.

2 John 8-11 – Remain in Christ’s Doctrine

2JN8 All of you be careful so that you do not ruin our work, 21 but rather that you receive a full reward. 22

21	All of you be careful so that you do not ruin our work: Or, look to yourselves, keep watch, be on your guard, take care; TCN: do not lose the fruit of all our work; PME: throw away all the labor that has been spent on you.

22	Receive a full reward: Or, reap the benefit of it in full, make sure of. It is reward enough just to be a disciple of Jesus. The full reward would include ageless life in heaven. [John 4:36]

2JN9 Every person who pushes ahead 23 and does not remain in Christ’s doctrine 24 does not have God. 25 The person who remains in the Doctrine 26 has the Father and also the Son. 27

23	Every person who pushes ahead: Or, goes beyond, runs ahead. [1 Corinthians 4:6]

24	Does not remain in Christ’s doctrine: Or, teaching of Christ. Such may be found in the Gospels and the inspired writings of the Nazarene’s disciples as instruments of the promised pneumatic-helper. [John 16:12, 13]

25	Does not have God: Or, NOR: does not have hold of God. That is, does not possess a relationship with the God. [John 14:9]

26	The person who remains in the Doctrine: Or, in that teaching. This is done by continual study and meditation of Christ’s teachings, as well as humbly walking in them by obedience.

27	Has the Father and also the Son: That is, has a relationship with both the Father and the Son. It is worthy of note that the Spirit is not here mentioned. In this regard compare notes on Matthew 11:27.

2JN10 If anyone approaches you and does not bring this Doctrine, 28 do not receive such into [your] house. 29 Do not say a greeting to such. 30

28

If anyone approaches you and does not bring this Doctrine: Or, if you are visited by anyone, and does not bring this teaching. Some would limit this “doctrine” to just the belief that Jesus did not come in the flesh. It is “Christ’s doctrine” John has mentioned in verse 9. He seems fair to conclude John refers to those deceivers and antichrists who were once part of the Nazarene community but have now gone apostate.

29

Do not receive such into [your] house: Or, stop welcoming him. There is a story of John who was on his way to the public baths with some disciples. Upon entering it was learned an apostate was present. John told the others: “Let us get out of here, lest the building collapse.” This is a more severe reaction that those who have sinned as ordinary humans. Compare notes on 2 Thessalonians 3:11-15. Note how such apostates work their way into households and lead away captives. [2 Timothy 3:5-13]

30	Do not say a greeting to such: Or, welcome him. It is best to have no communication at all with such antichrists. Let them pass without notice. Romans 16:17 counsels to “avoid” or “shun” such sectarians.

2JN11 For the person who says a greeting to such is sharing with the wicked works of [such persons]. 31

31	Is sharing with the wicked works of [such persons]: Or, is an accomplice. [1 Timothy 5:22]

2 John 12 – Full Joy When I Visit

2JN12 I have many things to write 32 to all of you, but I would rather not do so with paper and ink, for I am hoping to visit you and then speak face o face, so that all of you may rejoice completely.

32	I have many things to write: O, how we would like to read these. Compare also 3 John 13-14.

2 John 13 – Greetings

2JN13 The children of your sister, 33 the Chosen One, greet you all.

33	The children of your sister: Possible another church.

Review Questions

Summary of Second John

John writes to a beloved Christian woman or to a church. His main theme is the Truth and Christ’s Doctrine. He is happy to hear that these continue in the Truth. He warns them of deceivers and antichrists, known because they reject the fleshly manifestation of Jesus. He directs them to complete shun such, not even greeting them.