2John 1
1. Who is the elect lady and her children in verse 1? Answer
2. What is being promised in verse 2? Answer
3. What is the Apostle John referencing in verse 5? Answer
4. What is being defined in verse 6? Answer
5. Why did John mention a false teaching in verse 7? Answer
6. What exactly, then, was the false doctrine 2John 1:7 mentions? Answer
7. How were John's readers to know if someone was an antichrist (false teacher) (verse 10)? Answer
8. What does "God speed" mean (verse 10)? Answer
9. Why should we not offer God speed (godspeed) to those who are false teachers (verse 11)? Answer
2John 1 Answers
1. Some Biblical commentaries believe the phrase "elect lady" in 2John 1:1 refers to an unnamed Christian church. They also believe "her children" is a metaphor for the church's members. If this is true then who would be the lady's "elect sister" whom John referenced also had children who sent greetings (verse 13)?
It seems more likely that 2John is referencing a particular Christian woman and her literal children, as well as her sister (who is also a Christian) and her children. It is also likely the woman of verse 1 hosted a fellowship in her home where she could have shared John's letter.
2. 2John 1:2 states that all those who have known the truth have it abiding in them, a reference to God's Holy Spirit within a believer. It is through this spirit that a Christian is promised to have and understand the truth forever.
3. The commandment John is reinforcing is the one regarding loving one another even as Jesus has loved us.
[Ten Commandments in the New Testament]
A new commandment I (Jesus) give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another (John 13:34, see also 15:12, 17).
4. 2John 1:6 is a further explanation of verse 5. What does it mean to love one another? John, in his first epistle, defines this love in terms of our relationship to God.
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments (1John 5:2).
How, then, do we love God?
A Christian's love toward God is expressed and grows through obedience. This obedience is manifested by keeping God's commandments in both the letter and their spiritual intent. Doing this puts us on the path, with the help of God's spirit, to developing the same kind of righteous character our Father and Jesus possesses.
[Why Is Love Greater than Faith or Hope?]
As we grow in obedience we begin to fulfill the ultimate purpose of the commandments which is loving God (Matthew 22:36 - 38).
Since God's laws also dictate how we should treat one another, obedience to them additionally leads to loving our fellow humans (verse 39) especially those who are also Christians.
5. One reason why John felt the need to warn his readers in 2John 1:7 about a certain false doctrine is that those who spread it appeared, on the surface, to be Christians.
Many false teachers, starting in the first century, travelled from town to town pretending to be true ministers of the gospel. They were, however, being used by the devil to deceive (2Corinthians 11:13 - 15). These itinerate preachers would not only take advantage of Christian generosity, they would also spread destructive heresies to those willing to hear them (2Peter 2:1 - 3, 2Timothy 4:3).
John, in 2John 1:7, was delineating one of many false doctrines his readers needed to be aware of as it proved those promoting it were liars and against Christ (antichrist).
6. The false teaching being promoted was that Jesus had not come to earth and lived as a flesh and blood human like we are. It was taught, instead, that the Lord only looked or appeared like a flesh-based human (man). This belief is commonly referred to as Docetism.
[Rules for Studying the Bible]
The deception John mentions denies Jesus' humanity and the fact that it was necessary for Christ to be born a human, live a sinless life, and then suffer and die like a human for our sins (Matthew 16:21, Luke 24:25 - 26, Hebrews 10).
The book of 1John makes it made abundantly clear that Docetism was a heresy of the highest order promoted by those who were the enemies of Christ!
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist . . . (1John 4:2 - 3).
The Apostle John knew personally that Docetism was a lie as he was a witness to Jesus' entire ministry and death. He knew, beyond any doubt, the Lord lived as a flesh and blood human because he touched him!
And the Word became flesh, and tabernacled among us (and we ourselves beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten with the Father), full of grace and truth (John 1:14).
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, AND OUR HANDS HAVE HANDLED, of the Word of life . . . (1John 1:1).
7. John, in his first epistle, tells us how we can know if someone who promotes themselves as being a Christian teacher is of God or not.
[How Can We Detect False Prophets?]
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world (1John 4:1).
It is the responsibility of every Christian to "try the spirits" to determine if those who set themselves up as a teacher are inspired of God or not. We do this primarily by asking questions and comparing what the other person believes with the truth of the Bible.
8. God speed (or godspeed), found in 2John 1:10, comes from the Greek word chairo (Strong's Concordance #G5463). The word means to rejoice, be well, thrive, be happy or be glad and was commonly used as a part of a personal greeting or start of a letter (Thayer's Greek Definitions).
Chairo, in 2John, is translated as "welcome" in the NIV, HSCB, HBFV and other translations, as well as "greeting" in the NASB.
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome (chairo) him (2John 1:10, NIV).
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting (chairo) (2John 1:10, NASB).
9. John warned in 2John that those who taught Docetism, or were false teachers in general, should not be welcomed into Christian homes or otherwise encouraged. This is because they took advantage of generous, yet naive and unsuspecting believers in order to spread their evil teachings to as many as possible!
"By wishing a false brother or teacher "God (or 'good') speed," you imply that he is capable as such of good speed and joy . . . and that you wish him it while opposing Christ; so you identify yourself with 'his evil deeds.'" (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary).