Christian
Churches of God
No. F063
Commentary on 2John
(Edition 1.0 20200921-20200921)
The Second Epistle of John
follows the general Epistle of 1John and telegraphs his intention to visit that
nearby church of God to where he was located at Ephesus.
Christian
Churches of God
E-mail: secretary@ccg.org
(Copyright © 2020 Wade Cox)
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Commentary on 2John
Introduction
The primary text of 1John was written to the churches in Asia Minor
which came under the jurisdiction of the last of the apostles operating from
the church at Ephesus under John and then later from Smyrna as we see from the
letters of Irenaeus and also of Hippolytus as explained in the text of the Quartodeciman Disputes
(No. 277); Annex A to the Sanctification of the
Simple and Erroneous (No. 291) and also Establishment
of the Church under the Seventy (No. 122D) (cf. also Surah 018 “The Cave” Q018)).
The text of 2John was written to the primary
church at Ephesus from which John operated. The elect lady cannot refer to
Mariam, the mother of Christ as she had already died at the time this was
probably written and been buried at Ephesus, where John was also later buried, as
were the other people who were present at Ephesus when Irenaeus and Hippolytus
studied there at the feet of John and “those who knew the Lord” towards the end
of John’s Ministry. The writer has viewed the location but neither Mariam’s nor
John’s grave were marked presumably to avoid desecration.
The epistle closes with the greeting from the
children of their elect sister. If that
were true then it would have been from the children of Mariah, wife of Clophas.
Mariah was the sister of Mariam and this sister of Mariam would have been over
120 years of age when this was written. The entity and location is thus another
church in Asia Minor and may have been at either Ephesus or Smyrna, both of
which are in modern Turkey. The same message against division and the emphasis
on the Second Great Commandment is reiterated. From 1John we see that he also
condemns the antinomianism and ditheism, entering from the Sun and Mystery
Cults, so condemned by James, Peter and Paul (cf. Commentary on Acts 15, James (F059), 1Peter (F060); 2Peter (F061) and Commentary on Jude (F065)).
Chapter 1
1The elder
to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not only I
but also all who know the truth,2because of the truth which abides
in us and will be with us forever: 3Grace, mercy, and peace will be
with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth
and love. 4I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children
following the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father. 5And
now I beg you, lady, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but
the one we have had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6And
this is love, that we follow his commandments; this is the commandment, as you
have heard from the beginning, that you follow love. 7For many
deceivers have gone out into the world, men who will not acknowledge the coming
of Jesus Christ in the flesh; such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8Look
to yourselves, that you may not lose what you have worked for, but may win a
full reward. 9Anyone who goes ahead and does not abide in the
doctrine of Christ does not have God; he who abides in the doctrine has both
the Father and the Son. 10If any one comes to you and does not bring
this doctrine, do not receive him into the house or give him any greeting; 11for
he who greets him shares his wicked work. 12Though I have much to
write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink, but I hope to come to see
you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. 13The
children of your elect sister greet you. (RSV)
Note (v. 7f.) the doctrines entered the
church before that time that separated the divinity from the humanity of Christ
which is of Antichrist.
Bullinger’s
notes on 2John (for KJV)
Verse 1
elder. App-189. Here not
an official title, but referring to the apostle"s age. Compare Philemon 1:9.
unto = to.
elect. Compare 1 Peter 1:2. But perhaps used in the sense
of "excellent".
lady. Greek. kuria, feminine
of kurios. In all probability a proper
name, "Kyria".
children. App-108.
love. App-135.
the. Omit.
truth. Seep. 1511. The
element or sphere in which the love was seen. Compare Ephesians 4:15.
also, &c. = all they
also.
known. App-132.
For, &c. = On account
of (App-104. 2 John 1:2) the truth.
dwelleth = abideth.
Greek. meno. See p. 1511.
for ever. App-151. a.
Grace. Only here, and
three times in the Gospel, and twice in Rev., in John"s writings. App-184.
Compare 1 Timothy 1:2.
be = shall be.
mercy. Only here in John.
God. App-98.
Father. App-98.
Lord. The texts omit.
Jesus Christ. App-98.
Son. App-108. The
expression "The Son of the Father", is found here only.
Compare John 1:18. 1 John 1:3.
love. App-135.
rejoiced. Compare 3 John 1:3. Several of Paul"s epistles open with
thanksgiving.
greatly. Greek. lian. Only
here and 3 John 1:3 in John"s writings.
of. App-104. Not implying
that there were others who did not so walk, but referring to such as he had
met.
have. Omit.
beseech = ask.
App-134.
new. Greek. kainos. See Matthew 9:17.
from the beginning.
Greek. ap" arches. See 1 John 1:1.
that = in order that.
Greek. hina.
have. Omit. In this verse
is the Figure of speech Antimetabole, "walk . . .
commandments commandment . . . walk".
deceivers. Greek. planos. See 2 Corinthians 6:8. Compare 1 John 4:1.
world. App-129.
that,
&c. Literally Jesus Christ coming in the flesh. The present participle
is used, as in Revelation 1:4. In 1 John 4:2, 1 John 4:3, the perfect is used, referring to His first
coming. This refers to His second coming. Compare Acts 1:11.
a, an = the.
antichrist. See 1 John 2:18.
Look to. App-133.
we. The texts
read "ye" in both occurances.
lose. Greek. apollumi. See John 17:12.
have wrought. i.e. the
truth and love resulting from John"s teaching.
reward. Greek. misthos. In
John"s writings only here, John 4:36 (wages), and Revelation 11:18; Revelation 22:12.
transgresseth. App-128.
The texts read "goeth before", Greek. proago. See 1 Timothy 1:18; 1 Timothy 5:24. Hebrews 7:18. This refers to false teachers who claimed to
bring some higher teaching, beyond the apostle"s doctrine. Compare 1 Timothy 6:3. 2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 3:14.
abideth.
See "dwelleth", 2 John 1:2.
Christ. App-98.
of Christ. The texts omit.
there . . . any = any
one (App-123) cometh.
neither, &c. = and . .
. not (App-105).
bid . . . God speed.
Literally, say, Hail! (Greek. chairein,
to rejoice. See Matthew 26:49).
is partaker =
partaketh. Greek. koinoneo. See Romans 15:27. 1 Timothy 5:22.
evil. App-128.
would. App-102.
with = by means of.
App-104. 2 John 1:1.
paper. Greek. chartes. Only
here.
ink. See 2 Corinthians 3:3.
trust = hope.
speak. App-121.
face, &c. Literally
mouth to (App-104.) mouth.
our. The texts
read "your".
joy. See 1 John 1:4.
full. See 1 John 1:4.
Amen. The texts omit.
q