This article is about the Second Epistle by John. You may be looking for the Gospel of John or another John.
The Second Epistle of John, often referred to as Second John or 2 John, is a book of the New Testament written by the Apostle John. It is the second out of the three books in the trilogy of John's epistles.
Authorship
The Second Epistle of John was written by one who refers to himself as "the elder." That the elder can be identified as the Apostle comes mostly through comparing the themes to that of First John, which shows evidence of being by the writer of the Gospel of John. The only New Testament directly asserting John as the author is the Revelation[1]
Recipients and Message
Second John is addressed to a woman and her children whom John loved in Christ.[2] Also John requests that the woman's nieces and nephews be greeted on his behalf.[3] Judging from Paul's earlier references to the Church as the Bride of Christ, some have taken the references to "the lady" as being the congregation and its congregants.
The purpose of writing the letter was to give some warnings about the "anti-Christ" and false teachings. John also revealed plans to visit the woman and her family in person.[4]
Outline
I. Greeting (vv. 1-3)
II. Walking in Truth and Love (vv. 4-6)
III. False Teachers (vv. 7-11)
IV. Conclusion (vv. 11-12)
Verses
