2 John Introduction

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The following introduction is based on Biblica Study Notes (Book Intros) © 2023 Biblica Inc. Released under CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

What is the book of 2 John?

  • The book of 2 John is a letter written by “the elder” (2 John 1), traditionally believed to be the apostle John. Its style is much like 1 John and 3 John.
  • It’s thought that John wrote this letter after writing 1 John, perhaps around the year AD 90.
  • The New Testament includes three letters traditionally attributed to John, with this being the second letter.

Who was 2 John written to?

  • The original audience is unknown. John may have sent it to a house church (described as “the elect lady”; 2 John 1) in the area of Ephesus.
  • 2 John is in the Bible, however, because it is applicable to believers everywhere.

Why was 2 John written?

  • To remind the believers what God commanded them to do.
  • To remind the believers what is true about Jesus.
  • To warn them not to allow false teachers to teach in the church.

Main ideas

  • Believers are to live a life of love.
  • False teachers taught that Jesus wasn’t a human being.
  • Believers are family because they belong to God and follow Christ’s teachings.

Outline

  • Greetings (1:1–3).
  • John encourages and warns the believers (1:4–11).
  • Final greetings (1:12–13).