Introduction to II John

Dr. Gail E. Terrell
Pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Hamilton, Ohio

  1. Author. Although the author does not identify himself by name, he does write in the first person. The writings of early Christians uniformly recognize apostle John as the author of II John. The following are examples of similarities of vocabulary and style found in II John which are similar to the other writings of John, i.e., Gospel of John, I John, III John, Revelation. For example, the following words and phrases are common to all of John's epistles: love in the truth, have known the truth, walking in truth, new commandment, love one another, deceiver, antichrist, and abideth. The author probably wrote II John from Ephesus in about 85-95 A.D.
  2. Recipients. II John is addressed to the elect lady and her children (v. 1). The simplest explanation is to recognize this addressee as an unknown Christian woman loved by all who knew her (vs. 1-2).
  3. Theme. The Christian walk in truth opposes deceivers.
  4. Key verses. 1:4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
  5. Key words used in II John: truth – 5 times; love – 4 times; an­tichrist - 1 time (all 4 times in the Bible are in John's epistles); lady – 2 times (only place in the New Testament; used 4 times in the Bible).
  6. References to the Lord's church in II John: the word church does not appear in II John. However, the word truth is prevalent in all of John's writings, and Paul identified the Lord's church as the pillar and ground of the truth. In order to be found walking in truth (v. 4), the Christian should be found as a faithful member of the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth (I Timothy 3:15).
  7. II John has 1 chapter, 13 verses, and about 303 words.

Notes