2 John Images and
NotesThe Book of
2 John
2
John 1:6 - And this is love, that we walk after his
commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard
from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
2
John 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.
2 John in The New Testament - A Brief Overview
Painting of St. John the Evangelist by Reni - 1620
Introduction to
The Book of 2 John
Brief Summary. John refers to himself as "the elder,"
and many believe this is because he was the only apostle still
alive. He addresses his letter to "the elect lady" which is
unclear who this person is, or whether it is addressing the
whole church. One thing clear is that John is emphasizing the
word "truth" and encourages believers to know the truth, that
the truth dwells within the believer, that the truth is found in
the true teachings of Christ, and that He is the incarnate Son
of God, and following him means walking in His commandments
which are the truth, and the main commandment is to love one
another. He also warns believers to be on their guard against
false teachers who would deny the truth.
Summary of The Book of
2 JohnAuthor. John the
apostle was the writer of the second book of John, although he
does not give his name he refers to himself as "the elder."
Early Christian writers recognized John as the author, and there
are clear similarities with the first epistle.
Audience. The epistle of 2 John addresses the "elect
lady," and there is speculation regarding who this lady was.
Some believe it was a prominent believer in the local church, or
perhaps all Christians.
Purpose. John wrote his second epistle to show his
appreciation of the faithfulness of this "lady and her
children," and to encourage her to walk in love and to keep the
Lords Commandments. He warns her against false teachers, and
informs her that he plans to visit very soon. John also greets
her "sister."
Date. 2 John is thought by many Bible teachers to of
been written in John's old age, about 90 AD. There is no clear
evidence when the book was written or where it was written from.
Outline of the Book of
2 John
Praise for Waking in the Truth - 1:1-4
Praise for Loving One Another - 1:5-6
Warning about False Teachers - 1:7-13
The Name Jesus In Ancient Hebrew Text
"Yeshua" in First Century Hebrew Text. This is how the name "Jesus"
would have been written in ancient Hebrew documents. The four letters or
consonants from right to left are Yod, Shin, Vav, Ayin (Y, SH, OO, A).
Jesus is the Greek name for the Hebrew name Joshua or Y'shua which means
"The LORD or Yahweh is Salvation".
2 John Maps and Resources
Map of the Roman Empire (14 A.D.) - This map reveals the
Roman Empire during the time shortly after the birth of Jesus,
in 14 AD at the time of the death of Augustus. The order which
prevailed in this extensive empire, the good military roads, and
the use of Koine Greek as the general language of culture
throughout the area were among the factors which multiplied the
rapid spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Color Map)
Map of Paul's First Missionary Journey (48 A.D.) - This map
reveals the areas in Asia Minor where Paul visited in his first
missionary journey. Around 48 AD, in the springtime, Paul and
his companions Barnabas and Mark were sent on a mission from the
church in Antioch. This would be the first of Paul's Missionary
Journey's. (Color Map)
Map of Paul's Second Missionary Journey (51 A.D.) - This map
reveals the areas in Asia and Greece where Paul visited in his
second missionary journey. Paul re-visits a couple cities in
Asia, one of which was Lystra where he was stoned and left for
dead a few years earlier. He later has a vision that leads him
over to Greece and Paul and his companions travel and minister
in various cities in Greece (Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea,
Athens and Corinth. Later Paul returns to Ephesus and finally to
Caesarea and Antioch. (Color Map)
Map of Paul's Third Missionary Journey (54 A.D.) - This map
reveals the areas in Asia and Greece where Paul visited in his
third missionary journey. On Paul's third missionary journey he
returned to the cities he had first visited on his first
missionary journey. During this time he decided to remain in
Ephesus for about 3 years, and this city was the main focus of
his activities and an important Christian community (Acts 19).
(Color Map)
Map of the New Testament World - This map reveals the
"Nations" within the ancient world during the first century
A.D., the time of the New Testament. The map includes the areas
of Israel, Asia, Greece, and Italy. (Color Map)
Map of New Testament Greece This map reveals the cities
within Greece in the ancient world during the first century
A.D.,The map includes the principal cities of Greece like:
Athens, Corinth, and Thessalonica, and provinces like Macedonia
and Achaia. (Color Map)
Map of New Testament Asia - This map shows the cities within
Asia Minor during the first century A.D., the time of the New
Testament. The map includes the principal cities of Asia
including Tarsus, Ephesus, and Colossae, and provinces like
Galatia and Pamphilia. (Color Map)