2 John 1 Background Information with Maps and Images (Picture Study Bible - 2 John) Free Bible Online

2 John 1

The 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.

Author. 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)