READ: 2 John 1–3: The Elder, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth, because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever …
In the letter to the Colossians, Paul contends against a false doctrine that focused on logic and reasoning achieving a form of utopia, and the veneration of spirits. Therefore, in this letter Christ stands fully in the light as the only One in Whom salvation is to be sought and found.
In the letters of John, a different false doctrine is opposed, one no less dangerous. It taught that Christ was not the Son of God who became man. Here too the truth is violated, with the result that church members are in danger of being lost.
The apostle John introduces himself in verse 1 as the elder, but he is no ordinary elder. It is sometimes suggested that this is an honorary title: the elder among his equals. The similarities with the content of the first letter support the assumption that John is indeed the author of this second letter. What receives fuller attention in the first letter is repeated here.
The occasion for this second letter is especially the problem that traveling false teachers seek lodging with church members. In this way they attempt to gain entrance among them with their false doctrine. John connects his counsel regarding this with the Christian life and the importance of resisting false doctrine.
The congregation to whom the letter is written receives a special designation: “the elect lady and her children.” In verse 13 another congregation, from which John writes, is called “your elect sister.” Elsewhere in Scripture a congregation is also called “mother.”
Truth and love are the key words of this letter as fundamental principles of the faith. John loves the readers because they accept the truth of God’s Word concerning Christ. Truth cannot exist without love, for then faith is dead.. But love also cannot exist without truth, otherwise it becomes mere humanitarianism.
Is there such a thing as absolute truth?
Singing: Ps. 48:3