2 John

This second letter, addressed to an elect lady and her children, might well refer to a local church and its members that John was acquainted with. It has a similar tone to the first letter and warns about the danger of false teachers and doctrines that deny the incarnation of Jesus Christ, particularly Gnosticism that was gaining acceptance and popularity near the turn of the first century.

John did not elaborate much as he did in his first letter, though the brief mentions of the commandment to walk in love and of the antichrist spirit that is in the world, seemed to suggest that his readers were well informed about these things, needing only a short reminder from him.

OUTLINE OF 2 JOHN

1. Love's Salutation (v1-4)
Expression | Praise | Delight
2. Love's Command (v5-11)
Exhortation | Warning and Caution
3. Love's Concern (v12-13)
Face-to-Face | Faith-to-Faith