2 JOHN
Do Not Welcome False Teachers
Ask the Apostle John
Ask about walking in truth, loving one another, or false teachers.
A Cinematic Introduction
Second John is the shortest book in the New Testament by word count, a brief but potent postcard from the Apostle John. Writing as "the elder," he addresses "the lady chosen by God and to her children," which is likely a loving metaphor for a local church and its members. This letter is a miniature sequel to 1 John, boiling down its major themes into a single, urgent warning. Itinerant false teachers, who denied that Jesus had come in the flesh, were traveling from town to town, seeking to infiltrate house churches. They relied on the generous hospitality of Christians to gain a platform for their destructive doctrine. John writes this letter to praise the church for its faithfulness and to issue a strong, protective command: do not provide aid or welcome to these deceivers. It is a powerful lesson in the balance between love and truth, showing that true love for God's people sometimes requires the tough act of closing the door to those who would seek to harm them.
Part I
Walking in Truth and Love
The Foundation of Christian Life (v. 1-6)
Joy in Obedience
John begins with an expression of deep affection and joy. He rejoices that he has found some of "the lady's children" walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded. He then reminds them of the commandment they have had from the beginning: "to love one another." However, John immediately defines this love in relation to truth and obedience.
✨ “And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.”
— 2 John 1:6For John, truth and love are not opposing forces; they are two sides of the same coin. Love is not a sentimental feeling that ignores truth. True love for God expresses itself in obedience to His commands, and the central command is to love one another. The two are in a perfect, reinforcing cycle.
Part II
A Warning Against Deceivers
Protecting the Flock (v. 7-11)
The Spirit of the Antichrist
John transitions to the urgent reason for his letter. "Many deceivers," he warns, "who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist" (v. 7). This is the same Gnostic-like heresy he combatted in 1 John. These teachers were denying the physical humanity of Jesus. John warns the church to "watch out" so that they do not lose the spiritual ground they have gained.
The Hard Line of Love
This leads to the letter's central and most difficult command. Knowing that these traveling false teachers depended on the hospitality of local churches, John gives a strict instruction:
✨ “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.”
— 2 John 1:10-11This is not a command to be inhospitable or unkind in general. Rather, it is an act of spiritual discernment and protection. To provide food, lodging, and a platform for a false teacher would be to endorse their ministry and become a partner in their destructive work. True love for the truth and true love for the flock sometimes requires drawing a hard line to protect the church from wolves in sheep's clothing.
Conclusion: The Joy of Face-to-Face Fellowship
John concludes his short letter by expressing his desire to speak with them "face to face," so that their joy may be complete. This brief closing highlights the value of personal, embodied fellowship, something a letter can only supplement. Second John serves as a vital reminder for the church in every age. It calls us to a love that is robust and discerning, a love that rejoices in the truth and is willing to protect it fiercely. It teaches us that true Christian hospitality and love must be guided by doctrinal truth, and that sometimes the most loving thing we can do is to say "no" to those who would lead God's people astray.