23rd October 2023
Truth, love and obedience
This study is the twenty-fifth in a series of studies on the books of the New Testament
(2 John – read in 1 minute and 24 seconds)
Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. 2 John 8 (NKJV)
Was this short letter – the shortest book in the Bible – written to an actual ‘elect lady’ or a church group? It is a continuing debate, but whichever position is chosen the content has the same value, although it does change the dynamics of the language. Both perspectives have value.
The tone is urgent, an urgency that is underlined by John’s comment at the end of the letter where he says that he is planning to visit her soon. So there has to be a pressing reason that he then takes the time to write this short note. He chooses strong language – he ‘pleads’ (v.5). Other translations use the word ‘urges’. He demands that they ‘look to themselves’ (v.8). It was probably not easy reading. He sees a specific and perceived danger when he warns of a ‘deceiver’ and he says, ‘If anyone comes to you…do not receive him into your house nor greet him…’ (v.10). Don’t let him in! Allowing the ‘foot in the door’ is the first dangerous step. John is pointing out that the church – or the person – is prey to this influence which was the claim that Christ has not come in the flesh (v.7). This denying of the incarnation removed the power of Christ’s sacrifice, if he did not suffer as a completely physical being.
John expresses his love but modifies the concept of love with, ‘whom I love in truth’ (v.1), establishing what sort of love he is talking about. He then goes on to elaborate by contextualising that love – that we walk ‘according to His commandments’ (v.6). This has echoes of John’s gospel where he quotes Jesus as saying, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15 NASB). The suggestion is that the ‘lady’ – who he elevates as ‘elect’ might be in danger of forgetting this hallmark.
The word ‘truth’ appears five times in the first four verses. He characterises that truth as eternal: ‘[it] will be with us forever.’ (v.2). This truth, combined with this love, which leads to obedience to the law of love, is the defining nature of the relationship between the Father and the Son and is the nature of the relationship that should be pursued.
Prayer
Our Father, give us the wisdom to be able to recognise truth, and the desire to truly love in truth, remembering that first and greatest commandment – to love you, and the second – to love one another. In the name of Jesus who reminded us of ‘these two commandments’, Amen.
Study by Maggie Mitchell
About the writer:
Maggie Mitchell attends the Northampton congregation of Grace Communion International and is Chair of the Pastoral Council
Local congregation:
GCI Northampton
Ecton Village Hall
78A High Street
Ecton
Northampton
NN6 0QB
Local congregational contact:
Maggie Mitchell
Email: maggie.mitchell@btinternet.com
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church