Walking in the Truth

2 John 1-13

Key Verse: 4 

“It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.”

Read verses 1 - 3. Who is the author and who are the recipients of this letter? (1) How did the author love the recipients of his letter? (1) How many times does the word ‘truth’ appear in vs 1-3?   Why is the truth important? (2) What things come from God and Jesus and in which way will these things be with us? (3)

Read verses 4 - 6. What has given the author great joy? (4) What command did they have from the beginning? (5) What does it mean to walk in love? (6)

Read verses 7 - 11. Who is a deceiver and an antichrist? (7) Why did the author warn the recipients to watch out? (8)  How can we discern those who have God and those who do not? (9) 

How strongly should we be against him who does not bring Jesus’ teaching? (10) Why? (11)  

Read verses 12 - 13. Why did the author not want to use paper and ink? (12) What is author’s final greetings? (13)

Walking In The Truth

2 John 1-13

Key Verse: 2 Jn 4

“It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, 

just as the Father commanded us.”

* Background:

Apostle John wrote this letter to warn a mother and her children about traveling false teachers. It was written at Ephesus around AD 90-95. At that time, there were many itinerary ministers who traveled around and sought to find hospitality from the believers in the churches and to teach false doctrine of Jesus.  

* Theme: 

Theme of this book is the biblical guidelines for hospitality. 

Apostle John emphasized that the truth is the foundation of our hospitality.   

This book is one of the shortest books in the bible, but full of fundamentals of Christian faith. We will focus on how to walk in the truth. 

1. Read verses 1 - 3. Who is the author and who are the recipients of this letter? (1) How did the author love the recipients of his letter? (1) How many times the word ‘truth’ appear in vs 1-3?   Why is the truth important? (2) What things come from God and Jesus and in which way will these things be with us? (3)

1-1)

1 The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth— 2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.

1-2) Who is the author and who are the recipients of this letter? (1)

a) Writer: The Elder: Apostle John 

Apostle John wrote this letter AD 90-95. 

He was about 90yrs old and he was the only living Apostle at that time. 

b) Readers: The chosen lady and her children 

This lady was known to many believers and loved by them. 

John identifies this lady as chosen. (Literal meaning: elect) 

The elect means she was chosen by God, and belongs to God. 

It is another way to say she is a believer, a child of God, and born again. 

(3) The doctrine of election. 

To some, it is difficult to accept the fact that God chose only some people, not all. 

But Bible clearly teaches the doctrine of election. 

God chose Abraham, Moses, David, Israel (in order to bless the whole world) 

God chose believers before the foundation of the world. (Eph 1:4, Titus 1:1,)

Believers are the elect, and chosen people. (Ex 19:5-6, 1Peter 1:1)

We should give thanks to God for His sovereign authority over all. 

God wants to save all peoples on earth.

 

1-3) How did the author love the recipients of his letter? (1) 

Verse 1 reads,  “The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth—“

a) Apostle John loved them in the truth. 

He loved them because of the truth. (v2)

It was the truth that bound them all together. 

It was the truth that produces this love relationship between them. 

b) All who know the truth will love those who love the truth.  

Christian fellowship is based on the truth. 

1-4) How many times the word ‘truth’ appear in vs 1-3?

a) 4 times in verses 1-3. Apostle John emphasized the idea of truth in this letter.

b) The word ‘truth’ appears 37 times in his his NT writings. 

1-5) Why is the truth important? (2) 

Verse 2 reads, “because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:”

The truth is the source of our unity, salvation, and eternity. 

a) The Truth unites us. (Unity; Fellowship) 

The truth ties us together, bound us together. (1Peter 1:22)

The truth is the source of our unity, our fellowship and our love.  

b) The Truth lives in us. (Salvation)

The Truth gives us freedom, life and salvation. (Jn 8:32)

Our life is built on this truth. 

 c) The Truth will be with us forever. (Eternity)  

The truth never leaves us; it never changes, and it never wavers. 

Our eternal life is based on the truth. 

The truth gives us eternity. 

1-6) What things come from God and Jesus and in which way will these things be with us? (3)

Verse 3 reads, “Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.”

a) Grace, mercy and peace come from God. 

God has grace, mercy, and peace for us. 

b) God gives grace, mercy and peace to us in truth and love. 

Apart from God’s truth and love, we can never really have grace, mercy, and peace.

2. Read verses 4 - 6. What has given the author great joy? (4) What command did they have from the beginning? (5) What does it mean to walk in love? (6)

2-1) 

4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 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. 

2-2) What has given the author great joy? (4)

Verse 4 reads, “It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.” 

a) He rejoiced because God’s people are walking in the truth despite the antichrists. 

It is a great comfort for a shepherd (pastor) to see believers to walk in the truth. 

What gives you great joy? The source of our joy tells a lot about us spiritually. 

b) Walking in the truth. (v4) 

i) Walk: It is what we do. 

Walking is thinking (meditating), living, following and obeying.

ii) The Truth: It is from God. 

The truth is the path we walk. The truth is the direction we pursuit.

The truth is the goal we seek.  The truth is the life we live.  

iii) Walk in the truth

We think/speak/act in the boundary of the truth. 

We do everything in the boundary of the truth. 

We know the truth; believe the truth, obey the truth, and stay in the truth. 

2-3) What command did they have from the beginning? (5)

Verse 5 reads, “And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 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.”

 

a) Love one another: (v5) 

All believers know these commands from the beginning. (From the spiritual rebirth) 

We obey his commands because we love God. 

We love God because God loved us first and showed his love through Jesus. 

2-4) What does it mean to walk in love? (6)

Verse 4 reads, “It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 6 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.”

 

a) We think/speak/act in the boundary of love. 

We do everything in the boundary of love. 

We consider others; we are compassionate, not hating or harming people. 

b) Love is from God. 

God is love. (1Jn 4:16)

In order for us to walk in love, we must remain in God who is love

3. Read verses 7 - 11. Who is a deceiver and an antichrist? (7) Why did the author warn the recipients to watch out? (8)  How can we discern those who have God and those who do not? (9) How strongly should we be against him who does not bring Jesus’ teaching? (10) and why? (11) 

3-1) 

7 Many deceivers, 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. 8 Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. 11 Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work. 

3-2) Who is a deceiver and an antichrist? (7)

Verse 7 reads, “Many deceivers, 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.”

a) Those who do not acknowledge Jesus as coming in the flesh are deceivers.

They deny the doctrine of incarnation. (1 John 2:18-23, 4:3).

Jesus came as God in the flesh in his first coming. 

Jesus will come as God in the (glorified) flesh in his second coming.

 

b) Those who do not continue in the Biblical teaching of Christ (v9) 

In John’s time, some people were influenced by Gnostic philosophy. 

They acknowledge that Jesus is God, but denied that Jesus is a man. 

Therefore, they denied Jesus as coming in the flesh.  

3-3) Why did the author warn the recipients to watch out? (8)

Verse 8 reads, “Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.”

 

a) Not to lose your work for the truth (v8)

Our work in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Cor 15:58) 

We lose our work if we do not watch out for the false teaching.

b) To be fully rewarded. (v8)

We will not lose our reward in heaven because it is from God based on His grace. 

We will not be rewarded fully if we follow false teachings because God’s reward is based 

            on his truthful teaching and promise.

3-4) How can we discern those who have God and those who do not? (9)

Verse 9 reads, “Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.”

a) Based on the teaching of Jesus: Scripture

Those who have God: continues in the teaching of Christ. 

Those who do not have God: do not continue in the teaching of Christ. 

3-5) How strongly should we be against him who does not bring Jesus’ teaching? (10) and why? (11)  

Verse 10 reads, “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. 11 Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.”

a) Do not welcome him (v10)

Hospitality is/was important Christian ethics, especially for travelers. 

Hospitality should be limited by the truth; truth of the doctrine. 

No Truth; No Hospitality. No Truth; No Aid. 

Believers should not welcome those who promote a false Jesus. 

Examples: the Mormons or Jehovah’s Witnesses.

This does not mean we should have nothing to do with those who are caught by the cults. We preach the truth to them.  

b) Why? (11) 

Welcoming the false teachers is the same as sharing their wicked work.

It is one thing to be caught in the false teaching. (It can be mistake or misguided)

It is quite another to promote the false teaching. (It is not mistake, but wicked work)

4. Read verses 12 - 13. Why did the author not want to use paper and ink? (12) What is author’s final greetings? (13)

4-1)

12 I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. 13 The children of your chosen sister send their greetings. 

4-2) Why did the author not want to use paper and ink? (12)

Verse 12 reads, “I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.”

a) Although he has much to write to them, he wants to visit them and talk to them personally.

John anticipates a future visit.

Personal visit: Face to face communication rather than writing of letters. 

b) Because direct (face to face) communication is more effective communication. 

It has less misunderstanding among them. 

c) Because direct (face to face) communication will make our joy complete.

It causes more deep understanding between them. 

It causes more trust between them. 

4-3) What are the author’s final greetings? (13)

Verse 13 reads, “The children of your chosen sister send their greetings.”

 

a) Her sister’s greeting: 

This elect lady has an elect sister who has children. 

In Conclusion, God commands us to walk in the truth. 

We can walk in the truth 

Through loving other believers in the truth. (v1,5)

Through knowing the truth. (v2)

Through enjoying the truth. (v4)

Through obeying the truth. (v6)

Through working for the truth. (v8)

Through continuing in the truth. (v9)

Through watching out the falsehood. (v7,8,10)

The end.

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WALKING IN THE TRUTH

2 John 1-13

Today’s passage is a brief, personal letter from the Apostle John to a Christian woman. In this letter, which is only about three hundred words, John focuses on two messages:first, walk in love; second, watch out for deceivers. In a way, these two commands might seem contradictory. Love always trusts, but not everyone is to be trusted. Yet, this advice is just the advice that we need as Christians today.

Let’s take a look. First, look at verses 1-3:

1 The elder,

To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth —and not I only, but also all who know the truth — 2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:

3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.

The apostle John refers to himself as “the elder.” At the time he wrote this letter, he was quite old, but the main meaning of this title is that John was a spiritual elder for many Christians. As an elder, he took responsibility for the spiritual well-being of younger Christians by praying for them, teaching them, and encouraging them to hold onto the gospel of Jesus.

John refers to the recipient of this letter as “the chosen lady and her children.” This woman seems to have been not just a physical mother, but a spiritual mother as well. She seems to have been known and loved by many other Christians as well.

Look at verse 4:

4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.

Her spiritual influence is evident by her children who were “walking in the truth.”

When we “shepherd” over people, we also have great joy when we see that they are walking in the truth.

Notice, however, that John says “some” of her children were walking in the truth. Surely she wanted all of her children to follow Jesus, but they had to make their own choice.

The Apostle John focused on the joy of seeing those who walk in the truth rather than the sorrow of seeing those who do not.  

Look at verse 5:

5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.

John’s key message to this woman was to remind her of the command to love one another. John emphasized this message all the time.

Even though this was the message that John had preached all the time, he kept giving it. Clearly, John believed this message was both important and necessary. It was not necessary because it was difficult to remember, but it was necessary because it was difficult to practice.

It is interesting that John gave this message to a woman who was surely a loving mother who took care of not only her own children but also fellow Christians.

In verse 6, John elaborates:

6 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.

Love is walking in obedience to to God’s commands, and God’s command is that we walk in love.

For the apostle John, obedience and love go hand-in-hand. You cannot love without obedience to God, and you cannot obey God without love.

The expressions “walk in obedience” and “walk in love” show that obedience and love are not passive. It’s not merely obeying by not sinning, nor is it loving by simply feeling love. That would be more like “sleeping” in obedience or “sitting” in love. “Walking” is an activity that implies forward progress. Our lives as Christians are like a journey in which we are walking steadily toward the kingdom of God. In order to stay on the right path, we must walk in love and obedience.

Practically, this means we need to be conscious of what we are doing each day and why we are doing it. Often, we don’t fail to walk in love and obedience because we consciously reject God’s command; it’s usually because we don’t actively remember to hold onto it.

This can be a problem for a busy mother who has many things to do to take care of her children. This can be a problem for a busy shepherd who has a lot to do on top teaching the Bible to God’s flock.

So, I need to remind myself: Am I obeying God’s command to love one another? Am I walking in obedience to God’s commands?

The second part of John’s letter is a warning. Look at verse 7:

7 Many deceivers, 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.

Therefore, John warns her to watch out. Look at verse 8:

8 Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.

The seriousness of this issue is evident. What was at stake was losing what she had worked for vs. being rewarded fully.

Clearly, listing to the wrong people can cause loss.

Who are these people? Look at verses 9-11:

9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. 11 Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.