NEW: Please subscribe to my Substack/newsletter at the bottom of the page. Thanks!
Please
Note: The text used for my commentary is my own paraphrase and must not be considered a “translation” or authorative in any
way. It is, in fact, simply my commentary. A paraphrase is often the only comment necessary
to explain (expound, exposit) a particular passage.
GILL’S INTRODUCTION TO 2 JOHN*
Exposition of the Entire Bible by John Gill [1746-63]
Though this epistle was called in question and gainsaid by some as authentic, as Eusebius says,(a) yet there is no room to doubt of the authority of it; it was very early received into the canon of the Scripture, and is cited as such, and also as the Apostle John's, by Irenaeus,(b) who was a disciple of Polycarp, and an hearer of Papias, who were both disciples of the Apostle John; nor need there be any question as to his being the author of it. Eusebius indeed does say,(c) it was a doubt whether it was the Apostle John's or another of the same name; and some have since asserted, that it was written not by John the Evangelist, but by John the Presbyter of Ephesus, after the apostle; and this is thought to have some confirmation from the author of it being called an elder, or presbyter, which is judged not so agreeable to the Apostle John; though it should be observed, that Peter an apostle styles himself an elder, as John here does, 1 Peter 5:1, moreover, the above ancient writer, Irenaeus, expressly ascribes this epistle to John, the disciple of the Lord; and whoever compares some passages in this epistle with the former, particularly 2 John 1:5, with 1 John 2:7, will easily conclude, from the likeness of style and matter, that it is a genuine epistle of the Apostle John: the design of which is to exhort and encourage the lady he writes to, to continue in the truth and faith of the Gospel, and in love to God and his people, and to avoid false teachers and their doctrines.
(a) Eccl. Hist. l. 3. c. 24. [BACK]
(b) Adv. Haeres. l. 1. c. 13. & l. 3. c. 18. [BACK]
(c) Adv. Haeres. l. 3. c. 25. [BACK]
Outline
1. A Greeting from the Elder (1:1–3)
2. Walking in Truth: Love One Another (1:4–6)
3. Beware Deceivers (1:7–11)
4. Conclusion (1:12–13)
1. A Greeting from the Elder (1:1–3)
To: The chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not I only, but also all those who know the truth, 2 for the truth’s sake, which remains in us, and it will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from the Lord Yeshua the Messiah, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
2. Walking in Truth: Love One Another (1:4–6)
4 I rejoice greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, even as we have been commanded by the Father. 5 Now I beg you, dear lady, not as though I wrote to you a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6 This is love, that we should walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, even as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.
3. Beware Deceivers (1:7–11)
7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who don’t confess that Yeshua the Messiah came in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the Anti-messiah. 8 Watch yourselves, that we don’t lose the things which we have accomplished, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whoever transgresses and doesn’t remain in the teaching of Messiah doesn’t have God. He who remains in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and doesn’t bring this teaching, don’t receive him into your house, and don’t welcome him, 11 for he who welcomes him participates in his evil deeds.
4. Conclusion (1:12–13)
12 Having many things to write to you, I don’t want to do so with paper and ink, but I hope to come to you and to speak face to face, that our joy may be made full. 13 The children of your chosen sister greet you. Omein.[GN]
Yochanan Gimel
(Third John)
* Comments and outline courtesy of Berean Bible. Used under license. [BACK]
|
 |
Subscribe to my Substack/newsletter |
ANXIOUSLY WATCHING FOR MASHIACH’S RETURN,
SPEEDILY AND IN OUR DAY. MARANA, TA!
