Bullet Point Bible

Greeting and Blessing

¹ From the elder, to an elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth (and not I alone, but also all those who know the truth),² because of the truth that resides in us and will be with us forever.³ Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

The author identifies himself simply as "the elder," likely the Apostle John, indicating his authority and age.
The recipient, "the chosen lady and her children," is debated: it could be a specific woman and her family or, more likely, a local church personified as a woman and its members as her children.
Love is grounded "in truth," highlighting the inseparable connection between genuine Christian love and adherence to correct doctrine.
The basis for this love and fellowship is the shared "truth that resides in us," referring to the gospel message and the Holy Spirit.
This truth is described as permanent: it "will be with us forever."
The greeting offers a standard Christian blessing: "Grace, mercy, and peace." This expands Paul's usual "grace and peace" by adding "mercy."
The source of the blessing is explicitly Trinitarian in focus, mentioning "God the Father" and "Jesus Christ, the Father's Son."
The blessing itself is conditioned or situated "in truth and love," reinforcing the letter's central themes.
The phrase "the Father's Son" emphasizes Jesus' unique relationship with the Father and his divine nature, a key point against early heresies.

Walking in Truth and Love

⁴ I rejoiced greatly because I have found some of your children living according to the truth, just as the Father commanded us.⁵ But now I ask you, lady (not as if I were writing a new commandment to you, but the one we have had from the beginning), that we love one another.⁶ (Now this is love: that we walk according to his commandments.) This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning; thus you should walk in it.

The elder expresses joy ("overjoyed") upon finding members of the community ("some of your children") living according to God's truth.
"Walking in truth" signifies living one's life in accordance with God's revealed will and sound doctrine.
This obedience is not optional but a response to a divine command ("commanded by the Father").
The elder transitions to an exhortation focused on love, framing it as a reminder, not a "new commandment."
The command to "love one another" dates back to the beginning of their Christian faith, rooted in Jesus' own teaching (John 13:34-35).
John provides a definition of love: "that we walk according to his commandments." Love is demonstrated through obedience.
This connects love directly to the "truth" mentioned earlier; true love operates within the boundaries of God's commands.
The command to love is reiterated as the central commandment they have known "from the beginning."
The structure emphasizes the reciprocal relationship: love leads to obedience, and obedience is the expression of love.

Warning Against False Teachers

⁷ For many deceivers have gone out into the world, people who do not confess Jesus as Christ coming in the flesh. This person is the deceiver and the antichrist!⁸ Watch out, so that you do not lose the things we have worked for, but receive a full reward.⁹ Everyone who goes on ahead and does not remain in the teaching of Christ does not have God. The one who remains in this teaching has both the Father and the Son.¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house and do not give him any greeting,¹¹ because the person who gives him a greeting shares in his evil deeds.

The reason for the emphasis on truth and love becomes clear: the presence of "many deceivers."
The core error of these deceivers is theological: denying "Jesus as Christ coming in the flesh." This likely refers to early forms of Docetism or Gnosticism, which denied Christ's true humanity.
John uses strong language, identifying such a person as "the deceiver and the antichrist," linking this specific heresy to the ultimate opposition to God.
A stern warning ("Watch out") is given to believers to protect their spiritual progress and eternal reward.
"Losing what we have worked for" refers to the spiritual gains and potentially the final reward achieved through faithful living and apostolic ministry.
Verse 9 provides a test for orthodoxy: remaining "in the teaching of Christ" is essential for having a relationship with God ("has both the Father and the Son").
"Goes on ahead" likely refers to those claiming superior knowledge or advanced teaching that deviates from the foundational apostolic message about Christ.
A practical instruction follows: refuse hospitality ("do not receive him into your house") and fellowship ("do not give him any greeting") to those promoting false doctrine.
Providing support or even a greeting to false teachers constitutes participation ("shares") in their "evil deeds." This highlights the seriousness of doctrinal error and the importance of separation from it.
In the context of traveling teachers relying on hospitality, refusing lodging was a significant measure to curb the spread of heresy.

Closing Remarks

¹² Though I have many other things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink, but I hope to come visit you and speak face to face, so that our joy may be complete.¹³ The children of your elect sister greet you.

The elder expresses a desire for personal interaction over written communication, indicating the limitations of letters.
"Many things to write" suggests further instruction or fellowship was needed beyond the scope of this brief letter.
The goal of a personal visit is to speak "face to face," which allows for deeper communication and relationship.
The intended result of this personal visit is "complete joy," emphasizing the value of direct Christian fellowship.
The letter concludes with greetings from "the children of your chosen sister," likely referring to the members of the church where the elder was currently located.
This closing mirrors the opening address, reinforcing the interpretation of the "chosen lady" and "chosen sister" as personifications of churches.
The brevity of the letter underscores its specific purpose: to warn against supporting teachers who deny the incarnation.

The Bullet Point Bible

2 John 1