2 John; 3 John
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” 3 John 4
These epistles have been written decades after Paul and Peter have met with their death, which leaves John as the sole surviving Original Apostle. John continues to promote the Way of Christ which is Truth even though he is aged.
Key Themes: Love and Truth
Deuteronomy 32:4 ~God is a God of Truth
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
Psalm 25:10
All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
John 14:17
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
For the Sake of Truth
Genuine love cannot be held or expressed unless we live and walk in truth. Truth is the basis for God-like love.
Truth is always an absolute and if we do not subscribe to the absolutes of God’s Word, we leave ourselves open to sin and the end will always be death.
James 1:15 “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
“The elect Lady and her children” has been interpreted several different ways. Some people have said the elect lady was John’s wife, others have said that she was a reference to a church; regardless of who she was, the doctrine that John teaches from this Epistle is Truth that is inspired by God for our edification.
Believers love another “in the Truth” which means without dissimulation.
Romans 12:9-10 9 “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”
What about a social love?
John 4:24 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
The only way we can truly love “in truth” is for us to walk in truth and our love will be in truth as well. John 4:24 says we are to worship God in spirit and in truth. Truth comes from God, Love comes from God and they both come together as we become more like God. Loving each other in truth is more than a social love, or showing kindness toward each other. It involves showing love and respect for each other because we are living and walking in truth. This means that we will sacrifice for the good of each other and encourage each other to do what is right.
Truth and Love repeatedly occur in these two epistles. They also appear in 1 John and the Gospel of John.
Agape` Love (God’s Love) is a self-sacrificing love that is devoted to God and to each other.
Genuine Love for God results in a natural obedience to His commands or Laws. God’s Love is so much about loving others and as we yield ourselves to Him, His Love flows through us more naturally than before.
1 John 2:5
“But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”
“But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”
Today, what deceivers are declaring that Jesus did not come as the scripture says?
People are being deceived through the doctrines of:
Atheism
Agnosticism
Evolutionism
Jehovah’s Witness
Mormons
Islam
Some factions of “Christianity” who deny the power 2 Timothy 3:5 5 “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away”.
Those who profess Christianity but refuse to live in accordance with God’s revealed laws.
Atheism
Agnosticism
Evolutionism
Jehovah’s Witness
Mormons
Islam
Some factions of “Christianity” who deny the power 2 Timothy 3:5 5 “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away”.
Those who profess Christianity but refuse to live in accordance with God’s revealed laws.
How should we relate to family, friends, acquaintances who teach and live false doctrines concerning marriage, war, abortion, and so on?
We always need to be respectful of them, but we should also seek to be redemptive in our dealings with them. We may need to limit our interactions with them for the sake of our own family. To wish them God’s Blessing or to say God go with you further substantiates them in their position.
With this I would also say, Do we recognize the danger of false doctrines when it hits close home or does it because it is our physical family or those we have known for years make it less of a false doctrine? God forbid that we should become numb to the deceptions that Satan brings into our midst. Numbness is a precursor to actually falling for the deception.
Should we hear a known false teacher?
What if he or she has some good thoughts?
What if he or she has some good thoughts?
Are you validating them and exposing others to their doctrines?
A False teacher will always look at truth through their worldview and will also speak it as such. So truth will be tainted with either a false undertone or a false overtone.
Gaius was a faithful brother in the church who had prospered spiritually. He walked in truth, and was known for his hospitality to others.
Romans 12:13 “Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.”
Titus 1:8 “But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;”
Hebrews 13:2 “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
1 Peter 4:9-11 “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
Colossians 1:18 “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”
John 3:30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
2 Timothy 3:1-5
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Who was Diotrephes?
Diotrephes was a man mentioned in the Third Epistle of John (verses 9–11). His name means "nourished by Jupiter". "Diotrephes is not a particularly common name."
In addition to being ambitious, proud, disrespectful of apostolic authority, rebellious, and inhospitable, the author of the letter says that Diotrephes tried to hinder those desiring to show hospitality to the brothers and to expel these from the congregation. Not even the location of Diotrephes' church can be determined from the letter.
Diotrephes was a man mentioned in the Third Epistle of John (verses 9–11). His name means "nourished by Jupiter". "Diotrephes is not a particularly common name."
In addition to being ambitious, proud, disrespectful of apostolic authority, rebellious, and inhospitable, the author of the letter says that Diotrephes tried to hinder those desiring to show hospitality to the brothers and to expel these from the congregation. Not even the location of Diotrephes' church can be determined from the letter.
Taken from the life of Diotrephes, He actually sought for the highest place and put down the apostles in order raise his standing in the church. 3 John says he spoke malicious words concerning them. When a person was hospitable to one of the true prophets he would excommunicate them.
What are ways that we seek for preeminence?
While there is nothing wrong with sharing your opinion, to have to share your two cents worth in every situation, or to speak for the sake of being heard, or to have the last word speak to me of control.
In a church setting, when we speak, we need to be in tune with God so that when we speak it is God speaking through us and not our own thoughts that get brought to the fore-front.
While there is nothing wrong with sharing your opinion, to have to share your two cents worth in every situation, or to speak for the sake of being heard, or to have the last word speak to me of control.
In a church setting, when we speak, we need to be in tune with God so that when we speak it is God speaking through us and not our own thoughts that get brought to the fore-front.
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2 John
1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an Antichrist.
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11 For he that biddeth him Godspeed is partaker of his evil deeds.
12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
2 John
1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an Antichrist.
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11 For he that biddeth him Godspeed is partaker of his evil deeds.
12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
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3 John
1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
7 Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow helpers to the truth.
9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.
1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
7 Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow helpers to the truth.
9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.
*****
Determining a false Prophet by the Didache
A document established by the Early Church preceding AD 150
A document established by the Early Church preceding AD 150
11:5 But he must not remain more than one day, or two, if there's a need. If he stays three days, he is a false prophet.
11:6 And when the apostle goes away, let him take nothing but bread to last him until his next night of lodging. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet.
11:7 In addition, if any prophet speaks in the Spirit, you shall not try or judge him; for every sin will be forgiven, but this sin cannot be forgiven.
11:8 But not everyone who speaks in the Spirit is a prophet; only he is a prophet who has the ways of the Lord about him. By their ways will the false prophet and the prophet be known.
11:9 Any prophet who orders a meal in the Spirit does not eat it; if he does, he is indeed a false prophet.
11:10 And any prophet who teaches the truth, but does not do what he teaches, is a false prophet.
11:11 When a prophet, proved true, works for the mystery of the church in the world but does not teach others to do what he himself does, he will not be judged among you, for his judgment is already before God. The ancient prophets acted in this way, also.
11:12 But whoever says in the Spirit, "Give me money,"or something else like this, you must not listen to him. But if he tells you to give for the sake of others who are in need, let no one judge him.
11:6 And when the apostle goes away, let him take nothing but bread to last him until his next night of lodging. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet.
11:7 In addition, if any prophet speaks in the Spirit, you shall not try or judge him; for every sin will be forgiven, but this sin cannot be forgiven.
11:8 But not everyone who speaks in the Spirit is a prophet; only he is a prophet who has the ways of the Lord about him. By their ways will the false prophet and the prophet be known.
11:9 Any prophet who orders a meal in the Spirit does not eat it; if he does, he is indeed a false prophet.
11:10 And any prophet who teaches the truth, but does not do what he teaches, is a false prophet.
11:11 When a prophet, proved true, works for the mystery of the church in the world but does not teach others to do what he himself does, he will not be judged among you, for his judgment is already before God. The ancient prophets acted in this way, also.
11:12 But whoever says in the Spirit, "Give me money,"or something else like this, you must not listen to him. But if he tells you to give for the sake of others who are in need, let no one judge him.
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