II John

Introduction To II John

It is important to study God’s Word, the Bible. It is important to memorize verses and to think upon His Word. The Word of God never changes, even though we live in a world of constant change. Our friends and families change. Circumstances change. Our thoughts and attitudes change. And all around us we experience change every day. But the Word of God remains the same, and is sure and steadfast. We can always depend upon His Word. Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” Psalm 119:89 says, “For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven,” and in I Peter 1:23, we read that the Word of God lives and abides forever. In uncertain and changing times, we can always depend upon His Holy Word to give us comfort, strength, grace and power for each moment of our lives, regardless of our situations or our circumstances. The Word of God also helps newborn babies in Christ to grow spiritually. In I Peter 2:2 we read, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” We, as believers in Christ, are commanded in God’s Word to grow spiritually. II Peter 3:18 says, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” The Word of God has always existed and will always exist. In John 1:1-2 we read, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.”  Read the following verses from the Bible: Psalm 119: 2, 9, 11, 28, 50, 67, 71, 74, 92, 114, 130, 147, 148, 162 and 165. As you begin these study courses of God’s Word, please begin them with this thought and prayer found in Psalm 119:18, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” And in Psalm 119:105 we read: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” This tells us how to stand with God and how to go with God.

II John Key Verse:  II John 1:8 “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.”

Key Words: Truth – found 5 times; Love – found 4 times.

Theme: Walk in Truth and Love

Date: 95-98 A.D.

Writer: John the Apostle

Written to: A Christian mother and her children – some say Martha, sister of Mary of Bethany; still others say the local church at Ephesus.

From: Ephesus

The Book: Number in Bible – 63^rd Book of the Bible; Number of Chapters – 1; Number of verses – 13; Number in order of writing – 24^th in the New Testament.

Purpose: 1) To give this mother a good report about her children 2) To warn of seducing deceivers teaching false doctrines

Divisions: 1) The Commendation – Walking in truth (v. 1-4) 2) The Commandment – Love one another (v. 5-6) 3) The Caution – Careful of false doctrine and teachers 4) The Conclusion – Will say more at eye-to-eye meeting (v. 12)

Outline: Introduction (v. 1,2) 1) Who is writing? (v. 1) 2) To Whom is He writing? (v. 1) 3) What is He writing about? (v. 2)

1. The Lady Commended (v. 4)
2. a) The Satisfaction of the Elder
3. b) The Size of His Joy
4. c) The Surprise element
5. d) The Scripture
6. The Lady Commanded (v. 5, 6)
7. a) To love (v. 5)
8. b) To Live it (v. 6)

III. The Lady Cautioned (v. 7-13)

1. a) Caution among Deceivers (v. 7)
2. b) Caution about Diligent (v. 8)
3. c) Caution around Duty (v. 11)

Miscellaneous: The term “Full Reward” suggests that there are degrees of reward.  The New Testament speaks of five different crowns: 1) Crown of Life – patience in endurance (James 1:12) 2) Crown of Rejoicing – soul winning (I Thessalonians 2:19, 20) 3) Crown of Glory – faithfulness (I Peter 5:2-4) 4) Crown of Righteousness – loving His appearing (II Timothy 4:8) 5) Incorruptible Crown – disciplined life (I Corinthians 9:25) “Lady” in greek is “Kuria,” could be a person or could have reference to the Church.