Monday, August 11 – 2 John, 3 John

1. To which church leader is John writing his third letter? (3 John 1)

2. How did Gaius cooperate with the truth? (3 John 5-8)

3. Which church leader opposed John’s ministry? (3 John 9–10)

Today, we read the two short letters of John to the churches, 2 John and 3 John. Each letter consists of only one chapter, which is just the length of a message that could fit on a sheet of papyrus. The elder John writes these two pastoral letters, filled with affection and encouragement.

The beloved disciple spent many years in Jerusalem, but towards the end of his life, he lived in Ephesus and oversaw the churches of Asia Minor. It was in Ephesus that he was arrested like the other apostles. They tried to execute him by placing him in a vat of boiling oil, but God preserved his life. After surviving, he was sent as a prisoner to the island of Patmos. Once released, he returned to Ephesus, and during this final stage of his life, he wrote Revelation, the Gospel of John, and the three epistles.

The second letter is addressed “to the elect lady and her children.” It is possible the letter was initially sent to a house church led by a sister and her children, but it was included in the Bible because it was truly written for the Church in general. “The elect lady and her children” symbolize the church and its members.

The apostle acknowledges and urges the church to stay in the truth. He also calls them to love one another. Obedience to Christ’s commandment of love confirms the truth.
The “truth” he refers to is “the doctrine of Christ.” Some people denied that Jesus had come in the flesh. “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” (2 John 7, NKJV)

The antichrist is the false Christ. Christ is the Anointed One of the Lord; the antichrist is the “anointed” one of the enemy. The original antichrist is Satan. Before the creation of this world, he became jealous of the Son and sought to take His place. That was the first sin. Throughout history, Satan has intended to usurp the Son. The apostle Paul says that before Jesus returns, the antichrist will manifest again.

“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4, NKJV)

His final great deception will be a counterfeit of the Second Coming. This is why Jesus warned: “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” (Matthew 24:23–24, NKJV)

The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary states: “John identifies all ‘deceivers’ as a final representation of the great deceiver and antichrist, Satan. All deceptive works originate with the devil, no matter what specific form his followers may take.” (SDA Bible Commentary, on 2 John 7)

The doctrine of Christ is fundamental to the gospel. Christ is the Rock on which the church is founded.

The letter of 3 John is addressed to Gaius, a faithful and loyal church leader whom John trusted. Once again, the apostle emphasizes the importance of truth and commends Gaius for walking in the truth. He praises and encourages him to receive preachers who are faithful to the truth (3 John 8).

Diotrephes was a bad leader. He loved to have preeminence. He had the audacity to oppose the apostle, prevent others from reading his letters, and speak maliciously against him. He would not welcome faithful preachers and would even expel members who received them. Such a leader is a hindrance to the church and a burden to the pastor, in this case, John.

John encourages Gaius to follow the example of Demetrius, another leader who walked in the truth.

In both letters, the elder apostle expresses his desire to visit the churches and see the brethren face to face. These letters serve their purpose beyond their immediate context because they remain guidance and admonitions for the Church throughout history. But for John, what was better than writing was the hope of being with them, enjoying the love of the brethren, encouraging them in person, and handling these important matters directly.

Even with its problems and crises, even with the Diotrepheses, the church is the family of God, and there is no family like it. We do well to stay in its fellowship. Thank God for faithful leaders like Gaius and Demetrius.

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (3 John 2–4, NKJV)

May God grant you a richly blessed day.

Pastor Abel Paulin