Walk in love and truth — a brief letter from the Apostle John.
Key themes: truth, love, false teaching, walking in truth.
| Author | John the apostle |
|---|---|
| Date Written | c. AD 85–95 |
| Original Audience | A specific 'chosen lady' (possibly a local church) and her children |
2 John is the shortest book in the Bible (13 verses) — a personal note from 'the elder' (John) to 'the chosen lady and her children' (most likely a metaphor for a local congregation). Its message is twofold: walk in love (which John defines as obeying God's commandments) and guard against false teachers who deny that Jesus came in the flesh. The theological summary is in verse 9: 'Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.' 2 John is a reminder that love and truth are not opposites — true love guards the truth, and true truth is expressed in love.
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