| Authorship |
Traditionally attributed to John the Apostle, the same author as the Gospel of John, 1 John, 3 John, and Revelation. |
| Date of Writing |
Believed to have been written between 85-95 A.D. during the latter part of the first century. |
| Recipients |
The letter is addressed to "the elect lady and her children," which is commonly interpreted as a reference to a local church and its members. |
| Purpose |
To warn against false teachers and to encourage adherence to the teachings of Christ. It emphasizes themes of love, truth, and obedience. |
| Historical Context |
Written during a time when Christianity was spreading rapidly but also facing numerous challenges, including internal strife from false teachings and external persecution from Roman authorities. |
| Theological Themes |
Main themes include the importance of truth and love, walking in obedience to God's commandments, and warning against deceivers who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. |
| Key Verses |
- 2 John 1:5-6 - "And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it."
- 2 John 1:7 - "For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist."
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| Literary Structure |
The letter is compact and concise, consisting of only one chapter with 13 verses. It follows a straightforward epistolary structure: opening, body, and closing. |
