The writer identified himself as "the elder"(v. 1). The writings of the early church fathers attribute authorship of this epistle to the Apostle John. The early Christians commonly recognized him as "the elder"in view. We might have expected John to have described himself as "the apostle"as Paul usually did since this is an office of higher authority than elder. However, John's apostleship was not open to challenge as Paul's was. There is no evidence that the early Christians questioned it as they did Paul's apostleship. "Elder"was a more affectionate title, and it undoubtedly represented John's role among the churches at least unofficially if not officially. He was probably an older man at this time too.
"Unlike 1 John, 2 and 3 John fall into the category of personal letters."1
The identity of the recipient or recipients of this epistle is in question. Some scholars have concluded that John wrote to a specific lady and her children (v. 1). Of these interpreters some believe her name was Eklekta (from the Greek word eklektemeaning "chosen", v. 1). This seems unlikely, however, because John also called this lady's sister eklektein verse 13. Others who believe he wrote to a specific lady have suggested that her name was Kyria (the Greek word translated "lady,"v. 1). However this too seems unlikely in view of the plural address John used in verse 8. A more probable explanation is that John personified a particular local church as a lady and the Christians in it as her children (cf. 1 Pet. 5:13). This view harmonizes with the personification of the church as Christ's bride (Eph. 5:22-23; 2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 19:7). Since John's arena of ministry was Asia Minor the probability of this being a church in that Roman province is good.
The conditions existing in the church that John addressed are very similar to those he referred to in his first epistle. Therefore the time of composition seems to have been very close to that of 1 John: A.D. 90-95. Ephesus seems to be the most probable site from which John wrote both letters.
A summary statement of the message of this epistle could be as follows. Abiding in the truth is essential to maintain brotherly love. Let me try to clarify what John was saying in this epistle.
First, he wrote that revealed truth is foundational for the Christian.
John emphasized the importance of revealed truth in five ways.
1. He based his own love on it (v. 1).
2. He based the love of all Christians on it (v. 1).
3. He based his writing of this epistle on it (v. 2).
4. He based the three great Christian graces on it (v. 3).
5. He commended his readers for basing their lives on it (v. 4).
By the truth John meant the teachings of Christ (v. 9). This includes all that Jesus approved as God's revelation (the Old Testament) and all that He taught through His apostles following His ascension (the New Testament; Acts 1:1).
We must keep the importance of God's truth in balance.
On the one hand, it is the only foundation that will adequately support a proper relationship with God and other people. It is the source of our knowledge of God's commandments. As such it is the basis of our relationship with God and other people (v. 8).
On the other hand, it is only the foundation for a proper relationship with God and other people. We must "abide"in that truth. This is not intellectual assent to orthodoxy but a vital relationship in which God controls us. Our walking in the light of God's truth (1 John 1:7) makes this relationship possible.
Second, John wrote that love for others is the fruit of abiding in the truth.
John regarded love for other people as very important for the Christian. His perspective harmonizes with the teachings of the Mosaic Law and Jesus Christ (v. 5).
He also regarded it as essentially obedience to the will of God (v. 6). When we obey God, we do what is best for others. This is what it means to love others. When we abide in the truth, we will love.
Third, John warned against separating love from the truth.
In John's day some people were rejecting the truth but trying to hold on to love.
They claimed to have progressed from elementary truth to advanced truth, but they had really abandoned the truth (vv. 7-9).
John counseled his readers to give the false teachers no encouragement (vv. 10-11). He did not counsel them to withhold love from them.
In our day some people are making the same appeal.
Watch out for appeals to follow teaching that deviates from Scripture. Watch out for appeals that claim a more advanced knowledge of the truth.
We need to learn from this letter how to relate to false teachers. We should not encourage them in their work, but we should reach out to them in love. I once heard a speaker at a conference say, "It doesn't matter too much what we believe as long as we love each other."
John would have said, "It matters very much what we believe because that will determine if we really love each other."Abiding in the truth is essential to maintain brotherly love.
I. Introduction vv. 1-3
II. The importance of the truth vv. 4-11
A. Practicing the truth vv. 4-6
B. Protecting the truth vv. 7-11
III. Conclusion vv. 12-13
The following is a good expository outline of the book.3
The truth generates an exclusive Christian community (vv. 1-3).
The truth demands a distinctive Christian ethic (vv. 4-6).
The truth involves propositional Christian doctrine (v. 7).
The truth requires unceasing Christian vigilance (vv. 8-11).
