Tag Archives: 2 John

2 John and 3 John

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2nd and 3rd John are personal letters, written to specific people containing similar ideas to 1st John. There is an emphasis on “walking in the truth”, as well as a reminder of the new commandment of love, which is actually a commandment “we have had from the beginning”.

Paul rejoiced greatly when he heard that the elect lady and her children continued to walk in the truth, and he uses the same language about Gaius. Paul writes, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth”, a feeling that reflects Jesus’ own sentiments. “In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.”

The mystery of the gospel has been revealed to us, and like Paul and Jesus we can rejoice in this, encouraging each other to continue walking in a way that demonstrates the crucial commandment of love.

Job 23-24, 2 John

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Job says of God, “he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside.I have not departed from the commandment of his lips”.

Job recognises that the trials he experienced helped to develop pure gold. Job could confidently say that he remained faithful to God, even during such adversity, and that he hadn’t departed from God’s commandments.

John condenses God’s commandments into a single concept, “that we love one another. And this is love , that we walk according to his commandments”.  In addition to Job, we have a more perfect example of Christ, who demonstrated the greatest love possible, despite enduring suffering even beyond Job.  Let us aim to follow their examples, to hold fast our feet to God’s ways and demonstrate love for each other.