Readings:
2 Chronicles 9
Sirach 16
2 John 1

2 John

This new letter is also written by an anonymous author, who refers to himself as “the elder.” Based on the similarities between this letter and the one we just read (1 John), along with similarities in style and substance to the Gospel of John, it was believed in the early church that this letter was also written by the Apostle John. Some modern scholars have cast doubt on this authorship, partly based on a couple early church leaders in Asia Minor that disagreed, but personally I agree with the vast majority of Church Fathers that said the author of the Gospel of John and 1 John is the same as this letter (2 John).

A very short letter, consisting of a single chapter, it is one of the shortest in the Bible and contains really only two themes. One is commendation for what this unnamed church has been doing, and the other is a word of caution to look out for false teachers.

The “elect lady” is most likely a reference to the church he’s writing to, not an individual woman. Could be a literary flourish or a bit of cryptic language to prevent any prying eyes from know who it’s addressed to.

The particular teaching he’s wearing against is again Gnosticism. They denied the coming of Christ in the flesh, and there were many different flavors of gnostics around that held many different beliefs, but a common theme was the hidden knowledge that only the initiated had. It was gaining this knowledge that unlocked secrets that gave you everything from super powers to eternal life, to the wisdom of Solomon. This ran contrary to Christian teaching that, although was guarded from authorities due to persecution, was not secret in any way.

Tomorrow’s Readings:
2 Chronicles 10
Sirach 17
3 John 1