Greetings to the Recipients (2 John 1:1-3)

II JOHN

GREETINGS TO THE RECIPIENTS (2 JOHN 1:1-3):

Apostle John addresses his second epistle by stating himself elder, to the elect lady and her children, whom he loves in truth, and not only he but also all who know the truth, because of the truth that abides in them, that will be with them forever. Apostle John would have written the epistle at his old age and he had been the senior and responsible person for the recipients during the time he wrote the letter and thereby he addresses himself as Elder. Apostle John would have either wrote the letter to the lady who had been saved by accepting Lord Jesus and associated with John during his ministry and the children could be her children biologically or spiritually, or else the whole church could have been addressed as an elect lady and the added believers. Whoever it is, it is sure that the letter is addressed to the believers. Apostle John loves them in truth and also states that those who had accepted, believed and committed their life with Jesus did that, as they had known the truth, which are the commandments of God, out of which the primary commandment is Loving God and Loving one another as self. The Word of God and the Spirit of God proclaims the truth and abides in all the believers and will be with those genuine believers forever as they never forsake God in their life and God’s providence for them.

Apostle John further writes that grace, mercy, and peace will be with them, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love. Apostle John wishes his recipients who had known the savior by believing Christ, which ultimately bring grace from God though guilt, mercy from God though condemned and peace from God though rebellious. All the goodness could be only from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of Father who has all the authority. God is righteous and true as well as God is love, thereby the author conveys his wishes by impelling the recipients to be in truth and love too. 

Stimulations for Self-Reflection:

1.      How does Apostle John address himself? Why?

2.      To whom does Apostle John write the letter? Who they could be?

3.      Whom does the author mention along with him?

4.      Why does the author write a letter?

5.      How truth abides in those who know the truth?

6.      How does the author wish recipients?

7.      Why does the author add ‘in truth and love’ in his greetings?

8.      How can we greet one another in God?