Book overview of 2 John
Book Summary of 2 John
This summary of the book of 2 John provides information about the title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of 2 John.
Author
The author is John the apostle. Obvious similarities to 1 John and the Gospel of John suggest that the same person wrote all three books. Compare the following:
2Jn 5 / 1Jn 2:7 / Jn 13:34-35
2Jn 6 / 1Jn 5:3 / Jn 14:23
2Jn 7 / 1Jn 4:2-3
2Jn 12 / 1Jn 1:4 / Jn 15:11; 16:24
See Introductions to 1 John and the Gospel of John: Author.
Date
The letter was probably written about the same time as 1 John (a.d. 85-95), as the above comparisons suggest (see Introduction to 1 John: Date).
Occasion and Purpose
During the first two centuries the gospel was taken from place to place by traveling evangelists and teachers. Believers customarily took these missionaries into their homes and gave them provisions for their journey when they left. Since Gnostic teachers also relied on this practice (see note on 3Jn 1-5), 2 John was written to urge discernment in supporting traveling teachers; otherwise, someone might unintentionally contribute to the propagation of heresy rather than truth.
Outline
Greetings (2Jn 1-3)
Commendation (2Jn 4)
Exhortation and Warning (2Jn 5-11)
Conclusion and Final Greetings (2Jn 12-13)
From the NIV Study Bible, Introductions to the Books of the Bible, 2 John
Copyright 2002 © Zondervan. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
This summary of the book of 2 John provides information about the title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of 2 John.
Author
The author is John the apostle. Obvious similarities to 1 John and the Gospel of John suggest that the same person wrote all three books. Compare the following:
2Jn 5 / 1Jn 2:7 / Jn 13:34-35
2Jn 6 / 1Jn 5:3 / Jn 14:23
2Jn 7 / 1Jn 4:2-3
2Jn 12 / 1Jn 1:4 / Jn 15:11; 16:24
See Introductions to 1 John and the Gospel of John: Author.
Date
The letter was probably written about the same time as 1 John (a.d. 85-95), as the above comparisons suggest (see Introduction to 1 John: Date).
Occasion and Purpose
During the first two centuries the gospel was taken from place to place by traveling evangelists and teachers. Believers customarily took these missionaries into their homes and gave them provisions for their journey when they left. Since Gnostic teachers also relied on this practice (see note on 3Jn 1-5), 2 John was written to urge discernment in supporting traveling teachers; otherwise, someone might unintentionally contribute to the propagation of heresy rather than truth.
Outline
Greetings (2Jn 1-3)
Commendation (2Jn 4)
Exhortation and Warning (2Jn 5-11)
Conclusion and Final Greetings (2Jn 12-13)
From the NIV Study Bible, Introductions to the Books of the Bible, 2 John
Copyright 2002 © Zondervan. All rights reserved. Used with permission.