God Rewards Those Who Remain in Him

Introduction to 2 John

Second John is a short epistle with incredible depth in Old Testament allusion and New Testament teaching. It communicates profound truths in profoundly simple ways. John was a master of the Greek language and Greek theology, packing immense meaning into just 13 verses.

John identifies himself as "the elder," writing as a functional leader in the church with a loving, caring disposition for believers, much like Paul's familial terms. He addresses "the elect lady and her children," using a term of endearment for a local congregation. The Greek word for "lady" (kyria) means congregation or the wife of a Lord—Mrs. Christ. This respectful, loving address applies gospel-centered truths to the church.

Similar New Testament terminology includes Peter's "she who is in Babylon" (1 Peter 5:13), Paul's allegorical use of Sarah as our mother (Galatians 4:24-26), and the Septuagint's translation of Sarah as "kyria."

The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth—and not only I, but also all who know the truth—for the sake of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

John's letter is structured around five issues: encouragement, teaching, command, reward, and warning. The big emphasis is that God rewards those who remain in Him. Three key questions reveal this: How do we love? How long do we love? How are we motivated to love?

How Do We Love?

The New Testament commands us to love, but how? Love is not a vague cultural slogan like "love is love." Jesus said, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). We must love in the biblical sense.

John demonstrates love by addressing the elect lady "in truth." Truth means soundness in the knowledge of Christ and saturation in His work—the gospel. Jesus is the truth (John 14:6). Sin is falsehood; true living aligns with Christ's person and doctrine.

John uses doctrinal terms affectionately: the church as elect bride of Christ. Election is not controversy but worship and endearment (J.I. Packer). Genuine doctrine produces affection. New Testament writers addressed believers this way:

• Paul to Timothy: "true child in the faith" (1 Timothy 1:2), "beloved child" (2 Timothy 1:2)—agape as a name.
• 1 Thessalonians 1:4: "brothers loved by God... chosen."
• 1 Peter 1:1-2: "elect... chosen... sprinkled with the blood of Jesus."
• Corinthians: "saints"—set apart by Christ.

We love with doctrine. Believers' lives are defined by Christ's work, not the world. The church is not part of our lives; it is our lives. We love by being doctrinally sound and morally pure—saturated in Christ's person and gospel.

How Long Do We Love?

Love must be consistent, habitual—a lifestyle, not sporadic acts.

And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.

"Walk" means ongoing obedience—loving God and others. This counters deceivers and antichrists who deny Christ coming in the flesh.

For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves...

Love safeguards from deception. Doctrinal richness and obedience repel false teaching. Professing Christians who compromise beliefs abandon love.

Ephesians 4:11-15 teaches maturity through speaking truth in love—constant doctrinal speech in community builds unity and guards against winds of doctrine. Stunted growth comes from silence on truth. Discipleship (Matthew 28:19-20) baptizes and teaches obedience.

John says, "Watch yourselves," not just the deceivers. Unloving people are deceived; loving ones are safe (2 Peter 2:1-2). Balance doctrinal soundness and moral purity consistently.

How Are We Motivated to Love?

Reward motivates. Watch yourselves "that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward."

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

The reward is God Himself—Father and Son—experienced now and eternally, free from sin, enjoying God and saints forever. Not material prosperity, but infinite fellowship with God (cf. Ruth 2:12).

Avoid those denying Christ's teaching (v. 10-11); greet only truth to preserve joy. Abide in Christ—doctrinally sound and saturated—for the full reward. God rewards those who remain in Him.