Book 63 of 66 · New Testament
2 John
A short note urging a church to hold to truth and love — and to beware deceivers.
1 chapters13 versesWritten in GreekSet To "the elect lady and her children"
Overview
2 John is a brief note — one chapter — from "the elder" to "the elect lady and her children," most likely a church. It strikes the two notes of 1 John in miniature: keep walking in love and in the truth, and do not welcome the travelling deceivers who deny that Jesus came in the flesh.
Book facts
- Author
- John, "the elder" (traditionally)From "the elder," traditionally the apostle John.
- Date written
- c. AD 90Around the same time as 1 John.
- Original language
- GreekA single-chapter personal note.
- Setting
- To "the elect lady and her children"Most likely a church and its members.
How it came to be
2 John is written by one who calls himself "the elder." Tradition identifies him with the apostle John, author of the fourth Gospel.
"The elect lady" is most likely a way of addressing a church.
What is arguedThe identity of "the elder" and of "the elect lady."
The whole book, chapter by chapter
| Chapter | What this chapter covers |
|---|---|
Truth and love — a short note on walking in truth, chapter 1 | |
| Chapter 1The elect lady | Walk in love and in the truth, and do not receive those who bring another teaching. |
All 1 chapters. Start reading →
Worth knowing
Key people
The apostle to whom the letter is traditionally credited.
Known for
The letter's best-known lines — tap the verse to read it.
- "Walking in truth"2 John 1:4
- "That we love one another"2 John 1:5