Study Notes

1 The elder. See note on 2Jn 1. dear friend. A favorite term of John (see note on 1Jn 2:7). Gaius. A Christian in one of the churches of the province of Asia. Gaius was a common Roman name. This letter presents two good examples (Gaius [vv. 3–8] and Demetrius [v. 12]) and one bad example (Diotrephes [see vv. 9–10 and notes]). truth. See note on Jn 1:14.

3–4 your faithfulness to the truth . . . you continue to walk in it . . . walking in the truth. See 2Jn 4.

4 my children. Perhaps John’s converts, or believers currently under his spiritual guidance (see 1Jn 2:1 and note).

5 doing for the brothers and sisters. The early church provided hospitality and support for missionaries. See Introduction to 2 John: Occasion and Purpose; see also note on 2Jn 10. brothers and sisters. See NIV text note.

7 Name. See note on Ac 4:12. Today Orthodox Jews often address God by the title Ha-Shem (“The Name”).

8 show hospitality. See v. 5; 1Pe 4:9 and notes.

9 I wrote. A previous letter of the apostle that is now lost. church. Some identify this church with the chosen lady of 2Jn 1. Diotrephes. A church leader who was exercising dictatorial power in the church. He must have had considerable influence since he was able to exclude people from the church fellowship (v. 10). See Introduction: Occasion and Purpose.

10 spreading malicious nonsense. See Pr 18:8; 2Th 3:11 and notes; 1Ti 5:13.

11 does what is good. The continual practice of good, not merely doing occasional good deeds (cf. Ro 12:21). has not seen God. See 1Jn 3:6.

12 Demetrius is well spoken of. In contrast to Diotrephes (see vv. 9–10 and notes; see also note on v. 1). Demetrius may have been the bearer of this letter. even by the truth itself. Possibly in some sense the gospel personified.

13–14 See 2Jn 12–13 for a similar conclusion (see also notes there).

14 Peace to you. Not a prayer or wish but a benedictory pronouncement (see note on Ro 1:7).