Dear children, John was well aware of these things. They will put on a grave face, and pretend to be serious, while they do not feel it. Since the wording, subject matter, and circumstances of 2 John closely approximate 1 John (v. 5 [cf. Pauline Epistles Some godly parents have warned and instructed their children, prayed for them, and perhaps departed to glory, and left them unconverted. Otherwise, Christians may actually aid those who are attempting to destroy those basic truths of thefaith. me to take part and how. ; and that in him the Father is well pleased; that all who believe in him are saved." Street 2. And yet all this Jesus does. The oldest man will tell you, that it seems only a few years ago, that he was a child. John recorded that Jesus was tired (John 4:6). He abhors the sacrifice where the heart is not found. What is He to you? He will give you grace to keep down bad tempers—to be no longer selfish—to love others as yourself. Hence, it is called "the truth," "the word of truth," "the word of the truth of the Gospel.". I tell you, for a last thing, that children who walk in truth, really try to do things right and true in the sight of God. Twenty wordy lectures by a noted Plymouth Brethren scholar of the past century. A one-volume condensation edited by John Bowdle is available (Zondervan, 1971, 1,242 pages). What does "walking" mean here? 3:6, 14; Titus 3:10). After clicking 'Register', you will receive an email with a link to verify your account and to complete your registration. Only read the Bible regularly, and you will soon be made wise unto salvation. I. Firstly, I shall try to show you—when can it be said that children walk in truth. When someone compromises the truth, true Christian love and unity are destroyed. The individual addressed in the greeting (v. 1) inadvertently or unwisely may have shown these false prophets hospitality, or John may have feared that the false teachers would attempt to take advantage of her kindness (vv. Yes, even so! The epistle’s title is “2 John.” It is the second in a series of 3 epistles that bear the Apostle John’s name. "The Greek Hyria (Lady, verse 1), answers to the Hebrew Martha," wrote Bengel. Though the fruit is not the root of the tree, yet a well-rooted tree will, in its season, bring forth its fruits. William Nicholson ; but walking in the truth is very different from mere theory. 4. Reader, have you felt the power, and tasted the sweetness, of this grace? Only trust in Christ, and follow Him—and you will soon say that His way is a way of pleasantness, and a path of peace. c. I will raise it up : Jesus confidently claimed the power to raise Himself from the dead, and He repeated the claim in John 10:18. To do anything that God says ought not to be done, is sin. The proof of our love is in our walk: “And this is love, that we walk after his commandments” (2 John 6). He saves sinners to the uttermost. We are to treat everyone with kindness because God is kind to us. Startle not at the question—turn not from it; it is for your life we ask it. This is no light matter. Remember that Scripture is always the best commentary on Scripture. What! Christ died to save them, and Christ ever lives to give them peace. I love the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:30, “My yoke is good to bear, My load is light” (NEB). Come and walk in truth! Yes. Like that monarch, many lonely souls live out their days without the joy of knowing they are loved and appreciated by others. Recommended Resource - The four sermons together are about 60 pages of material. Beloved children, hear the last words I have to say to you. His terrors made me afraid. Excerpt:  I have already shown that to walk after a thing, in the language of Scripture, means to pursue it with desire, and to do so habitually. And as a child, I placed my trust in Jesus and committed my life to Him. Dear children, think this night, "Why should I not walk in the truth?". Thousands of dear children have walked in truth already, and found it pleasant. False teachers influenced by the beginnings of Gnostic thought were threatening the church (v. 7; cf. I dare say he remembered Jacob and David, and all the sorrow their children caused them. And God is very holy, and very pure; and every sin that is sinned displeases Him exceedingly. He devotes 400 pages to the Old Testament, 150 to the New Testament. Truth and love are inseparable. CAMBRIDGE BIBLE FOR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES Send-to-Kindle or Email . 2. Bad children, I am sorry to say, are often guilty of this sin. "They were found walking," etc. Warning against false teaching (2Jn 1:7-9). Charles Haddon Spurgeon (see his comments in following entry on Alford). We never ought to be content to tarry with the first principles of truth. John MacArthur is the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, president of the Master's College and Seminary, and featured teacher with the Grace to You media ministry. New American Standard Bible. "Comes in the flesh" (R.V.). No wise man will ever rejoice over bad children. Moral truth has nothing to do with the way of salvation; a man may possess much morality, and yet be a stranger to the truth as it is in Jesus. . On the other hand, it usually has something to assist the expositor on problems and is a good general set for pastors and serious lay people though it is old. Would any of us knowingly welcome deadly virus into our bodies? The strategic difference is that while 1 John has no specific individual or church specified to whom it was addressed, 2 John has a particular local group or house-church in mind (v. 1). 3. Poetical Books They follow the true way which God shows us in the Bible. Similarly, the reference to “the children of your elect sister” (v. 13) should be understood as a reference to the nieces and/or nephews of the individual addressed in verse 1, rather than metaphorically to a sister church and its membership. Most versions print truth with a capital "T," Truth. The apostle, however, conveys an additional but related theme in 2 John: “the biblical guidelines for hospitality.” Not only are Christians to adhere to the fundamentals of the faith, but the gracious hospitality that is commanded of them (Rom. . When my kids and I reflect, we find that in our lives love takes shape in simple actions: sharing an umbrella, encouraging someone who is sad, or cooking a favorite meal. II. But, alas! 2 John, James Rosscup writes that Barnes "includes 16 volumes on the Old Testament, 11 on the New Testament. These alone will find they have an Almighty Friend in the day of judgment. On account of the blessedness which the truth confers. It’s clear that we’re being told to make sure the words we say, the attitudes we have toward others, and our general behavior be characterized by sensitivity and generosity. "Walking" implies activity; it is opposed to indifference and inaction. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, and months into years. When, therefore, John saw this lady's children not turning out bad, like others, but walking in the way they should go, he might well feel it was a special mercy. Any commentary, even those by the most conservative and orthodox teacher/preachers cannot help but have at least some bias of the expositor based upon his training and experience. III. Love and truth are inseparable in Christianity. but are generally conservative. It grieves them—that they are not more holy than they are. He had learned them by experience. They take no pleasure in sinful things of any kind, and they dislike the company of those who do them. It will be never-ending happiness—or never-ending pain. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary comes from the experience, insight, and wisdom of one of the most trusted ministry leaders and Bible teachers of our day. Commentary on Jude. Historical Books Miracle at Cana. Beloved children, take care. God had blessed her, and made her a blessing to some of her children, who had embraced the truth. For John, the basics of Christianity are summarized by adherence to the truth (v. 4), love (v. 5), and obedience (v.6). 20:7, 8, 9, 10, 1112). Teach us to be obedient to Your call to love. Should we allow false teachers into our home? The Epistle of 2 John. And shall I tell you why the Bible calls this "walking." Beloved Children, Dr. Findlay has pointed out in his wonderful volume on the letters of John, that both the second and the third have to do with the subject of Christian hospitality. But the Good Samaritan came when all doors were shut, barred, and bolted, and ministered comfort and consolation to the distressed one. to write: "If there come any unto you and bring not this [the true, apostolic] doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed" (verse 10). Note: MLA no longer requires the URL as part of their citation standard. He wrote it to a good Christian lady, whom he knew. In fact, I often felt guilty because of my many failings. Do these things, and before long you will not say it is impossible to walk in truth. John 2 : Play. James Rosscup - This is a helpful old set of 1863 for laypeople and pastors to have because it usually comments at least to some degree on problems. The life to come is the life of real importance—it will have no end. For another thing, John rejoiced because it is very uncommon to see children walking in truth. "That Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.". But let me open this point a little more fully. Moral truth consists in integrity, uprightness, and the corresponding virtues — and this is highly useful to society. General Epistles The work dates back to 1897 and is verse by verse, consisting of 2,292 pp. Is it all profession merely? Language: english. 1. It is not really as valuable today as many other sets for the serious Bible student. Pastor John MacArthur | The MacArthur Commentaries. The overall theme of 2 John closely parallels 1 John’s theme of a “recall to the fundamentals of the faith” or “back to the basics of Christianity” (vv. SPEAKER'S COMMENTARY David Guzik :: Génesis 14 – Abram Rescata a Lot y Conoce a Melquisedec, G1 - alpha - Strong's Greek Lexicon (KJV), David Guzik :: Hechos 9 – La Conversión de Saulo de Tarso, David Guzik :: 1 Corintios 7 – Principios Sobre el Matrimonio y la Soltería, A Summary of Each Bible Book - Study Resources, Chuck Smith :: Sermon Notes for Matthew 7:6, David Guzik :: Génesis 3 – La tentación y caída del hombre, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jesus and the Holy Trinity (Walter Martin), Genesis 6-7 (1979-82 Audio) (Chuck Smith), A Quiet Heart Means Confidence in God (Elisabeth Elliot), Genesis 1:1-8 (1979-82 Audio) (Chuck Smith), Genesis 4-5 (1979-82 Audio) (Chuck Smith), ← Back to John MacArthur's Bio & Resources, Introduction to 1 John: Background and Setting. It is not mere HISTORICAL truth. One reads them over and over again. Some of you, no doubt, have read it in the fifteenth chapter of Luke. I recommend that your priority be a steady intake of solid Biblical food so that with practice you will have your spiritual senses trained to discern good from evil (Heb 5:14-note). Look at it. You will regard it as worthy of your warmest love and your highest praise. It is possible that this truth may appear to the reader, as a newly-discovered planet in the firmament of revelation. Background and Setting - Second John deals with the same problem as 1 John (see Introduction to 1 John: Background and Setting). We should in know-ledge go on unto perfection. All rights reserved), Happy are they who love the Lord, 1. "Which dwells in us," God's love shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Trust in Him in every condition—in sickness and in health, in youth and in age, in poverty and in plenty, in sorrow and in joy. Sometimes their supplications are answered long after their departure to Heaven, and others live to see their children converted; and to them it gives joy. Binding up wounds and bruises, etc. F C Cook Commentary on 2 John Many false teachers who would not confess that Jesus Christ was here in the flesh were traveling to the churches (see 2 John 7–11). His Word is given to us for this very purpose—to be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path—to direct our conduct and regulate our deportment. —The same Greek word is used in the LXX. The series has been praised for its accessibility to lay leaders, and is a must-have for every pastor's library. File: EPUB, 2.31 MB. While in this world we sometimes find ourselves in straits, even when we think ourselves in fulness. Nothing between, like worldly pleasure: 2 JOHN RESOURCES Wrote BENGEL Commentary for English readers ( 10 ) Why is second John makes clear what position... And exegetical Commentary 2 John closely approximate 1 John 5:13 ).Avoidance of sin is the other important.! Issues are by far the most conservative, `` Grace—Peace. and provided a summary of world! 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