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22JNfrontintrovpa90# Introduction to 2 John<br><br>## Part 1: General Introduction<br><br>### Outline of the Book of 2 John<br><br>1. Opening of letter (1:1-3)<br>2. Encouragement and the commandment to love one another (1:4-6)<br>3. Warning about false teachers (1:711)<br>4. Closing of letter (1:12-13)<br><br>### Who wrote the Book of 2 John?<br><br>The author of this letter identifies himself only as “the Elder.” However, the content of 2 John is similar to the content in Johns Gospel. This suggests that the Apostle John probably wrote this letter, and he would have done so near the end of his life.<br><br>### To whom was the Book of 2 John written?<br><br>The author addresses this letter to someone he calls “the chosen lady” and to “her children” (1:1). This could refer to a specific woman and her children. Or it could refer figuratively to a specific group of believers. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])<br><br>### What is the Book of 2 John about?<br><br>John addressed this letter to someone he called “the chosen lady” and to “her children” (1:1). This could refer to a specific friend and her children. Or it could refer to a specific group of believers or to believers in general. Johns purpose in writing this letter was to warn his audience about false teachers. John did not want believers helping or giving money to false teachers. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])<br><br>### How should the title of this book be translated?<br><br>Translators may choose to call this book by its traditional title, “2 John” or “Second John.” Or they may choose a different title, such as “The Second Letter from John” or “The Second Letter John Wrote.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])<br><br>## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts<br><br>### What is hospitality?<br><br>Hospitality was an important concept in the ancient Near East. It was important to be friendly towards foreigners or outsiders and provide help to them if they needed it. John wanted believers to offer hospitality to guests. However, he did not want believers to offer hospitality to false teachers.<br><br>### Who were the people John spoke against?<br><br>The people John spoke against were possibly those who would become known as Gnostics. These people believed that the physical world was evil. Since they believed Jesus was divine, they denied that he was truly human. This is because they thought God would not become human if the physical body were evil. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/evil]])<br><br>## Part 3: Important Translation Issues<br><br>### What are the major textual issues in the text of the Book of 2 John?<br><br>### In [1:12](../01/12.md), most modern versions of the Bible read “our joy.” There is another traditional reading that says “your joy.” If a version of the Bible already exists in your region, you should consider using the reading of that version in your translation. If not, you may wish to follow the reading that most modern versions prefer and say “our joy.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]])
32JN11uspyὁ πρεσβύτερος1The elderIn this culture, letter writers would give their own names first. Your language may have a particular way of introducing the author of a letter, and if it would be helpful to your readers, you could use it here. Alternate translation: “I, the elder, am writing this letter”
42JN11z4tkfigs-explicitὁ πρεσβύτερος1The elderThis likely means John, the apostle and disciple of Jesus. He refers to himself as “elder” either because of his old age or because he is a leader in the church. Alternate translation: “I, John, am writing this letter” or Alternate translation: “I, John the elder, am writing this letter” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
52JN11y7hwἐκλεκτῇ κυρίᾳ καὶ τοῖς τέκνοις αὐτῆς1to the chosen lady and her childrenIn this culture, letter writers would name the addressees next. Your language may have a particular way of introducing the person who receives a letter, and if it would be helpful to your readers, you could use it here. Alternate translation: “to you, chosen lady, and to your children”
62JN11a9w3figs-metaphorἐκλεκτῇ κυρίᾳ1to the chosen ladyThis could mean one of two things. (1) John may be writing to a specific woman and referring to her respectfully as **lady**. (2) John may be writing to a congregation and figuratively describing the group of believers as a **lady**. Alternate translation: “to the chosen group of believers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
72JN11ueevfigs-idiomἐκλεκτῇ κυρίᾳ1to the chosen ladyIn this context, the term **chosen** likely indicates someone whom God has chosen to receive salvation. Alternate translation: “to the Christian lady” or “to the group of believers in Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
82JN11xiiltranslate-namesκυρίᾳ1ladySome interpreters understand this to be a proper name. Alternate translation: “Kyria” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
92JN11axtyfigs-metaphorκαὶ τοῖς τέκνοις αὐτῆς1and her childrenThis could mean one of three things. (1) If this letter is addressed to an actual woman, it could mean her biological children. (2) John may be referring figuratively to people whom the woman has led to faith as her spiritual children. Alternate translation: “and the people whom she has led to faith in Jesus” (3) This could be referring figuratively to the people who are part of a congregation. Alternate translation: “and the believers in that group” (For the second and third possibilities, see: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
102JN11src4figs-abstractnounsἀγαπῶ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ1love in truthIf it would be clearer in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **truth** with an equivalent expression. This could mean one of two things. (1) The phrase **the truth** describes how John loves. Alternate translation: “truly love” (2) The phrase **the truth** provides the reason for Johns love. Alternate translation: “love because we both know the truth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
112JN11a50ffigs-hyperboleπάντες οἱ ἐγνωκότες τὴν ἀλήθειαν1all who have known the truthJohn uses the phrase **all who have known the truth** to refer to believers who know and accept the true message about Jesus Christ. John is most likely using the term **all** as a generalization to mean all the believers who are with him and who know the lady. Alternate translation: “all who are with me who know the truth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
122JN12spdgfigs-abstractnounsτὴν ἀλήθειαν1the truthJohn uses the abstract noun **truth** to refer to the true message that Christians believe. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the idea behind this term with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “the true message” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
132JN12et6bfigs-inclusiveἡμῖν…ἡμῶν1us…usIf your language marks this distinction, the pronoun **us** would be inclusive here and throughout the epistle, because John always uses it to refer to himself and to “the lady” and “her children.” The pronoun “we” would also be inclusive for that same reason, as would the pronoun “our,” if you choose to use it in your translation. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-inclusive]])
142JN12a7rmfigs-idiomεἰς τὸν αἰῶνα1to the ageThis is an idiom. Alternate translation: “for all time” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
152JN13gad9figs-abstractnounsἔσται μεθ’ ἡμῶν χάρις, ἔλεος, εἰρήνη, παρὰ Θεοῦ Πατρός καὶ παρὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ1Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus ChristIf it would be clearer in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract nouns **grace**, **mercy**, and **peace** with verbal phrases, with **God the Father** and **Jesus Christ** as the subject. Alternate translation: “May God the Father and Jesus Christ …show us kindness, be merciful to us, and give us peace” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
162JN13zfgrfigs-blessingἔσται μεθ’ ἡμῶν χάρις, ἔλεος, εἰρήνη1Grace, mercy, and peace will be with usIn this culture, letter writers would offer a good wish for the recipients before introducing the main business of the letter. Alternate translation: “May grace, mercy, and peace be with us” (See: Blessing)
172JN13aseofigs-declarativeἔσται μεθ’ ἡμῶν χάρις, ἔλεος, εἰρήνη1Grace, mercy, and peace will be with usJohn is using a declarative statement to express a wish. Alternate translation: “May grace, mercy, and peace be with us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-declarative]])
182JN13vpl9guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesΠατρός…Υἱοῦ1Father…SonThese are important titles that describe the relationship between God and Jesus Christ. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
192JN13w6trfigs-abstractnounsἐν ἀληθείᾳ καὶ ἀγάπῃ1in truth and loveThe abstract nouns **truth** and **love** describe qualities of God the Father and Jesus Christ. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the ideas behind these abstract nouns with adjectives. Alternative translation: “who are truthful and loving” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
202JN14a3vsfigs-metaphorτῶν τέκνων σου1your childrenSee how you translated the term **children** in in [1:1](../01/1.md). This could mean one of three things. (1) If this letter is addressed to an actual woman, it could mean her biological children. (2) It could mean the spiritual children of the lady. Alternate translation: “the people whom you have led to faith in Jesus” (3) This could be referring to a congregation and the people who are part of it. Alternate translation: “the believers in your group” (For the second and third possibilities, see: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
212JN14ir6vfigs-youσου1yourThe word **your** is singular, since John is addressing the “lady.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])
222JN14w2b6figs-metaphorπεριπατοῦντας ἐν ἀληθείᾳ1walking in the truthJohn refers figuratively to living ones life with the expression **walking**. Alternate translation: “living your life according to the truth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
232JN14s7hrκαθὼς ἐντολὴν ἐλάβομεν παρὰ τοῦ Πατρός1just as we have received a commandment from the FatherThe expression **received a commandment** expresses the idea that God commanded them to do something. If it would be clearer in your language, you could make **the Father** the subject of a sentence with the verb **command**. Alternate translation: “just as the Father has commanded us”
242JN14w7f1guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτοῦ Πατρός1the FatherThis is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
252JN15c9xifigs-youσε,…σοι1you…youThese instances of **you** are singular, since John is addressing the “lady.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])
262JN15u38fοὐχ ὡς ἐντολὴν καινὴν γράφων σοι1not as writing a new commandment to youJohn does not refer to himself explicitly as the person writing. If your language requires you to state the subject of a verb, you could add a pronoun here. Alternate translation: “not as though I were writing you a new commandment”
272JN15uhs8figs-explicitἀπ’ ἀρχῆς1from the beginningThe phrase **from the beginning** refers to the time when John and his audience first believed in Jesus Christ. Alternate translation: “since we first believed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
282JN15vmm8ἀρχῆς, ἵνα ἀγαπῶμεν ἀλλήλους1the beginning—that we should love one anotherIf it would be clearer in your language, you could create a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “beginning. He commanded that we should love one another”
292JN16nw4gfigs-metaphorπεριπατῶμεν κατὰ…ἐν…περιπατῆτε1we should walk according to…you should walk inIn these instances the expression **walk** figuratively means to “obey.” Alternate translation: “we should obey…you should obey them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
302JN16cl95figs-youἠκούσατε…περιπατῆτε1you heard…you should walkThe term **you** is plural in this verse and throughout the rest of the epistle, except for in v. 13, since John is addressing both “the lady” and her “children”. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])
312JN17w25mfigs-explicitὅτι πολλοὶ πλάνοι ἐξῆλθαν εἰς τὸν κόσμον1For many deceivers have gone out into the worldThis seems to be an implicit reference to the false teachers whom John discusses in [1:1011](../01/10.md). Alternate translation: “For many deceivers are going around from place to place teaching” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
322JN17x8ylfigs-metonymyἸησοῦν Χριστὸν ἐρχόμενον ἐν σαρκί1Jesus Christ coming in fleshThe expression **coming in flesh** is a metonym for being a real, physical person and not only a spiritual being. Alternate translation: “that Jesus Christ came as a real human” (See: Metonymy)(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
332JN17wbp6ὁ ἀντίχριστος1the antichristThe term **antichrist** refers to someone who opposes the true message about Christ and, as a result, is against Jesus himself and his followers. Alternate translation: “the one who is against Christ” or “the one who opposes Christ”
342JN18it9tfigs-explicitβλέπετε ἑαυτούς1Watch yourselvesThe implication is that that the believers are to **watch** themselves, that is, be careful, not to be deceived by the deceivers and antichrists. Alternate translation: “be careful not to let the deceivers and antichrists influence you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
352JN19mn3vfigs-metaphorπᾶς ὁ προάγων καὶ μὴ μένων ἐν τῇ διδαχῇ τοῦ Χριστοῦ1everyone who goes ahead and does not remain in the teaching of ChristJohn refers to **the teaching of Christ** figuratively as a place where faithful believers **remain** and also as a place that false teachers leave as they go **ahead**. The expression **goes ahead** refers to teaching new and false things that Jesus did not teach. Alternate translation: “everyone who teaches things that Jesus did not teach” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
362JN19xty9Θεὸν οὐκ ἔχει1does not have GodTo **have God** means to have a relationship with God as Savior through faith in Jesus Christ. Alternate translation: “does not belong to God” or “does not have a relationship with God”
372JN19x523ὁ μένων ἐν τῇ διδαχῇ, οὗτος καὶ τὸν Πατέρα καὶ τὸν Υἱὸν ἔχει1The one who remains in the teaching, this one has both the Father and the SonAlternate translation: “Someone who follows Christs teaching belongs to both the Father and the Son”
382JN19vg19figs-nominaladjοὗτος1this oneJohn is using the demonstrative adjective **this** as a noun, to refer to a kind of person. ULT indicates this by adding the word “one.” If your language does not use adjectives this way, you can translate this with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “such a person” or “that kind of person” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])
392JN19k8cvguidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτὸν Πατέρα καὶ τὸν Υἱὸν1the Father and the SonThese are important titles that describe the relationship between God and Jesus Christ. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
402JN110ls1cfigs-explicitμὴ λαμβάνετε αὐτὸν εἰς οἰκίαν1do not receive him into your houseJohn does not want the believers to accept a false teacher into their home and, as a result, show him respect and provide for his needs by feeding and housing him. Alternate translation: “do not support him by welcoming him into your home” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
412JN110lbctfigs-explicitχαίρειν αὐτῷ μὴ λέγετε1do not say to him, “Greetings”John warns the believers not to greet a false teacher respectfully in public. The implication is that he does not want them to do anything that might give a false teacher good standing in the eyes of others. Alternate translation: “do not give him a respectful public greeting” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
422JN111uheaὁ λέγων…αὐτῷ χαίρειν1the one who says to him, “Greetings”Alternate translation: “the one who gives him a respectful public greeting”
432JN111n7ztκοινωνεῖ τοῖς ἔργοις αὐτοῦ τοῖς πονηροῖς1shares in his evil deedsThe verb **shares in** expresses the concept of assisting and helping advance the activity of the false teacher. Alternate translation: “takes part in his evil deeds” or “helps him in his evil deeds”
442JN112gq26figs-ellipsisοὐκ ἐβουλήθην διὰ χάρτου καὶ μέλανος1I did not want with paper and inkHere John leaves out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages in order to be complete. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could supply these words from earlier in the sentence. Alternate translation: “I did not want to write these things with paper and ink” (See: Ellipsis)(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
452JN112nx77figs-metonymyδιὰ χάρτου καὶ μέλανος1with paper and inkJohn is not saying that he would rather write these things with something other than **paper and ink**. Rather, he is speaking figuratively of those writing materials to represent writing in general. He means that he wants to visit the woman and her children personally and continue his communication with them directly. Alternate translation: “I did not want to communicate these things in writing” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
462JN112v4v2figs-idiomστόμα πρὸς στόμα λαλῆσαι1to speak mouth to mouthThe expression **mouth to mouth** is an idiom, meaning to speak in their presence. Alternate translation: “speak in your presence” or “speak to you in person” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
472JN112auwqfigs-activepassiveἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ὑμῶν πεπληρωμένη ᾖ1so that your joy might be made completeIf it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active verbal form. Alternate translation: “so that this will make your joy complete” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
482JN112hwtkfigs-abstractnounsἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ὑμῶν πεπληρωμένη ᾖ1so that your joy might be made completeIf it would be clearer in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **joy** with an adjective such as “joyful.” Alternate translation: “so that this will make you completely joyful” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
492JN112lt77translate-textvariantsἡ χαρὰ ὑμῶν πεπληρωμένη ᾖ1your joy might be made completeSee the note in Part 3 of the General Introduction to 2 John about the textual issue here. Alternate translation: “our joy might be made complete” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]])
502JN113a4rcἀσπάζεταί σε τὰ τέκνα τῆς ἀδελφῆς σου τῆς ἐκλεκτῆς1The children of your chosen sister greet youAs was customary in this culture, John concludes the letter by extending greetings from people who are with him and who know the people he is writing to. Your language may have a particular way of sharing greetings in a letter. If so, you can use it in your translation.
512JN113fh6jfigs-metaphorτὰ τέκνα τῆς ἀδελφῆς σου1The children of your…sisterThis expression could mean one of several things. (1) It may refer to the biological children of a specific woman who is the biological sister of another specific woman to whom John is writing. Alternate translation: “Your nieces and nephews” (2) It may refer to the spiritual children of the biological sister of a woman to whom John is writing. Alternate translation: “The people whom your sister has led to faith in Jesus” (3) It may refer to the biological children of a spiritual sister of a woman to whom John is writing. Alternate translation: “The children of your sister in Christ” (4) It may refer to the spiritual children of a spiritual sister of a woman to whom John is writing. Alternate translation: “The people whom your sister in Christ has led to faith in Jesus” (5) If the term “lady” is figurative for a group of believers in [1:1](../01/01.md), then John may be figuratively describing his own group of believers as the sister of that group and the members of his group as her children. Alternate translation: “the members of the group of believers here” (For the second through fifth possibilities, see: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
522JN113aonwfigs-idiomἀδελφῆς σου τῆς ἐκλεκτῆς1your chosen sisterIn this context, the term **chosen** likely indicates someone whom God has chosen to receive salvation. Alternate translation: “your Christian sister” or “this group of believers in Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
532JN113qjdzfigs-youσε…σου1your…youThe pronouns **you** and **your** are singular. John tells the lady specifically that her sisters children send greetings to her in particular. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])