Speaking the Truth in Love

Introduction

In the 1964 Republican Convention, Barry Goldwater said, "I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue." I admired many of the things Senator Goldwater said and did, but that statement has always been a little troublesome for me. Taken at face value, it sounds good, but it assumes that the extremists who defend liberty are always well motivated and right in that defense. It also assumes that the extremists who pursue justice objectively aspire to promote pure justice without any kind of self-motivated agenda. I would remind all of us that such purity of intentions and motivations are rarely present in the lives of flawed human beings.

The passions of men and women constantly ride a pendulum that swings between two extremes. The pendulum passes by truth but doesn't stop there and if you dig in our heels for truth, you stand a good chance of getting banged on the head when the pendulum swings toward the left and again when it moves to the right. That's price you'll pay if you decide to be a moderate.

What does that have to do with our study of 2 John? Second John is a very brief New Testament letter with an intense message. The message concerns the balancing of truth and love. The letter calls for a posture of moderation when we are dealing with conflicting issues. It is reminiscent of Paul's thought in Ephesians 4:15. While writing about the maturity of the church, He said, ". . . speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." That's really the theme of 2 John.

THE PREFACE

The writer is not identified by name. He is simply called "the elder." There's really not much substantial opposition to recognizing the apostle John as the author. The "elder" could either refer to his advance age or his place of service in the church.

It is addressed to the "chosen lady and her children." Controversy exists as to whether "the chosen lady" or "the elect lady" means an actual woman or if it is a symbolic expression for the church. The context of the letter leads me to think that "the elect lady" was probably a friend of John's, who was respected for her faithfulness and whose influence had extended to her children.

The most noticeable feature of the preface is the writer's concern for truth. He expressed his love for the chosen lady "in the truth." She was also loved by all "who know the truth" (verse 1). Besides that, they loved her "because of the truth." The word truth even shows up in the salutation of verse 3.

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, will be with us in truth and love.

THE COMMAND TO LOVE

And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. (5-6)

You can't read 2 John without seeing it as a follow up to 1 John.

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