It seems that there is mixed interpretation from biblical scholars as to who the “chosen lady” is in 2 John. Some think it refers to the church as a whole. Others, such as John Wesley believe it to be a specific person.
II John 1:9
Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
Do we sometimes run ahead of God? Are we impatient? Do we try to put God on our timetable? Do we sometimes embrace teachings that are not biblical? Isn’t it hard to wait???
In 3 John we see a great contrast between two individuals. John is warning against being like Diotrephes and is encouraging being like Gaius. “…do not imitate what is evil but what is good.”
Attributes of Diothrephes:
1. Loves to be first
2. Gossips maliciously
3. Refuses to welcome the brothers
4. Stops those who want to welcome the brothers and puts them out of the church
Attributes of Gaius:
1. Faithful in doing for the brothers, showing hospitality
2. Loves the brothers
3. Sends the brothers on their way in a manner worthy of God
We end this blog entry the way John ends 3 John, “Peace to you.”
2 comments:
Since according to my Chronological Bible, today we started Revelation I will make a couple of comments on some things that jumped out to me.
After having just read the letters from Paul, Peter, and others, we now see plainly what we are to be about, "and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father". I guess it takes us right back to the beginning, what all the OT prophets, people, and the children of Israel were called to be about, and the same still applies to us today.
"I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus". If we are in His kingdom, look at what is ours in Jesus, suffering and patient endurance.
Seven being the number of completeness or perfection, I see powerful messages to the "churches" as being messages to the CHURCH, Jesus being the head. It is an interesting compilation of all the bad in the CHURCH now and through history, and a powerful compilation of how it is supposed to look like and the great reward for those who stand firm.I note also that there are several references to how few there are that actually are faithful.
Standing firm! That is what He has told us to do...even in the face of adversity, which He has definitely told us would happen, and John confirmed. Jesus told us that the gate was narrow and only a few will FIND it, which implies that a person has to be looking. How often do we stumble through life, not looking for that narrow gate? And even if we should find it, are not willing to go through it?
Matt 7:13-14
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Lots and lots of food for thought!
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