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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comThrough the Bible Day by Day - 2 John 1:1 - 1:1
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Walking in Truth
2Jn 1:1-13
This exquisite letter, a model of old-world correspondence, was probably written when the Apostle was the guest of the nephews of the lady addressed. The Epistle revolves around the two words, love and truth, which were the poles of his life. When Christ is in us, not only are we true in judgment and speech, but we recognize truth wherever it is to be found. No horizon bounds the vision of the true and truth-loving soul. Be true and loving, and you will have a rich heritage of grace, mercy, and peace. Love is best shown by obedience. 2Jn 1:8 shows a pastor’s anxiety. Don’t go on without Christ or you will lose God, 2Jn 1:9. Remember that love can be stern, 2Jn 1:10.
The letter reveals the strength, purity, and love of the primitive Church. Let us put into our letters thoughts which will make them worth receiving and keeping.The Apostle’s Joy
3Jn 1:1-14
Again we meet the words love and truth. Transparency of speech and life is an essential condition of soul health. It would not be desirable to express the wish of 3Jn 1:2 to all our friends, because if their bodies were to correspond to the condition of their souls, they would suddenly fall into ill-health. In the old legend mirrors were blurred with mist when any approached who were out of harmony with truth, 3Jn 1:4.
The Christian must always act worthily of God, especially toward strangers, 3Jn 1:5-6. “For the sake of the Name,” 3Jn 1:7, r.v.-as children we must maintain the family honor. Such hospitality makes us fellow-workers with the truth. There is a Boanergic touch in 3Jn 1:10. The threefold witness to Demetrius should stir our desire to emulate his character. What will it not be when the dimness of earthly converse is exchanged for the face-to-face intercourse of eternity! 3Jn 1:14.“Contend Earnestly for the Faith”
Jud 1:1-11
Kept is the keynote of this Epistle. It occurs in Jud 1:1; Jud 1:6; Jud 1:21, and in another form in Jud 1:24. Many evil doctrines and practices were intruding into the Church. Certain persons had crept in, who quoted the mercy of God as an excuse for immorality and practically disowned the teachings of the Lord Jesus.
In contrast with these were the disciples whom Jude addresses and who owned the Lord Jesus as their beloved “Despot,” (the Greek for Master, Jud 1:4, r.v.) They were kept for him, as the others were kept in chains. Let us also keep ourselves in the love of God, Jud 1:21. It is much easier to live consistently in hours of storm than in hours of ease.
Let us be warned against drifting back from our first faith. Let us take heed from the fate of fallen angels, of Sodom and Gomorrah, of Cain and Balaam, of Korah and others. Let us watch and pray and earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints, Jud 1:3, bearing it through the world as the pilgrim host bore the sacred vessels in the days of Ezra. See Ezr 8:28.