[Robinson gives us the range of dates ’60-65′ for II John and III John.] We have no way of knowing with certainty the name of the author of these two letters. They simply begin by identifying the writer as “the elder.” “The elder to the elect lady and her children” (II John 1), and “The elder to the beloved Gaius” (III John 1). The Greek word for “elder” is πρεσβύτερος (presbyteros) – this is the term from which our English word “presbyterian” comes. We should note, then, that although present-day Baptists may claim pride of place because of the stories about John the Baptist in the New Testament, Presbyterians can counter that the Bible declares that these two letters were specifically written by a Presbyterian.

“The elect lady and her children,” the addressees of II John, indicates in symbolic fashion the church and its members. The elder loves these people “in the truth,” and not only that, “all who know the truth do as well” (II John 1). This is “because of the truth that abides in us” (II John 2), and is exemplified when people are “walking in the truth” (II John 4). Clearly the elder is concerned that we follow the truth!

Two specific truths get emphasized. The first is the reality of the incarnation. Some people argued that Jesus was a spiritual reality, God appearing to humanity in a form that “looked” human but was not physical or fleshly (because human bodily functions are too icky for God to have to mess with). In response the elder declared that “those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh” are deceivers, in fact are antichrist (II John 7)!

The second emphasis is an insistence that you can’t just make up new stuff about Jesus to suit your fancy. “Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son” (II John 9). This tells us that by the middle 60s there was a consensus emerging about what “the teaching of Christ” was; this included a recognition of the relationship of the Father and the Son, but would rule out some of the speculations that would emerge in some groups during the second century.

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Ah, Lord Jesus! With glad hearts and voices we confess that you have indeed come in the flesh: you have come to our world, taking on real humanity, born among us, and we are thankful. Teach us to walk in the truth of your incarnation, and in the truth of your gospel, day by day.

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