Second Epistle of John is a short letter found near the end of the Christian scriptures. It is counted as the sixty-third book in the wider Christian canon and the twenty-fourth entry in the New Testament portion of the Bible. By verse count it is the briefest book in the Bible.

Content and purpose

The letter is written as a personal note to a female addressee described as "the elect lady" and to her children. Its main themes are love and truth: the author urges the recipients to live in obedience to the teachings they received and warns against welcoming itinerant teachers who deny core Christian teaching. The letter closes with practical instructions about hospitality and a brief farewell.

Authorship and date

Traditionally the epistle has been attributed to John the Apostle, and it is usually grouped with the other Johannine letters. However, scholars have debated whether the same John wrote the three letters bearing his name, the Gospel of John, and the Book of Revelation. Differences in style, vocabulary, and theological emphasis have led some researchers to propose multiple authors or a Johannine school rather than a single individual, while others defend single authorship. Because the evidence is not conclusive, authorship remains a subject of scholarly discussion.

Historical and religious significance

Despite its brevity, the epistle has been important for discussions about early Christian authority, the boundaries of orthodox belief, and how local communities should respond to itinerant teachers. Its concise warnings about doctrinal error and its coupling of truth with love have made it a frequently cited text in theological and pastoral contexts.

Further reading

  • Look to general introductions to the New Testament for background on the Johannine letters and their place in early Christian literature.
  • Surveys of Gospel literature often include discussion of relationships among the Johannine writings, including the Gospel of John and the epistles.