Book: The Way of the Word: Chapter 63: Abiding in Truth and Love
- Dr. Layne McDonald
- Jun 9
- 8 min read
When we think of the "shorter" books of the Bible, it’s easy to gloss over them like a speed bump on the way to the "real" theology in Romans or Revelation. But 2 John is a powerhouse of a letter. It’s one of the shortest books in the New Testament, just thirteen verses, but don’t let the brevity fool you. It’s a concentrated dose of spiritual wisdom that addresses one of the most difficult balances in the Christian life: how to be incredibly loving while remaining uncompromisingly truthful.
In our modern culture, we often hear that "love" means accepting everything and "truth" means being harsh or judgmental. But in the Kingdom of God, these two aren't enemies; they are twins. They work together. You can’t have biblical love without truth, and truth without love isn't the full gospel. As we dive into Chapter 63 of The Way of the Word, we’re looking at how the Apostle John, the "Apostle of Love," handles a situation where the church was being threatened by false teachers.
The Identity of the Elect Lady
John begins his letter by addressing "the elect lady and her children." For centuries, scholars have debated whether John is writing to an actual woman, perhaps a prominent leader in a house church, or if "the elect lady" is a metaphor for a local congregation, with "her children" being the members.
Regardless of which view you take, the spiritual weight remains the same. The church is chosen by God (elect) and carries a dignity (lady) that must be protected. If it was a specific woman, she was a person of influence whose hospitality was being used by itinerant teachers. If it was a church, the warning was for the entire community. In either case, John’s affection is clear. He loves them "in the truth."
This phrase, "in the truth," sets the stage for the entire letter. John isn’t just saying he likes them; he is saying their relationship is grounded in the objective reality of who Jesus Christ is. In our world today, people often talk about "my truth" or "your truth," but John is talking about The Truth, the person of Jesus and the apostolic witness.
The Synergy of Truth and Love (Verses 1–3)
John’s greeting is packed with theological depth. He says, "Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love."
Notice that these blessings, grace, mercy, and peace, don't just float in a vacuum. They are tethered to "truth and love." In Assemblies of God theology, we emphasize the authority of Scripture (the Truth) and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit (which produces Love). You need both. If you have truth without love, you become a legalist. You might be right, but you’ll be mean about it, and you’ll drive people away from the Father. If you have love without truth, you become a sentimentalist. You might be "nice," but you’ll lead people into a ditch because you have no map.
Walking "in the truth" means that your life is aligned with the Word of God. It’s not just about what you believe in your head; it’s about how your feet move. John says he rejoiced greatly to find some of the lady's children "walking in truth." It wasn't enough that they were "church kids" or that they knew the stories; they were living it out.
The Commandment of Love (Verses 4–6)
John transitions from truth to love seamlessly. He reminds the readers of the commandment they had "from the beginning." This isn't a new revelation; it’s the core of what Jesus taught: "Love one another."
But John defines love in a way that our culture often misses. He says, "And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands." In the biblical worldview, love isn't a feeling you fall into; it’s a path you walk on. It’s active. It’s choosing to align your will with God’s heart.
When we love someone biblically, we want God’s best for them. And God’s best for them is always found in obedience to His Word. Therefore, you cannot love someone by encouraging them to stay in sin or by ignoring the truth of Scripture. True love points back to the Father’s commands.
The Deceivers and the Antichrist (Verses 7–9)
Now we get to the "why" of the letter. Why was John so concerned about truth and love? Because "many deceivers have gone out into the world."
In the first century, the early church was dealing with a heresy known as Gnosticism. One branch of this teaching denied that Jesus had actually come "in the flesh." They thought the physical world was evil and the spiritual world was good, so they couldn't wrap their minds around the idea of a holy God taking on a human body.
John is blunt: anyone who denies that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is "the deceiver and the antichrist." This is high-stakes language. Why? Because if Jesus didn't come in the flesh, He didn't really die. If He didn't really die, He didn't really rise. And if He didn't really rise, we are still in our sins.
The Incarnation, the Word becoming flesh, is the cornerstone of our faith. As we believe and teach in our Pentecostal heritage, Jesus is fully God and fully man. He touched our brokenness so we could touch His holiness. Any teaching that shifts away from the deity or the humanity of Jesus is a "deception" that John warns will cost believers their "full reward."
The Apostolic Boundary: Hospitality and Discernment (Verses 10–11)
This is the part of 2 John that makes modern readers uncomfortable. John gives a very specific instruction: "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work."
To understand this, we have to look at the culture of the time. There were no Holiday Inns. Missionaries and teachers relied on the hospitality of local believers to survive and to have a platform to speak. By bringing a teacher into your home, you weren't just being "nice"; you were endorsing them. You were providing the room, the board, and the audience for their message.
John is saying: Do not subsidize heresy.
If someone is actively working to dismantle the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are not called to give them a platform. We are called to be kind to our neighbors and to love our enemies, yes. But we are not called to partner with those who seek to destroy the faith of the vulnerable.
In a digital age, this applies to what we "host" in our minds. Who are you following? What podcasts are you "inviting into your house"? If a voice is consistently leading you away from the truth of Scripture and the person of Jesus, John would tell you to close the door. Discernment is an act of love for the body of Christ.
The Joy of Fellowship (Verses 12–13)
John wraps up by saying he has much more to write, but he’d rather do it "paper and ink" but rather face to face. He wants their "joy to be complete."
This is a beautiful reminder that while letters and books (and blog posts!) are great, they are no substitute for the community of the saints. There is a "completeness of joy" that only happens when we are together, walking in truth and love, encouraging one another in the Spirit.
Deep Dive: The Incarnation and Pentecostal Discernment
In the Assemblies of God, we hold firmly to the 16 Fundamental Truths, and right at the center is the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. John’s warning in verse 7 isn't just an ancient argument; it’s a present-day necessity.
We live in a "spirit of the age" that wants to turn Jesus into a good teacher, a social revolutionary, or a vague spiritual guide. But 2 John reminds us that the "teaching of Christ" is specific. It is about the Son of God who came in the flesh, died for our sins, and is coming again.
As Spirit-filled believers, we are called to have discernment. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13). He doesn't just give us "goosebumps"; He gives us "guardrails." He alerts us when something sounds "almost right" but is actually "dead wrong."
When we abide in the teaching of Christ, we "have both the Father and the Son." There is no shortcut to the Father that bypasses the truth about the Son. If we lose the Truth, we lose the Relationship.
Practical Application: Walking it Out Today
How do we take these thirteen verses and live them out on a Tuesday afternoon?
Audit Your "House": Take a look at the influences you are allowing into your life. This includes social media, books, and even friendships that consistently pull you away from biblical truth. Are you "hosting" voices that mock the Word of God? It might be time to set some boundaries.
Define Love by the Word: Stop letting the culture define love for you. If you are afraid to speak the truth to a friend because you think it’s "unloving," remember John’s definition: love is walking in obedience to God’s commands. Sometimes the most loving thing you can do is point someone back to the Truth.
Practice Discerning Hospitality: We are called to be a hospitable people. We should be the most welcoming people on the planet! But our hospitality should serve the Gospel, not subvert it. Welcome the lonely, the hurting, and the seeking. But be wise about who you allow to influence your family and your church.
Stay Grounded in the "Teaching of Christ": Make the study of the Word a priority. You can’t spot a counterfeit if you don't know what the real thing looks like. Dive into the Gospels. Understand the theology of the Incarnation. Let the "Truth that abides in us" be the foundation of your identity.
Reflection Questions
In your life, do you tend to lean more toward "truth" (at the expense of love) or "love" (at the expense of truth)? How can you bring them into balance?
What does it look like for you to "walk in truth" in your workplace or your home?
Is there an influence or a "teacher" in your life right now that doesn't align with the biblical view of Jesus? How should you respond based on 2 John?
How can our church better practice hospitality while also protecting the flock from false teaching?
A Prayer for Abiding
Father, thank You for the Truth that has set us free. We thank You for the Apostle John’s heart and his courage to call us to a higher standard of love. Lord, help us to walk in the truth every single day. Give us the discernment of the Holy Spirit to recognize voices that are not from You. Help us to open our hearts and homes to those who need Your grace, but give us the wisdom to guard the Gospel with everything we have. May we abide in the teaching of Jesus, so that we may truly have both the Father and the Son. In Jesus' name, Amen.
About the Author: Layne McDonald, Ph.D.
Dr. Layne McDonald is a dedicated author, teacher, and leader within the Christian community, with a deep-seated passion for biblical truth and its application in modern life. With a Ph.D. in his field, Dr. McDonald brings a rigorous yet accessible approach to Scripture, helping believers navigate the complexities of faith with wisdom and grace. His work is rooted in the Assemblies of God theology, emphasizing the power of the Holy Spirit and the unwavering authority of the Bible. Through his books, Bible studies, and commentary, Dr. McDonald seeks to equip the Church to lead with heart, discern culture with clarity, and grow in a deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He lives with a mission to see lives transformed by the Gospel and to help everyday believers live with eternal purpose.
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What happens when our "hospitality" actually becomes a partnership with the very thing trying to destroy our faith?
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