April 3, 2025

April 3   2 John
2 John is another warning against false teachers.  This warning comes so that they would be extra careful in discerning who came to speak to them.  There is a level that we need to be careful with this because sometimes differences of opinion in regard to minor doctrines can be labeled "false teaching".  There is a difference between what we call major doctrines (theological issues) and minor doctrines.  Major doctrines require agreement because to disbelieve this principle or idea would change our understanding of salvation.  For example- to deny that Jesus rose from the dead is a matter of false teaching not a minor doctrine where we can have disagreement.  If you do not believe that Jesus rose from the dead, you have no basis for your salvation.  
 A minor doctrine would be an area where the Scripture is not explicitly clear, and people have interpreted in different ways while trying to remain true to Scripture.  For example- people may have different understandings of when the rapture may take place- pre-tribulation, post-tribulation, mid-tribulation.  We may have a well thought out and reasoned perspective on this that has Scriptural support.  But we would not be wise to call someone who does not agree with us in this area and holds a different view a false teacher if they are also using Scripture as a support for their view.  We can have good discussions, but we wouldn't need to say they were not a Christian if they held a different view.  It does not impact our salvation. It also agrees on the most important thing- that Jesus will return (which is the Major Doctrine).
We do not know who the "lady" referred to by John in this letter it. It could be a specific unknown person who potentially was hosting a house church.  It is also possible that it is a reference to a specific church- the children being the congregation. V. 13 would then be reference to a different local church who send greetings. Another option is that this is not to specific church, but rather a generalized address to the church as whole. This actually is another example of an area where 2 or 3 different interpretations are not a matter of false teaching because they don't change the meaning or impact of the writing.