2 John and 3 John are both short enough to fit on one sheet of papyrus, in the form of a letter. Their content is unremarkable. Therefore their survival and inclusion in the Canon points to early belief that their author the elder was prominent.[1 p.26] The author was able to instruct the churches because he embodied Christian tradition, and was well known, so no name need be mentioned.[1 p.29]
One would not expect a short private letter to be written in the same style as a Gospel that is seventy times as long.[1 p.32], but the letters of John address children and friends, as Jesus does John's Gospel.[1 p.35]
© David Billin 2002–2022
Commentary
1Gaius was a common name so it is not possible to identify the individual to whom the letter was addressed.
Truth: see comment on 2 John verse 2.
3–4The references to "joy" may be a pun on Gaius's name, which means "happiness".
Truth: see comment on 2 John verse 2.
5–10The letter encourages hospitality for itinerant preachers, in contrast to Diotrephes' habit of excluding people.
8Truth: see comment on 2 John verse 2.
9Diotrephes must have been leader of a house church, whose authority arose not from being learned but from having the right to control events in his own home.[1 p.36]
12Truth: see comment on 2 John verse 2.
1:14In some translations this verse is divided into two verses numbered 14 and 15; see Wikipedia.
References: