The Second Epistle of John

This very short letter, penned by John late in his life, was written to a specific woman believer (some say the woman represents the church in general), urging her to be discerning when providing hospitality to travelling evangelists. The problem was that there were Gnostic teachers who relied on the same practice as true evangelists; that is, they would be taken into a believer’s home, then given provisions when they left. Apart from the usual exhortations, briefly given, the key verses are 10 and 11: If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house, nor speak a greeting to him. For he who speaks a greeting to him is partaker of his evil deeds.

The Third Epistle of John

John’s third letter is another personal one, this time to one Gaius of whom nothing else is known. It would seem that a church leader by the name of Diotrephes rejected John’s letters and authority. He would not receive brethren sent by John, and even excommunicated those that did receive them. John wrote this letter to commend Gaius for supporting the brethren sent by him and, presumably indirectly, to send a warning to Diotrephes.