II John

Despite having only 13 verses, II John is not the shortest book in the Bible. III John has 4 words less, though it has 14 verses, that's one more than II John

John has so much to say that there is not enough space in a letter. He would much rather visit in person that they might share their joy together.

II John 1:12
"Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full"

II John 1:1-2
"The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; for the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever."

The identity of the "elect lady" is open to interpretation. Some think that she was a woman named Kyria (the Greek word for lady) and others that she was Jesus' mother, Mary. Most believe however, that the "elect lady" is a metaphor for the church and that her children would be the congregation

II John 1:13
"The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen."

The children of one's sister would be one's nephews and nieces, but it seems that John is referring to the congregation of a sister church

You should not give him any encouragement at all.

II John 1:10
"If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed"

If anyone gives any encouragement at all to a false teacher then they are as evil as he is.

II John 1:11
"for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds"

If we love one another then we shall obey all of God's commandments.

II John 1:5-6
"And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it"

Many will lie to us, but we must keep our faith to receive our reward.

II John 1:7-8
"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward"

The children were obeying God's commands and living as they should.

II John 1:3-4
"Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father"

Christ is the only way to God.

II John 1:9
"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son"