Thursday, 22nd October 2026
Rev Xi An Poon
主題經文「恩惠、憐憫、平安從父神和他兒子耶穌基督在真理和愛心上必常與我們同在！」——約翰二書3節
引言
《約翰一書》讓我們看見，神就是愛，祂差遣自己的兒子來，使我們藉著祂得生命。我們既領受了神的愛，也當彼此相愛。
來到《約翰二書》，約翰進一步說明，彼此相愛與持守真理是緊密相連的。神的愛帶領我們親近祂，祂的真理也引導我們怎樣去愛。
這封信的作者自稱「作長老的」，教會傳統一般認為是使徒約翰，寫作時間通常被放在第一世紀末。收信的「蒙揀選的太太和她的兒女」，可能是一位信主的婦女和她的家人，也可能是指一間地方教會和其中的信徒。
當時，傳道的人往來各地，常常需要信徒接待，提供住宿，支持他們的工作。然而，有些傳講錯誤教導的人，也進入信徒當中。他們不承認耶穌基督成了肉身而來，使信徒面對被迷惑的危險。
因此，約翰在這封信中，同時提到彼此相愛與謹慎分辨。他盼望信徒繼續相愛，也盼望他們所領受的福音得到保守。
所以，今天讓我們一起從《約翰二書》學習：怎樣在真理中相愛？
一、真理住在我們裏面，使我們彼此相愛（1–3節）
「愛你們是為真理的緣故，這真理存在我們裏面，也必永遠與我們同在。」
——約翰二書2節
約翰在第1節表達他對收信者的愛，也說一切知道真理的人都愛他們。接著，第2節說明這份愛的根由：「愛你們是為真理的緣故。」
他們共同領受了關於耶穌基督的真理，這真理把他們連結在一起。即使身處不同地方，他們仍然在主裏彼此相愛。
約翰特別說，這真理「存在我們裏面，也必永遠與我們同在」。所領受的福音已經進入他們的生命，成為他們共同持守的信仰，也成為彼此相愛的根基。
第3節接著宣告：
「恩惠、憐憫、平安從父神和他兒子耶穌基督在真理和愛心上必常與我們同在！」
恩惠、憐憫、平安的源頭，是父神和祂的兒子耶穌基督。信徒在真理與愛心中，一同領受從神而來的恩典。
因此，約翰一開始就讓我們看見，真理與愛心在信徒的生命中相連。認識同一位主、領受同一個福音，使我們成為在基督裏彼此相愛的人。
教會能夠彼此相愛，有一個深厚的根基：神藉著祂的兒子施恩給我們，使我們共同有分於祂所賜的生命。
真理住在我們裏面，也把我們連結在彼此相愛的生命裏。
二、照神的命令而行，就是愛（4–6節）
「我們若照他的命令行，這就是愛。你們從起初所聽見當行的，就是這命令。」
——約翰二書6節
第4節說，約翰看見收信者的兒女中，有照著從父所受之命令遵行真理的，就甚歡喜。
約翰所喜悅的，是他們正在按著所領受的真理生活。真理住在他們裏面，也在他們的行事為人中顯明出來。
接著，第5節說：
「我們大家要彼此相愛。這並不是我寫一條新命令給你，乃是我們從起初所受的命令。」
約翰把他們帶回起初所領受的教導。彼此相愛，是他們信主時已經聽見、應當持續遵行的命令。
到了第6節，約翰進一步說明：「我們若照他的命令行，這就是愛。」
這裏讓我們看見，愛與順服神有密切的關係。神既吩咐我們彼此相愛，遵行祂的命令，就包括實際地愛弟兄姊妹；而我們怎樣去愛，也需要接受神命令的引導。
因此，愛有從神而來的方向。主的話使我們明白，甚麼是合祂心意的愛，也帶領我們在彼此相待的時候，走在祂所指示的道路上。
這也為接下來的提醒預備了基礎。當約翰要求信徒謹慎分辨，他仍然是在教導他們遵行神的命令。彼此相愛與持守主的話，同樣屬於信徒應當行的道路。
神的真理引導我們，而遵行祂的命令，就使彼此相愛成為生活。
三、在愛中持守真理，不支持迷惑人的教導（7–11節）
「凡越過基督的教訓、不常守著的，就沒有神；常守這教訓的，就有父又有子。」
——約翰二書9節
第7節開始說明，為甚麼信徒需要謹慎：
「因為世上有許多迷惑人的出來，他們不認耶穌基督是成了肉身來的；這就是那迷惑人、敵基督的。」
約翰清楚指出，這些人的教導出了甚麼問題：他們不承認耶穌基督成了肉身而來。這涉及耶穌基督的身分，也涉及信徒所領受的福音。
所以，第8節提醒他們要小心，免得失去已經作成的工，乃要得著滿足的賞賜。這是一位牧者對信徒的珍惜，盼望他們持守所領受的真理，繼續在主裏成長。
第9節接著指出，常守基督教訓的人，就有父又有子。人與神的關係，不能離開耶穌基督來理解；認識父，也與持守關於祂兒子的真理緊密相連。
因此，第10節吩咐：
「若有人到你們那裏，不是傳這教訓，不要接他到家裏，也不要問他的安。」
這裏所說的，是帶著錯誤教導而來的人。在當時的處境中，接待一位巡迴教師，會為他的傳講提供支持，也可能讓他有機會在信徒中間施教。
第11節因此說，問他安的，就在他的惡行上有分。約翰提醒信徒，接待與支持會帶來屬靈上的影響。他們需要留意，自己是否正在幫助迷惑人的教導傳開。
這段經文針對的是假教師及其傳講的工作，不能據此拒絕一般未信主的人，或排斥生命仍有軟弱的人。經文所提出的分辨根據，是人所傳的是否符合基督的真理。
一個人親切、熱心，或有令人欣賞的行為，都不能代替對他所傳內容的分辨。教會所持守的根基，是使徒所傳的耶穌基督。
約翰所要求的謹慎，正是為了保守信徒繼續住在這真理裏。因為珍惜弟兄姊妹，就不能支持那使人離開基督的教導；因為看重神所賜的生命，就要持守使人認識父與子的福音。
在真理中相愛，也包括謹慎對待接待與支持，不讓迷惑人的教導藉著我們傳開。
總結
《約翰二書》帶領我們看見，真理與愛心如何一同進入信徒的生命。
第一，真理住在我們裏面，使我們彼此相愛。
我們共同領受基督的福音，在祂裏面連結。
第二，照神的命令而行，就是愛。
我們按著所領受的真理生活，遵行彼此相愛的命令。
第三，在愛中持守真理，不支持迷惑人的教導。
我們珍惜彼此的信心，也謹慎所接待和支持的教導。
書信最後，約翰盼望親自與他們見面，當面談論，使彼此的喜樂滿足。他對真理的堅持，與他對信徒的愛和掛念，一同流露在這封信裏。
父神和祂兒子耶穌基督所賜的恩惠、憐憫、平安，在真理和愛心上與我們同在。這份恩典使我們能夠持守主的話，也能繼續彼此相愛，在所領受的福音中一同站立得穩。
Key Scripture
“Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.”
—2 John 3, NKJV
Introduction
In 1 John, we saw that God is love. He sent His Son so that we might have life through Him. Having received God’s love, we are also called to love one another.
In 2 John, John explains further that loving one another and holding firmly to the truth belong together. God’s love draws us near to Him, and His truth guides us in how to love.
The writer introduces himself as “the Elder.” Christian tradition generally identifies him as the apostle John, and the letter is usually dated toward the end of the first century. “The elect lady and her children” may refer to a Christian woman and her family, or to a local church and its members.
At that time, travelling teachers often depended on believers for hospitality, accommodation, and support. However, some people were also bringing false teaching into the Christian community. They did not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, placing believers in danger of being deceived.
John therefore brings together two important concerns: loving one another and exercising discernment. He wants believers to continue in love while remaining firmly grounded in the gospel they have received.
So today, let us learn together from 2 John: How can we love one another in truth?
- The Truth Dwelling in Us Leads Us to Love One Another
Verses 1–3
“Because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever.”
—2 John 2, NKJV
John begins by expressing his love for those receiving this letter. He also says that all who have known the truth love them. Verse 2 then explains the reason for this love: the truth abides in them.
They have received the same truth concerning Jesus Christ. This truth unites them, enabling them to love one another even when they live in different places.
John specifically says that this truth “abides in us and will be with us forever.” The gospel they have received has entered their lives. It has become their shared faith and the foundation of their love for one another.
Verse 3 continues:
“Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.”
The source of grace, mercy, and peace is God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Together, believers receive these gifts from God in truth and love.
From the beginning of the letter, John shows how closely truth and love belong together in the Christian life. Knowing the same Lord and receiving the same gospel bring us together as people who love one another in Christ.
Our love within the church has a deep foundation: through His Son, God has shown us grace and brought us together to share in the life He gives.
The truth dwelling in us unites us in a life of love for one another.
- Love Means Walking According to God’s Commandments
Verses 4–6
“This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.”
—2 John 6, NKJV
In verse 4, John says that he rejoiced greatly when he found some of the lady’s children walking in truth, according to the commandment they had received from the Father.
John’s joy comes from seeing them live according to the truth they have received. The truth dwelling within them is becoming visible in the way they live.
He then writes in verse 5:
“And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another.”
John brings them back to the teaching they received from the beginning. Loving one another is a commandment they have already heard and are called to continue obeying.
Verse 6 explains further: “This is love, that we walk according to His commandments.”
Love and obedience to God are closely connected. Since God commands us to love one another, obeying Him includes loving our brothers and sisters in practical ways. His commandments also guide the way we express that love.
Love therefore has a direction given by God. The Lord’s word helps us understand what love looks like according to His will and leads us in how we treat one another.
This also prepares us for the warning that follows. When John calls believers to exercise discernment, he is still teaching them to walk according to God’s commandments. Loving one another and remaining faithful to the Lord’s word belong to the same walk of faith.
God’s truth guides us, and obedience to His commandments makes love part of our daily lives.
- Hold Firmly to the Truth in Love, Without Supporting Deceptive Teaching
Verses 7–11
“Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.”
—2 John 9, NKJV
Verse 7 explains why believers need to be watchful:
“For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.”
John clearly identifies the problem with their teaching: they do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This concerns the identity of Jesus Christ and the gospel believers have received.
Verse 8 therefore calls them to be watchful, so that the work already accomplished will not be lost and they may receive a full reward. These words express a pastor’s care for believers. John wants them to hold firmly to the truth and continue growing in the Lord.
Verse 9 then explains that whoever abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. Our relationship with God cannot be understood apart from Jesus Christ. Knowing the Father is closely connected with remaining in the truth concerning His Son.
For this reason, verse 10 says:
“If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him.”
John is speaking about people who come bringing false teaching. In that setting, receiving a travelling teacher into one’s home could support his ministry and give him opportunities to teach among believers.
Verse 11 explains that the person who greets him shares in his evil deeds. John wants believers to understand that hospitality and support can have spiritual consequences. They need to recognise whether their support is helping deceptive teaching spread.
This passage addresses false teachers and their teaching ministry. It should not be used to reject unbelievers generally or exclude people who are still struggling with weaknesses. The standard of discernment here is whether the teaching agrees with the truth concerning Christ.
A person may be friendly, enthusiastic, or admirable in conduct. These qualities do not replace the need to examine what that person teaches. The church’s foundation is Jesus Christ as proclaimed by the apostles.
John calls for discernment so that believers may continue abiding in this truth. Because their faith is precious, the church must not support teaching that leads them away from Christ. Because the life God gives is precious, the gospel through which we know the Father and the Son must be preserved.
Loving one another in truth includes being discerning about the teaching we welcome and support, so that deception does not spread through us.
Conclusion
Second John shows us how truth and love work together in the lives of believers.
First, the truth dwelling in us leads us to love one another.
We have received the same gospel and are united in Christ.
Second, love means walking according to God’s commandments.
We live according to the truth we have received and obey His command to love one another.
Third, we hold firmly to the truth in love, without supporting deceptive teaching.
We treasure one another’s faith and exercise discernment about the teaching we welcome and support.
At the end of the letter, John expresses his desire to visit and speak face to face, so that their joy may be full. His commitment to truth appears alongside his deep love and care for these believers.
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, are with us in truth and love. Through this grace, we can remain faithful to the Lord’s word, continue loving one another, and stand firm together in the gospel we have received.
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