Answer
According to Christian tradition, the author of 2 John is John the apostle, although the text itself only refers to the author as “the elder.” This epistle was addressed from “the elder” to “the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth” (2 John 1:1). Similarities between 2 and 3 John suggest a common author, who is also credited with the Gospel of John and 1 John.
The book of 2 John is one of the shortest New Testament works. It addresses false teachers, advocates discernment regarding guests received in our homes, and emphasizes the virtues of love and truth. These themes are consistent with other Johannine writings.
While there is no universal agreement regarding the authorship of 2 John, debates around it are relatively subdued, likely owing to the letter’s brevity. Its authority was questioned in the ancient world due to its length and lack of explicit details on authorship. However, 2 John gained acceptance as a part of the canon. One question about the book centers on the recipient. While some scholars and commentators view “the lady” mentioned in the first verse as a literal woman, others propose seeing the lady as a symbol for a church or all churches collectively. Debates on this remain unresolved.
Some scholars have also suggested that John “the elder” differs from John the apostle. However, internal clues suggest that the same author wrote all three letters ascribed to John. This author presents himself as an eyewitness to the life of Christ (see John 19:35; 21:24; 1 John 1:1–3) further supporting the traditional view that John wrote all three.
Therefore, the traditional attribution of 2 John as belonging to John the apostle should be upheld. Whether he wrote to a church or a specific lady in the church, his message remains relevant for every Christian. Having established in 2 John 1:3 that true Christians show love, John calls for discernment. Love should never be separated from truth, and false teachers must be marked out. The criterion for determining sound doctrine remains the teachings of Jesus and the apostles (2 John 1:9). Second John is also a reminder that true love means obeying God’s commandment. As stated in 2 John 1:6, “Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning” (NLT).
