What does 2 John 1:7 mean?

Explanation

2 John 1:7 speaks of the threat posed by deceivers, individuals who were spreading false teachings about Jesus Christ.

The core issue addressed is the denial by some that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, which is a reference to the doctrine of the Incarnation.

This belief holds that Jesus is both fully God and fully human.

The verse labels those who deny the Incarnation as deceivers and antichrists, asserting that their teachings are fundamentally opposed to Christian truth.

The term "antichrist" refers to anyone opposing Christ or substituting themselves in Christ's place, and in this context, it emphasizes the seriousness of the false teaching being addressed.

Historical Context

The epistles of John were written in the late 1st century when the early Christian communities were facing internal conflicts about the nature and identity of Jesus Christ.

Docetism, an early Christian heresy, taught that Jesus only appeared to have a human body but was not truly incarnate.

This view challenged orthodox Christian beliefs. 2 John 1:7 was addressing this heretical teaching directly, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging Jesus' humanity as part of the Christian faith.

Theological Insights

Theological insights from this verse reveal a crucial component of Christian doctrine, the belief in Christ's incarnation.

From an orthodox viewpoint, the incarnation is essential because it validates the reality of Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection, which are foundational to salvation.

Contrarily, from a docetic perspective, the spiritual was emphasized at the expense of the material, which led to questioning the actuality of Christ's physical experiences.

This verse highlights the early church's struggle against such heresies and the importance of maintaining doctrinal purity.

Practical Applications

In a practical sense, this verse can serve as a warning against being led astray by false teachings and the importance of defending core Christian beliefs.

It encourages believers to be discerning about what they accept as truth and to remain rooted in the foundational doctrines of their faith.

It also calls Christians to engage with their faith deeply to understand the implications of Jesus being fully God and fully man.

Cross-References

• 1 John 4:2-3: "Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world."
• John 1:14: "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
• 1 Timothy 3:16: "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."

Language Study

The key phrases in this verse, when examined in the original Koine Greek, are "Jesus Christ is come in the flesh" (Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν ἐν σαρκὶ ἐληλυθότα) and "deceiver" (πλάνος) which can also mean "wanderer," or "imposter." The use of "antichrist" (ἀντίχριστος) in Greek does not only mean "against Christ" but could also imply "in place of Christ." This linguistic analysis is vital in understanding the strong warning issued against the deniers of Jesus' physical incarnation.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing this verse to other ancient myths and religious interpretations opens a broader context for understanding how incarnation was viewed in surrounding cultures.

Many ancient religions had stories of gods taking human form, but these were generally viewed as temporary and fantastical occurrences, unlike the Christian claim of the incarnation as a historical and salvific event.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the incarnation is a theological belief rather than a hypothesis that can be tested and verified through empirical means.

Consequently, this verse and the doctrine it references tend not to intersect directly with scientific understanding.

However, discussions around how beliefs in supernatural events intersect with scientific worldviews are always relevant to the broader discourse between science and religion.

Commentaries

According to various biblical scholars and commentators, 2 John 1:7 serves as a strong defense of one of the key tenets of Christianity: the reality of Jesus' incarnation.

For instance, Matthew Henry's commentary emphasizes the grave danger of these early heresies in undermining the very foundation of the Christian faith.

He also interprets the language of "antichrist" as signifying the seriousness of the heresy.

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible discusses the historical context and the nature of the deceivers, suggesting these individuals may have professed Christianity superficially while undermining its core teachings.