I. Key Theological and Relational Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;The elect lady (2 John 1): The recipient of the letter. The identity of "the elect lady" is debated:;xNLx;It could refer to a specific, prominent Christian woman known to John and the early church.;xNLx;It could be a symbolic or metaphorical way of referring to a local church and its members ("her children"). The ESV footnote offers this possibility.;xNLx;Her children (2 John 1, 4): If "the elect lady" is an individual, these are her literal children. If she represents a church, "her children" refers to the members of that congregation.;xNLx;Truth (e.g., 2 John 1, 2, 3, 4): A central theme in John's writings. In 2 John, it refers to the reality of God revealed in Jesus Christ and the body of apostolic teaching about Him. John rejoices that some of her children are "walking in the truth." The truth "abides in us and will be with us forever.";xNLx;Love (Greek: agape) (e.g., 2 John 1, 3, 5, 6): Self-giving, active care and affection, rooted in God's love. John emphasizes loving one another as a commandment from God and a mark of true faith. Walking in love is defined as walking according to God's commandments.;xNLx;Commandment(s) (e.g., 2 John 4, 5, 6): God's instructions and moral will, which believers are called to obey. Loving one another is presented as a key commandment.;xNLx;Grace / Mercy / Peace (2 John 3): Standard Christian greetings, expressing:;xNLx;Grace (charis): God's unmerited favor and kindness.;xNLx;Mercy (eleos): God's compassion and forbearance, not giving what is deserved (punishment).;xNLx;Peace (eirene): Wholeness, well-being, and harmony with God and others, resulting from God's grace and mercy.;xNLx;Abide / Continue (in the teaching of Christ) (2 John 2, 9): To remain, dwell, or persist in. John speaks of the truth abiding in believers, and the importance of believers abiding in the teaching of Christ to have both the Father and the Son.;xNLx;II. Terms Related to False Teaching and Opposition:;xNLx;;xNLx;Deceiver(s) (2 John 7): Those who intentionally mislead others with false teachings, particularly concerning the person of Jesus Christ.;xNLx;Antichrist (2 John 7): Literally "against Christ" or "instead of Christ." In this context, it refers to anyone who denies the foundational truth that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh (i.e., denies His true incarnation). John states that such a person is "the deceiver and the antichrist." This is a specific manifestation of the broader "spirit of antichrist" mentioned in 1 John.;xNLx;"Does not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh" / Denies Jesus Christ has come in the flesh (2 John 7): This refers to a specific heresy, likely an early form of Gnosticism or Docetism, which taught that Jesus Christ was a divine being who only appeared to be human but did not have a real physical body or experience a true human life, suffering, and death. John identifies this denial of the incarnation as a mark of a deceiver and antichrist.;xNLx;"Goes on ahead" / "Does not abide in the teaching of Christ" (2 John 9): Describes those who deviate from or go beyond the established apostolic teaching about Christ, introducing novel or false doctrines. Such a person "does not have God.";xNLx;"Teaching of Christ" (2 John 9, 10): The sound, apostolic doctrine concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ.;xNLx;III. Instructions Regarding False Teachers:;xNLx;;xNLx;"Do not receive him into your house" (2 John 10): In the context of itinerant teachers in the early church, providing hospitality (lodging and food) was a common way to support and endorse their ministry. John instructs believers not to offer such hospitality to those who bring a false teaching about Christ, as this would imply fellowship with and support for their erroneous message.;xNLx;"Give him no greeting" (2 John 10-11): To greet such a false teacher in a way that implies Christian fellowship or endorsement would be to "take part in his wicked works." This instruction emphasizes the need for clear separation from those who deny foundational Christian truths.;xNLx;"Take part in his wicked works" (2 John 11): To share in or become complicit with the evil deeds or false teachings of another by offering them support, fellowship, or endorsement.;xNLx;IV. Other Notable Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;"Full reward" (2 John 8): Believers are urged to watch themselves so that they do not lose what they have worked for but may win a full reward, implying that doctrinal faithfulness and perseverance are linked to future divine commendation.;xNLx;"Paper and ink" (2 John 12): Refers to the writing materials of the time. John expresses a desire to speak face to face rather than just writing.;xNLx;This list provides definitions for key terms in the brief but important Second Letter of John (ESV). Understanding these within their original context helps to appreciate John's concern for maintaining doctrinal truth, the practice of Christian love within the bounds of that truth, and his warning against compromising with those who deny the core of the Christian faith.