Second epistle of Jean

The Second epistle of Jean is a book of the New Testament. Although the author of this epistle, the preceding one and following does not give his name, the language resembles that of Jean so much the apostle whom one supposes that it is him which wrote the three.

Historical context of the second epistle of Jean

At the time where the apostle Jean wrote his epistle, the communication was very effective in the Roman Empire. It was certainly not as effective as today, but it knew all the same a situation which was hitherto unequalled in the history of humanity. People communicated using equestrian messengers, the latter being able to rather freely take the roads of the Romain Empire because of their great safety ensured by the Roman legions. John Stott, in his comment on the epistles of Jean, explains:

the establishment and the consolidation of the Roman Empire returned the voyages throughout the inhabited world much easier and sure that had never been the case before. They were facilitated by the main roads which the Romains and by the “Pax romana built” that their legions maintained, as much as by a language included/understood by all STOTT, '' Epistles of Jean '', the Be worth-on-Seine, Edifac, 1998, p. 185.

The Christians also travelled, for various reasons: the trade, the family, work, the Christian mission, etc They were consequently to find lodging. But where to go? The comfort of the modern hotels did not exist at this time. In the ancient inns? They were often swines and held by people with rather doubtful manners. Consequently, it was normal that the Christians in displacement receive the hospitality of the members of the local Churches. Certain traces in the New Testament clearly attest the practice of this habit at the time of the primitive Church (see Actes 16.5; 17.7; Romans 16.23; Acts 21.8,16).

On the other hand, this habit to practice hospitality towards the Christians travellers involved abuses. There were the charlatans, the false prophets and the false doctors, who were presented in the form of Christians and who also wished to obtain hospitality on behalf of the local Churches. However this situation did not fail to give place to a question of practical nature: was one to also grant hospitality to such individuals? In his second epistle, Jean gives instructions concerning those with whom it Church must prohibit hospitality. The instructions of Old aim especially the procedure at adopting opposite the false prophets and the false doctors.

See too

biblical Studies

The second epistle of Jean on bible.catholique.org

Second epistle of Jean Saint, translation in French by the Canon Cramp, numerical edition by Richard Bourret, search engine

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