1. AUTHOR. — John the Apostle.

2. DATE. — Uncertain, probably soon after the first.

3. TO WHOM WRITTEN. — A Christian woman, probably a widow, with children.

4. HISTORICAL OCCASION. — The apostle had heard that the sons of this woman were walking in the truth, and also that she and they were in danger from the false teaching of certain ones.

5. LEADING TOPIC. — An exhortation to cultivate Christian love and to avoid endorsing error.

6. CHIEF PURPOSE. — To condemn the spirit of heresy, and to show that the individual Christian is to avoid encouraging what is erroneous in the direction of doctrine.

7. GENERAL ANALYSIS.

(a) Salutation, Ver. 1-3.

(b) Commendation, Ver. 4.

(c) Exhortation to love, Ver. 5, 6.

(d) Warning against error, Ver. 7-11.

(e) Closing remarks, Ver. 12, 13.

8. SPECIAL TEACHING OF THE BOOK. — Love is shown by obedience to God's commandments; whoever does not abide in the doctrine of Christ has not God.

9. RELATION TO OTHER N. T. BOOKS. — It is similar in character to the first Epistle. It is a personal application of the injunction to love God and keep from error.

10. TOPIC FOR SPECIAL STUDY. — John's personal acquaintance with the Christians of Asia Minor.