The author identifies himself as John, historically considered to be the [[Apostle John]], who also wrote the [[Gospel of John]] along with [[I John]], [[III John]] and the [[Book of Revelation]]. Liberal theologians disagree, conceding only that all three epistles were likely written by the same person. | The author identifies himself as John, historically considered to be the [[Apostle John]], who also wrote the [[Gospel of John]] along with [[I John]], [[III John]] and the [[Book of Revelation]]. Liberal theologians disagree, conceding only that all three epistles were likely written by the same person. |