2 John — Chapter 1
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1The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
2For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
3Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
5And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
6And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
7For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
9Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
12Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
13The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
1The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not I only, but also all they that know the truth;
2for the truth`s sake which abideth in us, and it shall be with us for ever:
3Grace, mercy, peace shall be with us, from God the Father, and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4I rejoice greatly that I have found [certain] of thy children walking in truth, even as we received commandment from the Father.
5And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote to thee a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
6And this is love, that we should walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, even as ye heard from the beginning, that ye should walk in it.
7For many deceivers are gone forth into the world, [even] they that confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.
8Look to yourselves, that ye lose not the things which we have wrought, but that ye receive a full reward.
9Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son.
10If any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into [your] house, and give him no greeting:
11for he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works.
12Having many things to write unto you, I would not [write them] with paper and ink: but I hope to come unto you, and to speak face to face, that your joy may be made full.
13The children of thine elect sister salute thee.
1From the elder, to an elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth (and not I alone, but also all those who know the truth),
2because of the truth that resides in us and will be with us forever.
3Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4I rejoiced greatly because I have found some of your children living according to the truth, just as the Father commanded us.
5But now I ask you, lady (not as if I were writing a new commandment to you, but the one we have had from the beginning), that we love one another.
6(Now this is love: that we walk according to his commandments.) This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning; thus you should walk in it.
7For many deceivers have gone out into the world, people who do not confess Jesus as Christ coming in the flesh. This person is the deceiver and the antichrist!
8Watch out, so that you do not lose the things we have worked for, but receive a full reward.
9Everyone who goes on ahead and does not remain in the teaching of Christ does not have God. The one who remains in this teaching has both the Father and the Son.
10If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house and do not give him any greeting
11because the person who gives him a greeting shares in his evil deeds.
12Though I have many other things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink, but I hope to come visit you and speak face to face so that our joy may be complete.
13The children of your elect sister greet you.
1The elder, to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not I only, but also all those who know the truth;
2for the truth’s sake, which remains in us, and it will be with us forever:
3Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4I rejoice greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, even as we have been commanded by the Father.
5Now I beg you, dear lady, not as though I wrote to you a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
6This is love, that we should walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, even as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.
7For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who don’t confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the Antichrist.
8Watch yourselves, that we don’t lose the things which we have accomplished, but that we receive a full reward.
9Whoever transgresses and doesn’t remain in the teaching of Christ, doesn’t have God. He who remains in the teaching, the same has both the Father and the Son.
10If anyone comes to you, and doesn’t bring this teaching, don’t receive him into your house, and don’t welcome him,
11for he who welcomes him participates in his evil deeds.
12Having many things to write to you, I don’t want to do so with paper and ink, but I hope to come to you, and to speak face to face, that our joy may be made full.
13The children of your chosen sister greet you. Amen.
Summary
John writes to the "elect lady" urging her to walk in truth and love, warns against deceivers who deny Christ's coming in the flesh, and instructs believers not to receive false teachers into their homes lest they share in their wicked works.
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik covers the balance of truth and love, the incarnation test, and the prohibition against supporting false teachers.
- Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "Walking in Truth" on v.4 (MTP Vol. 20, No. 1189) "Walking in truth — not just knowing truth, not just believing truth — walking in it. Truth as a lifestyle, not just a doctrine. And John's joy: nothing greater than hearing his spiritual children walk in truth. This is the pastor's deepest satisfaction — not numbers, not programs — people walking in truth."
Videos
The Bible Project — 2 John Overview
Animated overview of the book's literary structure, themes, and theological message. Excellent visual introduction. (Approx. 8 minutes)
Reflection
- 1. "Walking in truth" (v.4). Is your life consistent with what you believe? Are you walking in truth or just talking about it?
- 2. "This is love, that we walk after his commandments" (v.6). Do you define love by feelings or by obedience? Biblical love is expressed through keeping God's commands.
- 3. "Receive him not into your house" (v.10). Are you discerning about who you support, platform, and endorse? Supporting false teachers makes you a partner in their work.
- 4. How do you balance truth and love? Some emphasize truth without love (harsh). Others emphasize love without truth (permissive). John holds both together. Where do you lean?