2 John
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2 John 1
2 John 1
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:
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.
Commentary · verses 1-2
3Grace, mercy, peace shall be with us, from God the Father, and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
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.
Commentary · verse 3
Three effects of God abiding in us: grace, mercy, and peace.
4I rejoice greatly that I have found certain of thy children walking in truth, even as we received commandment from the Father.
4I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
Commentary · verse 4
This lady was a mother and John commended her on her children.
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.
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.
Commentary · verses 5-6
John continued to emphasize loving one another. This was a commandment from God that we ought to walk (progress/grow) in. This was a theme from John's first epistle.
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.
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.
Commentary · verse 7
Jesus came in the flesh and those who oppose are an antichrist. Again, this was another theme from John's first epistle.
8Look to yourselves, that ye lose not the things which we have wrought, but that ye receive a full reward.
8Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
Commentary · verse 8
John spoke of a "full reward." This meant that we could end up with something less than what God willed for us because of our choices.
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.
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.
Commentary · verse 9
This letter included the "teaching" of Christ as part of the model of God abiding in us. This verse focused on Salvation.
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.
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.
Commentary · verses 10-11
John blatantly stated that we should not bring someone into our house who did not bring the teaching of Christ. This did not mean we judge those who were without the teaching of Christ and this did not mean we did not meet with those who were without the teaching of Christ.
Doctrines on this passage
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.
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.
Commentary · verses 12-13
John concluded this letter by saying he had many things to write (he must have hit only the high points, which seemed to be the same high points as in his first epistle) and that his objective was to help her ("lady") joy be made full.
Commentary · verse 13
Like John's first epistle, this second epistle was believed to have been written from Ephesus around 90 AD. This second epistle was written to a specific lady with children.
The "lady" was unknown but notice she was considered "elect" which meant "saved/selected in response to the excellence of the person." John stated that the reason he loved the "lady" was because of "truth." In John's first epistle we saw that truth is the Holy Spirit.