New Testament
2 John 1
Overview
Writing as "the elder" to "the elect lady and her children," John opens with the warmth of a pastor who rejoices to have found some of her children "walking in the truth" (2 John 1:1-4). He weaves truth and love together as inseparable: the commandment to love one another is no new thing but the old word heard from the beginning, and love itself is defined as walking according to God's commandments (2 John 1:5-6). The letter then turns sharply to its occasion: "many deceivers" have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ coming in the flesh, and such a person is "the deceiver and the antichrist" (2 John 1:7). John urges his readers to watch themselves so as not to lose what they have worked for but to receive a full reward, warning that whoever "runs ahead" and does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God (2 John 1:8-9). Most pointedly, he forbids extending hospitality or even a greeting to anyone who brings a different teaching, for to greet such a one is to share in his evil deeds (2 John 1:10-11). He closes by withholding the rest of his counsel for a face-to-face visit, that their joy may be complete, and sends greetings from the children of her elect sister (2 John 1:12-13).
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.