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, 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 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.