The Epistles · Chapter 1 of 1

2 John 1

The elder writes to a chosen lady and her children whom he loves in the truth, rejoicing that some walk in truth. He repeats the old commandment: love one another, which is to walk after Christ's commandments. He warns of many deceivers who deny that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, calling them antichrists, and urges the readers to guard their reward, abide in the doctrine of Christ, and not welcome those who bring false teaching.

What happens in 2 John 1

The elder greets the elect lady and her children whom he loves in the truth, invoking grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (v1-3). He rejoices to have found her children walking in truth (v4). He entreats her, not with a new commandment but the one from the beginning, that they love one another, defining love as walking after Christ's commandments (v5-6). He warns that many deceivers who deny that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh are in the world; such a one is antichrist (v7).

He urges them to watch themselves and receive a full reward (v8). Whoever abides not in the doctrine of Christ has not God; the one who abides has both the Father and the Son (v9). They must not receive or greet anyone who brings a different teaching, lest they share his evil deeds (v10-11). He closes hoping to speak face to face (v12-13).

2 John 1 in context

This brief personal letter, likely written to a specific household or a local church pictured as a lady and her children, addresses the same crisis as 1 John: traveling teachers who denied that Jesus came in real flesh. Hospitality in that world often meant lodging and endorsing traveling teachers, so John's stark instruction not to receive false teachers is about not lending support and legitimacy to those spreading a gospel that undermines Christ.

Truth and love are held tightly together throughout.

Main themes of 2 John 1

2 John 1 (KJV)

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.

Verses to carry from 2 John 1

“And 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.”2 John 1:6

“For 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.”2 John 1:7

“Whosoever 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.”2 John 1:9

Reflection

Notice how John refuses to separate truth from love. Ask whether your love has drifted from truth, or your concern for truth grown loveless. Walk after Christ's commandments today as the shape of real love, and hold fast to the incarnate Son, in whom you have both the Father and the fullness of joy.

A prayer from 2 John 1