2 John Chapter 1
1 The 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,
2 for the truth's sake, which remains in us, and it will be with us forever:
3 Grace, 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.
4 I rejoice greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, even as we have been commanded by the Father.
5 Now 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.
6 This 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.
7 For 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.
8 Watch yourselves, that we don't lose the things which we have accomplished, but that we receive a full reward.
9 Whoever 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.
10 If anyone comes to you, and doesn't bring this teaching, don't receive him into your house, and don't welcome him,
11 for he who welcomes him participates in his evil deeds.
12 Having 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.
13 The children of your chosen sister greet you. Amen.
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2 John Chapter 1 Guide
This letter to the "elect lady" is principally concerned with the Truth, the word being constantly repeated. The apostle wrote with conviction of the importance of Truth in its effect on life. In declaring his joy that the children of the elect lady were walking in Truth, he wrote the central commandment, "that we love one another." Love is obedience to light, that is, to Truth. It is of the utmost importance that love should be of the true nature. Any consent to darkness out of a so-called charity is not love. Loyalty to the Lord is the true way of love, and anything which compromises that is false, and eventually violates love.
The reason for the letter is discovered in the words, "deceivers are gone forth." The heresy of these teachers was the denial of the Incarnation, "Jesus Christ coming in the flesh." The apostle referred to supposedly progressive teaching. There were those who were "going on." Progress which denies fundamental Truth is retrogression. All development which is destruction is disastrous. So important is this that the apostle urged that no hospitality or greeting is to be given to those who by false teaching imperil the life and light and love of the believer.
The teaching of the letter may thus be summarized. Christianity is love. Love is dependent on the light of Truth. To deny the Truth is to make love impossible. The continued experience of fellowship is dependent on the continued fact of fellowship in love and light and life. The continued fact of fellowship is proved by the continued experience of fellowship.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
2 John Chapter 1 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The apostle salutes the elect lady and her children. -- (1-3)
- Express his joy in their faith and love. -- (4-6)
- Cautions them against deceivers. -- (7-11)
- And concludes. -- (12, 13)
Verses 1-3
Religion turns compliments into real expressions of respect and love. And old disciple is honourable; an old apostle and leader of disciples is more so. The letter is to a noble Christian matron, and her children; it is well that the gospel should get among such: some noble persons are called. Families are to be encouraged and directed in their love and duties at home. Those who love truth and piety in themselves, should love it in others; and the Christians loved this lady, not for her rank, but for her holiness. And where religion truly dwells, it will abide for ever. From the Divine Persons of the Godhead, the apostle craves grace, Divine favour, and good-will, the spring of all good things. It is grace indeed that any spiritual blessing should be given to sinful mortals. Mercy, free pardon, and forgiveness; for those already rich in grace, need continual forgiveness. Peace, quietness of spirit, and a clear conscience, in assured reconciliation with God, together with all outward prosperity that is really for good: these are desired in truth and love.
Verses 4-6
It is good to be trained to early religion; and children may be beloved for their parents' sake. It gave great joy to the apostle to see children treading in their parents' steps, and likely in their turn to support the gospel. May God bless such families more and more, and raise up many to copy their example. How pleasing the contrast to numbers who spread irreligion, infidelity, and vice, among their children! Our walk is true, our converse right, when according to the word of God. This commandment of mutual Christian love, may be said to be a new one, in respect of its being declared by the Lord Christ; yet, as to the matter, it is old. And this is love to our own souls, that we obey the Divine commands. The foresight of the decay of this love, as well as of other apostacies, or fallings away, might engage the apostle to urge this duty, and this command, frequently and earnestly.
Verses 7-11
The deceiver and his deceit are described: he brings some error concerning the person or office of the Lord Jesus. Such a one is a deceiver and an antichrist; he deludes souls, and undermines the glory and kingdom of the Lord Christ. Let us not think it strange, that there are deceivers and opposers of the Lord Christ's name and dignity now, for there were such, even in the apostles' times. The more deceivers and deceits abound, the more watchful the disciples must be. Sad it is, that splendid attainments in the school of Christ, should ever be lost. The way to gain the full reward is, to abide true to Christ, and constant in religion to the end. Firm cleaving to Christian truth unites us to Christ, and thereby to the Father also; for they are one. Let us equally disregard such as abide not in the doctrine of Christ, and those who transgress his commands. Any who did not profess and preach the doctrine of Christ, respecting him as the Son of God, and salvation by him from guilt and sin, were not to be noticed and countenanced. Yet in obeying this command, we must show kindness and a good spirit to those who differ from us in lesser matters, but hold firmly the all-important doctrines of Christ's person, atonement, and holy salvation.
Verses 12, 13
The apostle refers many things to a personal meeting. Pen and ink were means of strengthening and comforting others; but to see each other is more so. The communion of saints should be maintained by all methods; and should tend to mutual joy. In communion with them we find much of our present joy, and look forward to happiness for ever.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.