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¹ The 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;
² For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
³ Grace 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.
⁴ I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
⁵ And 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.
⁶ 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.
⁷ 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.
⁸ Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
⁹ 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.
¹⁰ If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
¹¹ For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
¹² Having 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.
¹³ The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
🕊️ Truth, Love, and Warnings Against Deceivers 🕊️
“And this is love, that we walk after his commandments.” – 2 John 1:6
The Book of 2 John is a short but powerful letter written by the Apostle John. It serves as a loving reminder to the elect lady and her children to continue walking in truth and love, two foundational pillars of the Christian life. It also issues a strong warning against those who deceive and deny that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. Though brief, this epistle holds eternal weight as it reinforces obedience, discernment, and unwavering commitment to God’s commandments.
📜 Structure of 2 John
Verses 1–3: A Greeting Rooted in Truth
John opens with a greeting to the “elect lady and her children,” a reference either to a noble Christian woman or symbolically to the Church. He immediately affirms the shared bond in truth, which “dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.”
Verses 4–6: Walking in Love and Obedience
John expresses joy that some of her children are walking in truth. He then reminds her that love is shown through obedience to God’s commandments. He reiterates the foundational teaching: “that we love one another” (see also Parables of Jesus on love).
Verses 7–11: Warning Against Deceivers
John sternly warns of deceivers—those who deny the incarnation of Christ. These antichrists pose a serious spiritual threat. Believers are instructed not to receive such deceivers into their homes nor bless them, lest they become partakers of their evil deeds (linked to Apocrypha: Wisdom warnings).
Verses 12–13: Closing and Encouragement
John closes with the desire to speak face to face rather than through pen and ink. His heart longs for complete joy in true fellowship. He also sends greetings from “the children of thy elect sister.”
💡 Key Themes
✨Truth and Love Are Inseparable
Truth without love becomes harsh. Love without truth becomes hollow. John shows that walking in truth is love—and love is expressed through obedience to God’s Word.
✨Spiritual Discernment
The warning against deceivers reminds us to guard doctrine carefully. Not everyone who claims to follow Christ honors Him in truth. Testing the spirits is essential (see FAQ on spiritual deception).
✨Faithful Fellowship
John values face-to-face fellowship. In an age of letters, he still longed for intimate, joyful connection—a timeless reminder of the power of authentic Christian community (see Cloud of Witnesses).
👤 Key People
- The Elder (John) – Apostle of love and truth, deeply protective of the flock.
- The Elect Lady – Possibly a specific woman or symbol of the Church, embodying faith and hospitality.
- Her Children – Literal children or members of her household congregation.
- Deceivers – False teachers who deny Christ’s incarnation, called “antichrists.”
🔥 Why This Book Matters
2 John serves as a profound reminder of the necessity to live in truth and love. This short letter emphasizes how obedience to God’s commandments is the true expression of love. In today’s world, where many ideas about truth are subjective, John’s epistle reaffirms that God’s Word is the standard for both our actions and our relationships.
The warning against deceivers is crucial—John underscores the importance of discerning false teachings that can lead believers astray. This lesson is ever-relevant as we live in an age of misinformation, where many claim to speak for Christ but contradict the core truths of His incarnation and gospel.
Ultimately, this book matters because it challenges us to stay grounded in both truth and love, protect the purity of the gospel, and value real, face-to-face fellowship within the body of Christ. It reminds us that our walk in faith is not just personal but communal, meant to be shared in the truth of God’s Word.
💭 Let’s Reflect
- Are you walking in both truth and love in your daily life?
- How do you guard yourself and others against false teachings in this digital age?
- Do you value authentic, in-person fellowship as John did?
❓Ready to Go Deeper?
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