2 John 1

King James Version

Full text for 2 John Chapter 1

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;

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

10¶ If 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.

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.

13The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

The Elder writes to an elect lady and her children, expressing love in truth and rejoicing that her children walk in truth. He reiterates the ancient commandment to love one another, defining love as walking in God's commandments. The chapter warns against many deceivers who deny Jesus Christ's incarnation, identifying them as antichrists. Believers are instructed not to support such false teachers, lest they partake in their evil deeds.

Medium Summary

The Elder begins by addressing an elect lady and her children, affirming his love for them in the truth, which he states dwells within all believers. He extends a greeting of grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The Elder expresses great joy upon finding some of her children walking in truth, in accordance with the Father's commandment. He then earnestly beseeches the lady to continue in the commandment of love, which was known from the beginning, explaining that true love is demonstrated by walking after God's commandments. A significant warning is issued concerning many deceivers who deny that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, identifying them as antichrists. Believers are admonished to guard themselves to ensure they receive a full reward and to abide steadfastly in the doctrine of Christ, for only then do they possess both the Father and the Son. Consequently, the Elder instructs them not to offer hospitality or support to anyone who brings a different doctrine, lest they become partakers in their evil deeds.

Long Summary

The epistle opens with the Elder's address to an "elect lady" and her children, expressing a profound love for them founded "in the truth," a sentiment shared by all who know the truth, which is said to dwell in believers eternally. He invokes a blessing of "grace, mercy, and peace" from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, emphasizing their connection "in truth and love." The Elder conveys his immense joy upon discovering that some of the lady's children are "walking in truth," aligning with the commandments received from the Father. He then earnestly appeals to the lady, not to introduce a new precept, but to uphold the foundational commandment that believers "love one another," a principle established "from the beginning." This love is further defined as "walking after his commandments," thereby making obedience the practical expression of love. A critical warning follows regarding the emergence of "many deceivers" who have entered the world, specifically those who "confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh," identifying such individuals as "a deceiver and an antichrist." Believers are urged to be vigilant, to "look to yourselves," lest they lose their spiritual labor and fail to "receive a full reward." The Elder stresses that anyone who "transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God," while those who remain in Christ's doctrine possess "both the Father and the Son." Consequently, a strict instruction is given: if anyone arrives bringing a doctrine contrary to Christ's, they are not to be received into the house nor given any greeting of "God speed," for such support would render one "partaker of his evil deeds." The Elder concludes by expressing a desire for a personal visit rather than writing further, hoping for a face-to-face encounter to make their "joy full," and conveys greetings from the children of the elect sister.

Core Concepts

  • TruthTruth is presented as the foundation of the Elder's love for the elect lady and her children, dwelling in believers and enduring forever, guiding their walk and adherence to God's commandments.
  • Love One AnotherThis is identified as an ancient commandment from the beginning, with its practical expression being to "walk after his commandments," thereby demonstrating obedience.
  • Deceivers and AntichristThese are individuals who deny the essential doctrine that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, actively seeking to mislead believers and undermine the true faith.
  • Doctrine of ChristThis refers to the fundamental teachings concerning Jesus Christ, particularly His incarnation, which believers must abide in to maintain their relationship with God the Father and the Son.
  • Hospitality Towards False TeachersBelievers are explicitly instructed not to welcome or offer support to those who bring a doctrine contrary to Christ's, as doing so would make them complicit in their evil deeds.
  • Walking in CommandmentsThis phrase signifies the practical, obedient lifestyle of believers, which is presented as the very definition and demonstration of true love for God.