The Second Epistle of John

This Epistle is written to a woman of great renown,  4 who brought up her children in the fear of God:  6 he exhorteth her to continue in Christian charity, 7 that she accompany not with Antichrists, 10 but avoid them.

The Elder to the [a]elect [b]Lady, and her children, [c]whom I love in the truth: and not I only, but also all that have known the truth,

For the truth’s sake which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us forever:

Grace be with you, mercy and peace from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Father, with [d]truth and love.

[e]I rejoiced greatly, that I found of thy children walking in [f]truth, as we have received a commandment of the Father.

And now beseech I thee, Lady, (not as writing a new commandment unto thee, but the same which we had from the beginning) that we (A)love one another.

And this is that love that we should walk after his commandments. This commandment is, that as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

[g]For many deceivers are entered into this world, which confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. He that is such one, is a deceiver and an Antichrist.

[h][i]Look to yourselves, that we lose not the things, which we have done, but that we may receive a full reward.

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that continueth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

10 [j]If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, (B)receive him not to house, neither bid him Godspeed.

11 For he that biddeth him Godspeed, is partaker of his evil deeds. Although I had many things to write unto you, yet would I not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak mouth to mouth, that our joy may be full.

12 The sons of thine elect sister greet thee, Amen.

Footnotes

  1. 2 John 1:1 This is no proper name, but to be taken as the word soundeth, that is to say to the worthy and noble Lady.
  2. 2 John 1:1 Excellent and honorable Dame.
  3. 2 John 1:1 The bond of Christian conjunction or linking together, is the true and constant profession of the truth.
  4. 2 John 1:3 With true knowledge, which hath always love joined with it, and following it.
  5. 2 John 1:4 This true profession consisteth both in love one toward another which the Lord hath commanded, and also especially in wholesome and sound doctrine, which also is delivered unto us: for the commandment of God is a sound and sure foundation both of the rule of manners and of doctrine, and these cannot be separated the one from the other.
  6. 2 John 1:4 According as the truth directeth them.
  7. 2 John 1:7 Antichrists fighting against the person and office of Christ, were already crept into the Church in the time of the Apostles.
  8. 2 John 1:8 He that maketh shipwreck of doctrine, loseth all.
  9. 2 John 1:8 Beware and take good heed.
  10. 2 John 1:10 We ought to have nothing to do with them that defend perverse doctrine.

Greetings from John

From:[a] The Elder

To: The chosen lady and her children, whom I genuinely love, and not only I but also all who know the truth, that is present in us and will be with us forever.

Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus[b] the Messiah,[c] the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

Living in the Truth

I was overjoyed to find some of your[d] children living truthfully, just as the Father has commanded us. Dear lady, I am now requesting of you[e] that we all continue to love one another. It is not as though I am writing to give you[f] a new commandment, but one that we have had from the beginning. And this is what demonstrates[g] love: that we live according to God’s[h] commandments. Just as you[i] have heard from the beginning what he commanded, you[j] must live by it.

Reject False Teachers

For many deceivers have gone out into the world. They refuse to acknowledge Jesus the Messiah[k] as having become human. Any such person is a deceiver and an antichrist. See[l] to it that you[m] don’t destroy what we have[n] worked for, but that you[o] receive your[p] full reward. Everyone who does not remain true to the teaching of the Messiah,[q] but goes beyond it, does not have God. The person who remains true to the teaching of the Messiah[r] has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you[s] but does not present his teachings,[t] do not receive[u] him into your house or even welcome[v] him, 11 because the one who welcomes him shares in his evil deeds.

Final Greeting

12 Although I have a great deal to write to you,[w] I would prefer not to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete. 13 The children of your[x] chosen sister greet you.[y]

Footnotes

  1. 2 John 1:1 The Gk. lacks From
  2. 2 John 1:3 Other mss. read the Lord Jesus
  3. 2 John 1:3 Or Christ
  4. 2 John 1:4 Lit. your (sing.)
  5. 2 John 1:5 Lit. you (sing.)
  6. 2 John 1:5 Lit. you (sing.)
  7. 2 John 1:6 The Gk. lacks what demonstrates
  8. 2 John 1:6 Lit. his
  9. 2 John 1:6 Lit. you (pl.)
  10. 2 John 1:6 Lit. you (pl.)
  11. 2 John 1:7 Or Christ
  12. 2 John 1:8 The Gk. verb is pl.
  13. 2 John 1:8 Lit. you (pl.)
  14. 2 John 1:8 Other mss. read you have
  15. 2 John 1:8 Lit. you (pl.)
  16. 2 John 1:8 Lit. your (pl.)
  17. 2 John 1:9 Or Christ
  18. 2 John 1:9 Or Christ
  19. 2 John 1:10 Lit. you (pl.)
  20. 2 John 1:10 Lit. this teaching
  21. 2 John 1:10 The Gk. verb is pl.
  22. 2 John 1:10 The Gk. verb is pl.
  23. 2 John 1:12 Lit. you (pl.)
  24. 2 John 1:13 Lit. you (sing.)
  25. 2 John 1:13 Other mss. read you. Amen

The elder,(A)

To the lady chosen by God(B) and to her children, whom I love in the truth(C)—and not I only, but also all who know the truth(D) because of the truth,(E) which lives in us(F) and will be with us forever:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ,(G) the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.

It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth,(H) just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning.(I) I ask that we love one another. And this is love:(J) that we walk in obedience to his commands.(K) As you have heard from the beginning,(L) his command is that you walk in love.

I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ(M) as coming in the flesh,(N) have gone out into the world.(O) Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.(P) Watch out that you do not lose what we[a] have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.(Q) Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ(R) does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.(S) 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them.(T) 11 Anyone who welcomes them shares(U) in their wicked work.

12 I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face,(V) so that our joy may be complete.(W)

13 The children of your sister, who is chosen by God,(X) send their greetings.

Footnotes

  1. 2 John 1:8 Some manuscripts you