1
From the elder to the chosen Lady and her children, whom I truly love—not I only, but also all who have known the truth,
2
for the sake of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever.
3
Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father, and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4
I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we received commandment from the Father.
5
And now I ask you, Lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we had from the beginning—that we love one another.
6
And this is love: that we walk according to His commandments. And this is the commandment, that you should walk in love, as you have heard from the beginning.
7
For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.
8
Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward.
9
Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever abides in that teaching has both the Father and the Son.
10
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him greeting.
11
For whoever gives him greeting shares in his evil deeds.
12
Though I have many things to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that our joy may be made full.
13
The children of your chosen sister greet you.
📖 2 John 1 – Truth and Love in Christ
🧾 Summary of the Passage
This letter is written by “the elder” (most likely the Apostle John) to “the chosen lady and her children”—perhaps a local church or a respected woman and her household. Its message is an exhortation to continue walking in love and truth, and to reject false teachers who deny that Jesus came in the flesh.
📘 Explanation of the Passage
| Section | Verses | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Greeting and Praise for Faithfulness | 1–4 | John rejoices because some of the children of the “chosen lady” are walking in the truth. Truth and love always go together. |
| The Command to Walk in Love | 5–6 | John reminds us that love for God is shown through obedience to His commandments, especially loving one another. |
| Warning against Deceivers | 7–11 | Many deceivers have gone out, denying that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. Do not receive them or give them a place, lest you share in their wrongdoing. |
| Closing | 12–13 | John wishes to write more in person rather than by letter. He sends greetings from “the children of your chosen sister” (likely another congregation). |
🔥 Key Points
Truth and Love Must Be Balanced
Living in truth must not neglect love. Likewise, true love does not approve of misleading teaching (v. 3).
Love = Obedience
To love God means to live according to His commandments (v. 6), not merely to feel affection.
The Danger of False Teaching
Teaching that denies Jesus came in the flesh is called the deceiver and the antichrist (v. 7).
Do Not Welcome False Teachers
Receiving false teachers openly is counted as sharing in their evil work (vv. 10–11).
📖 Key Verse
“And this is love: that we walk according to His commandments. And this is the commandment, that you should walk in love, as you have heard from the beginning.”
— 2 John 1:6
“For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.”
— 2 John 1:7
💡 Spiritual Meaning
This letter affirms that the life of believers must be rooted in love and stand upon the truth. In a world filled with compromise and false teaching, it is important not only to love, but also to be watchful and firm in sound doctrine.
