2 John 1
1
Walk According to His Commandments
1The elder [of the church addresses this letter] to the elect (chosen) #1:1 Many scholars believe the words “lady and her children” refer to a specific woman and her family; some others view the words “lady and her children” as the personification of a church and its members.lady and her children, whom I love in truth—and not only I, but also all who know and understand the truth— 2because of the truth which lives in our hearts and will be with us forever: 3Grace, mercy, and peace (inner calm, a sense of spiritual well-being) will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, in truth and love.
4I was greatly delighted to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father. 5Now I ask you, lady, not as if I were writing to you a new commandment, but [simply reminding you of] the one which we have had from the beginning, that we #1:5 The key to understanding this and other statements about love is to know that this love (the Greek word agape) is not so much a matter of emotion as it is of doing things for the benefit of another person, that is, having an unselfish concern for another and a willingness to seek the best for another.love and unselfishly seek the best for one another. 6And this is love: that we walk in accordance with His commandments and are guided continually by His precepts. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should [always] walk in love.
7For many deceivers [heretics, posing as Christians] have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge and confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh (bodily form). This [person, the kind who does this] is the deceiver and the #1:7 John is not referring to the Antichrist of Revelation, but is using the term generally of anyone who is opposed to the cause of Christ.antichrist [that is, the antagonist of Christ]. 8Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have accomplished together, but that you may receive a full and perfect reward [when He grants rewards to faithful believers]. 9Anyone who runs on ahead and does not remain in the doctrine of Christ [that is, one who is not content with what He taught], does not have God; but the one who continues to remain in the teaching [of Christ does have God], he has both the Father and the Son. 10If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching [but diminishes or adds to the doctrine of Christ], do not receive or welcome him into your house, and do not give him a greeting or any encouragement; 11for the one who gives him a greeting [who encourages him or wishes him success, unwittingly] participates in his evil deeds.
12I have many things to write to you, but I prefer not to do so with paper (papyrus) and black (ink); but I hope to come to you and speak with you #1:12 Lit mouth to mouth.face to face, so that #1:12 One early ms reads our.your joy may be complete. [Num 12:8]
13The children of your elect (chosen) sister greet you.
Currently Selected:
2 John 1: AMP
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Amplified® Bible
Copyright © 2015 by
The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631
All rights reserved. http://www.lockman.org
2 John 1
1
Greetings
1This letter is from John, the elder.#1:1a Greek From the elder.
I am writing to the chosen lady and to her children,#1:1b Or the church God has chosen and its members. whom I love in the truth—as does everyone else who knows the truth— 2because the truth lives in us and will be with us forever.
3Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love.
Live in the Truth
4How happy I was to meet some of your children and find them living according to the truth, just as the Father commanded.
5I am writing to remind you, dear friends,#1:5 Greek I urge you, lady. that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning. 6Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.
7I say this because many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus Christ came#1:7 Or will come. in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8Watch out that you do not lose what we#1:8 Some manuscripts read you. have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward. 9Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son.
10If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. 11Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work.
Conclusion
12I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to do it with paper and ink. For I hope to visit you soon and talk with you face to face. Then our joy will be complete.
13Greetings from the children of your sister,#1:13 Or from the members of your sister church. chosen by God.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.
For more information about the NLT: