2 John 1
1
1#1] The chosen Lady: literally, “elected”; this could also be translated “Kyria (a woman’s name) chosen (by God)” or “the lady Electa” or “Electa Kyria.” The adjective “chosen” is applied to all Christians at the beginning of other New Testament letters (1 Pt 1:1; Ti 1:1). The description is of a specific community with “children” who are its members. The truth: the affirmation of Jesus in the flesh and in contrast to false teaching (2 Jn 7).#1] Jn 8:32; 3 Jn 1.The Presbyter to the chosen Lady and to her children whom I love in truth—and not only I but also all who know the truth— 2because of the truth that dwells in us and will be with us forever. 3Grace, mercy, and peace#3] Grace, mercy, and peace: like 1 Timothy; 2 Timothy this letter adds mercy to the terms used frequently in a salutation to describe Christian blessing; it appears only here in the Johannine writings. The author also puts the blessing in relation to truth and love, the watchwords of the Johannine teaching. The Father’s Son: the title that affirms the close relationship of Christ to God; similar variations of this title occur elsewhere (Jn 1:14; 3:35), but the precise wording is not found elsewhere in the New Testament. will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son in truth and love.
4I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children#4] Some of your children: this refers to those whom the Presbyter has recently encountered, but it may also indicate the presence of false doctrine in the community: the Presbyter encourages those who have remained faithful. Walking in the truth: an expression used in the Johannine writings to describe a way of living in which the Christian faith is visibly expressed; cf. 1 Jn 1:6–7; 2:6, 11; 3 Jn 3. walking in the truth just as we were commanded by the Father.#4] 3 Jn 3. 5But now, Lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing a new commandment but the one we have had from the beginning: let us love one another.#5] Jn 13:34; 15:12; 1 Jn 4:7. 6For this is love, that we walk according to his commandments;#6] His commandments: cf. 1 Jn 3:23; 2:7–8; 4:21; obedience to the commandment of faith and love includes all others. this is the commandment, as you heard from the beginning, in which you should walk.#6] Jn 13:34; 14:15; 1 Jn 5:3.
7#7] 1 Jn 2:22; 4:2.Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh; such is the deceitful one and the antichrist.#7] The antichrist: see 1 Jn 2:18–19, 22; 4:3. 8Look to yourselves that you#8] You (plural): it is not certain whether this means the Christians addressed or includes the Presbyter, since some of the ancient Greek manuscripts and Greek Fathers have “we.” do not lose what we worked for but may receive a full recompense. 9#9] Jn 8:31; 1 Jn 2:23; 4:15.Anyone who is so “progressive”#9] Anyone who is so “progressive”: literally, “Anyone who goes ahead.” Some gnostic groups held the doctrine of the Christ come in the flesh to be a first step in belief, which the more advanced and spiritual believer surpassed and abandoned in his knowledge of the spiritual Christ. The author affirms that fellowship with God may be gained only by holding to the complete doctrine of Jesus Christ (1 Jn 2:22–23; 4:2; 5:5–6). as not to remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God; whoever remains in the teaching has the Father and the Son. 10#10–11] At this time false teachers were considered so dangerous and divisive as to be shunned completely. From this description they seem to be wandering preachers. We see here a natural suspicion of early Christians concerning such itinerants and can envisage the problems faced by missionaries such as those mentioned in 3 Jn 10.If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him in your house or even greet him;#10] Rom 16:17; 2 Thes 3:6. 11for whoever greets him shares in his evil works.
12#12] Our joy: a number of other Greek manuscripts read “your joy.”Although I have much to write to you, I do not intend to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and to speak face to face so that our joy may be complete.#12] Jn 15:11; 1 Jn 1:4; 3 Jn 13. 13The children of your chosen sister#13] Chosen sister: the community of which the Presbyter is now a part greets you (singular), the community of the Lady addressed. send you greetings.
Currently Selected:
2 John 1: NABRE
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc
2 John 1
1
1The Elder to the choice Kyria, and to her children, whom I love in truth, and not I only, but also all those having known the truth,
2because of the truth that is remaining in us, and with us shall be to the age,
3there shall be with you grace, kindness, peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4I rejoiced exceedingly that I have found of thy children walking in truth, even as a command we did receive from the Father;
5and now I beseech thee, Kyria, not as writing to thee a new command, but which we had from the beginning, that we may love one another,
6and this is the love, that we may walk according to His commands; this is the command, even as ye did hear from the beginning, that in it ye may walk,
7because many leading astray did enter into the world, who are not confessing Jesus Christ coming in flesh; this one is he who is leading astray, and the antichrist.
8See to yourselves that ye may not lose the things that we wrought, but a full reward may receive;
9every one who is transgressing, and is not remaining in the teaching of the Christ, hath not God; he who is remaining in the teaching of the Christ, this one hath both the Father and the Son;
10if any one doth come unto you, and this teaching doth not bear, receive him not into the house, and say not to him, ‘Hail!’
11for he who is saying to him, ‘Hail,’ hath fellowship with his evil works.
12Many things having to write to you, I did not intend through paper and ink, but I hope to come unto you, and speak mouth to mouth, that our joy may be full;
13salute thee do the children of thy choice sister. Amen.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society