2 John 1:5
Verse
Context
Walking in the Truth
4I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us.5And now I urge you, dear lady—not as a new commandment to you, but one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another.6And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the very commandment you have heard from the beginning, that you must walk in love.
Sermons
Stephen Olford
Zac Poonen
Daniel SteeleSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
That which we had from the beginning - The commandment to love one another was what they had heard from the first publication of Christianity, and what he wishes this excellent woman to inculcate on all those under her care. The mode of address here shows that it was a person, not a Church, to which the apostle wrote.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
I beseech--rather (compare Note, see on Jo1 5:16), "I request thee," implying some degree of authority. not . . . new commandment--It was old in that Christians heard it from the first in the Gospel preaching; new, in that the Gospel rested love on the new principle of filial imitation of God who first loved us, and gave Jesus to die for us; and also, in that love is now set forth with greater clearness than in the Old Testament dispensation. Love performs both tables of the law, and is the end of the law and the Gospel alike (compare Notes, see on Jo1 2:7-8). that we--implying that he already had love, and urging her to join him in the same Christian grace. This verse seems to me to decide that a Church, not an individual lady, is meant. For a man to urge a woman ("THEE"; not thee and thy children) that he and she should love one another, is hardly like an apostolic precept, however pure may be the love enjoined; but all is clear if "the lady" represent a Church.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And now I beseech thee, lady,.... Or "Kyria", which word the Syriac and Arabic versions retain, as if it was a proper name: the apostle having finished the inscription, salutation, and congratulation in the preceding verses, passes to an exhortation and entreaty to observe the commandment of love to one another, which is not a new commandment, but what was from the beginning: not as though I wrote a new commandment, &c. See Gill on Jo1 2:7 and See Gill on Jo1 2:8.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
We come now more into the design and substance of the epistle; and here we have, I. The apostle's request: Now, I beseech thee, lady. Considering what it is that he entreats, the way of address is very remarkable; it is not any particular boon or bounty to himself, but common duty and observance of divine command. Here he might command or charge; but harsher measures are worse than needless where milder will prevail; and the apostolical spirit is, of all other, the most tender and endearing. Whether out of deference to her ladyship, or apostolical meekness, or both, he condescends to beseech: And now I beseech thee, lady. He may be supposed speaking as another apostle does to a certain master to whom he writes: Wherefore, though I might be very bold in Christ (and according to the power with which Christ hath entrusted me) to enjoin thee that which is convenient, yet, for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such a one as the aged, the elder. Love will avail where authority will not; and we may often see that the more authority is urged the more it is slighted. The apostolical minister will love and beseech his friends into their duty. II. The thing requested of the lady and her children - Christian sacred love: That we love one another, Jo2 1:5. Those that are eminent in any Christian virtue have yet room to grow therein. But, as touching brotherly love, you need not that I write unto you; for you yourselves are taught of God to love one another. But we beseech you, brethren (and sisters), that you increase more and more, Th1 4:9, Th1 4:10. 1. This love is recommended, (1.) From the obligation thereto - the commandment. Divine command should sway our mind and heart. (2.) From the antiquity of the obligation: Not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, Jo2 1:5. This commandment of mutual Christian love may be said to be a new one in respect of its new enaction and sanction by the Lord Christ; but yet, as to the matter of it (mutual holy love), it is as old as natural, Jewish, or Christian religion. This commandment must every where attend Christianity, that the disciples of it must love one another. 2. Then this love is illustrated from the fruitful nature of it: And this is love, that we walk after his commandments, Jo2 1:5. This is the test of our love to God, our obedience to him. This is love to ourselves, to our own souls, that we walk in obedience to divine commands. In keeping them there is great reward. This is love to one another, to engage one another to walk in holiness; and this is the evidence of our sincere, mutual, Christian love - that we (in other things) walk after God's commands. There may be mutual love that is not religious and Christian; but we know ours to be so, by our attendance to all other commands besides that of mutual love. Universal obedience is the proof of the goodness and sincerity of Christian virtues; and those that aim at all Christian obedience will be sure to attend to Christian love. This is a fundamental duty in the gospel-charter: This is the commandment, that, as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it (Jo2 1:6), that is, walk in this love. The foresight of the decay of this love, as well as of other apostasy, might engage the apostle to inculcate this duty, and this primordial command, the more frequently, the more earnestly.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
1:5 I am writing to remind you, dear friends: Literally I urge you, lady. See study note on 1:1.
2 John 1:5
Walking in the Truth
4I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us.5And now I urge you, dear lady—not as a new commandment to you, but one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another.6And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the very commandment you have heard from the beginning, that you must walk in love.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Christians Must Perform the Truth - Part 1
By Stephen Olford2.0K53:56TruthMAT 22:37JHN 4:34JHN 13:341CO 13:41JN 2:72JN 1:5In this sermon, the preacher presents two main propositions. The first proposition is that obedience to truth indicates the authority of God in our lives. The second proposition is that obedience to truth demonstrates the activity of God in our lives. The preacher emphasizes the importance of love for our neighbors and highlights a story of a girl who came to Christ and became a leading officer in the Salvation Army. The sermon also emphasizes the need to love God with all our heart and soul, expressing our love for Him with intensity and emotion. The preacher encourages the congregation to live out their faith by actively helping those in need and by embodying the teachings of the Bible.
(Through the Bible) 2 & 3 John, Jude
By Zac Poonen63453:142JN 1:5
This sermon emphasizes the importance of obeying God's commandments, warning against false teachers, and the need to love one another. It highlights the examples of Enoch, who walked with God and preached judgment, and the consequences of jealousy, greed, and rebellion seen in Cain, Balaam, and Korah. The message urges believers to contend for the faith, keep themselves in the love of God, and trust in God's ability to keep them from falling.
3. St. John's Literary Activity
By Daniel Steele0JHN 1:11JN 4:12JN 1:53JN 1:9REV 1:1Daniel Steele delves into the authorship and characteristics of the writings of St. John in the Bible. St. John's first book, the Apocalypse, was written in the early seventh decade of the first century, while his Gospel and Epistles were penned later, showcasing his development in style and purpose. The Gospel emphasizes the divinity of Jesus Christ, while the Epistles address doctrinal errors and encourage love, obedience, and discernment among believers.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
That which we had from the beginning - The commandment to love one another was what they had heard from the first publication of Christianity, and what he wishes this excellent woman to inculcate on all those under her care. The mode of address here shows that it was a person, not a Church, to which the apostle wrote.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
I beseech--rather (compare Note, see on Jo1 5:16), "I request thee," implying some degree of authority. not . . . new commandment--It was old in that Christians heard it from the first in the Gospel preaching; new, in that the Gospel rested love on the new principle of filial imitation of God who first loved us, and gave Jesus to die for us; and also, in that love is now set forth with greater clearness than in the Old Testament dispensation. Love performs both tables of the law, and is the end of the law and the Gospel alike (compare Notes, see on Jo1 2:7-8). that we--implying that he already had love, and urging her to join him in the same Christian grace. This verse seems to me to decide that a Church, not an individual lady, is meant. For a man to urge a woman ("THEE"; not thee and thy children) that he and she should love one another, is hardly like an apostolic precept, however pure may be the love enjoined; but all is clear if "the lady" represent a Church.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And now I beseech thee, lady,.... Or "Kyria", which word the Syriac and Arabic versions retain, as if it was a proper name: the apostle having finished the inscription, salutation, and congratulation in the preceding verses, passes to an exhortation and entreaty to observe the commandment of love to one another, which is not a new commandment, but what was from the beginning: not as though I wrote a new commandment, &c. See Gill on Jo1 2:7 and See Gill on Jo1 2:8.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
We come now more into the design and substance of the epistle; and here we have, I. The apostle's request: Now, I beseech thee, lady. Considering what it is that he entreats, the way of address is very remarkable; it is not any particular boon or bounty to himself, but common duty and observance of divine command. Here he might command or charge; but harsher measures are worse than needless where milder will prevail; and the apostolical spirit is, of all other, the most tender and endearing. Whether out of deference to her ladyship, or apostolical meekness, or both, he condescends to beseech: And now I beseech thee, lady. He may be supposed speaking as another apostle does to a certain master to whom he writes: Wherefore, though I might be very bold in Christ (and according to the power with which Christ hath entrusted me) to enjoin thee that which is convenient, yet, for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such a one as the aged, the elder. Love will avail where authority will not; and we may often see that the more authority is urged the more it is slighted. The apostolical minister will love and beseech his friends into their duty. II. The thing requested of the lady and her children - Christian sacred love: That we love one another, Jo2 1:5. Those that are eminent in any Christian virtue have yet room to grow therein. But, as touching brotherly love, you need not that I write unto you; for you yourselves are taught of God to love one another. But we beseech you, brethren (and sisters), that you increase more and more, Th1 4:9, Th1 4:10. 1. This love is recommended, (1.) From the obligation thereto - the commandment. Divine command should sway our mind and heart. (2.) From the antiquity of the obligation: Not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, Jo2 1:5. This commandment of mutual Christian love may be said to be a new one in respect of its new enaction and sanction by the Lord Christ; but yet, as to the matter of it (mutual holy love), it is as old as natural, Jewish, or Christian religion. This commandment must every where attend Christianity, that the disciples of it must love one another. 2. Then this love is illustrated from the fruitful nature of it: And this is love, that we walk after his commandments, Jo2 1:5. This is the test of our love to God, our obedience to him. This is love to ourselves, to our own souls, that we walk in obedience to divine commands. In keeping them there is great reward. This is love to one another, to engage one another to walk in holiness; and this is the evidence of our sincere, mutual, Christian love - that we (in other things) walk after God's commands. There may be mutual love that is not religious and Christian; but we know ours to be so, by our attendance to all other commands besides that of mutual love. Universal obedience is the proof of the goodness and sincerity of Christian virtues; and those that aim at all Christian obedience will be sure to attend to Christian love. This is a fundamental duty in the gospel-charter: This is the commandment, that, as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it (Jo2 1:6), that is, walk in this love. The foresight of the decay of this love, as well as of other apostasy, might engage the apostle to inculcate this duty, and this primordial command, the more frequently, the more earnestly.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
1:5 I am writing to remind you, dear friends: Literally I urge you, lady. See study note on 1:1.