2 John 1

John, writing as the elder, sends a short letter to a Christian woman and her children. He celebrates their life in truth and love, and calls them to keep loving one another. He warns them against traveling teachers who deny that Jesus came in the flesh, and tells them not to give such teachers a welcome.

2 John 1:1

John calls himself simply the elder. He writes to a chosen lady and her children. This may be an individual woman or a local church; either way, John loves them in the truth, and so do all believers who know that truth. Love and truth belong together.

BSA: chosen (“select, favored by God”): Her standing rests on God’s favor toward her, not on her own achievement. truth (“the reality of God’s Word”): Truth here is solid reality found in God’s Word, not just correct ideas.

Greek: πρεσβύτερος (presbyteros, G4245) — “elder, older man.” The word means an older man and also a recognized leader in the church. John uses a warm, humble title instead of stressing his authority.

2 John 1:2

The reason for their love is the truth itself. It is not a passing idea. It abides in believers and will be with them forever. What God has made real in us does not fade, and that gives their fellowship a lasting foundation.

BSA: abides (“remains, dwells”): The truth makes its home in believers and stays there.

Greek: μένουσαν (menousan, G3306) — “remaining, abiding.” This is John’s favorite word for staying put in a settled, living relationship. The truth does not visit us; it takes up residence.

2 John 1:3

John’s greeting is more than a wish. Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, he says, as a gift from the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father. They come in truth and love, the two themes of the letter.

BSA: mercy (“showing pity, compassion”): God meets our need with tender compassion, not only with correct treatment. peace (“harmony, freedom from war”): Peace here means being at rest with God, not just feeling calm.

See also: 1 Timothy 1:2.

2 John 1:4

John is overjoyed to meet some of her children living out the truth. He points to the Father’s own command as the pattern. Faith is meant to be walked, step by step, and a believer’s steady walk brings joy to those who care for them.

BSA: walking (“living, conducting their lives”): Truth is shown in the everyday way a person lives.

Greek: περιπατοῦντας (peripatountas, G4043) — “walking about.” The Greek pictures a steady, daily walk. Truth is to shape every ordinary step of life.

See also: 3 John 1:4.

2 John 1:5

John urges that we love one another. He says this is no new command, but the one given from the beginning of their life in Christ. He is not offering a fresh idea. He is calling them back to what they first received.

BSA: beginning (“the start, origin of our faith”): The call to love goes back to the very start of their Christian life.

See also: John 13:34; 1 John 2:7.

2 John 1:6

John says what love looks like in practice. It is walking according to God’s commandments. Love is not just a warm feeling; it is obedience shown in daily life. The command to walk in love is the same one they heard from the start.

BSA: commandments (“divine instructions, ordinances”): God’s instructions are the shape that love takes in practice.

See also: John 14:15; 1 John 5:3.

2 John 1:7

Many deceivers have gone out into the world. They refuse to confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. John treats this denial as serious, because the real, human life and death of Jesus is at the heart of the gospel. Such a person opposes Christ.

BSA: deceivers (“false teachers, leading astray”): They lead people away from the true path while seeming to be helpful. antichrist (“opponent of Christ, enemy of God’s anointed”): The word marks someone who stands against Christ, or in his place.

Greek: πλάνοι (planoi, G4108) — “wanderers, deceivers.” The word is related to wandering. Deceivers cause others to wander off the road of truth.

See also: 1 John 4:2-3; 1 John 2:22.

2 John 1:8

John calls them to take care. The work of teachers and believers over the years could be lost if they are led astray. He wants them to receive a full reward. The reader is reminded that faith needs watchfulness, and that God’s reward is real.

BSA: rewarded (“receive a full wage, payment for service”): God does not forget faithful labor; he pays it in full.

Greek: βλέπετε (blepete, G991) — “look, watch.” It is a command to keep your eyes open, as a sentry does. Danger can come quietly.

2 John 1:9

Someone who runs ahead of Christ’s teaching, claiming to go further, actually leaves God behind. Real progress means staying in what Christ taught. Whoever remains in it has both the Father and the Son. We cannot have the Father while setting aside the Son.

BSA: runs ahead (“transgresses, goes beyond”): Going beyond Christ’s teaching is not advancement but stepping outside it. remaining (“staying, abiding”): Faithfulness means staying settled in what Christ taught.

Greek: προάγων (proagōn, G4254) — “going ahead, going beyond.” It describes someone who pushes past the limits set. Those claiming new, higher insight may in fact leave the foundation behind.

See also: John 15:4; 1 John 2:23.

2 John 1:10

If a teacher comes who does not bring the teaching of Christ, they should not welcome him into the home or give him a greeting of approval. In those days travelers depended on believers’ hospitality, so welcoming would help spread false teaching. This is about not supporting error.

Greek: χαίρειν (chairein, G5463) — “greetings, rejoice.” This is the ordinary word of welcome, close to ‘good cheer to you.’ Here it means a greeting that would show approval.

2 John 1:11

To give such a person a welcome is to join in his work. Support for a teacher who undermines the gospel makes us partners in the harm done. John’s concern is faithful love for the truth, and for the believers who could be hurt.

BSA: shares in (“is a partaker of, has a share in”): Support is not neutral; it makes us partners in what follows.

Greek: κοινωνεῖ (koinōnei, G2841) — “shares, is a partner in.” This is the word for fellowship. Welcoming the deceiver makes us his partner in his work.

2 John 1:12

John has more to say but prefers not to use paper and ink. He hopes to come and talk face to face. In person, joy can be made full. The note shows how much he values real presence and fellowship over a letter.

BSA: complete (“completely fulfilled”): Joy reaches its fullness when friends are together.

See also: 3 John 1:13-14; 1 John 1:4.

2 John 1:13

The children of her chosen sister send greetings. Their family, perhaps a sister church, shares in this loving bond. The letter ends as it began: with believers joined together in God’s chosen family, close even when far apart.

BSA: elect (“chosen, select”): Like the lady herself, her sister is chosen by God, so both belong to one family of grace.