ScriptureDepth's study of 2 John 1
“This is love, that we should walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, even as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.”
2 John 1:6
The elder writes to the chosen lady, stating that love is walking according to God's commandments, which is the foundation for truthful living in the community.
What 2 John 1 is about
The elder addresses a chosen lady and her children, expressing love in truth (vv. 1-3). He rejoices in finding some of her children walking in truth, as commanded by the Father (vv. 4-6). The elder warns of many deceivers in the world who do not confess Jesus Christ came in the flesh, labeling them as deceivers and Antichrists (vv. 7-9). He instructs the lady not to welcome anyone who does not bring the teaching of Christ, as doing so would mean participating in their evil deeds (vv. 10-11). The elder states that he has more to write but prefers to communicate face to face for a fuller joy (vv. 12-13). He concludes with greetings from the children of her chosen sister.
Those who remain in the teaching of Christ have both the Father and the Son, as stated in verse 9.
2 John 1 at a glance
- 2 John 1:1–3Greeting and Affirmation of Love
- 2 John 1:4–6Joy in Observing Truthful Living
- 2 John 1:7–9Warning Against Deceivers
- 2 John 1:10–11Caution on Welcoming False Teachers
- 2 John 1:12–13Desire for Personal Communication
Key verse: 2 John 1:6
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read 2 John 1 (WEB)
Greeting and Affirmation of Love 2 John 1:1–3
1Verse 1. The elder, to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not I only, but also all those who know the truth; 2Verse 2. for the truth’s sake, which remains in us, and it will be with us forever: 3Verse 3. Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
Joy in Observing Truthful Living 2 John 1:4–6
4Verse 4. I rejoice greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, even as we have been commanded by the Father. 5Verse 5. Now I beg you, dear lady, not as though I wrote to you a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6Verse 6. This is love, that we should walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, even as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.
Warning Against Deceivers 2 John 1:7–9
7Verse 7. For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who don’t confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the Antichrist. 8Verse 8. Watch yourselves, that we don’t lose the things which we have accomplished, but that we receive a full reward. 9Verse 9. Whoever transgresses and doesn’t remain in the teaching of Christ, doesn’t have God. He who remains in the teaching, the same has both the Father and the Son.
Caution on Welcoming False Teachers 2 John 1:10–11
10Verse 10. If anyone comes to you, and doesn’t bring this teaching, don’t receive him into your house, and don’t welcome him, 11Verse 11. for he who welcomes him participates in his evil deeds.
Desire for Personal Communication 2 John 1:12–13
12Verse 12. Having many things to write to you, I don’t want to do so with paper and ink, but I hope to come to you, and to speak face to face, that our joy may be made full. 13Verse 13. The children of your chosen sister greet you. Amen.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in 2 John 1
truth
Truth appears prominently in the greeting where the elder expresses love 'in truth' (v. 1) and states that the truth remains in believers 'and it will be with us forever' (v. 2). The joy of the elder is affirmed through his observation of 'some of your children walking in truth' (v. 4), aligning their actions with divine commands. This chapter centers on the necessity of holding to this truth amid challenges.
love
Love is a central command in this letter, as the elder urges the chosen lady to 'love one another' (v. 5), based on teachings 'from the beginning.' The text clarifies that 'this is love, that we should walk according to his commandments' (v. 6), directly connecting love to obedience. This relationship between love and commandment is crucial for the ethical conduct of church members.
Explore love in the Bible →obedience
Obedience is presented as inseparable from love and truth in this chapter. The elder instructs the chosen lady to 'walk according to his commandments' (v. 6), indicating that true love manifests through action. The text warns that those who do not remain in Christ's teaching 'don’t have God' (v. 9), showing that obedience to these teachings is essential for a relationship with the Father and the Son.
vigilance against deception
The chapter warns against deception as the elder notes 'many deceivers have gone out into the world' (v. 7), specifically those who deny Christ's incarnation. He urges vigilance, stating, 'Watch yourselves' (v. 8), to avoid losing their accomplishments. The caution extends to not welcoming those who bring false teachings, as doing so equates to sharing in their 'evil deeds' (v. 11).
Chapter outline
How 2 John 1 unfolds
2 John 1:1–3 Greeting and Affirmation of Love
The elder addresses 'the chosen lady and her children' with love, noting that this love comes from a shared truth known by all who know the truth, and speaks of grace, mercy, and peace from God and Jesus (vv. 1-3).
2 John 1:4–6 Joy in Observing Truthful Living
The writer expresses joy upon discovering that some of the lady's children are 'walking in truth,' a reflection of adherence to God's commandments (vv. 4-5).
2 John 1:7–9 Warning Against Deceivers
The author identifies 'many deceivers' who do not confess that 'Jesus Christ came in the flesh,' calling them 'the deceiver and the Antichrist,' and urges vigilance to maintain the teachings of Christ (vv. 7-9).
2 John 1:10–11 Caution on Welcoming False Teachers
The writer instructs not to welcome anyone who does not bring sound teaching, as receiving them may lead to participation in their 'evil deeds' (vv. 10-11).
2 John 1:12–13 Desire for Personal Communication
The author states that he has 'many things to write' but prefers to visit and speak 'face to face' for a complete joy, and mentions that 'the children of your chosen sister greet you' (vv. 12-13).
Key verses
2 John 1:6The elder writes to the chosen lady, stating that love is walking according to God's commandments, which is the foundation for truthful living in the community.
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Study questions
Questions for studying 2 John 1
- observeIn v4, who does the elder find 'walking in truth'?
- observeWhat does the elder beg the chosen lady in v5 to do?
- interpretThe phrase 'the Antichrist' in v7: what does it suggest about the nature of the deceivers?
- interpretIn v9, why does John emphasize 'the teaching of Christ' as essential for having God?
- applyIn v10, when have you welcomed someone whose views conflicted with your beliefs?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo 2 John 1
- John 142 John 1:6 and John 14:15Both express love through obedience: 2 John 1:6 says to walk according to his commandments, while John 14:15 says to keep my commandments.
- 1 John 22 John 1:7 and 1 John 2:22Both address deceivers denying Christ: 2 John 1:7 names those who don’t confess his coming, while 1 John 2:22 states the liar denies Jesus is the Christ.
- John 152 John 1:9 and John 15:4Both emphasize remaining in Christ: 2 John 1:9 says failing to remain means lacking God, while John 15:4 states branches can’t bear fruit without remaining in the vine.
- John 82 John 1:9 and John 8:31Both stress the necessity of remaining: 2 John 1:9 says one must remain in the teaching, while John 8:31 associates remaining in Jesus' word with true discipleship.
- 1 John 42 John 1:7 and 1 John 4:1Both call for discernment regarding spirits: 2 John 1:7 warns of deceivers, while 1 John 4:1 instructs to test the spirits to see if they are from God.
- Matthew 112 John 1:9 and Matthew 11:27Both emphasize knowledge of the Father and Son: 2 John 1:9 says one must remain in teaching to have God, while Matthew 11:27 speaks of knowing the Son through revelation.
Related chapters
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Elsewhere on ScriptureDepth
Where to go from here
- 2 John: the whole bookA single page from "the elder" to "the chosen lady and her children," most likely a local congregation and its…
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- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
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