2 John 1

Greeting

1 a The elder to the elect lady and her children, b whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who c know d the truth, 2 e because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

3 f Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love.

Walking in Truth and Love

4 g I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. 5 And now I ask you, dear lady - h not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning - i that we love one another. 6 And j this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just k as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. 7 For l many deceivers m have gone out into the world, n those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, o so that you may not lose what we 1 have worked for, but p may win a full reward. 9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, q does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching q has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, r do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him s takes part in his wicked works.

Final Greetings

12 t Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. u Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, v so that our joy may be complete.

13 The children of your elect sister greet you.

  1. Cross References
    3 John 1:1
    The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
    1 Peter 5:1
    So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:
  2. Cross References
    1 John 3:18
    Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
    3 John 1:1
    The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
  3. Cross References
    John 8:32
    And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
    1 Timothy 2:4
    Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
    Hebrews 10:26
    For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.
  4. Cross References
    John 1:17
    For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
    John 14:6
    Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
    Galatians 2:5
    To them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
  5. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 13:6
    It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
  6. Cross References
    1 Timothy 1:2
    To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
    2 Timothy 1:2
    To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
    Jude 1:2
    May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
  7. Cross References
    3 John 1:3 - 4
    For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth.
  8. Cross References
    1 John 2:7
    Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard.
  9. Cross References
    1 John 3:11
    For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
  10. Cross References
    1 John 5:3
    For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
    1 John 2:5
    But whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:
    John 14:15
    If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
  11. Cross References
    1 John 2:24
    Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.
  12. Cross References
    1 John 2:18
    Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.
    1 John 2:26
    I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.
  13. Cross References
    1 John 4:1
    Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
  14. Cross References
    1 John 2:22
    Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.
    1 John 4:2 - 3
    By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.
  15. Cross References
    Galatians 3:4
    Did you suffer so many things in vain - if indeed it was in vain?
    Hebrews 10:35
    Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
  16. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 3:8
    He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.
  17. Cross References
    1 John 2:23
    No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.
  18. Cross References
    1 John 2:23
    No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.
  19. Cross References
    Romans 16:17
    I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.
    Galatians 1:8 - 9
    But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.
    2 Thessalonians 3:6
    Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
    2 Thessalonians 3:14
    If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.
    Titus 3:10
    As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him.
  20. Cross References
    1 Timothy 5:22
    Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
  21. Cross References
    3 John 1:13
    I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink.
  22. Cross References
    3 John 1:14
    I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.
  23. Cross References
    John 15:11
    These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
    John 17:13
    But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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