The 24th book of the
New Testament
This is a letter written by the
Apostle John to an unnamed personal friend. It tells of the truth of the Gospel of Christ and advises him/her not to receive false teachers.
Next Book: 3 John
Previous Book: 1 John
Back to the
King James Bible
Chapter 1
1:1 The
elder unto the
elect lady and her children, whom I love in
the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the
truth; 1:2 For the
truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be
with us for ever.
1:3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from
the Lord Jesus Christ, the
Son of the Father,
in truth and love.
1:4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth,
as we have received a commandment from the Father.
1:5 And now I
beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new
commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning,
that
we love one another.
1:6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the
commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk
in it.
1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not
that
Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an
antichrist.
1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have
wrought, but that we receive a
full reward.
1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of
Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the
doctrine of Christ, he
hath both the
Father and the
Son.
1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive
him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 1:11 For he that
biddeth him
God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
1:12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with
paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face,
that our joy may be full.
1:13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee.
Amen.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Book: 2 John
Chapters:
This epistle is like an abridgement of the first; it touches,
in few words,
On the same points. The
Elect lady is commended
for her virtuous and religious education of her children; is
exhorted to abide in the doctrine of
Christ, to persevere in the
Truth, and carefully to avoid the delusions of false teachers.
But chiefly the
Apostle beseeches her to practise the great
commandment of
Christian Love and
Charity.
- The
Apostle salutes the
Elect lady and her children.
(1-3)
Express his joy in their
Faith and
Love.
(4-6) Cautions them
against deceivers.
(7-11) And concludes.
(12,13)
1-3 Religion turns compliments into real expressions of respect
and
Love. And old
Disciple is honourable; an old
Apostle and
leader of disciples is more
So. The
Letter is to a noble
Christian matron, and her children; it is
Well that the
Gospel
should get among such: some noble persons are called. Families
are to be encouraged and directed in their
Love and duties at
home. Those who
Love Truth and
Piety in themselves, should
Love
it in others; and the Christians loved this lady, not for her
rank, but for her
Holiness. And where religion truly dwells, it
will abide for ever. From the Divine Persons of the
Godhead, the
Apostle craves
Grace, Divine favour, and good-will, the
Spring
of all good things. It is
Grace indeed that any spiritual
blessing should be given to sinful mortals.
Mercy, free
Pardon,
and forgiveness; for those already rich in
Grace, need continual
forgiveness. Peace, quietness of
Spirit, and a clear
Conscience,
in assured reconciliation with
God, together with all outward
prosperity that is really for good: these are desired in
Truth
and
Love.
4-6 It is good to be trained to early religion; and children
may be beloved for their parents' sake. It gave great joy to the
Apostle to see children treading in their parents' steps, and
likely in their turn to support the
Gospel. May
God Bless such
families more and more, and raise up many to copy their
Example.
How pleasing the contrast to
Numbers who spread irreligion,
infidelity, and vice, among their children! Our walk is true,
our converse right, when according to the
Word of God. This
commandment of mutual
Christian Love, may be said to be a new
one, in respect of its being declared
By the
Lord Christ; yet,
as to the matter, it is old. And this is
Love to our own souls,
that we obey the Divine commands. The foresight of the decay of
this
Love, as
Well as of other apostasies, or fallings away,
might engage the
Apostle to urge this duty, and this command,
frequently and earnestly.
7-11 The deceiver and his deceit are described: he brings some
error concerning the person or office of the
Lord Jesus. Such a
one is a deceiver and an
Antichrist; he deludes souls, and
undermines the
Glory and kingdom of the
Lord Christ. Let us not
think it strange, that there are deceivers and opposers of the
Lord Christ's name and dignity now, for there were such, even in
the apostles' times. The more deceivers and deceits abound, the
more watchful the disciples must be. Sad it is, that splendid
attainments in the school of
Christ, should ever be lost. The
way to gain the full reward is, to abide true to
Christ, and
constant in religion to the
End. Firm cleaving to
Christian
Truth unites us to
Christ, and thereby to the
Father also; for
they are one. Let us equally disregard such as abide not in the
doctrine of
Christ, and those who transgress his commands. Any
who did not profess and preach the doctrine of
Christ,
respecting him as the
Son of God, and
Salvation By him from
guilt and
Sin, were not to be noticed and countenanced. Yet in
obeying this command, we must show kindness and a good
Spirit to
those who differ from us in lesser matters, but
Hold firmly the
all-important doctrines of
Christ's person,
Atonement, and holy
Salvation.
12,13 The
Apostle refers many things to a personal meeting. Pen
and ink were means of strengthening and comforting others; but
to see each other is more
So. The
Communion of saints should be
maintained
By all methods; and should tend to mutual joy. In
Communion with them we find much of our present joy, and look
forward to happiness for ever.