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2 John 1

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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;

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For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.

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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.

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I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

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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.

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If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

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For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

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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.

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The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

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2 John 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.”

Study Summary

I have much to write to you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink — the elder's restraint in this brief letter suggests that fuller discussion requires the relational presence that only face-to-face encounter permits. The distinction between writing and speaking may indicate that certain urgent matters require the immediacy, responsiveness, and embodied authority that conversation affords in ways written words cannot. This preference for oral communication also reflects early Christian epistolary conventions and the elder's investment in relational shepherding over distant instruction.

Community Reflections

1
Carlos Rivera (Test User)10h ago
Finding rest in God — 2 John 1

The contrast between human weakness and divine strength is so vivid in this passage. The promise here is not conditional on our strength but on His character.. I love how this passage doesn't shy away from the difficulty of obedience. The contrast between human weakness and divine strength is so vivid in this passage. It implies covenant loyalty, steadfast love that never wavers.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. My grandmother used to quote this verse every morning. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. What a reminder that God's ways are not our ways. The thread of covenant runs through every book of the Bible.. I notice the repetition here is deliberate — the author wants us to feel the emphasis, to let the truth sink deep into our hearts.. I think this is a call to trust beyond what we can see. Their…

Read the note →

2 John 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.”

Study Summary

I have much to write to you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink — the elder's restraint in this brief letter suggests that fuller discussion requires the relational presence that only face-to-face encounter permits. The distinction between writing and speaking may indicate that certain urgent matters require the immediacy, responsiveness, and embodied authority that conversation affords in ways written words cannot. This preference for oral communication also reflects early Christian epistolary conventions and the elder's investment in relational shepherding over distant instruction.

Community Reflections

1
Carlos Rivera (Test User)10h ago
Finding rest in God — 2 John 1

The contrast between human weakness and divine strength is so vivid in this passage. The promise here is not conditional on our strength but on His character.. I love how this passage doesn't shy away from the difficulty of obedience. The contrast between human weakness and divine strength is so vivid in this passage. It implies covenant loyalty, steadfast love that never wavers.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. My grandmother used to quote this verse every morning. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. What a reminder that God's ways are not our ways. The thread of covenant runs through every book of the Bible.. I notice the repetition here is deliberate — the author wants us to feel the emphasis, to let the truth sink deep into our hearts.. I think this is a call to trust beyond what we can see. Their…

Read the note →

2 John 1:12

I have much to write to you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink — the elder's restraint in this brief letter suggests that fuller discussion requires the relational presence that only face-to-face encounter permits. The distinction between writing and speaking may indicate that certain urgent matters require the immediacy, responsiveness, and embodied authority that conversation affords in ways written words cannot. This preference for oral communication also reflects early Christian epistolary conventions and the elder's investment in relational shepherding over distant instruction.