2 John 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;

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

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2 John 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.”

Study Summary

Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son — to 'run ahead' (proagōn) suggests those who innovate beyond apostolic teaching, pushing beyond the deposit of faith into speculative theology or revised Christology, and this deviation amounts to a severance from God himself. The stark assertion 'does not have God' indicates that doctrinal error is not a minor failure but a relational rupture with the divine source. In contrast, 'continuing in the teaching' (menōn en tē didachē) secures communion with both Father and Son, making doctrinal faithfulness inseparable from spiritual relationship.

Community Reflections

Thomas Mueller (test user)9h ago

The light of the world — 2 John 1

Following God is costly, but the reward is eternal.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. The Hebrew word used here carries a richness that English can't fully capture. The contrast between human weakness and divine strength is so vivid in this passage. When we read this alongside the surrounding chapters, the narrative arc becomes clear: God is always working redemption, even in the darkest moments.. There's something deeply comforting about knowing that the same God who spoke these words is the same yesterday, today, and forever.. The early church would have heard this very differently than we do today. My grandmother used to quote this verse every morning. The thread of covenant runs through every book of the Bible.. The contrast between human weakness and divine strength is so vivid in this passage. We bring nothing; He provides everything.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every…

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