World English Bible
- 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,
- for the truth’s sake, which remains in us, and it will be with us forever:
- 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.
- I rejoice greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, even as we have been commanded by the Father.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Watch yourselves, that we don’t lose the things which we have accomplished, but that we receive a full reward.
- Whoever transgresses and doesn’t remain in the teaching of Christ doesn’t have God. He who remains in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
- If anyone comes to you and doesn’t bring this teaching, don’t receive him into your house, and don’t welcome him,
- for he who welcomes him participates in his evil deeds.
- 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.
- The children of your chosen sister greet you. Amen.
For today’s reflection, read carefully through 2 John 1 (English Standard Version suggested). This short but profound letter, traditionally attributed to the Apostle John, expresses essential truths and valuable counsel for every believer. The brevity of this epistle may cause us to overlook its depth, but let’s pause and glean the spiritual treasures embedded here.
Second John is addressed to “the elect lady and her children” (2 John 1:1, ESV). Scholars vary in understanding who this “elect lady” was—whether an individual woman known in the early church circles or a metaphorical representation of the church community. Early church tradition was mostly divided between these interpretations. Notably, the use of familial language (“children”) to describe followers was common in the biblical era among disciples and spiritual leaders, emphasizing relational closeness rather than mere institutional affiliation.
In an ancient Mediterranean culture characterized by hospitality, John wisely urges discernment in hosting traveling preachers and missionaries (2 John 1:10-11). Hospitality was a respected virtue in Jewish and Greco-Roman culture. Yet John insists that discernment must accompany hospitality—especially in matters of core doctrinal truths. Hosting and supporting false teachers unknowingly aided the spread of destructive heresies, diminishing the very truth and love the Gospel seeks to uphold.
A beautiful theme emerges clearly: the harmony of truth and love. John carefully balances his exhortation toward love (“I ask that we love one another,” verse 5, ESV) with a firm reminder that love does not exist apart from truth (“whom I love in truth,” verse 1, ESV). Love without truth risks becoming sentimentality, while truth without love becomes cold dogmatism. John thus urges believers to integrate these twin virtues in harmonious balance.
This principle fits smoothly into the broader narrative of Scripture. Consider Ephesians 4:15 (English Standard Version): “…speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ…” The unity of love and truth echoes throughout Jesus’ teachings and is foundational to a healthy spiritual community.
The Greek term παραπλανῶν (“planon”) translated as “deceivers” (2 John 1:7, ESV), means literally “one who leads astray.” It suggests not merely doctrinal error but intentional deception that misleads souls away from Christ. This indicates how seriously John took false teachers’ threat: not merely misguided friends but active opponents of Christ and His Gospel.
John’s literary style is neatly succinct here. Each phrase is carefully chosen, similar in tone and style to other Johannine writings (Gospel of John, 1 & 3 John). The repetition of themes like “walking in truth,” “love one another,” and warnings against deception reinforce the central message in a condensed, powerful manner.
Saint Augustine, a great theologian and church father, once wrote profoundly about the intersection of truth and love:
“Truth without love is too hard; love without truth is too soft.” (Commentary on the Epistles of John)
This wonderfully captures John’s message. Similarly, John Calvin emphasized discernment (commenting on 2 John 1:10-11) by describing how vital it was that early Christian communities guard against theological corruption while remaining compassionate and hospitable in spirit.
How might we apply John’s message practically today?
Consider meditating with the classic hymn “O Word of God Incarnate,” composed by William Walsham How. Its text beautifully captures the balance between biblical truth, Christ-centered love, and earnest devotion to sound doctrine. One stanza reads:
O Word of God incarnate,
O Wisdom from on high,
O Truth unchanged, unchanging,
O Light of our dark sky;
We praise Thee for the radiance
That from the sacred page,
A lantern to our footsteps
Shines on from age to age.
O Gracious Father, source of all truth and overflowing love, help us faithfully walk in Your ways, grounded firmly in sound teaching and heartfelt compassion. Give us wisdom to discern truth from deception, courage to lovingly hold to Your word, and strength to fully embody Your commands. Guide our thoughts, words, and actions by Your Spirit, so that truth and love fashion us daily into the likeness of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whose holy name we pray. Amen.