2 John 1

1 The elder [a respected leader in the church], To the chosen [select, favored by God] lady [a prominent Christian woman] and her children [born of God, spiritually nurtured], whom I love [have affection and esteem for] in the truth [the reality of God’s Word]—and not I alone [by myself, without others], but also all who know [have understanding and awareness of] the truth [the divine reality]— word study 2 because of the truth [the reality of a matter, divine truth] that abides [remains, dwells] in us and will be with [accompany, remain alongside] us forever [for all eternity, throughout the ages]: word study 3 Grace [unmerited favor, divine kindness], mercy [showing pity, compassion], and peace [harmony, freedom from war] from God [Creator of all] the Father and from Jesus Christ [the Messiah], the Son of the Father, will be with us [remain, abide, accompany] in truth [reality, sincerity] and love [unconditional, selfless affection]. word study 4 I was overjoyed [exceedingly glad, rejoiced greatly] to find [discover, meet] some of your children [born to you, your spiritual offspring] walking [living, conducting their lives] in the truth [reality, God’s true message], just as [in the same way, according to] the Father [our heavenly Father, God] has commanded [given a divine instruction, ordered] us. word study 5 And now [at this present time] I urge [beseech, request earnestly] you, dear lady [a Christian woman of prominence]—not as a new [fresh, previously unheard of] commandment [divine instruction, order] to you, but one [which we have had] we have had from the beginning [the start, origin of our faith]—that we love [show esteem and goodwill towards] one another [mutually, in a reciprocal manner]. word study 6 And this [the essence of our faith] is love [unconditional affection, divine charity], that we walk [live, conduct our lives] according to His [God’s, the Father’s] commandments [divine instructions, ordinances]. This is the very commandment [instruction, mandate] you have heard [received, understood] from the beginning [the start, the origin], that you must walk [follow, obey] in love [with selfless devotion, tender care]. word study 7 For many [numerous, a large number] deceivers [false teachers, leading astray] have gone out into the world [the earthly realm, human society], refusing to confess [acknowledge, profess] the coming [arrival, presence] of Jesus Christ [the Messiah, God’s anointed] in the flesh [human body, physical form]. Any such person [individual, one who does this] is the deceiver [false prophet, one who leads astray] and the antichrist [opponent of Christ, enemy of God’s anointed]. word study 8 Watch [be careful, look to] yourselves, so that you do not [lest you] lose [destroy, suffer loss of] what we have worked [labored, wrought] for, but that you may be [receive, obtain] fully [completely, entirely] rewarded [receive a full wage, payment for service]. word study 9 Anyone who runs ahead [transgresses, goes beyond] without remaining [staying, abiding] in the teaching [doctrine, instruction] of Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah] does not have [possess, hold] God [the Father, Creator]. Whoever remains [abides, stays] in His teaching [instruction, guidance] has [possesses, holds] both the Father [the Creator, Almighty] and the Son [the Messiah, Savior]. word study 10 If anyone [a person, someone] comes to you but does not bring this [specific, divine] teaching [instruction, doctrine], do not receive him into your home [house, household] or even [do not offer a greeting, bid him farewell] greet him [wish him well, say ‘God speed’]. word study 11 Whoever [gives a greeting, bids God speed] greets such a person [participates with, has fellowship with] shares in [is a partaker of, has a share in] his [their, his own] evil [bad, wicked] deeds [works, actions]. word study 12 I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with [written documents] paper and [writing fluid] ink. Instead, I hope [expect with confidence] to come and speak with you face to face, so that our [deep and lasting] joy [a state of happiness and contentment] may be [completely fulfilled] complete. word study 13 The children [born to parents, spiritual offspring] of your elect [chosen, select] sister [a biological sister or a sister in the Christian faith community] send you [addressing you directly] greetings [paying respects to, welcoming]. word study