2 John · 13 verses
2 John 1
Every verse links to the people and places named in it, and to the passages readers connect it with.
The chapter
What happens here
Atlas's own reading, written from this chapter and nothing else, and published only once a person has approved it. Each scene names the verses it covers; the names inside it link to the people and places they name.
The elder has many things to write, but paper and ink will not do: he would rather arrive and speak face to face, until joy is complete.
Truth, love, and the beginningvv. 1–6
The elder writes to a chosen lady and her children, loved in the truth by him and by all who know it. He is delighted that some of her children are walking in the truth, then returns to the old commandment: love one another. Love here is not left floating about in the rafters; it means walking according to the commandments, and walking in love.
The door, the greeting, and the missing pagesvv. 7–13
Then the atmosphere changes rather sharply. Deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess Jesus Christ coming in the flesh; the elder calls such a person the deceiver and the antichrist. The household is told not to receive someone who brings a different teaching, nor even to greet him, since a greeting can become a share in his evil deeds. Yet the letter ends not with more paper and ink, but with the hope of a face-to-face meeting, where joy may be complete. The chosen lady's elect sister remains tantalisingly unnamed, though her children do send greetings.
The text
Read it
Berean Standard Bible, public domain. Names the Hebrew and Greek put in the verse link to the person, place or people they name; the address beside each verse is a link to that verse, which is what a reader copies and shares.
2 John 1:1The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I alone, but also all who know the truth—
2 John 1:2because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:
2 John 1:3Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, will be with us in truth and love.
2 John 1:4I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us.
2 John 1:5And now I urge you, dear lady—not as a new commandment to you, but one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another.
2 John 1:6And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the very commandment you have heard from the beginning, that you must walk in love.
2 John 1:7For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.
2 John 1:8Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded.
2 John 1:9Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son.
2 John 1:10If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him.
2 John 1:11Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.
2 John 1:12I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come and speak with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
2 John 1:13The children of your elect sister send you greetings.
02 — Read alongside
Where this is echoed
Readers' own connections, from OpenBible's crowd-voted cross-references — agreement about relevance, and not scholarly confidence. 144 passages were voted onto 13 verses of this chapter; the 16 shown lead on votes, and each is listed at the verse it was voted onto most strongly.
- 61 John 5:3For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome,
- 9John 7:16–17“My teaching is not My own,” Jesus replied. “It comes from Him who sent Me.
- 8Hebrews 10:35So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward.
- 6John 15:10If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.
- 61 John 2:24As for you, let what you have heard from the beginning remain in you. If it does, you will also remain in the Son and in the Father.
- 8Revelation 3:11I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
- 10Titus 3:10Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition,
- 6John 14:15If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
- 81 Corinthians 3:14If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward.
- 9Colossians 3:16Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
- 10Romans 16:17–18Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them.
- 6Galatians 5:13–14For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.
- 61 John 2:5But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him:
- 6John 15:14You are My friends if you do what I command you.
- 91 John 2:22–24Who is the liar, if it is not the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son.
- 6Romans 13:8–9Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
Onward