2 John
King James Version
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;
2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
3 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.
4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
5 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.
6 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.
7 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.
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
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.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
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.
13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
2 John
New Catholic Bible
Salutation. 1 The Presbyter[a] to the chosen Lady and to her children whom I love in the truth—and not I alone but also all who know the truth 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever. 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
The Commandment of Love.[b] 4 It was a cause of great joy to me to discover that some of your children have been walking in the truth[c] just as we have been commanded by the Father. 5 [d]But now, Lady, I am making this request of you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment but simply one that we have had from the beginning: let us love one another. 6 And this is love: when we walk according to his commandments.[e] This is the commandment that you have heard from the beginning, and you must follow it.
Warning against False Teachers.[f] 7 Many deceivers have gone forth into the world, those who refuse to acknowledge that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. Any such person is the Deceiver[g] and the Antichrist. 8 Be on your guard that you do not lose what we have worked to accomplish so that you will receive your reward in full.[h]
9 Anyone who fails to remain faithful to the teaching of Christ but goes beyond[i] it does not have God. Only the one who remains faithful to the teaching possesses both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not impart this teaching, do not receive him into your house or welcome him.[j] 11 For anyone who welcomes him has a share in his evil deeds.
12 Conclusion. I have much to write to you, but I do not think it prudent to do so with paper and ink.[k] Instead, I hope to visit you and to talk with you face to face so that our joy may be complete.
13 The children of your sister, the chosen one,[l] send you greetings.
Footnotes
- 2 John 1:1 Presbyter: i.e., a term (which may also be translated as “elder”) used to designate a leader in the early Church (see notes on Tit 1:5-9 and 1:7). Chosen Lady (or “Sovereign Lady”): reference to one of the Local Churches of the time, which was under the leadership of the Presbyter and was confused by the advent of false teachers among her members.
- 2 John 1:4 For more details, see 1 Jn 2:3-11; 3:11-14; 4:7-21.
- 2 John 1:4 Walking in the truth: i.e., leading a specifically Christian way of life (see 1 Jn 1:6f; 2:6, 11; 3 Jn 3).
- 2 John 1:5 John stresses the truth that words and deeds go together. Love means keeping the commandments of Jesus. And when Christians keep them, they are leading a life of faith.
- 2 John 1:6 His commandments: see 1 Jn 2:7f; 3:23; 4:21.
- 2 John 1:7 The false teachers are under the sign of the Antichrist (see 1 Jn 2:18-26; 4:1-3). They want to “go beyond” the teaching of Christ, thus adulterating Christ, the Gospel, and Love. This seems to be the Gnostic teaching attacked in the First Letter of John—that the Son of God did not become flesh (see Jn 1:14) but came upon the man Jesus temporarily at his Baptism and left before the crucifixion (see note on 1 Jn 5:6).
- 2 John 1:7 Deceiver: another title of the Antichrist or of those associated with him (see 1 Jn 2:18f, 22; 4:2f). Antichrist: see note on 1 Jn 2:18.
- 2 John 1:8 The author stresses that a future reward awaits those who work faithfully on earth (see Mk 9:41; 10:29f; Lk 19:16-19; Heb 11:26). We: some manuscripts have “you.”
- 2 John 1:9 Goes beyond: a reference to the Gnostics’ claim that they had advanced far beyond the teaching of the Apostles; they were, in effect, teaching pure speculation as apostolic doctrine (see 2 Tim 2:16; Tit 3:9).
- 2 John 1:10 The author warns against feeding and housing the false teachers, for that would be sharing in their evil deeds and tantamount to public approval.
- 2 John 1:12 The Presbyter is well aware that some things are better spoken face to face than written. So he hopes to visit the Church soon. Paper and ink: paper came from papyrus reeds, which were easily acquired. Ink was made by mixing carbon, water, and gum. Our joy: or “your joy.”
- 2 John 1:13 Your sister, the chosen one: most likely, another local church (perhaps that of Ephesus), which was also under the leadership of the Presbyter. Just as Christians are “brothers [and sisters],” the churches are “sisters.”
2 Juan
La Biblia de las Américas
Saludo
1 El anciano(A) a la señora(B) escogida[a](C) y a sus hijos, a quienes amo en verdad(D), y no solo yo, sino también todos los que conocen la verdad(E), 2 a causa de la verdad(F) que permanece en nosotros(G) y que estará con nosotros para siempre(H): 3 Gracia, misericordia y paz serán con nosotros(I), de Dios Padre y de Jesucristo, Hijo del Padre, en verdad y amor.
Exhortaciones
4 Mucho me alegré al encontrar algunos de tus hijos andando en la verdad(J), tal como hemos recibido mandamiento del Padre. 5 Y ahora te ruego, señora, no como escribiéndote un nuevo mandamiento(K), sino el que hemos tenido desde el principio(L), que nos amemos unos a otros(M). 6 Y este es el amor[b](N): que andemos conforme a sus mandamientos. Este es el mandamiento tal como lo habéis oído(O) desde el principio(P), para que andéis en él. 7 Pues muchos engañadores(Q) han salido al mundo(R) que no confiesan que Jesucristo ha venido[c] en carne(S). Ese es el engañador(T) y el anticristo(U). 8 Tened cuidado(V) para que no perdáis lo que hemos[d] logrado(W), sino que recibáis abundante recompensa. 9 Todo el que se desvía y no permanece en la enseñanza[e] de Cristo(X), no tiene a Dios; el que permanece en la enseñanza[f] tiene tanto al Padre como al Hijo. 10 Si alguno viene a vosotros y no trae esta enseñanza[g], no lo recibáis en casa(Y), ni lo saludéis, 11 pues el que lo saluda participa en sus malas obras(Z).
Despedida
12 Aunque tengo muchas cosas que escribiros(AA), no quiero hacerlo con papel y tinta, sino que espero ir a vosotros y hablar cara a cara [h], para que vuestro[i] gozo sea completo(AB). 13 Te saludan los hijos de tu hermana escogida[j](AC).
Footnotes
- 2 Juan 1:1 O, elegida
- 2 Juan 1:6 O, en esto consiste el amor
- 2 Juan 1:7 Lit., a Jesucristo viniendo
- 2 Juan 1:8 Algunos mss. antiguos dicen: habéis
- 2 Juan 1:9 O, doctrina
- 2 Juan 1:9 O, doctrina
- 2 Juan 1:10 O, doctrina
- 2 Juan 1:12 Lit., boca a boca
- 2 Juan 1:12 Algunos mss. antiguos dicen: nuestro
- 2 Juan 1:13 O, elegida
