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Do Not Help False Teachers

From the ·Elder [or old man; C Greek: presbyteros, referring to advanced age, a church office, or both; 1 Tim. 5:17; Titus 1:5; 1 Pet. 5:1; see 3 John 1].

To the ·chosen [elect] lady [C most likely a metaphor for a church] and her children [C the members of that church]:

I love all of you in the truth [C the truth about the Gospel of Jesus Christ], and all those who know the truth love you. We love you because of the truth that ·lives [abides; remains] in us and will be with us forever.

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ, will be with us in truth and love.

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Walk According to His Commandments

The elder [of the church addresses this letter] to the elect (chosen) [a]lady and her children, whom I love in truth—and not only I, but also all who know and understand the truth— because of the truth which lives in our hearts and will be with us forever: Grace, mercy, and peace (inner calm, a sense of spiritual well-being) will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 John 1:1 Many scholars believe the words “lady and her children” refer to a specific woman and her family; some others view the words “lady and her children” as the personification of a church and its members.