Truth and Love; Warning Against Deceivers
2 John 1:1-13
2John.1.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- πρεσβυτερος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εκλεκτη: ADJ,dat,sg,f
- κυρια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- τεκνοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- αυτης: PRO,gen,sg,f
- ους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- αγαπω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- εν: PREP
- αληθεια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- μονος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- αλλα: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- εγνωκοτες: VERB,perf,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αληθειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- 3 John 1:1 (verbal): Almost identical epistolary opening: the self-designation 'the elder' and the formula 'whom I love in truth' are repeated verbatim, showing close verbal and authorial connection between the Johannine short letters.
- 1 John 3:18 (verbal): Contains the phrase 'in truth' linked to love ('let us love... in truth'), echoing 2 John’s characterization of the recipients as those 'whom I love in truth' and reflecting a shared Johannine theme of authentic love grounded in truth.
- Ephesians 1:4 (thematic): Uses the language of being 'chosen' or 'elect' (God 'chose us in him'), paralleling 2 John’s address to the 'elect lady' and connecting to the New Testament theme of the community as God’s chosen.
- Romans 1:7 (structural): Typical epistolary greeting to a believing community—'to all God’s beloved in Rome, called to be saints'—parallels 2 John’s greeting to the beloved 'lady and her children,' combining terms of affection and vocational/eschatological identity (beloved/called/elect).
- Revelation 2-3 (letters to the seven churches) (structural): The practice of addressing a church (or a personified community) in a short, theologically framed letter parallels 2 John’s form; 2 John’s 'elect lady' can be read as a personified church similar to how Revelation addresses congregations.
Alternative generated candidates
- The elder to the elect lady and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not only I, but also all who know the truth—;
- The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—
2John.1.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- δια: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αληθειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- μενουσαν: PART,pres,act,acc,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- και: CONJ
- μεθ᾽ημων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,1
- εσται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- αιωνα·: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 John 1:2 (verbal): Speaks of 'the eternal life' that was with the Father and has been manifested to us — similar language of a lasting/eternal reality 'with' believers (life/truth abiding with us).
- 1 John 2:24-25 (verbal): Uses the verb 'remain' (μεῖναι) for the teaching/truth that must abide in believers and links that abiding to the promise of eternal life — closely parallels 2 John’s 'truth that remains… will be with us forever.'
- John 14:16-17 (quotation): Jesus promises the Spirit of truth 'will be with you forever' (εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα), echoing 2 John’s formulation of a truth that remains and will be with believers for ever.
- John 15:4 (thematic): Commands believers to 'abide' in Jesus (μεῖναι) and presents abiding as the basis of life and fruitfulness — thematically parallel to 2 John’s emphasis on the truth that remains/abides in us.
Alternative generated candidates
- because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever.
- and not only I but also all who have known the truth—
2John.1.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εσται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- μεθ᾽ημων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,1
- χαρις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ελεος: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ειρηνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- παρα: PREP
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- πατρος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- παρα: PREP
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- υιου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- πατρος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- αληθεια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- αγαπη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
Parallels
- Romans 1:7 (verbal): Greeting formula: 'Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ'—virtually identical source-of-blessing language.
- Philippians 1:2 (verbal): Same Pauline salutation: 'Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,' paralleling 2 John’s double-source blessing.
- Jude 1:2 (thematic): Combines mercy, peace, and love ('mercy unto you, and peace, and love'), echoing the triad and pastoral tone of 2 John 1:3.
- Ephesians 4:15 (thematic): Uses the phrase 'speaking the truth in love,' closely related to 2 John’s closing phrase 'in truth and love'—linking doctrinal truth with Christian love.
- 1 John 3:18 (thematic): Calls to 'love in deed and in truth,' a near verbal and conceptual parallel to 2 John’s 'in truth and love' emphasis on love grounded in truth.
Alternative generated candidates
- May grace, mercy, and peace be with you from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.
- for the sake of the truth, which abides in us and will be with us forever: May grace, mercy, and peace be with you from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, in truth and love.
2John.1.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Εχαρην: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- λιαν: ADV
- οτι: CONJ
- ευρηκα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- εκ: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- τεκνων: NOUN,gen,pl,neut
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- περιπατουντας: VERB,pres,act,ptc,acc,m,pl
- εν: PREP
- αληθεια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- καθως: CONJ
- εντολην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ελαβομεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- παρα: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- πατρος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- 3 John 1:4 (verbal): Nearly identical wording and sentiment — 'no greater joy' / 'I rejoiced greatly' at finding believers 'walking in the truth' (cf. explicit phrase about children walking in the truth).
- 1 John 2:3-4 (thematic): Connects 'walking in the truth' with obedience to God's commandments and knowing God — emphasizes ethical/ontological evidence of true relationship with the Father.
- 1 John 1:6-7 (thematic): Contrasts walking in darkness versus walking in the light/truth; walking in the truth implies fellowship with God and living rightly, echoing the concern of 2 John.
- John 14:15, 23 (allusion): Links the motif of keeping commandments (Jesus' and the Father's) with love and abiding in God — helps explain the source and significance of the 'commandment ... from the Father' in 2 John.
Alternative generated candidates
- I rejoiced greatly that I found some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father.
- I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we received commandment from the Father.
2John.1.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- νυν: ADV
- ερωτω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
- κυρια: NOUN,voc,sg,f
- ουχ: PART,neg
- ως: ADV
- εντολην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- καινην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- γραφων: VERB,pres,act,ptcp,nom,sg,m
- σοι: PRON,dat,sg,2
- αλλα: CONJ
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- ειχομεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,1,pl
- απ᾽αρχης: PREP
- ινα: CONJ
- αγαπωμεν: VERB,pres,act,subj,1,pl
- αλληλους: PRON,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- John 13:34-35 (quotation): Jesus' declaration of a 'new commandment' to love one another — 2 John explicitly contrasts this by denying the command is new.
- 1 John 2:7-8 (verbal): Near‑identical Johannine phrasing about 'not a new commandment' and 'what we had from the beginning,' showing the same tradition.
- 1 John 3:11 (verbal): Explicit statement 'we should love one another' and appeal to what was from the beginning (e.g., Cain and Abel), echoing 2 John’s appeal to the tradition.
- 1 John 4:7-12 (thematic): Develops the theology behind the command: love originates in God and believers are commanded to love one another as evidence of God’s presence.
- Leviticus 19:18 (thematic): OT injunction to 'love your neighbor as yourself' provides the longstanding scriptural background for the claim that the command to love is not new.
Alternative generated candidates
- And now I ask you, lady—not as if I were writing a new commandment to you, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another.
- And now I ask you, lady—not as writing a new commandment to you, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another.
2John.1.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- αυτη: PRON,dat,sg,f
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- αγαπη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ινα: CONJ
- περιπατωμεν: VERB,pres,act,sub,1,pl
- κατα: PREP
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- εντολας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- αυτου·αυτη: PRON,gen,sg,m+DEM,nom,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- εντολη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- καθως: CONJ
- ηκουσατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- απ᾽αρχης: PREP
- ινα: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- αυτη: PRON,dat,sg,f
- περιπατητε: VERB,pres,act,sub,2,pl
Parallels
- 1 John 5:3 (verbal): Explicitly links 'this is love' with keeping God's commandments ('For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments'), echoing 2 John’s identification of love with obedience.
- 1 John 2:3-6 (thematic): Connects knowledge of God/Christ with obedience and 'walking' in his commandments—'we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments' and 'whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way'.
- 1 John 2:7-8 (allusion): Speaks of the commandment 'you had from the beginning' and frames obedience as continuity with the original teaching, paralleling 2 John’s phrase 'as you have heard from the beginning.'
- John 14:15 (thematic): Jesus’ saying 'If you love me, you will keep my commandments' provides the same equation of love and obedience that lies at the heart of 2 John 1:6.
- John 15:10 (thematic): 'If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love' reverses and amplifies the connection between obedience and remaining in love, complementing 2 John’s emphasis on walking in the commandment as love.
Alternative generated candidates
- And this is love: that we walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, just as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.
- And this is love: that we walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, just as you heard from the beginning, so that you might walk in it.
2John.1.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οτι: CONJ
- πολλοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- πλανοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εξηλθον: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- κοσμον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- μη: PART
- ομολογουντες: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- Ιησουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- Χριστον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ερχομενον: VERB,pres,mid,part,acc,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- σαρκι·ουτος: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- πλανος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αντιχριστος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 John 2:22 (verbal): Uses the same language identifying one who denies Jesus as the Christ as 'the liar' and 'the antichrist,' directly paralleling the accusation in 2 John 1:7.
- 1 John 4:2-3 (verbal): Contrasts spirits/teachers who confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh with those who do not, calling the latter 'not from God' and associating them with the spirit of the antichrist.
- 1 John 2:18 (thematic): Speaks of the present appearance of many 'antichrists' and warns the community about their presence—same theme of multiple deceivers opposed to true confession.
- 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (thematic): Paul condemns false apostles and deceitful workers who masquerade as servants of righteousness—parallels the warning against deceivers who misrepresent Christ.
Alternative generated candidates
- For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.
- For many deceivers have gone out into the world—those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.
2John.1.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- βλεπετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- εαυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- ινα: CONJ
- μη: PART
- απολεσητε: VERB,aor,act,subj,2,pl
- α: PRON,nom,sg,n
- ειργασαμεθα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- αλλα: CONJ
- μισθον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- πληρη: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- απολαβητε: VERB,aor,act,subj,2,pl
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 3:14-15 (verbal): Speaks of believers receiving a reward for what they have built and of suffering loss if work is burned up—direct parallel to ‘not lose what we have worked’ and receiving full reward.
- Colossians 3:23-24 (verbal): Encourages working as for the Lord because ‘you will receive back the inheritance as your reward’—explicit language of receiving a reward for one’s labor.
- Galatians 6:9 (thematic): Calls for perseverance in doing good so one will ‘reap’ in due season if one does not give up—echoes the warning to guard so as not to lose the fruit of one’s work.
- Hebrews 10:35-36 (thematic): Urges believers not to throw away confidence, for it has a great reward and requires endurance—parallels the exhortation to watch oneself to obtain the full reward.
- Revelation 22:12 (verbal): Jesus declares ‘Behold, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me, to repay each as his work deserves’—connects judgment/repayment language with receiving reward for deeds.
Alternative generated candidates
- Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may receive a full reward.
- Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what you have worked for, but receive a full reward.
2John.1.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- πας: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- προαγων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- μη: PART
- μενων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- διδαχη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- θεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εχει·ο: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- μενων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- διδαχη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- ουτος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- πατερα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- υιον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εχει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- 1 John 2:23 (verbal): Directly parallels the claim that proper confession/holding to the Son determines possession of the Father—linking doctrinal fidelity about Christ with having God.
- 1 John 2:24-25 (verbal): Uses the same verb 'abide/remain' (μένω) and exhorts readers to continue in the teaching received from the beginning to retain fellowship with Father and Son.
- 1 John 4:2-3 (thematic): Gives the test for true doctrine—confessing Jesus Christ's coming in the flesh—echoing 2 John’s concern that those who reject the teaching do not have God.
- John 15:4 (allusion): Christ’s injunction to 'abide in me' connects the Johannine theme that remaining in Jesus/His word is the condition for ongoing life and relationship with the Father and Son.
- 2 John 1:7 (structural): Immediate context of the same letter warning about deceivers who deny Jesus Christ; supplies the specific doctrinal failing (denying the Son) underlying the warning in v.9.
Alternative generated candidates
- Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
- Everyone who goes ahead and does not remain in the teaching of Christ does not have God; the one who remains in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
2John.1.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- ερχεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- προς: PREP
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- και: CONJ
- ταυτην: PRON,acc,sg,f
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- διδαχην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ου: PART,neg
- φερει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- μη: PART
- λαμβανετε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- οικιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- χαιρειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- μη: PART
- λεγετε·: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
Parallels
- 1 John 4:1 (thematic): Both texts instruct believers to test and guard against false teachers and spirits, warning not to accept teachings that are contrary to the apostolic confession about Christ.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:14 (verbal): Commands believers not to associate with or receive those who do not obey apostolic instruction—parallel in practice to refusing hospitality to someone who brings false teaching.
- Matthew 18:17 (structural): Prescribes treating an unrepentant offender as an outsider (‘as a Gentile and a tax collector’), analogous to refusing reception or greeting of those who persist in false teaching.
- Titus 3:10 (thematic): Advises rejecting a divisive person after warning(s), reflecting the same concern for protecting the community from harmful teachers that underlies refusing them hospitality.
- 3 John 1:10 (thematic): Deals with refusal of hospitality and reception within the community (Diotrephes not receiving the brothers), echoing the issue of accepting or rejecting itinerant persons and teachers.
Alternative generated candidates
- If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not greet him;
- If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or welcome him.
2John.1.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- λεγων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,m,sg
- γαρ: PART
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- χαιρειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- κοινωνει: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- εργοις: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- πονηροις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
Parallels
- 1 John 2:9-11 (thematic): Addresses the moral consequence of fellowship: claiming fellowship while hating/remaining in darkness is incompatible with true fellowship—similar concern about who one associates with.
- 1 Corinthians 5:11 (structural): Paul instructs believers not to associate with those who claim to be Christians but live immorally—parallels 2 John’s warning against receiving or greeting false teachers whose deeds are evil.
- Ephesians 5:11 (verbal): Calls Christians to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but to expose them—language and the refusal to associate with evil deeds echo 2 John’s prohibition on greeting evildoers.
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 (thematic): Paul urges separation from unbelievers and impurity (not being yoked together), reflecting the same principle of avoiding close association with those whose conduct is opposed to the community’s faith.
Alternative generated candidates
- for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.
- For whoever welcomes him shares in his wicked works.
2John.1.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Πολλα: ADJ,acc,pl,neut
- εχων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- γραφειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εβουληθην: VERB,aor,mid,ind,1,sg
- δια: PREP
- χαρτου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- μελανος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- αλλα: CONJ
- ελπιζω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- γενεσθαι: VERB,aor,mid,inf
- προς: PREP
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- και: CONJ
- στομα: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- προς: PREP
- στομα: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- λαλησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- ινα: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- χαρα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- πεπληρωμενη: VERB,perf,pass,part,nom,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
Parallels
- 3 John 13-14 (verbal): Almost identical wording—John says he had many things to write but prefers not to use ink and pen and hopes to come so they may speak face to face.
- 1 John 1:4 (verbal): Close verbal/thematic echo: the purpose clause 'that your joy may be full/complete' is used here as the stated goal of the writing.
- John 16:24 (thematic): Shares the same theme of prayer/communication resulting in fullness of joy ('ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full'), linking communication with completed joy.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:17 (thematic): Paul expresses a similar longing to visit in person and see the believers 'face to face,' paralleling John's desire to speak mouth to mouth rather than by letter.
- 1 Corinthians 16:7 (structural): Paul's statement of intent/hopes to visit so he can stay with the Corinthians exemplifies the same structural move from written communication to hoped-for personal visitation.
Alternative generated candidates
- Though I have many things to write to you, I would rather not write to you with pen and ink; instead I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be complete.
- Though I have many things to write to you, I would rather not do so with ink and pen; instead I hope to come to you and speak with you face to face, that our joy may be complete.
2John.1.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ασπαζεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- τεκνα: NOUN,acc,pl,neut
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- αδελφης: NOUN,gen,sg,fem
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- εκλεκτης: ADJ,gen,sg,fem
Parallels
- 3 John 1:13 (verbal): Nearly identical wording — a closing greeting from 'the children of the elect sister' mirrors 2 John’s phrasing (direct verbal parallel between the two short epistles).
- 1 Peter 5:13 (verbal): Uses feminine singular ('she who is in Babylon') and the adjective 'chosen/ elect' to personify a church and send greetings, paralleling 2 John’s 'elect sister' image and greeting function.
- 1 Corinthians 16:19 (structural): Epistolary closing in which household churches send greetings ('the churches of Asia salute you' and 'the church that meets in their house'), comparable in form and communal/household language to 2 John’s final greeting from a sister’s children.
- Philemon 1:2 (thematic): Paul addresses an individual as 'our sister' (Apphia) and refers to the church in a house — echoes the familial terminology (sister/children) and house-church context present in 2 John 1:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.
- The children of your chosen sister greet you. Amen.
The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth — and not only I, but all who know the truth:
for the sake of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: grace, mercy, and peace be with you from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, in truth and love.
I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. And now I ask you — not as though I were writing a new commandment to you, but the one we have had from the beginning — that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment — as you heard from the beginning — that you should walk in it.
Many deceivers have gone out into the world; they do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.
Take care, that you may not lose what we have worked, but may receive a full reward.
Whoever goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not welcome him into your home, and do not extend him a greeting;
for whoever greets him shares in his evil deeds.
Though I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with pen and ink;
I hope rather to come to you and speak face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
The children of your chosen sister send their greetings. Amen.