What does 2 John 1:2 mean?
ESV: because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:
NIV: because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:
NASB: because of the truth which remains in us and will be with us forever:
CSB: because of the truth that remains in us and will be with us forever.
NLT: because the truth lives in us and will be with us forever.
KJV: For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
NKJV: because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever:
Verse Commentary:
John and other believers love "the elect lady and her children" (2 John 1:1) "because of the truth." John again considers truth and love as inseparable qualities. This closely connects with Paul's teaching of speaking the truth in love, seen in Ephesians 4:15. Christ-like love is based on accurate knowledge of God. As John continues this letter, he will discuss those who try to minister while teaching false ideas about Christ. Their failure proves his claims about truth and love.
Truth is a quality which "abides" in us. This word includes the idea of remaining or continuing. It lasts and does not end or fade. In fact, this verse also says that truth "will be with us forever." Truth is eternal, like God Himself. John and other Christians love in truth (2 John 1:1), greet believers in truth (2 John 1:3), and John has joy over those walking in the truth (2 John 1:4).
Verse Context:
Second John 1:1–3 introduces this letter, from ''the elder'' to ''the elect lady and her children.'' These are references to the disciple John, and some particular local church, respectively. As is typical in such letters, John refers to the grace of God, to Jesus Christ, and to the concepts of love and truth.
Chapter Summary:
The entire book of 2 John is only 13 verses long. It is written by ''the elder,'' in this case the disciple John. In it, John commends a group of believers for holding fast to the truth of the gospel. He also warns these people to avoid those who deny aspects of the Christian faith, and who deceive people away from the truth. John uses the term ''elect lady and her children'' as a reference to this entire local church.
Chapter Context:
As a short letter, 2 John doesn’t develop any one topic too deeply. John is pleased to see that some believers are sticking to the truth, but this implies that others are not. He is concerned over the influence of false teachers, using strong terms to reject their teachings. John’s reference to ''the elect lady and her children'' is probably a reference to an entire local church and its members.
Book Summary:
Second John is one of the disciple John’s letters. The others are 1 John and 3 John. He is also the author of the gospel of John and the book of Revelation. Letters such as this help us understand John’s guidance of early churches. As the last surviving disciple, John’s words would have carried great weight in the Christian community.
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