2 John 1:2

1:2 Christian love is rooted in knowing the truth. The truth that lives in us is more than just facts or doctrine; it is the presence of God (see John 14:15-17), who will be with us forever.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

2Jn 1:2. Ἀγαπητὲ, beloved) This expression occurs three times, in 2Jn 1:2; 2Jn 1:5; 2Jn 1:11.—περὶ πάντων, respecting all things) that which relates to all parts [in all respects].—εὐοδοῦσθαι, to prosper) in property, etc.—ὑγιαίνειν, to be in health) in body.—καθὼς, even as) Where the soul is in health, it is possible for all things to be in health.

even in addressing illustrious persons, in preference to appellatives. But the Elder elegantly interposes, between his own name, and that of the lady, a word denoting the spiritual relationship, from which this short Epistle proceeded. The word Κυρία again occurs, 2Jn 1:5. The Syrian Version retains the proper name: and the Synopsis of Athanasius[1] says, γράφει Κυρίᾳ, he writes to Cyria, where he uses the proper name, but omits the epithet ἐκλεκτὴ, elect. But it frequently happens that proper names and appellatives are confused with one another. See Wesseling, Probabil., p. 199, etc.—οὕς, whom) This refers to the mother and her children.—ἐν ἀληθείᾳ, in truth) Love is not only true love, but it rests on the truth of the Gospel: 2Jn 1:3, at the end.—πάντες, all) The communion of saints.

[1] The “Synopsis Sacræ Scripturæ” is included in the writings of Athanasius, but has no claim to be considered his. It is however a valuable relic of antiquity. See Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography.—T.

2Jn 1:2. Διὰ, on account of) Construe with ἀγαπῶ, I love. They who love in truth, also love on account of truth.—τὴν μένουσαν, which abides) which still is. It is followed by the future, shall be. Τὴν μένουσαν—καὶ ἔσται, resolve into, WHICH abides, and shall be: 1Co 7:37, note.

Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament — English translation (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1860) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

states the cause of the love

2Jn_1:2 states the cause of the love.

διὰ τὴν ἀλήθειαν τὴν μένουσαν ἐν ἡμῖν] The idea μένειν signifies here, as in the First Epistle, firm, sure existence.

In ἡμῖν the apostle includes the loving and the loved (so also Braune).

The ἀγαπᾷν ἐν ἀληθείᾳ is based on the possession of the ἀλήθεια.

Carpzovius incorrectly connects these words with 2Jn_1:3.

By the addition: καὶ μεθʼ ἡμῶν ἔσται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, the imperishable endurance of fellowship with the truth is declared (Düsterdieck, Braune), and it is not merely the wish for it that is expressed (Lücke, Ebrard). By μετά (as distinguished from ἐν) the objectivity of the truth is indicated (Braune). The irregularity of the construction, inasmuch as the finite verb is used instead of a participle (comp. A. Buttmann, p. 327; Winer, p. 510; VII. p. 533), serves to give prominence to the idea.

Meyer — Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament — English translation by Peter Christie, edited by Frederick Crombie (T&T Clark, 1880) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2Jn 1:2 . μένουσαν ἐν ἡμῖν , not merely apprehended by the intellect but welcomed by the heart. μεθʼ ἡμῶν , nobiscum, bei uns , as our guest and companion.

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

For the truth's sake--joined with "I love," Jo2 1:1. "They who love in the truth, also love on account of the truth."

dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever--in consonance with Christ's promise.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 2. For the truth's sake] On account of the Gospel.

Which dwelleth in us] By the grace which it has proclaimed.

And shall be with us] For God will preserve not only the Christian religion but its truth, all its essential doctrines for ever. And they that abide in the truth shall go whither that truth leads, i.e. to glory. The Armenian has a strange reading here: "For the truth's sake which dwelleth in us, because it is also with you; and ye shall be with us for ever." But this is supported by no other version, nor by any MS.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

2. For the truth’s sake] The repetition of the word ‘truth’ is quite in S. John’s style. ‘The truth’ here and at the end of 2Jn_1:1 means the truth as revealed in Christ and the Spirit.

which dwelleth in us] Better, as R. V., which abideth in us: see on 1Jn_2:24.

and shall be with us for ever] ‘With us’ is emphatic: and with us it shall be for ever. An echo of Christ’s farewell discourses: ‘He shall give you another Advocate, that He may be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth’ (Joh_14:16). Comp. ‘I am … the Truth’ (Joh_14:6) and ‘The Spirit is the Truth’ (1Jn_5:6). The Apostle and all believers love the elect lady and her children on account of the ever-abiding presence of Christ in the gift of the Spirit. ‘For ever’ is literally ‘unto the age’: see on 1Jn_2:17.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us,.... Not for her high birth, nobility, or riches; but either for Christ's sake, who is the truth, and who dwells in the hearts of believers by faith, and who is the same that dwells in one as in another; and on his account it is that saints love one another, because they belong to him, he is formed in them, and his image is stamped upon them; and every like loves its like: or for the Gospel's sake, which has a place, and dwells in every saint, and is the same for matter and substance in one as in another; and unity of mind and judgment produces unity of affection: or for the sake of the truth of grace, the inward principle of grace, which dwells in every regenerate person; a communication of the experience of which knits the saints one to another:

and shall be with us for ever; where Christ enters and takes up his abode, from thence he never finally and totally departs, though he may sometimes hide his face with respect to communion, or withdraw his gracious presence; and where the Gospel has once took place in the heart, and is become the ingrafted word, it can never be rooted out, or be removed; and where the truth of grace is, it will remain; it is an incorruptible seed, a well of living water, springing up into eternal life.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

2 For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.

Ver. 2. For the truth’s sake] This is the love that will hold again, and is a sure sign of love unfeigned, when it is thus well founded. Sinisterity is opposite to sincerity. Some love the saints as Isaac loved Esau, for the venison that he brought him, &c.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

For the truth’s sake - They love this family because they love the truth, and see it so cordially embraced and so happily exemplified. Those who love the gospel itself will rejoice in all the effects which it produces in society, on individuals, families, neighborhoods, and their hearts will be drawn with warm affection to the places where its influence is most fully seen.

Which dwelleth in us - In us who are Christians; that is, the truths of the gospel which we have embraced. Truth may be said to have taken up a permanent abode in the hearts of all who love religion.

And shall be with us for ever - Its abode with us is not for a night or a day; not for a month or a year; not for the few years that make up mortal life; it is not a passing stranger that finds a lodging like the weary traveler for a night, and in the morning is gone to be seen no more; it has come to us to make our hearts its permanent home, and it is to be with us in all worlds, and while ceaseless ages shall roll away.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

The indwelling of evangelical truth, which is here meant, signifies its deep radication, and powerful transforming efficacy, in the soul, so as to be productive of holiness, as Joh 17:17; than which nothing can be a greater inducement among Christians of mutual love.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

2. And all love her for the indwelling truth’s sake; or on account of that indwelling truth. The common possession of that truth is a common ground and inspiration of mutual love. The Christian loves the Christian because he is a Christian.

Shall be… forever—It is intrinsically a permanent possession. Yet the condition of its being retained by us is expressed in 2Jn_1:9, and is implied here. It will abide in us while we abide in it.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

For the truth's sake, which abideth in us - As a living principle of faith and holiness.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

2. For the truth's sake. Those who love in truth, love for the truth's sake.

B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.

2. διὰ τὴν ἀλήθειαν. The repetition of ἀλήθεια is quite in S. John’s style. For τὴν μενοῦσαν, which abideth, see on 1Jn 2:24. The change of construction, καὶ μεθʼ ἡμῶν ἔσται (for ἐσομένην), indicates that the later clause is a kind of afterthought: comp. καὶ ἐσμέν (1Jn 3:1). Winer, 723. The μεθʼ ἡμῶν is emphatic; and with us it shall be. For εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα see on 1Jn 2:17. Here again we have an echo of Christ’s farewell discourses: ‘He shall give you another Advocate, that He may be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth’ (Joh 14:16). Comp. ‘I am … the Truth’ (Joh 14:6) and ‘The Spirit is the Truth’ (1Jn 5:6). The Apostle and all believers love the elect lady and her children on account of the ever-abiding presence of Christ in the gift of the Spirit.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2. διὰ τὴν ἀλήθειαν] The possession of the “truth” as an abiding force which dominates the whole life calls out the love of all who share the possession.

ἐν ἡμῖν]The author includes the Church to whom he is writing, or at least its faithful members, in the numbers of those who “know the truth.”

καὶ μεθʼ ἡμῶν ἔσται] An expression of sure confidence rather than of a wish. The truth must always “abide” in the Society, though individual members may fall away. For the parenthetical construction, cf. 1Jn 3:1, ἵνα τέκνα θεοῦ κληθῶμεν, καὶ ἐσμέν.

δια την αληθειαν] om. 27. 29. 66**. 106* fu. syrp txt | μενουσαν B K L P etc.] ενοικουσαν A : 13. 65 dscr: om. 66** | ημιν] υμιν 22. 68. 100. 104 cscr jscr | και … αιωνα] quia et uobiscum erit et nos in aeternum uobiscum eritis arm. | ημων] υμωη 22. 68. 100. 104 ascr cscr jscr al. | εσται εστιν 31 syrbodi et p: εστωIa 200f (83).

International Critical Commentary — older volumes (1896–1929), various authors — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Which dwelleth [την μενουσαν] . Rev., abideth. Enlarging on the idea of the truth : that which abideth. See on 1Jo 4:9, on the phrase to abide in, see on 1Jo 2:6.

Shall be with us [μεθ ημων εσται] . With us has the emphatic position in the sentence : and with us it shall be. Note the change from abideth in to shall be with, and see on Joh 14:16, 17.

Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα] See 1 John ii. 17 note.

Brooke Foss Westcott (1825–1901), The Epistle to the Hebrews (1889) and The Epistles of St John (1883) — public domain (pre-1929). Text recovered from Internet Archive / Google Books OCR scans. Westcott’s Gospel of John commentary is not included (its OCR lost the chapter running-heads required for reliable verse-keying). Some Greek quoted in the Hebrews volume is imperfectly rendered by the OCR.