Catholic Commentary on 2 John 1

"And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love." (2 John 1:6)

Truth, Love, and Discernment

Second John, thirteen verses, is the shortest book in the New Testament. The Elder writes to the Elect Lady and her children, a designation understood by most scholars as a metaphor for a local church community and its members. He rejoices to find some of her children walking in the truth, and urges the whole community to love one another, which is not a new command but the one they have had from the beginning. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

Many deceivers have gone out into the world, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in that teaching has both the Father and the Son. The Elder warns the community not to receive into their homes anyone who does not bring this teaching or to give them any greeting, because anyone who does shares in their wicked work. The Catechism draws from this passage the principle of doctrinal vigilance: the community of faith must distinguish between the hospitality owed to all people as persons and the endorsement of false teaching (CCC 2089).

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. John refuses to separate love from truth or truth from love. The love that ignores God's commands in the name of kindness is not the love John describes. And the obedience to commands that has no love is not the obedience John describes. Walk in love. Walk in obedience. They are the same walk.

Prayer

Lord God, let us walk in love as you have commanded from the beginning. Give us the discernment to continue in the teaching of Christ and the courage to hold to it when those who would distort it come to our door. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

2 John
1
A Greeting from the Elder
(3 John 1:1–4)
1 The elder,
 
To the chosen lady and 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 from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, will be with us in truth and love.
Walking in the Truth
(John 8:30–47)
 
4 I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us. 5 And now I urge you, dear lady—not as a new commandment to you, but one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the very commandment you have heard from the beginning, that you must walk in love.
Beware of Deceivers
 
7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for,* 1:8 NE and WH what you have worked for but that you may be fully rewarded. 9 Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son.
 
10 If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him. 11 Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.
Conclusion
(3 John 1:13–14)
 
12 I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come and speak with you face to face,† 1:12 Literally mouth to mouth so that our joy may be complete.
 
13 The children of your elect sister send you greetings.‡ 1:13 BYZ and TR include Amen.

*1:8 1:8 NE and WH what you have worked for

†1:12 1:12 Literally mouth to mouth

‡1:13 1:13 BYZ and TR include Amen.

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