2 John 1:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 John 1:7-9

In this principal part of the epistle we find, I. The ill news communicated to the lady-seducers are abroad: For many deceivers have entered into the world. This report is introduced by a particle that bespeaks a reason of the report. ?You have need to maintain your love, for there are destroyers of it in the world. Those who subvert the faith destroy the love; the common faith is one ground of the common love;? or, ?You must secure your walk according to the commands of God; this will secure... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 John 1:7-9

1:7-9 There is all the more reason to speak like this because there have gone out into the world many deceivers, men who do not confess that Jesus is Christ, and his coming in the flesh. Such a man is the deceiver and the Antichrist. Look to yourselves that you do not ruin that which we have wrought, but see to it that you receive a full reward. Everyone who advances too far and who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not possess God; it is he who abides in that teaching who has... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 John 1:8

Look to yourselves ,.... This is an exhortation to the elect lady, and her children, to look about them, and take care of themselves, and beware of these deceivers, and their doctrines: that we lose not those things which we have wrought ; or as the Alexandrian copy, and many other copies, and the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions read, "that ye lose not those things which ye have wrought"; in embracing the Gospel, making a profession of it, walking in it, showing a zeal, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 John 1:8

Look to yourselves - Be on your guard against these seducers; watch, pray, love God and each other, and walk in newness of life. That we lose not those things which we have wrought - That we apostles, who have been the means of your conversion, may not be deprived of you as our crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus. Instead of the first person plural, απολεσωμεν , etc., We lose, etc., many MSS., versions, and fathers, read the whole clause in the second person plural, ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 John 1:1-13

This Epistle is written by the Apostle John to a Christian family. He, like the Apostle Peter had done before him ( 1 Peter 5:1 ), styles himself a presbyter. His First Epistle was written to a Church or to the Churches. In this, the Second Epistle, we have a priceless fragment of early Christian history, showing us the relation which subsisted between the apostle and a Christian family, and also to how large an extent the new Christian faith was in some instances moulding family life, by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 John 1:5-11

2. MAIN DIVISION . Exhortation. Having thus stated what has led to his writing, the apostle passes on to the central portion of the letter ( 2 John 1:5-11 ), which consists of three exhortations: to love and obedience ( 2 John 1:5 , 2 John 1:6 ); against false doctrine ( 2 John 1:7-9 ); against false charity ( 2 John 1:10 , 2 John 1:11 ). The transition to this practical part of the Epistle is indicated by the opening particles, "And now." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 John 1:8

The authorities vary much as to the persons of the three verbs, "lose," "have wrought," "receive," some reading "we," and some "ye," in each case. The best reading seems to be, "That ye lose not the things which we have wrought, but that ye receive a full reward, i.e., beware of allowing our work in you to be undone to your grievous loss. Through not seeing the meaning of the passage, some scribes changed" ye" into "we," and others changed" we" into "ye," thus making all three verbs in... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 John 1:8

Look to yourselves - This seems to be addressed to the lady to whom he wrote, and to her children. The idea is, that they should be particularly on their guard, and that their first care should be to secure their own hearts, so that they should not be exposed to the dangerous attacks of error. When error abounds in the world, our first duty is not to attack it and make war upon it; it is to look to the citadel of our own souls, and see that all is well guarded there. When an enemy invades a... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 John 1:8-9

2 John 1:8-9. Look to yourselves Take heed, lest you grow remiss or negligent in the course of your obedience. That we lose not, &c. Lest you lose the reward of what you have already done, which every apostate does; but that we receive Which every one that is faithful unto death shall do; a full reward That, having fully employed all our talents to the glory of him that gave them, we may receive the whole portion of felicity which God has promised to diligent, persevering... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 John 1:1-13

CONTENTS OF THE LETTERThe ‘elect lady’ whom John mentions in his opening greeting could have been an individual known to John, but the expression seems more likely to refer to a church. If this is so, ‘her children’ would be the church members. Whoever they were, John addresses them in a way that shows the respect and love he has for them. They are united with John and with Christians everywhere through the truth of Christ that they hold in common and the love of Christ in which they all share.... read more

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