2 John 1:5-6 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 John 1:5-6

We come now more into the design and substance of the epistle; and here we have, I. The apostle's request: Now, I beseech thee, lady. Considering what it is that he entreats, the way of address is very remarkable; it is not any particular boon or bounty to himself, but common duty and observance of divine command. Here he might command or charge; but harsher measures are worse than needless where milder will prevail; and the apostolical spirit is, of all other, the most tender and endearing.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 John 1:4-6

1:4-6 It gave me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, as we have received commandment from the Father. And now, Lady, not as if I were writing a new commandment to you, but a commandment which we have had from the beginning, I beg you that we should love one another. And this is love, that we should walk according to his commandments; and this is the commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that we should walk in it. In the church to which he is writing... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 John 1:5

And now I beseech thee, lady ,.... Or "Kyria", which word the Syriac and Arabic versions retain, as if it was a proper name: the apostle having finished the inscription, salutation, and congratulation in the preceding verses, passes to an exhortation and entreaty to observe the commandment of love to one another, which is not a new commandment, but what was from the beginning: not as though I wrote a new commandment , &c.; See Gill on 1 John 2:7 and See Gill on 1 John 2:8 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 John 1:6

And this is love, that we walk after his commandments ,.... By observing them as a rule of conversation, in so doing love is shown to God; and such may expect the fresh discoveries of the love of God to, them; See Gill on 1 John 5:3 ; this is the commandment, that as ye have heard from the beginning , ye should walk in it ; that is, this is the will of God, that his people should walk in the truth of the Gospel, and abide by it, as they heard and received it at their first... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 John 1:5

That which we had from the beginning - The commandment to love one another was what they had heard from the first publication of Christianity, and what he wishes this excellent woman to inculcate on all those under her care. The mode of address here shows that it was a person, not a Church, to which the apostle wrote. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 John 1:6

And this is love - That is, our love is shown and proved by our walking according to the commandments of God; for love is the principle of obedience. 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

I beseech thee, lady. The verb has, perhaps, a tinge of peremptoriness about it ἐρωτῶ : "This is a request which I have a right to make." Respecting the "new commandment" and "from the beginning," see notes on 1 John 2:7 . We may reasonably suppose that St. John is here reminding her of the contents of his First Epistle. The parallels between this Epistle and the First are so numerous and so close, that we can scarcely doubt that some of them are consciously made. There are at least ... 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 1:6

And this is love; i.e., the love which the commandment enjoins consists in this—active and unremitting obedience. Just as in the sphere of thought truth must be combined with love (see on 2 John 1:3 ), so in the sphere of emotion love must be combined with obedience. Warm feelings, whether towards God or towards man, are worse than valueless if they are not united, on the one hand with obedience, on the other with truth. This was the elect lady's danger; in the exuberance of her chanty she... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 John 1:5-6

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 John 1:4-6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 John 1:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 John 1:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 John 1:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 John 1:6

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 John 1:1-13

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 John 1:5

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 John 1:5-11

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 John 1:6

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