2 John Chapter 1 in Simple English

Updated on October 1, 2026

Read 2 John Chapter 1

1From the elder, to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth. And not I only, but also all those who have known the truth.

2We love you because of the truth, which lives in us, and will be with us for ever.

3Grace, mercy and peace be with you, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

4I was very glad that I found some of your children walking in the truth, just as we received a commandment from the Father.

5And now I ask you, lady, that we love one another. I am not writing a new commandment to you, but the one we had from the beginning.

6And this is love: that we walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, that you should walk in it, as you have heard from the beginning.

7For many deceivers have gone out into the world. They do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist.

8Watch yourselves, so that we do not lose the things we have worked for, but receive a full reward.

9Anyone who goes too far, and does not remain in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. The one who remains in the teaching of Christ has both the Father and the Son.

10If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not welcome him into your house, and do not wish him well.

11For whoever wishes him well shares in his evil deeds.

12I have many things to write to you, but I did not want to write with paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that our joy may be full.

13The children of your chosen sister greet you. Amen.

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Explanation

2 John 1

In short

An early church leader writes to a community of believers, praising them for living out the truth and urging them to love one another. He warns them strongly against people who deny that Jesus came in the flesh, and tells them not to welcome such teachers into their homes.

Context

This is the second of three short letters attributed to "the elder," a figure in the early church whose exact identity is uncertain. He writes to "the elect lady and her children," which likely means a local church meeting in someone's home, rather than a single person. The letter is brief and personal, dealing with a serious problem: false teachers were spreading in early Christian communities.

What the text says

Verses 1 to 3 open the letter. The elder addresses his recipients, saying he loves them "in the truth" and so do all who know the truth. He sends them grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Jesus Christ.

Verses 4 to 6 show why the elder is writing. He has heard that some of the believers' children are "walking in truth," which brings him joy. He reminds them of the ancient commandment they received: to love one another. He explains that this love means obeying Christ's commandments.

Verses 7 to 9 introduce the danger. Many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that "Jesus Christ is come in the flesh." The elder calls this the mark of "a deceiver and an antichrist." He urges them to guard themselves so they do not lose their reward. Anyone who does not hold to the doctrine of Christ does not have God, but whoever abides in that doctrine has both Father and Son.

Verses 10 and 11 give a direct command: do not receive into your home anyone who does not bring this doctrine, and do not wish them well, because doing so makes you a partner in their evil.

Verses 12 and 13 close the letter. The elder says he has more to say but would rather visit in person. The children of the recipients' sister church send greetings.

Takeaways

The letter treats love for one another as inseparable from holding right belief about Jesus.
False teaching about Jesus was a real danger to early churches, serious enough to shape how believers should behave toward outsiders.
The elder values face-to-face community over written communication alone.

2 John 1 - Simple English