2 John 1:6

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Moreover, love is this: that we should live according to his commands. This is the command, as you people have heard from the beginning; live by it!

Berean Standard Bible:

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.

American Standard Version:

And this is love, that we should walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, even as ye heard from the beginning, that ye should walk in it.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} this^{G3778} is^{G2076} love^{G26}, that^{G2443} we walk^{G4043} after^{G2596} his^{G846} commandments^{G1785}. This^{G3778} is^{G2076} the commandment^{G1785}, That^{G2443}, as^{G2531} ye have heard^{G191} from^{G575} the beginning^{G746}, ye should walk^{G4043} in^{G1722} it^{G846}.

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Commentary for 2 John 1:6

2 John 1:6 is part of a short epistle traditionally attributed to the Apostle John, who is also credited with writing the Gospel of John and the epistles of 1 John and 3 John in the New Testament. The historical context of this verse is rooted in the late 1st century AD, a time when the early Christian church was beginning to spread and solidify its doctrines in the face of various heretical teachings, such as Gnosticism and Docetism, which threatened to lead believers astray.

The theme of 2 John 1:6 is the nature of love as it pertains to obedience to God's commandments. The verse succinctly defines love in the Christian context as a commitment to follow the teachings and commandments of Jesus Christ, which have been conveyed to the believers from the beginning of their faith journey. This reflects the Johannine emphasis on love as a central tenet of Christian life, as also seen in 1 John 4:8, which states, "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

In this verse, the author reiterates the commandment to live out this love, emphasizing continuity and fidelity to the original teachings of Christ. The use of the word "walk" suggests a continuous, ongoing action—implying that love is not merely a feeling but a way of life that is expressed through obedience to God's will. This reflects the early church's struggle to maintain doctrinal purity and moral integrity in a diverse and often hostile religious landscape. By stressing the importance of adhering to the commandments heard "from the beginning," John underscores the unchanging nature of God's love and the timeless expectation for believers to embody this love through their actions and lifestyle.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3778
   There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὗτος
   Transliteration: hoûtos
   Pronunciation: how'-tahee
   Description: from the article ὁ and αὐτός; the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated):--he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who.
   
3. Strong's Number: G2076
   There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐστί
   Transliteration: estí
   Pronunciation: es-tee'
   Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
   
4. Strong's Number: G26
   There are 727 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀγάπη
   Transliteration: agápē
   Pronunciation: ag-ah'-pay
   Description: from ἀγαπάω; love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast:--(feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2443
   There are 535 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἵνα
   Transliteration: hína
   Pronunciation: hin'-ah
   Description: probably from the same as the former part of ἑαυτοῦ (through the demonstrative idea; compare ὁ); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result):--albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to. Compare ἵνα μή.
   
6. Strong's Number: G4043
   There are 90 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: περιπατέω
   Transliteration: peripatéō
   Pronunciation: per-ee-pat-eh'-o
   Description: from περί and πατέω; to tread all around, i.e. walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary):--go, be occupied with, walk (about).
   
7. Strong's Number: G2596
   There are 436 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κατά
   Transliteration: katá
   Pronunciation: kat-ah'
   Description: a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined):--about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from … to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), … by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.
   
8. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
9. Strong's Number: G1785
   There are 65 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐντολή
   Transliteration: entolḗ
   Pronunciation: en-tol-ay'
   Description: from ἐντέλλομαι; injunction, i.e. an authoritative prescription:--commandment, precept.
   
10. Strong's Number: G2531
    There are 180 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καθώς
    Transliteration: kathṓs
    Pronunciation: kath-oce'
    Description: from κατά and ὡς; just (or inasmuch) as, that:--according to, (according, even) as, how, when.
    
11. Strong's Number: G191
    There are 448 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀκούω
    Transliteration: akoúō
    Pronunciation: ak-oo'-o
    Description: a primary verb; to hear (in various senses):--give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand.
    
12. Strong's Number: G575
    There are 1465 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀπό
    Transliteration: apó
    Pronunciation: apo'
    Description: a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
    
13. Strong's Number: G746
    There are 56 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀρχή
    Transliteration: archḗ
    Pronunciation: ar-khay'
    Description: from ἄρχομαι; (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank):--beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule.
    
14. Strong's Number: G1722
    There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐν
    Transliteration: en
    Pronunciation: en
    Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.