2 John 1:5

¶ And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

And {G2532} now {G3568} I beseech {G2065} thee {G4571}, lady {G2959}, not {G3756} as though {G5613} I wrote {G1125}{G1125} a new {G2537} commandment {G1785} unto thee {G4671}, but {G235} that which {G3739} we had {G2192} from {G575} the beginning {G746}, that {G2443} we love {G25} one another {G240}.

And now, dear lady, I am requesting that we love one another — not as if this were a new command I am writing you, for it is the one which we have had from the beginning.

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.

And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote to thee a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

Commentary on 2 John 1:5 (KJV)

This verse, found in the short but profound Second Epistle of John, serves as a heartfelt plea and a foundational reminder from "the elder" (likely the Apostle John) to a specific "lady" and her children, who may represent a Christian woman and her family, or symbolically, a local church and its members.

Context

2 John is a letter focused on the critical balance between truth and love, especially in the face of emerging false teachers (antichrists) who denied the incarnation of Jesus Christ. The elder commends the recipients for walking in truth but immediately pivots to emphasize the equally vital command to love. This letter was likely written to strengthen believers and warn them against hospitality towards those who spread doctrinal error, reinforcing the importance of sound doctrine alongside genuine affection.

Key Themes

  • The Enduring Commandment of Love: John stresses that the command to "love one another" is not a novel concept but "that which we had from the beginning." This echoes Jesus's own teaching, which, while called a "new commandment," was a deeper fulfillment and re-emphasis of the Old Testament law to love God and neighbor (Leviticus 19:18). For John, Christian love is not optional but foundational to faith.
  • Authentic Discipleship: Loving one another is presented as a hallmark of true believers and an act of obedience to God's will. It demonstrates a life consistent with the truth of the Gospel.
  • Unity and Fellowship: This command fosters unity within the Christian community, creating an environment where believers support, encourage, and protect one another from spiritual dangers.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "love" used here is agapē (ἀγάπη), which signifies a selfless, unconditional, and benevolent love, often characterized by action rather than mere emotion. It is the divine love that God has for humanity and the love He calls believers to exhibit towards Him and one another. John's emphasis on "commandment" (ἐντολή, entolē) highlights the obligatory and authoritative nature of this love, not merely a suggestion but a divine imperative.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 John 1:5 remains incredibly relevant:

  • Prioritize Love: It reminds us that love for fellow Christians is not a secondary concern but a primary and enduring command, essential to our walk with God. It's a love that should be evident in our actions and attitudes.
  • Foundation, Not Innovation: The verse challenges us to ground our faith in the core, unchanging truths and commands of Scripture, rather than constantly seeking new spiritual experiences or teachings that deviate from established doctrine.
  • Love in Action: This love is not passive; it calls for active engagement with our brothers and sisters in Christ, demonstrating care, forgiveness, and support. As 1 John 4:7 says, "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God."
  • Discernment with Compassion: While the broader context of 2 John warns against false teachers, this verse ensures that our commitment to truth is always balanced by a genuine, active love for those who genuinely follow Christ.

In essence, 2 John 1:5 underscores that Christian faith is not merely about believing certain truths, but about living out those truths through a consistent and active love for one another, a love that has been commanded "from the beginning."

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
  • 1 John 3:11

    ¶ For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
  • John 13:34

    A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
  • John 13:35

    By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:9

    ¶ But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
  • John 15:12

    This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
  • 1 John 3:23

    ¶ And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
  • 1 John 3:14

    ¶ We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not [his] brother abideth in death.

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