TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
Complete Jewish Bible
For many deceivers have gone out into the world, people who do not acknowledge Yeshua the Messiah’s coming as a human being. Such a person is a deceiver and an anti-Messiah.
Berean Standard Bible
For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.
American Standard Version
For many deceivers are gone forth into the world, even they that confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.
World English Bible Messianic
For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who don’t confess that Yeshua the Messiah came in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the Anti-messiah.
Geneva Bible (1599)
For many deceiuers are entred into this worlde, which confesse not that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh. He that is such one, is a deceiuer and an Antichrist.
Young's Literal Translation
because many leading astray did enter into the world, who are not confessing Jesus Christ coming in flesh; this one is he who is leading astray, and the antichrist.
In the KJVVerse 30,653 of 31,102
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Commentary on 2 John 1 verses 7–9
7 ¶ For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
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 you. Your stability is likely to be tried, for many deceivers have entered into the world." Sad and saddening news may be communicated to our Christian friends; not that we should love to make them sorry, but to fore-warn is the way to fore-arm them against their trials. Now here is, 1. The description of the deceiver and his deceit - he confesses not that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh (Jo2 1:7); he brings some error or other concerning the person of the Lord Jesus; he either confesses not that Jesus Christ is the same person, or that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ, the anointed of God, the Messiah promised of old for the redemption of Israel, or that the promised Messiah and Redeemer has come in the flesh, or into the flesh, into our world and into our nature; such a one pretends that he is yet to be expected. Strange that after such evidence any should deny that the Lord Jesus is the Son of God and Saviour of the world! 2. The aggravation of the case - such a one is a deceiver and an antichrist (Jo2 1:7); he deludes souls and undermines the glory and kingdom of the Lord Christ. He must be an impostor, a wilful deceiver, after all the light that has been afforded, and all the evidence that Christ has given concerning himself, and the attestation God has given concerning his Son; and he is a wilful opposer of the person, and honour, and interest of the Lord Christ, and as such shall be reckoned with when the Lord Christ comes again. Let us not think it strange that there are deceivers and opposers of the Lord Christ's name and dignity now, for there were such of old, even in the apostle's times.
II. The counsel given to this elect household hereupon. Now care and caution are needful: Look to yourselves, Jo2 1:8. The more deceivers and deceits abound, the more watchful the disciples must be. Delusions may so prevail that even the elect may be endangered thereby. Two things they must beware of: - 1. That they lose not what they have wrought (Jo2 1:8), what they have done or what they have gained. It is a pity that any religious labour should be in vain; some begin well, but at last lose all their pains. The hopeful gentleman, who had kept the commands of the second table from his youth up, lost all for want of less love to the world and more love to Christ. Professors should take care not to lose what they have gained. Many have not only gained a fair reputation for religion, but much light therein, much conviction of the evil of sin, the vanity of the world, the excellency of religion, and the power of God's word. They have even tasted of the powers of the world to come, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit; and yet at last lose all. You did run well, who hindered you, that you should not obey (or not go on to obey) the truth? Sad it is that fair and splendid attainments in the school of Christ should all be lost at last. 2. That they lose not their reward, none of it, no portion of that honour, or praise, or glory that they once stood fair for. That we (or you, as in some copies) receive a full reward. "Secure you as full a reward as will be given to any in the church of God; if there are degrees of glory, lose none of that grace (that light, or love, or peace) which is to prepare you for the higher elevation in glory. Hold fast that which thou hast (in faith, and hope, and a good conscience), that no man take thy crown, that thou neither lose it nor any jewel out of it," Rev 3:11. The way to attain the full reward is to abide true to Christ, and constant in religion to the end.
III. The reason of the apostle's counsel, and of their care and caution about themselves, which is twofold: - 1. The danger and evil of departure from gospel light and revelation; it is in effect and reality a departure from God himself: Whosoever transgresseth (transgresseth at this dismal rate), and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. It is the doctrine of Christ that is appointed to guide us to God; it is that whereby God draws souls to salvation and to himself. Those who revolt thence, in so doing revolt from God. 2. The advantage and happiness of firm adherence to Christian truth; it unites us to Christ (the object or subject-matter of that truth), and thereby to the Father also; for they are one. He that abideth (rooted and grounded) in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. By the doctrine of Christ we are enlightened in the knowledge of the Father and the Son; by it we are sanctified for the Father and the Son; thereupon we are enriched with holy love to the Father and the Son; and thereby prepared for the endless enjoyment of the Father and the Son. Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken to you, Joh 15:3. This purity makes meet for heaven. The great God, as he has set his seal to the doctrine of Christ, so he puts a value upon it. We must retain that holy doctrine in faith and love, as we hope or desire to arrive at blessed communion with the Father and the Son.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 7–9. Public domain.
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Polycarp of SmyrnaAD 155
Epistle to the Philippians 7
"For whosoever does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, is antichrist;" and whosoever does not confess the testimony of the cross, is of the devil; and whosoever perverts the oracles of the Lord to his own lusts, and says that there is neither a resurrection nor a judgment, he is the first-born of Satan. Wherefore, forsaking the vanity of many, and their false doctrines, let us return to the word which has been handed down to us from the beginning; "watching unto prayer," and persevering in fasting; beseeching in our supplications the all-seeing God "not to lead us into temptation," as the Lord has said: "The spirit truly is willing, but the flesh is weak."
IrenaeusAD 202
Against Heresies Book III
These are they against whom the Lord has cautioned us beforehand; and His disciple, in his Epistle already mentioned, commands us to avoid them, when he says: "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Take heed to them, that ye lose not what ye have wrought."
TertullianAD 220
On Fasting
And how is it that he enjoins duties which belong to our God, and enjoins them to be offered to none other than our God? Either contend that the devil works with our God, or else let the Paraclete be held to be Satan. But you affirm it is "a human Antichrist: "for by this name heretics are called in John. And how is it that, whoever he is, he has in (the name of) our Christ directed these duties toward our Lord; whereas withal antichrists have (ever) gone forth (professedly teaching) towards God, (but) in opposition to our Christ? On which side, then, do you think the Spirit is confirmed as existing among us; when He commands, or when He approves, what our God has always both commanded and approved? But you again set up boundary-posts to God, as with regard to grace, so with regard to discipline; as with regard to gifts, so, too, with regard to solemnities: so that our observances are supposed to have ceased in like manner as His benefits; and you thus deny that He still continues to impose duties, because, in this case again, "the Law and the prophets (were) until John.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on the Catholic Epistles
For many deceivers have gone out into the world, etc. This can also be understood concerning the heretics who indeed confess Jesus Christ incarnate but do not rightly perceive some part of his faith, such as his true flesh, true soul, true divinity, true Father God, true Holy Spirit, omnipotent God, or any other thing that true faith confesses. It can also be taken concerning the Jews, who wholly deny Jesus Christ, swear that Christ has not yet come in the flesh for the salvation of the world, but expect the Antichrist to come for their destruction.
OecumeniusAD 990
Commentary on 2 John
And now I ask you, lady, not as writing a new commandment to you, but what we had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it: for many deceivers have entered into the world, who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh.
For it is the same to walk according to the commandments and to receive them. For virtues operate and exist according to their operation. Therefore, whoever ceases to progress in these, neither keeps nor guards them. To walk, indeed, is said according to development and growth. For as much as one operates according to virtue, so much further one progresses, acquiring a greater habit of honor. For the way of virtue is infinite and never failing. According to this, I think that this has also been said: "In which things the angels desire to look." (1 Peter 1:12) For such is the magnificence of the goods that have been granted to us by Him who was incarnate, that it is desirable even for the angels to take a slight understanding of these things; for this is what "to look" (παρακΰψαι) indicates.
However, someone desires not what ceases, but what continually progresses, and is illuminated by sincere glory. And since that which is inexhaustible cannot be fully embraced by anyone, it is at least desirable to become a participant in it to some extent. John said: "not as writing a new commandment to you," and this he firmly states to those who are mentioned in the preceding epistle, simultaneously demonstrating that it shows what they themselves had experienced by acting according to it, and not from difficult and foreign matters, affecting them with sorrow by approaching the unfamiliar. "not as writing a new commandment to you." He also adds the work of the commandment, that we love one another, and he explains that love consists in that we love one another.
Nor for any other reason was it given from the beginning, John says, except that you might walk in it, revolving and turning the same things in the higher and lower realms: and indeed by love urging them towards inseparability, and that they should not be led away by seducers, who were already walking in the world and rejecting the coming of the Lord in the flesh: but by this that he admonishes to walk according to the Lord's command which was from the beginning, revealing the erroneous opinion of the heretics which is recent: and exhorting that by embracing the command which was from the beginning, they should not be led away by their deceit. For Christ also commanded the disciples about these seducers, saying: "Many will come in my name", saying: I am Christ, and they will deceive many. "Therefore do not follow them." (Luke 21:8) Therefore, keeping these commands, John says, he commands that you should not be deceived, but that you should consider him who hides these things to be "an antichrist".
OecumeniusAD 990
Commentary on 2 John
This is the seducer and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.
"This is the seducer and an antichrist." With this, it must be understood for a more perfect explanation, therefore "who do not confess that," as it should be properly added, "This is the seducer and an antichrist." Without this, the discourse will be disordered and independent, namely passing from the plural to the singular.
This is, John says, an antichrist and seducer. However, by saying, "Those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh," he reveals that he is speaking of those who reject the Lord's coming: since the Lord himself, saying, "Many will come in my name," (Matt. 24:5) does not speak of the first coming, but of the second: Nevertheless, in truth, those who reject the second also reject the first. For if he who came in the flesh also promised a second coming, certainly he who rejects the second also rejects the first: for if he believes that he has come, he would also consider the promise of the one who has come to be certain: but if he despises the promise, it cannot be said in any way that he believes even in the first. Therefore, I believe the beloved disciple used the word "to come," not "to have come," so that he might comprehend those denying both of the Lord's coming in the flesh. Therefore, John instructed them to beware of these: and he adds the reason: "Lest by adhering to them, you lose what you have previously worked for, but receive your full reward without any weakness." But perhaps someone might say in such matters: "What if I do not believe in Christ's coming in the flesh, yet I lead a life in good works, can I not be counted among the pious and religious through these works, nor receive a reward for them?"
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Second John 1:7 serves as a crucial warning from the Apostle John, "the Elder," to believers regarding the pervasive threat of false teachers. It identifies a specific heresy prevalent in the early church: the denial of the true humanity of Jesus Christ, asserting that anyone who propagates such a falsehood is a deceiver and an antichrist. This verse underscores the vital importance of upholding the foundational doctrine of the Incarnation for the integrity of the Christian faith and the purity of the community.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
John employs several literary devices to convey his urgent message. The verse functions as a powerful Polemic, a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something. John directly confronts and condemns the false teaching, leaving no room for ambiguity. He uses Identification by clearly labeling those who deny the Incarnation as "deceivers" and "antichrists," providing a clear criterion for distinguishing truth from error. The Repetition of the term "deceiver" (πλάνος, plános) at the beginning and end of the verse emphasizes the insidious nature of the threat and reinforces the identity of those propagating the heresy. The stark contrast between the truth of Christ's Incarnation and the lie of its denial creates a sense of Antithesis, highlighting the fundamental opposition between genuine Christian doctrine and the spirit of error.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The theological implications of 2 John 1:7 are profound, underscoring the absolute necessity of the Incarnation for Christian theology. The denial that Jesus Christ "is come in the flesh" is not a minor doctrinal quibble but a fundamental assault on the person and work of Christ. If Jesus was not truly human, then he could not truly represent humanity, suffer, or die a real death on the cross. This would invalidate the atonement, rendering salvation impossible. Furthermore, it would distort the nature of God, implying that God could not or would not genuinely connect with his creation in a physical way. John's strong condemnation reveals that the Incarnation is not merely a historical fact but a salvific truth, essential for understanding God's love, justice, and redemptive plan.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In an age characterized by diverse spiritual claims and a blurring of doctrinal lines, 2 John 1:7 remains profoundly relevant for believers today. It calls us to a rigorous doctrinal discernment, urging us not to uncritically accept every teaching, but to "test the spirits" as John himself advises in 1 John 4:1. This requires a deep familiarity with the Scriptures and a reliance on the Holy Spirit to distinguish truth from error. The verse reminds us that the centrality of Christ's Incarnation is not an abstract theological concept but a foundational truth that impacts our understanding of salvation, God's character, and the very nature of reality. Any teaching that diminishes Jesus' full humanity or full deity, whether subtly or overtly, undermines the very core of the Gospel message and must be rejected. Therefore, like the early church, believers today are called to be vigilant guardians of the truth, prepared to identify and lovingly, yet firmly, stand against teachings that are contrary to biblical revelation. This involves cultivating a robust theological understanding and a humble spirit of obedience to Christ's teachings.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does it mean for Jesus Christ to "come in the flesh"?
Answer: For Jesus Christ to "come in the flesh" means that the eternal Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, truly and fully took on human nature, including a physical body, while remaining fully divine. This is known as the doctrine of the Incarnation. It means Jesus was not just a spirit, an illusion, or a temporary manifestation of God, but a real, tangible human being who experienced hunger, thirst, pain, and death, just like us, yet without sin. This truth is foundational to Christianity because it ensures that Jesus could truly represent humanity, offer a real sacrifice for sin, and identify with our struggles, as highlighted in Hebrews 2:14-18.
Who are the "deceivers" and "antichrist" mentioned in this verse?
Answer: In 2 John 1:7, the "deceivers" are false teachers who have infiltrated the Christian community, spreading doctrines contrary to apostolic teaching. Specifically, John identifies them by their denial of the Incarnation—that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. The term "antichrist" (ἀντίχριστος) refers to anyone who opposes Christ or attempts to usurp His place. John uses it here to describe those who fundamentally deny the true person of Christ, particularly His dual nature as fully God and fully man. This spirit of antichrist is characterized by a rejection of the truth about Jesus, as seen in 1 John 4:3.
How can believers identify false teachers today based on this verse?
Answer: While false teachers may not always deny the Incarnation explicitly in the same way as the Docetists, 2 John 1:7 provides a timeless principle: false teaching often attacks the person and work of Jesus Christ. Believers can identify false teachers by carefully examining their teachings against the clear testimony of Scripture, especially concerning who Jesus is (His deity, humanity, sinlessness) and what He accomplished (His atoning death, resurrection, and ascension). Any teaching that diminishes Christ's unique role as Savior and Lord, or that adds to or subtracts from His completed work, should be viewed with suspicion. As Colossians 2:9 reminds us, "in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily," making any denial of his physical reality a grave error.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Second John 1:7, while a stark warning, ultimately magnifies the glory of Christ and the profound truth of his Incarnation. The very heresy it condemns—the denial that Jesus Christ "is come in the flesh"—highlights the indispensable reality of God becoming man. This truth is the cornerstone of God's redemptive plan. Jesus' genuine humanity, affirmed by John, means that he could truly stand in our place, experiencing our frailties and temptations (though without sin, Hebrews 4:15), and offer himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice for sin (as detailed in Hebrews 9:26-28). His physical death and bodily resurrection are the historical bedrock of our faith, demonstrating his victory over sin and death and securing our hope of eternal life. The "antichrist" seeks to undermine this very foundation, but Christ's coming "in the flesh" ensures that God has fully entered our world, bridged the chasm of sin, and established himself as the one mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5). Thus, 2 John 1:7 ultimately points us to the glorious reality of a God who loved us so much that he truly became one of us, to redeem us.