: the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true: and we are in Him that is true, through his Son Jesus Christ. This is 21 the true God *, and everlasting life. My children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 Amen. R. T. * q. d. "By him that is true I mean the true God, and the Giver of everlasting life. See John xii. 50; xvii. 3. Grot. and Whitby's Last Thoughts, Id edit. p. 86. Or, This is the true God, and this Jesus Christ is everlasting life. Ch. i. 2. That ἑτος sometimes refers to the remote antecedent, see Acts ii. 22, 23; vii. 18, 19; 2 John 7." Newcome's note. THE SECOND EPISTLE OF JOΗΝ*. 1 THE elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth; (and not I only, but all those likewise who 2 know the truth ;) because of the truth which abideth in us, 3 and which will be with us for ever: favour, 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. 4 I rejoiced greatly, that I found some of thy children walking in the truth, according as we have received com5 mandment from the Father. And now I beseech thee, lady, not as writing to thee a new commandment, but that which 6 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 ye have heard from the be7 ginning, to the intent that ye should walk in it. For many deceivers have entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesht. Such an one is a 8 deceiver, and an antichrist. Take heed to yourselves; that we lose not those things which we have done, but that 9 we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, hath both the Father and Or, gone forth, Mss, 2 that ye lose not-ye have done-ye receive, Mss. * The second and third epistles of John are placed by Eusebius amongst the books whose genuineness had been called in question: but this was probably owing to their brevity, and to their being addressed to particular persons. For, as Dr. Priestley observes, "both the subjects and the language are so much the same with those of the former epistle, that there cannot be a doubt of their having the same author." † i. e. that he is hot a real man; alluding to the errors of the Docetæ. 1 10 the Son. If any one come unto you, and bring not this doc- 12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: for I hope to come unto you, and 13 speak face to face', that our joy may be full. The children of thy elect sister salute thee. 1 THE THIRD EPISTLE OF JOΗ Ν. 1 THE elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. 2 Beloved, I wish that thou mayest prosper in all things, 3 and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and bare testimony of the truth which is in thee, according as thou walkest in 4 truth. I have no greater joy than in these things, to hear that my children walk in truth 1. 5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully, whatsoever thou doest 6 to the brethren and to strangers; who have borne testimony of thy love before the church: whom if thou conduct on their journey in a manner worthy of God, thou 7 wilt do well. For they went forth for the name of God +, 8 taking nothing from the gentiles. We ought therefore to receive such; that we may be fellow-labourers for the truth. 9 I would have written to the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth 10 us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will call to remembrance his deeds which he doeth, tattling against us with evil words: and, not content herewith, he receiveth not the brethren himself, and forbiddeth those that would, and 11 casteth them out of the church. Beloved, imitate not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good, is of God: but he that doeth evil, hath not seen God. 12 Demetrius hath a good testimony from all men, and from 1 in the truth. N. 2 Or, as becometh a believer, N.m. 3 Because, N. the truth itself: and we also bear him testimony; and ye know that our testimony is true. 13 I had many things to write; yet I will not write to thee 14 with ink and pen1: but I hope that I shall shortly see thee, when we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name. |