2 John 1

2 John · Chapter 1

2 John 1:11

1The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;2For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.3Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.4I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.5And 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.6And 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.7For 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.8Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.9Whosoever 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.10If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:11For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.12Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.13The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
11For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.for he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works.

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

The elder warns that deceivers are going about who deny that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. He tells the readers not to take such a teacher into their house or send him on with a greeting. This verse gives the reason: whoever welcomes him shares in his evil work. 2 John 1:72 John 1:102 John 1:11

Commonly taken out of context

How it’s often usedQuoted as a rule to refuse any kindness, conversation, or greeting to anyone who holds different beliefs on any matter.

In contextThe warning is about deceivers who deny that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh and who do not abide in the doctrine of Christ. The concern is taking such teachers into the house and sending them on, which would support their work. 2 John 1:72 John 1:92 John 1:102 John overview

Speaking"The elder," who does not give his name. Early Christian tradition identifies him as John the apostle. 2 John 1:12 John overview

To"The elect lady and her children." This may be a Christian woman and her family, or a figurative name for a local church. The letter does not say which. 2 John 1:12 John overview

Also involvedTravelling teachers who do not bring the doctrine of Christ, and anyone who welcomes and supports them. 2 John 1:92 John 1:102 John overview

Welcoming a false teacher is not neutral. The one who sends him on his way with a greeting takes a share in what he is doing. Other Scripture also warns against being a "partaker of other men's sins." 2 John 1:111 Timothy 5:22Ephesians 5:11Revelation 18:4

The letter does not say where it was written or sent. Early tradition places John's last years in Ephesus, and the readers were likely in the province of Asia. 2 John overview

ACHAIAASIAGALATIAPHRYGIAAegean SeaEphesusPatmosSmyrnaPergamumThyatiraSardisPhiladelphiaLaodicea

The eventsChristian teachers travelled between churches and relied on believers to house them. Some taught that Jesus Christ had not come in the flesh. 2 John overview2 John 1:7

WrittenTraditional: about AD 85-95, late in John's life. Scholarly: most also place it in the late first century, though some think "the elder" was a church leader other than the apostle. 2 John overview

HereThe elder wants the readers to protect what they have worked for and not lose their full reward. Housing and sending off false teachers would help spread their teaching. 2 John 1:82 John 1:102 John overview

In the whole of ScriptureThe letter holds truth and love together. Love means walking in God's commandments, and hospitality must not become support for teaching that denies Christ came in the flesh. 2 John 1:52 John 1:62 John overview

For readersReaders are reminded that helping someone's work makes you part of it. Scripture repeatedly calls God's people not to share in others' sins. 2 John 1:111 Timothy 5:22Psalms 50:18Ephesians 5:11

  • God speed (to rejoice)χαίρω
    Greek · chairō · G5463

    The word means "to rejoice, be glad," and in this infinitive form it was used as a common greeting. The elder is speaking of the greeting given to the visiting teacher. Strong's G54632 John 1:10

  • is partakerκοινωνέω
    Greek · koinōneō · G2841

    It means to have a share of, go shares in, take part in. The same verb appears in 1 Timothy 5:22, "neither be partaker of other men's sins." Strong's G28411 Timothy 5:22

  • evilπονηρός
    Greek · ponēros · G4190

    In an ethical sense it means bad, evil, wicked. It describes the deceiver's works, the teaching that denies Christ came in the flesh. Strong's G41902 John 1:7

Takeaway

Love does not mean helping spread a denial of Christ. Whoever welcomes and sends on such a teacher shares in his work. 2 John 1:62 John 1:72 John 1:11

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-23.

The world around the text

Behind this verse

Travelling teachers
Christian teachers and messengers moved between cities and lodged with believers. An early church manual, the Didache, tells churches to welcome a travelling teacher who teaches the truth, but says one who stays three days, or asks for money, is a false prophet. Acts 18:27Romans 16:1-2Didache 11.1-6

About AD 85-95. Roman emperor: Domitian (AD 81-96). Where early tradition places John's last years. The greatest city of the province of Asia, on the west coast of today's Turkey.

Who ruled
  • Roman emperorDomitianAD 81-96

    Son of Vespasian and brother of Titus. Suetonius says he had himself styled "our Lord and God" in official letters. Early Christian writers say John was exiled to Patmos in his reign. Suetonius, Domitian 13Revelation 1:9Irenaeus, Against Heresies 5.30.3Eusebius, Church History 3.18

  • Roman emperorsNerva and TrajanAD 96-98, 98-117

    After Domitian was murdered in AD 96 the Senate chose the elderly Nerva, who adopted the general Trajan. Early tradition says John lived on in Ephesus into Trajan's reign. Suetonius, Domitian 14-17Cassius Dio, Roman History 68.1-4Irenaeus, Against Heresies 2.22.5

  • Governor of the province of AsiaThe proconsul of AsiaOne-year terms

    Asia was governed by a proconsul appointed for a year at a time, who heard cases in its leading cities, Ephesus among them. Acts 19:38Strabo, Geography 17.3.25

  • King of ParthiaPacorus IIc. AD 78-110

    Ruler of the Parthian empire beyond the Euphrates, Rome's great rival in the east, at peace with Rome through these years. Cassius Dio, Roman History 68.17

What was happening, AD 70 to AD 96
  1. AD 70
    WarJerusalem and its temple destroyed

    Roman armies under Titus took Jerusalem after a long siege and burned the temple, as Jesus had foretold. Josephus, Jewish War 6.249-287Luke 21:5-6Luke 21:20-24

  2. August AD 79
    DisasterVesuvius buries Pompeii

    The eruption of Vesuvius buried Pompeii and Herculaneum. Pliny the Younger watched it from across the bay; his uncle Pliny the Elder died trying to rescue people. Pliny the Younger, Letters 6.16, 6.20

  3. AD 80
    BuildingThe Colosseum opens in Rome

    Titus opened the great amphitheater begun by his father Vespasian with 100 days of games. Suetonius, Titus 7.3Cassius Dio, Roman History 66.25

  4. AD 83 or 84
    WarRome's furthest push into Britain

    The governor Agricola defeated the Caledonians at Mons Graupius in what is now Scotland, and his fleet sailed around the north of Britain. Tacitus, Agricola 29-38

  5. AD 85-89
    WarWar with the Dacians

    The Dacians crossed the Danube and killed a Roman governor. After years of fighting, Domitian made a peace that paid their king Decebalus a yearly subsidy. Suetonius, Domitian 6Cassius Dio, Roman History 67.6-7

  6. c. AD 89
    BuildingEphesus builds a temple to the emperors

    Ephesus won the honor of a provincial temple for the worship of the emperors, the Temple of the Sebastoi, with a colossal statue of an emperor. Its remains stand in the city's upper square. Temple of the Sebastoi, Ephesus (excavated remains and inscriptions)

  7. AD 93-94
    DiscoveryJosephus finishes his history of the Jews

    In Rome the Jewish historian Josephus completed his Antiquities of the Jews, which mentions John the Baptist, James the brother of Jesus, and Jesus himself. Josephus, Antiquities 20.267Josephus, Antiquities 18.116-119, 20.200

  8. c. AD 95
    The churchJohn on Patmos

    John was on the island of Patmos "for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ" when he received the Revelation. Early writers date this to the end of Domitian's reign. Revelation 1:9Irenaeus, Against Heresies 5.30.3

  9. c. AD 96
    The churchClement of Rome writes to Corinth

    The church at Rome sent a letter, traditionally by Clement, to settle a dispute at Corinth where younger members had removed their elders. It is one of the earliest Christian writings outside the New Testament. 1 Clement 1, 44, 47

  10. September AD 96
    RulersDomitian is murdered

    Domitian was killed in a palace plot. The Senate condemned his memory and chose Nerva as emperor. Suetonius, Domitian 14-17, 23

The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then ancient writers on these years (Suetonius, Tacitus, Cassius Dio, Josephus, Pliny, Irenaeus, Eusebius). The letter names no place, so the setting follows early tradition. Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.

Original Greek words

EnglishGreekSay itStrong'sMeaning
tellingλέγωνlegōnG3004G
to say

λέγω (legō) λέγω, [in LXX very freq., chiefly for אמר; λέγει for נְאֻם, Gen.22:16, al. ;] 1. in Hom., to pick out, gather, reckon, recount. 2. In Hdt. and Att., to say, speak, affirm, declare: absol., Act.13:15, 24:10; before orat. dir., Mat.9:34, Mrk.3:11, Jhn.1:29, al.; before ὅτι recit., Mrk.3:21, Luk.1:24, Jhn.6:14, al.; accusative and inf., Luk.11:18, Jhn.12:29, al.; after another verb of speaking, προσφωνεῖν κ. λέγειν, Mat.11:17, al.; ἀπεκρίθη (ἐλάλησεν) λέγων (καὶ λέγει; Dalman, Words, 24 ff.), Mat.25:9, Mrk.3:33, 7:28, Luk.24:6, 7, al.; of unspoken thought, λ. ἐν ἑαυτῷ, Mat.3:9, Luk.3:8, al.; of …

forγὰρgarG1063
for

γάρ (gar) γάρ, co-ordinating particle, contr. of γε ἄρα, verily then, hence, in truth, indeed, yea, then, why, and when giving a reason or explanation, for, the usage in NT being in general accord with that of cl.; 1. explicative and epexegetic: Mat.4:18 19:12, Mrk.1:16 5:42 16:4, Luk.11:3o, Rom.7:1, 1Co.16:5, al. 2. Conclusive, in questions, answers and exclamations: Mat.9:5 27:23, Luk.9:25 22:27, Jhn.9:30, Act.8:31 16:37 19:35, Rom.15:26, 1Co.9:10, Php.1:18 (Ellic., in l.), 1Th.2:20, al. …

himαὐτῷautōG0846
it/s/he

αὐτός (autos) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; …

to rejoiceχαίρειν,chaireinG5463
to rejoice

χαίρω (chairō) χαίρω [in LXX for שָׂמַח (Gen.45:16, al.), גִּיל (Pro.2:14, al.), etc.; inf., as greeting (see infr.), Isa.48:22 57:21 שָׁלוֹם), 1Ma.10:18, 2Ma.1:1 and frequently in these books ;] 1. to rejoice, be glad: Mrk.14:11, Luk.15:5, 32 19:6, 37 22:5 23:8, Jhn.8:56 20:20, Act.5:41 8:39 11:23 13:48, 2Co.6:10 7:7 13:9, Php.2:17, 28, Col.2:5, 1Th.5:16, 1Pe.4:13, 3Jn.3; χ. καὶ ἀγαλλιᾶσθαι, Mat.5:12; κ. σκιρτᾶν, Luk.6:23; opposite to κλαίειν, Rom.12:15, 1Co.7:30; to κλαίειν κ. θρηνεῖν Jhn.16:20; to λύπην ἔχειν, Jhn.16:22; with cogn. accusative, χ. χαρὰν μεγάλην, Mat.2:10; χαρᾷ χ. (B1., § 38, 3; Dalman, W …

partakesκοινωνεῖkoinōneiG2841
to participate

κοινωνέω (koinōneō) κοινωνέω, -ῶ [in LXX: 2Ch.20:35, Job.34:8, Ecc.9:4 (חָבַר), Pro.1:11, Wis.6:23, Sir.13:1, al. ;] to have a share of, go shares in (something) with (some one), take part in: with genitive of thing(s) (as usually in cl., so Pr, l.with), Heb.2:14; with dative of thing(s), Rom.12:13 15:27, 1Ti.5:22, 1Pe.4:13, 2Jn.11; with dative of person(s), before εἰς, Php.4:15; ἐν, Gal.6:6 (cf. συν-κοινωνέω).† (AS)

worksἔργοιςergoisG2041
work

ἔργον (ergon) ἔργον, -ου, τό (originally Ϝέργον, work), [very frequently in LXX, chiefly for מַשֶׂה, מְלָאכָה, also for עֲבֹדָה, פֹּעַל, etc. ;] 1. work, task, employment: Mrk.13:34, Jhn.4:34 17:4, Act.13:2, Php.1:22 2:30, 1Th.5:13, al.; of an enterprise or undertaking (Deu.15:10, Wis.2:12), Act.5:38. …

of himαὐτοῦautouG0846
it/s/he

αὐτός (autos) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; …

evil.πονηροῖς.¶ponēroisG4190
evil/bad

πονηρός (ponēros) πονηρός, -ά, -όν (πονέω, to toil), [in LXX chiefly for רַע ;] 1. (a) of persons, oppressed by toils (Hes.); (b) of things, toilsome, painful (καιρός, Sir.51:12): Eph.5:16 6:13 Rev.16:2. 2. bad, worthless; (a) in physical sense: καρπός, Mat.7:17-18; (b) in ethical sense, bad, evil, wicked; …

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.