2 John 1:3
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Grace 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. | Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, will be with us in truth and love. | Grace, mercy, peace shall be with us, from God the Father, and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedThis is the elder's greeting at the start of a short letter. He wishes grace, mercy and peace from both the Father and Jesus Christ, "in truth and love." Those two words, truth and love, run through the whole letter that follows. 2 John 1:12 John 1:32 John 1:42 John 1:52 John overview
Speaking"The elder," who does not give his name. Early Christian tradition identifies him as John the apostle. Some scholars think he was a different church leader. 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 and its members. The letter does not say which. 2 John 1:12 John overview
A blessing names three gifts: grace, mercy and peace. Their source is God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, "the Son of the Father." They come "in truth and love." Paul opens 1 Timothy with the same three gifts from the same two givers. 2 John 1:31 Timothy 1:2Romans 1:7
The letter does not say where it was written or sent. Early tradition places John's last years in Ephesus. The readers were a church or household he hoped to visit, likely in the province of Asia. 2 John overview2 John 1:12
The eventsThe greeting opens the letter. The text itself gives no date. 2 John 1:32 John overview
WrittenTraditional view: about AD 85-95, late in John's life, near the time of 1 John. Scholarly view: most scholars also place it in the late first century. 2 John overview
HereThe greeting sets up the letter's two concerns. The readers are to walk in truth and love, and they are to refuse deceivers who deny that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. 2 John overview2 John 1:42 John 1:62 John 1:7
In the whole of ScriptureThe verse calls Jesus "the Son of the Father." Later in the letter, whoever abides in the doctrine of Christ "hath both the Father and the Son." 1 John 2:23 says the same: denying the Son means not having the Father. 2 John 1:32 John 1:91 John 2:23
For readersGod's gifts come joined to truth and love, not to one without the other. Other letters also link faith and love "which is in Christ Jesus." 2 John 1:32 John overview2 Timothy 1:131 Timothy 1:14
The lexicon gives this form as "will be," from the verb "to be." This fits verse 2, where the truth "shall be with us for ever." Strong's G15102 John 1:2
- mercyἔλεος
It means mercy, pity or compassion. In the Greek Old Testament it chiefly translates the Hebrew word chesed. The same word appears in Paul's greeting to Timothy. Strong's G16561 Timothy 1:2
- peaceεἰρήνη
In the Greek Old Testament it chiefly translates shalom. It is used for agreement and harmony between people, not just the absence of war. Strong's G1515
- truthἀλήθεια
It can mean true teaching, especially Christian doctrine, or truthfulness and integrity of character. The letter uses both senses. The truth "dwelleth in us," and believers are found "walking in truth." Strong's G02252 John 1:22 John 1:4
- loveἀγάπη
The word covers people's love for one another and God's love for people. The letter defines it as walking after God's commandments. 1 John 4:10 roots it in God sending his Son. Strong's G00262 John 1:61 John 4:10
Takeaway
Grace, mercy and peace come from the Father and the Son together. They come "in truth and love," the two things this letter will not let anyone separate. 2 John 1:32 John 1:92 John overview
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
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
- AD 70WarJerusalem 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
- August AD 79DisasterVesuvius 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
- AD 80BuildingThe 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
- AD 83 or 84WarRome'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
- AD 85-89WarWar 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
- c. AD 89BuildingEphesus 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)
- AD 93-94DiscoveryJosephus 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
- c. AD 95The 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
- c. AD 96The 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
- September AD 96RulersDomitian 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
| English | Greek | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Will be | ἔσται | estai | G1510 | you areεἶ (ei) εἰμί, with various uses and significations, like the English verb to be. I. As substantive verb. 1. Of persons and things, to be, exist: Act.17:28, Jhn.1:1, 8:58, 17:5, al; ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν (for past ptcp.), Rev.1:4, 8, 4:8, 11:17, 16:5 (see Swete, Ap., 5; M, Pr., 228); τὰ (μὴ) ὄντα, Rom.4:17, 1Co.1:28. 2. Of times, events, etc., to be, happen, take place: Mat.24:3, Mrk.14:2, 15:42, Luk.21:23, Jhn.4:6, 23, 5:10, al. … |
| with | μεθ᾽ | meth᾽ | G3326 | with/afterμετά (meta) μετά (before vowel μετ᾽; on the neglect of elision in certain cases, V. WH, App., 146 b), prep. with genitive, accusative (in poet, also with dative), [in LXX for אַחַד ,עִם ,אֵת, etc.]. I. C. genitive, 1. among, amid: Mrk.1:13, Luk.22:37 (LXX, ἐν) 24:5, Jhn.18:5, al.; διωγμῶν, Mrk.10:30. … |
| us | ἡμῶν | hēmōn | G3165 | meμέ (me) 1. apostrophe for με. 2. rarely for μοι, (Homer) (ML) |
| grace | χάρις | charis | G5485 | graceχάρις (charis) χάρις, -ιτος, ἡ Abbott-Smith does not include the article here., accusative, χάριν (χάριτα in Act.24:27, Ju 4; see WH, App., 157), [in LXX chiefly for חֵן ;] 1. objectively, that which causes favourable regard, gracefulness, grace, loveliness of form, graciousness of speech (cl.; Ecc.10:12, Sir.21:16, al.): Col.4:6; λόγοι τ. χάριτος (genitive qual.), Luk.4:22. 2. Subjectively, … |
| mercy | ἔλεος | eleos | G1656 | mercyἔλεος (eleos) ἔλεος, -ους, τό (cl. -ου, ὁ, and so Rec., Mat.9:13 12:7 23:23, Tit.3:5, Heb.4:16; on the Hellenistic form τό ἔ., see WH, App., 158; M, Pr., 60; Mayser, 277; Kühner, i, 515), [in LXX chiefly for חֶסֶד ;] mercy, pity, compassion; 1. of men: Mat.9:13 (LXX) Mat.12:7 23:23; ποιεῖν ἔ. (and id. before μετά, with genitive; cf. Heb. עִם חֶסֶד עָשָׂה, Gen.21:23, al.), Luk.10:37, Jas.2:13 3:17. … |
| [and] peace | εἰρήνη | eirēnē | G1515 | peaceεἰρήνη (eirēnē) εἰρήνη, -ης, ἡ, [in LXX chiefly for שָׁלוֹם ;] peace; 1. of public peace, freedom from war: Luk.14:32, Act.12:20 24:2; of the church, Ac 9:31. 2. Of peace between persons, concord, agreement : Mat.10:34, Luk.12:51, Rom.14:17, 1Co.7:15, Gal.5:22, Jas.3:18; ζητεῖν εἰ., 1Pe.3:11; διώκειν, 2Ti.2:22; ib. before μετὰ πάντων, Heb.12:14; by meton., of him who brings peace, Eph.2:14. … |
| from | παρὰ | para | G3844 | from/with/besideπαρά (para) παρά, prep. with genitive, dative, accusative, with radical sense, beside. I. C. genitive of person(s), from the side of, from beside, from, indicating source or origin, [in LXX for מֵאֵצֶל ,מִיַד ,מִלִּפְנֵי ;] after verbs of motion, Mrk.14:43, Luk.8:49, Jhn.15:26, al.; after verbs of seeking, receiving, hearing, etc., Mrk.8:11 12:2, Jhn.4:9, 52 10:18, Php.4:18, 2Ti.1:18, Jas.1:7, al.; after passive verbs, of the agent (like ὑπό), Mat.21:42, Mrk.12:11, Luk.1:37; absol., οἱ παρ᾽ αὐτοῦ, his family, his kinsfolk, Mrk.3:21 (cf. M, Pr., 106f.; Field, Notes, 25f.; Swete, in l.); τὰ παρ᾽ αὐτῆς (αὐ … |
| God | θεοῦ | theou | G2316 | Godθεός (theos) θεός, -οῦ, ὁ, ἡ (Act.19:37 only; see M, Pr., 60, 244), late voc., θεέ (Mat.27:46; cf. Deu.3:24, al.), [in LXX chiefly for אֱלֹהִים, also for אֵל and other cognate forms, יהוה, etc. ;] a god or deity, God. 1. In polytheistic sense, a god or deity: Act.28:6, 1Co.8:4, 2Th.2:4, al.; pl., Ac. 14:11 19:26, Gal.4:8, al. 2. Of the one true God; … |
| [the] Father | πατρὸς | patros | G3962 | fatherπατήρ (patēr) πατήρ, πατρός, -τρί, τέρα, [in LXX chiefly and very frequently for אָב ;] a father; 1. prop., (a) of the male parent: Mat.2:22, Luk.1:17, Jhn.4:53; anarth., Heb.12:7 (M, Pr., 82 f.); pl., of both parents (cl.), Heb.11:23; οἱ π. τ. σαρκός, Heb.12:9; (b) of a forefather or ancestor (in cl. usually in pl.; Hom., al.): Mat.3:9, Luk.1:73, Jhn.8:39, al.; pl., Mat.23:30, 32 Luk.6:23, 26 Jhn.4:20, 1Co.10:1, al. 2. Metaphorical, (a) of an author, originator, or archetype (= αἴτιος, ἀρχηγός, etc.; Pind., Plat., al.): Jhn.8:41-44, Rom.4:11, 12 16. … |
| and | καὶ | kai | G2532 | andκαί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. … |
| from | παρὰ | para | G3844 | from/with/besideπαρά (para) παρά, prep. with genitive, dative, accusative, with radical sense, beside. I. C. genitive of person(s), from the side of, from beside, from, indicating source or origin, [in LXX for מֵאֵצֶל ,מִיַד ,מִלִּפְנֵי ;] after verbs of motion, Mrk.14:43, Luk.8:49, Jhn.15:26, al.; after verbs of seeking, receiving, hearing, etc., Mrk.8:11 12:2, Jhn.4:9, 52 10:18, Php.4:18, 2Ti.1:18, Jas.1:7, al.; after passive verbs, of the agent (like ὑπό), Mat.21:42, Mrk.12:11, Luk.1:37; absol., οἱ παρ᾽ αὐτοῦ, his family, his kinsfolk, Mrk.3:21 (cf. M, Pr., 106f.; Field, Notes, 25f.; Swete, in l.); τὰ παρ᾽ αὐτῆς (αὐ … |
| Lord | κυρίου | kuriou | G2962G | lord: Godκύριος (kurios) κύριος, -α, -ον (also -ος, -ον), [in LXX (subst.) chiefly for יהוה, also for בַּעַל ,אָדוֹן, etc. ;] having power (κῦρος) or authority; as subst., ὁ κ., lord, master; 1. in general: with genitive of thing(s), Mat.9:38 20:8, Mrk.12:9 13:35, Luk.19:33; τ. σαββάτου, Mat.12:8, Mrk.2:28, Luk.6:5; with genitive of person(s), δούλου, etc., Mat.10:24, Luk.14:21, Act.16:16, al.; absol, opposite to οἱ δοῦλοι, Eph.6:5, 9 al.; of the Emperor (Deiss., LAE, 161), Act.25:26; θεοὶ πολλοὶ καὶ κ. πολλοί, 1Co.8:5; of a husband, 1Pe.3:6; in voc, as a title of respect to masters, teachers, magistrates, etc., Ma … |
| Jesus | Ἰησοῦ | Iēsou | G2424G | JesusἸησοῦς (Iēsous) Ἰησοῦς, -οῦ, dative, voc. -οῦ, accusative, -οῦν (Heb. יֵשׁוּעַ ,יְהֹשֻׁעַ ,יְהוֹשׁוּעַ), 1. JESUS: Mat.1:21, al.; ὁ Ἰ, ib. 3:13, al.; Ἰ. Χριστός, ib. 1:1, Mrk.1:1, al.; Χρ. Ἰ., Rom.2:26, al.; κύριος Ἰ., Act.28:31, al.; Ἰησοῦ, voc., Mrk.1:24, al. 2. Joshua: Act.7:45, Heb.4:8. 3. Jesus, son of Eliezer: Luk.3:28. 4. Jesus, surnamed Justus: Col.4:11. 5. see: βαραββᾶς. (AS) |
| Christ | Χριστοῦ | Christou | G5547 | ChristΧριστός (Christos) χριστός (Χρ-), -ή, -όν (χρίω), [in LXX for מָשִׁיחַ and cogn. forms ;] 1. 1. as adj., (a) of things, anointing, to be used as ointment (Æsch., Eur., al.; τ. ἔλαιον τὸ χ., Lev.21:10); (b) of persons, anointed (ὁ ἰερεὺς ὁ χ., Lev.4:5; οἱ χ. ἰευρεῖς, 2Ma.1:10): ὁ χ. τοῦ κυρίου or Θεοῦ (1Ki.2:10, Psa.2:2, al.), of the Messiah (Aram., מְשִׁיחָא; cf. Dalman, Words, 289 ff.), Luk.2:11, 26 Jhn.1:41, Act.2:36 4:26, al. … |
| Son | υἱοῦ | huiou | G5207 | sonυἱός (uhios) υἱός, -οῦ, ὁ, [in LXX very frequently and nearly always for בֵּן, Gen.4:17, al.; for בַּר, Dan LXX TH 7:13, al.; etc. ;], a son; 1. in the ordinary sense: Mat.10:37, Mrk.9:17, Luk.1:13, al. mult.; omitted with the art. of origin (WM, §30, 3; Bl., §35, 2), τὸν τοῦ Ἰεσσαί, Act.13:22 (LXX); also with genitive anarth. (cl.), Σώπατρος Πύρρου Βεροιαῖος, Act.20:4; with adj., προτότοκος, Luk.2:7; μονογένης, Luk.7:12; opposite to νόθος, Heb.12:8; in a wider sense, of posterity: ὁ υἱ. Δαυΐδ, of the Messiah (cf. Dalman, Words, 316ff.; DCG, ii, 653f.), Mat.22:42, 45 Mrk.12:35, 37 Luk.20:41, 44 al.; υἱοὶ … |
| Father | πατρὸς | patros | G3962 | fatherπατήρ (patēr) πατήρ, πατρός, -τρί, τέρα, [in LXX chiefly and very frequently for אָב ;] a father; 1. prop., (a) of the male parent: Mat.2:22, Luk.1:17, Jhn.4:53; anarth., Heb.12:7 (M, Pr., 82 f.); pl., of both parents (cl.), Heb.11:23; οἱ π. τ. σαρκός, Heb.12:9; (b) of a forefather or ancestor (in cl. usually in pl.; Hom., al.): Mat.3:9, Luk.1:73, Jhn.8:39, al.; pl., Mat.23:30, 32 Luk.6:23, 26 Jhn.4:20, 1Co.10:1, al. 2. Metaphorical, (a) of an author, originator, or archetype (= αἴτιος, ἀρχηγός, etc.; Pind., Plat., al.): Jhn.8:41-44, Rom.4:11, 12 16. … |
| in | ἐν | en | G1722 | in/on/amongἐν (en) ἐν, prep, (the most frequently of all in NT), with dative (= Heb. בְּ, Lat. in, with abl.). I. Of place, with dative of thing(s), of person(s), in, within, on, at, by, among: ἐν τ. πόλει, Luk.7:37; τ. οφθαλμῷ, Mat.7:3; τ. κοιλίᾳ, Mat.12:40; τ. ὄρει, 2Pe.1:18; τ. θρόνῳ, Rev.3:21; τ. δεξιᾷ τ. θεοῦ, Rom.8:34; ἐν ἡμῖν Abbott-Smith has ὑμῖν., Luk.1:1; of books, ἐν τ. βιβλίῳ, Gal.3:10; τ. νόμῳ, Mat.12:5, al.; ἐν τοῖς τ. Πατρός, in my Father's house (RV; cf. M, Pr., 103), Luk.2:49; trop., of the region of thought or feeling, ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ (-αις), Mat.5:28, 2Co.4:6, al.; τ. συνειδήσεσιν, 2Co.5:11; af … |
| truth | ἀληθείᾳ | alētheia | G0225 | truthἀλήθεια (alētheia) ἀλήθεια, -ας, ἡ (ἀληθής), [in LXX chiefly for אֱמֶת (on which, see Cremer, 627f.), אֱמוּנָה ;] truth (see DB, iv, 818f.). 1. Objectively, "the reality lying at the basis of an appearance; the manifested, veritable essence of a matter" (Cremer, 86): Rom.9:1, al.; of religious truth, Rom.1:25, al.; esp. of Christian doctrine, Gal.2:5, al.; ἀ. θεοῦ, Rom.15:8. 2. Subjectively, truthfulness, truth, not merely verbal (cl.), but sincerity and integrity of character: Jhn.8:44, 3Jo.3. … |
| and | καὶ | kai | G2532 | andκαί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. … |
| love. | ἀγάπῃ.¶ | agapē | G0026 | loveἀγάπη (agapē) ἀγάπη, -ης, ἡ [in LXX for אַהֲבָה, which is also rendered by ἀγάπησις and φιλία ;] love, goodwill, esteem. Outside of bibl. and eccl. books, there is no clear instance (with Deiss., LAE, 18:4, 70:2, cf. the same writer in Constr. Quar., ii, 4; and with MM, VGT, see word, cf. Dr. Moulton in Exp. Times, xxvi, 3, 139). In NT, like ἀγαπάω, -ῶ, 1. Of men's love: (a) to one another, Jhn.13:35; (b) to God, 1Jn.2:5. 2. Of divine love; (a) God's love: to men, Rom.5:8; to Christ, Jhn.17:26; (b) Christ's love to men: Rom.8:35. 3. In pl., love feasts: Ju 12 (DB, iii, 157). … |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.