Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 John 1:2
For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us forever.
2. For the truth’s sake ] The repetition of the word ‘truth’ is quite in S. John’s style. ‘The truth’ here and at the end of 2Jn 1:1 means the truth as revealed in Christ and the Spirit.
which dwelleth in us ] Better, as R. V., which abideth in us: see on 1Jn 2:24.
and shall be with us for ever ] ‘With us’ is emphatic: and with us it shall be for ever. An echo of Christ’s farewell discourses: ‘He shall give you another Advocate, that He may be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth ’ (Joh 14:16). Comp. ‘I am the Truth’ (Joh 14:6) and ‘The Spirit is the Truth’ (1Jn 5:6). The Apostle and all believers love the elect lady and her children on account of the ever-abiding presence of Christ in the gift of the Spirit. ‘For ever’ is literally ‘unto the age’: see on 1Jn 2:17.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
For the truths sake – They love this family because they love the truth, and see it so cordially embraced and so happily exemplified. Those who love the gospel itself will rejoice in all the effects which it produces in society, on individuals, families, neighborhoods, and their hearts will be drawn with warm affection to the places where its influence is most fully seen.
Which dwelleth in us – In us who are Christians; that is, the truths of the gospel which we have embraced. Truth may be said to have taken up a permanent abode in the hearts of all who love religion.
And shall be with us for ever – Its abode with us is not for a night or a day; not for a month or a year; not for the few years that make up mortal life; it is not a passing stranger that finds a lodging like the weary traveler for a night, and in the morning is gone to be seen no more; it has come to us to make our hearts its permanent home, and it is to be with us in all worlds, and while ceaseless ages shall roll away.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 2. For the truth’s sake] On account of the Gospel.
Which dwelleth in us] By the grace which it has proclaimed.
And shall be with us] For God will preserve not only the Christian religion but its truth, all its essential doctrines for ever. And they that abide in the truth shall go whither that truth leads, i.e. to glory. The Armenian has a strange reading here: “For the truth’s sake which dwelleth in us, because it is also with you; and ye shall be with us for ever.” But this is supported by no other version, nor by any MS.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The indwelling of evangelical truth, which is here meant, signifies its deep radication, and powerful transforming efficacy, in the soul, so as to be productive of holiness, as Joh 17:17; than which nothing can be a greater inducement among Christians of mutual love.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Forthe truths sake joined with I love, 2Jo1:1.They who love inthe truth, also love onaccount of the truth.
dwellethin us, and shall be with us for ever in consonance with Christs promise.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us,…. Not for her high birth, nobility, or riches; but either for Christ’s sake, who is the truth, and who dwells in the hearts of believers by faith, and who is the same that dwells in one as in another; and on his account it is that saints love one another, because they belong to him, he is formed in them, and his image is stamped upon them; and every like loves its like: or for the Gospel’s sake, which has a place, and dwells in every saint, and is the same for matter and substance in one as in another; and unity of mind and judgment produces unity of affection: or for the sake of the truth of grace, the inward principle of grace, which dwells in every regenerate person; a communication of the experience of which knits the saints one to another:
and shall be with us for ever; where Christ enters and takes up his abode, from thence he never finally and totally departs, though he may sometimes hide his face with respect to communion, or withdraw his gracious presence; and where the Gospel has once took place in the heart, and is become the ingrafted word, it can never be rooted out, or be removed; and where the truth of grace is, it will remain; it is an incorruptible seed, a well of living water, springing up into eternal life.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
For the truth’s sake ( ). Repetition of the word, one of which John is very fond (1Jo 1:6, “the truth, as revealed by the Christ, and gradually unfolded by the Spirit, who is truth” (Brooke).
Which abideth in us ( ). See Joh 17:19 for “sanctified in truth” and 1Jo 2:6 for abiding in Christ, and so it includes all who are in Christ.
It shall be with us (‘ ). Confident assertion, not a mere wish. Note the order of the words, “With us it shall be” ( future middle of ).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Which dwelleth [ ] . Rev., abideth. Enlarging on the idea of the truth : that which abideth. See on 1Jo 4:9, on the phrase to abide in, see on 1Jo 2:6.
Shall be with us [ ] . With us has the emphatic position in the sentence : and with us it shall be. Note the change from abideth in to shall be with, and see on Joh 14:16, 17.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “For the truth’s sake” (Greek dia) means “Because of the truth.”
2) “Which dwelleth in us” – or remains or abides in us. If children of God in Church affinity of covenant fellowship do not become embracers of the truth, the body of Bible truth, and let it abide in them, who shall? Psa 119:130; 2Ti 2:15.
3) “And shall be with us forever.” The Church of Jesus Christ is the pillar and ground, the depository, and divinely appointed dispenser of the truth, 1Ti 3:15; Joh 17:17; Joh 8:32; Mat 28:18-20.
4) Note Verse 1, John loved those who loved and knew the truth; and in verse 2 he asserted that this body of truth could and would abide or remain with and in us forever. Neither 1) His Word of truth nor (2) His Church will ever pass away. Mat 24:35; Mat 16:18; Mat 28:20; Eph 3:21.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
2. And all love her for the indwelling truth’s sake; or on account of that indwelling truth. The common possession of that truth is a common ground and inspiration of mutual love. The Christian loves the Christian because he is a Christian.
Shall be forever It is intrinsically a permanent possession. Yet the condition of its being retained by us is expressed in 2Jn 1:9, and is implied here. It will abide in us while we abide in it.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
states the cause of the love
2Jn 1:2 states the cause of the love.
] The idea signifies here, as in the First Epistle, firm, sure existence.
In the apostle includes the loving and the loved (so also Braune).
The is based on the possession of the .
Carpzovius incorrectly connects these words with 2Jn 1:3 .
By the addition: , the imperishable endurance of fellowship with the truth is declared (Dsterdieck, Braune), and it is not merely the wish for it that is expressed (Lcke, Ebrard). By (as distinguished from ) the objectivity of the truth is indicated (Braune). The irregularity of the construction, inasmuch as the finite verb is used instead of a participle (comp. A. Buttmann, p. 327; Winer, p. 510; VII. p. 533), serves to give prominence to the idea.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
2 For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
Ver. 2. For the truth’s sake ] This is the love that will hold again, and is a sure sign of love unfeigned, when it is thus well founded. Sinisterity is opposite to sincerity. Some love the saints as Isaac loved Esau, for the venison that he brought him, &c.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Jn 1:2 . , not merely apprehended by the intellect but welcomed by the heart. , nobiscum, bei uns , as our guest and companion.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
For, &c. = On account of (App-104. 2Jn 1:2) the truth.
dwelleth = abideth. Greek. meno. See p. 1511.
for ever. App-151. a.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
2Jn 1:2. , beloved) This expression occurs three times, in 2Jn 1:2; 2Jn 1:5; 2Jn 1:11.- , respecting all things) that which relates to all parts [in all respects].-, to prosper) in property, etc.-, to be in health) in body.-, even as) Where the soul is in health, it is possible for all things to be in health.
even in addressing illustrious persons, in preference to appellatives. But the Elder elegantly interposes, between his own name, and that of the lady, a word denoting the spiritual relationship, from which this short Epistle proceeded. The word again occurs, 2Jn 1:5. The Syrian Version retains the proper name: and the Synopsis of Athanasius[1] says, , he writes to Cyria, where he uses the proper name, but omits the epithet , elect. But it frequently happens that proper names and appellatives are confused with one another. See Wesseling, Probabil., p. 199, etc.-, whom) This refers to the mother and her children.- , in truth) Love is not only true love, but it rests on the truth of the Gospel: 2Jn 1:3, at the end.-, all) The communion of saints.
[1] The Synopsis Sacr Scriptur is included in the writings of Athanasius, but has no claim to be considered his. It is however a valuable relic of antiquity. See Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography.-T.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
the truth’s: 1Co 9:23, 2Co 4:5
which: Joh 15:7, Col 3:16, 2Ti 1:5, 1Pe 1:23-25, 1Jo 2:14, 1Jo 2:17
Reciprocal: Deu 6:6 – shall be Tit 3:15 – love 1Jo 1:8 – the truth 1Jo 1:10 – his word 1Jo 2:24 – abide 1Jo 2:27 – the anointing 2Jo 1:1 – whom 3Jo 1:3 – the truth
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Jn 1:2. For the truth’s sake denotes that John loves this woman and her children because of their devotion to the truth. This truth shall be with us for ever, hence a love that is based on it will be permanent.