And 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.
2 John 1:6 KJV
About the Book of 2 John
Short enough to fit on one sheet of papyrus, this letter is addressed to 'the elect lady and her children', probably a local congregation. John commends them for walking in truth, reminds them of the old command to love one another, and cautions them against traveling teachers who deny Jesus came in the flesh. Hospitality is not to be given to such people. It shows how early churches protected their teaching.
- Testament: New Testament
- Genre: Letter
- Chapters: 1
- Verses: 13
Who Wrote 2 John, and When?
Author: Traditionally attributed to John the apostle, who calls himself 'the elder'.
When it was written: Probably between about AD 85 and 100.
Main Themes in 2 John
- Truth and love together
- Guarding doctrine
- Limits of hospitality
A Key Verse: 2 John 1:6
And 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.
It defines love in terms of how people live, tying it to obedience.
Reading Tip
Its word count is among the smallest in the New Testament. Many see the 'lady' as a church rather than an individual woman. Use the randomizer above to land on a verse in 2 John, then press Show context to read the verses around it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many chapters and verses are in 2 John?
2 John has 1 chapter and 13 verses in the King James Version.
Who wrote 2 John?
Author: Traditionally attributed to John the apostle, who calls himself 'the elder'. When it was written: Probably between about AD 85 and 100.
What is 2 John about?
Short enough to fit on one sheet of papyrus, this letter is addressed to 'the elect lady and her children', probably a local congregation. John commends them for walking in truth, reminds them of the old command to love one another, and cautions them against traveling teachers who deny Jesus came in the flesh. Hospitality is not to be given to such people. It shows how early churches protected their teaching.
Can I get a random verse from only 2 John?
Yes. This page picks a random verse from 2 John only. Every one of its 13 verses has an equal chance.