2 John 1:8

1:8 Watch out, so that you do not lose the things we have worked for, ¹  but receive a full reward. ² 

2 John 1:10

1:10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house and do not give him any greeting, ³ 

2 John 1:12

Conclusion

1:12 Though I have many other ⁴  things to write to you, I do not want to do so with ⁵  paper and ink, ⁶  but I hope to come visit you and speak face to face, ⁷  so that our joy may be complete. ⁸ 

[1:8]  ¹ sn The things we have worked for probably refers to the pastoral and missionary efforts undertaken by the recipients of the letter in their own community and surrounding communities. This work would be “lost” if the opponents with their false teaching are allowed to proselytize unopposed.

[1:8]  ² sn The idea of a reward for Christians who serve faithfully is not common in the Johannine writings, but can be found in Rev 11:18 and 22:12.

[1:10]  ³ sn Do not give him any greeting does not mean to insult the person. It means “do not greet the person as a fellow Christian” (which is impossible anyway since the opponents are not genuine believers in the author’s opinion).

[1:12]  ⁴ tn “Other” is not in the Greek text but is supplied for clarity in English.

[1:12]  ⁵ tn Grk “by means of.”

[1:12]  ⁶ sn Presumably the author means he would rather say the additional things he wants to say to the recipients in person rather than by letter (with paper and ink).

[1:12]  ⁷ tn Grk “speak mouth to mouth,” an idiom for which the English equivalent is “speak face to face.”

[1:12]  ⁸ tn Grk “be fulfilled.”