Discovery Box2 John 1:8
Context1:8 Watch out, so that you do not lose the things we have worked for, 1 but receive a full reward. 2
2 John 1:5
Context1:5 But now 3 I ask you, lady (not as if I were 4 writing a new commandment 5 to you, but the one 6 we have had from the beginning), 7 that 8 we love one another.
[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.
[1:5] 3 tn The introductory καὶ νῦν (kai nun) has some adversative (contrastive) force: The addressees are already “living according to the truth” (v. 4) but in the face of the threat posed by the opponents, the author has to stress obedience all the more.
[1:5] 4 tn The words “if I were” are not in the Greek text, but are supplied for clarity in English.
[1:5] 5 sn An allusion to John 13:34-35, 1 John 2:7-8.
[1:5] 6 tn “The one” is not in the Greek text. It is supplied for clarity in English.
[1:5] 7 sn See 1 John 2:7.
