He recommends walking in truth, loving one another and to beware of
false teachers.
1:1. The Ancient to the lady Elect and her children, whom I love in the
truth: and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth,
The ancient. . .That is, the ancient bishop St. John, being the only one
of the twelve apostles then living. To the lady Elect. . .Some
conjecture that Electa might be the name of a family, or of a
particular church; but the general opinion is, that it is the proper
name of a lady, so eminent for her piety and great charity, as to merit
this Epistle from St. John.
1:2. For the sake of the truth which dwelleth in us and shall be with
us for ever.
1:3. Grace be with you, mercy and peace from God the Father and from
Christ Jesus the Son of the Father: in truth and charity.
1:4. I was exceeding glad that I found of thy children walking in
truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
1:5. And now I beseech thee, lady, not as writing a new commandment to
thee, but that which we have had from the beginning, that we love one
another.
1:6. And this is charity: That we walk according to his commandments.
For this is the commandment that, as you have heard from the beginning,
you should walk in the same:
1:7. For many seducers are gone out into the world who confess not that
Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a seducer and an antichrist.
1:8. Look to yourselves, that you lose not the things which you have
wrought: but that you may receive a full reward.
1:9. Whosoever revolteth and continueth not in the doctrine of Christ
hath not God. He that continueth in the doctrine, the same hath both
the Father and the Son.
1:10. If any man come to you and bring not this doctrine, receive him
not into the house nor say to him: God speed you.
Nor say to him, God speed you. . .This admonition is in general, to
forewarn the faithful of the dangers which may arise from a familiarity
with those who have prevaricated and gone from the true faith, and with
such as teach false doctrine. But this is not forbidding a charity for
all men, by which we ought to wish and pray for the eternal salvation
of every one, even of our enemies.
1:11. For he that saith unto him: God speed you, communicateth with his
wicked works.
1:12. Having more things to write unto you, I would not by paper and
ink: for I hope that I shall be with you and speak face to face, that
your joy may be full.
1:13. The children of thy sister Elect salute thee.