2 John 1:3
What does 2 John 1:3 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 John 1:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 John 1:3 means
John pronounces a blessing: grace, mercy, and peace will be with believers from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, whom he names “the Son of the Father.” He underscores the source and certainty of these gifts and their channel through the Father and the Son together. Calling Jesus “the Son of the Father” highlights His unique relationship and affirms His full deity and true sonship—vital truths soon challenged by deceivers. These blessings come and are experienced “in truth and love,” showing that doctrine and devotion are inseparable. Grace meets our need, mercy addresses our misery, and peace settles our lives under God’s favor—all within the sphere of faithful belief and loving fellowship.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Grace, mercy, peace shall be with us, from God the Father, and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Grace, mercy, peace shall be with us, from God the Father, and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949May grace, mercy, and peace be with us from God the Father, and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in all true love.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862there shall be with you grace, kindness, peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Grace be with you, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus the Son of the Father: in truth and charity.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Grace shall be with you, mercy, peace fromGod [the] Father, and from [the] Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
Context
The benediction closes the greeting section (vv. 1–3) and anchors the letter’s themes in God Himself. It stresses the unity of the Father and the Son, which will be central when John warns against those denying Christ’s true coming. From here (v. 4), John moves from blessing to personal joy over some of the lady’s children walking in truth, and then to an appeal to continue in the old commandment of love (vv. 5–6). The blessing frames everything as God’s gracious work, not mere human effort.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Timothy 1:14
and the grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
- 2 John 1:1
The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not I only, but also all they that know the truth;
- Romans 1:7
to all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- 1 John 4:10
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
- 1 Timothy 1:2
unto Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
- 1 John 2:23
Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that confesseth the Son hath the Father also.