2 John 1:5
What does 2 John 1:5 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 John 1:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 John 1:5 means
John now urges the lady to keep the longstanding command the church has had “from the beginning”: love one another. He does not introduce a novel rule but recalls the original message taught by Jesus and proclaimed by the apostles. This love is the family rule of God’s people and the distinguishing mark of true discipleship. By appealing rather than commanding harshly, John models the very love he calls for. The reminder that the command is old helps guard against the craving for “new” teaching that departs from apostolic truth. It also anchors love in revelation rather than in shifting cultural ideals or personal preferences.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote to thee a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote to thee a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And now, my sister, I make a request to you, not sending you a new law, but the law which we had from the first, that we have love for one another.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and now I beseech thee, Kyria, not as writing to thee a new command, but which we had from the beginning, that we may love one another,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And 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.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And now I beseech thee, lady, not as writing to thee a new commandment, but that which we have had from [the] beginning, that we should love one another.
Context
This verse follows John’s joy at seeing faithful walking (v. 4) and links that faithfulness directly to the basic Christian ethic of love. It also anticipates verse 6, where he will define love in terms of obedience to God’s commandments. Setting love as an “old” command from the beginning positions it as a nonnegotiable element of orthodox faith and practice. That foundation is crucial before John turns to confront deceivers (v. 7), lest his warning be mistaken for unloving harshness.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 John 2:7
Beloved, no new commandment write I unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning: the old commandment is the word which ye heard.
- Hebrews 13:1
Let love of the brethren continue.
- 1 John 3:11
For this is the message which ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another:
- 1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God.
- 1 John 3:14
We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not abideth in death.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:9
But concerning love of the brethren ye have no need that one write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another;