2 John 1:7
What does 2 John 1:7 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 John 1:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 John 1:7 means
John warns that many deceivers have gone out into the world, marked by their refusal to confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. This denial strikes at the core of the gospel—the true incarnation of the Son. By branding such a person “the deceiver and the antichrist,” John unmasks the spiritual nature of this error: it opposes Christ while pretending to improve or refine the faith. The church must not treat denial of Christ’s real humanity as a minor disagreement. Confessing that Jesus truly came in human flesh safeguards both His saving work and His sympathetic priesthood, and it keeps the church anchored to apostolic testimony.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For many deceivers are gone forth into the world, even they that confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For many deceivers are gone forth into the world, even they that confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Because a number of false teachers have gone out into the world, who do not give witness that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. Such a one is a false teacher and Antichrist.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862because many leading astray did enter into the world, who are not confessing Jesus Christ coming in flesh; this one is he who is leading astray, and the antichrist.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For 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.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For many deceivers have gone out into the world, they who do not confess Jesus Christ coming in flesh — this is the deceiver and the antichrist.
Context
Having defined love as obedience (v. 6), John now explains why discernment is necessary—false teachers are active. This verse introduces the specific error at stake and labels its proponents in stark terms. It launches the warning section that continues through verse 11. Next (v. 8), John will urge vigilance lest believers lose what has been gained, and then (v. 9) he will provide a doctrinal test centered on abiding in Christ’s teaching, culminating in practical instructions about hospitality (vv. 10–11).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
- Revelation 13:14
And he deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by reason of the signs which it was given him to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast who hath the stroke of the sword and lived.
- Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.
- 1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
- John 1:14
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth.
- 1 John 2:26
These things have I written unto you concerning them that would lead you astray.