2 John 1:8
What does 2 John 1:8 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 John 1:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 John 1:8 means
John urges the readers to watch themselves carefully so they do not forfeit what has been worked for, but instead receive a full reward. Vigilance is necessary because deception threatens prior progress—whether the apostles’ labor among them or their own growth in faith and love. The “full reward” points to God’s promised commendation and the completeness of what faithful perseverance enjoys. This is not a call to anxious merit-earning, but to sober stewardship of grace: hold fast to truth and love so the fruit of ministry is not undone. Each believer is personally responsible to be alert, lest careless compromise aid false teaching.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Look to yourselves, that ye lose not the things which we have wrought, but that ye receive a full reward.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Look to yourselves, that ye lose not the things which we have wrought, but that ye receive a full reward.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Keep watch over yourselves, so that you do not make our work of no effect, but may get your full reward.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862See to yourselves that ye may not lose the things that we wrought, but a full reward may receive;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Look to yourselves, that you lose not the things which you have wrought: but that you may receive a full reward.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890See to yourselves, that we may not lose what we have wrought, but may receive full wages.
Context
Following the exposure of deceivers (v. 7), this exhortation personalizes the response—believers must guard themselves. It prepares for the doctrinal criterion in verse 9 and the practical boundary regarding hospitality in verses 10–11. The flow moves from identifying the threat, to urging vigilance, to defining true fellowship. The mention of reward underscores the stakes: remaining in the apostolic faith is not optional but tied to eternal outcomes and the integrity of the church’s witness.
v.7For 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.
v.8This passage
v.9Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 13:23
But take ye heed: behold, I have told you all things beforehand.
- Mark 13:5
And Jesus began to say unto them, Take heed that no man lead you astray.
- Luke 21:8
And he said, Take heed that ye be not led astray: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am he; and, The time is at hand: go ye not after them.
- Hebrews 10:32
But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were enlightened, ye endured a great conflict of sufferings;
- Galatians 4:11
I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain.
- Hebrews 10:35
Cast not away therefore your boldness, which hath great recompense of reward.