2 John 1 Footnotes

7 John confronted the danger of false teachers. Believers must not simply love (vv. 5-6), they must also maintain the truth (vv. 7-11). He described these “deceivers” as people with an inadequate understanding of Jesus Christ.

8 John warned his readers, “Watch yourselves,” which means “Watch out.” He stated the purpose of this vigilance both negatively and positively: to avoid losing “what we have worked for” and to “receive a full reward” for faithful service. John has helped these believers by giving them two tests for teachers. (1) Do they walk in love (vv. 4-6)? (2) Do they hold to the teaching of Christ (vv. 7-11)?