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2 John 1:6

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does 2 John 1:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And this is love, that we should walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, even as ye heard from the beginning, that ye should walk in it.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And this is love, that we should walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, even as ye heard from the beginning, that ye should walk in it.
2 John 1:6 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 John 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3Grace, mercy, peace shall be with us, from God the Father, and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4I rejoice greatly that I have found [certain] of thy children walking in truth, even as we received commandment from the Father.
5And 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.
6And this is love, that we should walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, even as ye heard from the beginning, that ye should walk in it.
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.
8Look to yourselves, that ye lose not the things which we have wrought, but that ye receive a full reward.
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.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And this is love, that we walk after his commandments, etc.] By observing them as a rule of conversation, in so doing love is shown to God; and such may expect the fresh discoveries of the love of God to, them; (see Gill on “<610503>1 John 5:3”); this is the commandment, that as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it; that is, this is the will of God, that his people should walk in the truth of the Gospel, and abide by it, as they heard and received it at their first conversion, from the mouths of the apostles, or other faithful ministers of the word; a reason for which, is given in (<620107>2 John 1:7).”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“"Love is the fulfilling of the law" (Rom 13:10), and the fulfilling of the law is the sure test of love. This is the commandment--Greek, "The commandment is this," namely, love, in which all God's other commandments are summed up.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And this is love, that we walk after his commandments - This is the proper expression or evidence of love to God. See the notes at John 14:15, John 14:21. This is the commandment - That is, this is his great and special commandment; the one by which his disciples are to be especially characterized, and by which they are to be distinguished in the world. See the notes at John 13:34. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And this is the proof of true love, universal obedience built on the love of God. This - Love. Is the great commandment which ye have heard from the beginning - Of our preaching. 2 John 1:7”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“this is love: Joh 14:15, Joh 14:21, Joh 15:10, Joh 15:14; Rom 13:8, Rom 13:9; Gal 5:13, Gal 5:14; Jo1 5:3, Jo1 5:15 This is the: Jo2 1:5; Jo1 2:24 2 John 1:7”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification