1:1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
1:2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
1:3 Grace be with you, mercy, [and] peace, from God the father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the father, in truth and love.
1:4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
1:5 And 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.
[1] {that we love one another} Law (of Christ), Summary: The new "law of Christ" is the divine love, as wrought into the renewed heart by the Holy Spirit # Ro 5:5 Heb 10:16 and outflowing in the energy of the Spirit, unforced and spontaneous, toward the objects of the divine love # 2Co 5:14-20 1Th 2:7,8 It is, therefore, " the law of liberty" # Jas 1:25 2:12 in contrast with the external law of Moses. Moses' law demands love, # Le 19:18 De 6:5 Lu 10:27 Christ's law is love # Ro 5:5 1Jo 4:7,19,20 and so takes the place of the external law by fulfilling it # Ro 13:10 Ga 5:14 It is the "law written in the heart" under the New Covenant ¯ See Note "Heb 8:8"
1:6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
1:7 For 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.
1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into [your] house, neither bid him God speed:
1:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
1:12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not [write] with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
1:13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
