2 John 1
Daily Thoughts
And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another.
– 2 John 1:5
Many Bible teachers, including myself, believe that John’s reference to “the elect lady” in 2 John is a coded reference referring to the Church. Therefore, John here pleads with the church both 2,000 years ago, and now, to keep the ancient command of God to love one another.
Love is the summary of all of God’s law. As Paul wrote to the Galatians…
“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
– Galatians 5:14
And as Jesus spoke in Matthew 22:37-40…
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ “This is the first and great commandment. “And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
It would be difficult to keep all of God’s written law exactingly. But thankfully everything can be concisely summed up in one word. Love.
Today’s goal
Love God and one another.
Helpful Resources
Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik
Read the Scriptures at Bible.com
Download the YouVersion Bible App
Additional Daily Devotionals
My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers
Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon
