2 John 5
WEB
Now I beg you, dear lady, not as though I wrote to you a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
BSB
And now I urge you, dear lady—not as a new commandment to you, but one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another.
KJV
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.
Matthew Henry
Greek interlinear
G2532
and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet
Derivation: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force;
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
G3568
henceforth, + hereafter, of late, soon, present, this (time)
Derivation: a primary particle of present time;
"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate
KJV: henceforth, + hereafter, of late, soon, present, this (time).
See also G3569, G3570.
See also: G3569, G3570.
G2065
ask, beseech, desire, intreat, pray
Derivation: apparently from G2046 (compare G2045);
to interrogate; by implication, to request
KJV: ask, beseech, desire, intreat, pray.
Compare G4441.
See also: G2046, G2045, G4441.
G4771
thou
Derivation: the personal pronoun of the second person singular;
thou
KJV: thou.
See also G4571, G4671, G4675; and for the plural G5209, G5210, G5213, G5216.
See also: G4675, G4571, G4671, G5209, G5210, G5213, G5216.
G2959
lady
Derivation: feminine of G2962;
Cyria, a Christian woman
KJV: lady.
See also: G2962.
G3756
+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but
, also (before a vowel) οὐκ , and (before an aspirate) οὐχ
Derivation: a primary word;
the absolute negative (compare G3361) adverb; no or not
KJV: + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.
See also G3364, G3372.
See also: G3361, G3364, G3372.
G5613
about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed
Derivation: probably adverb of comparative from G3739;
which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
KJV: about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.
See also: G3739.
G1785
commandment, precept
Derivation: from G1781;
injunction, i.e. an authoritative prescription
KJV: commandment, precept.
See also: G1781.
G2537
new
Derivation: of uncertain affinity; new (especially in freshness; while G3501 is properly so with respect to age
KJV: new.
See also: G3501.
G1125
describe, write(-ing, -ten)
Derivation: a primary verb;
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
KJV: describe, write(-ing, -ten).
G235
and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet
Derivation: neuter plural of G243;
properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
KJV: and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
See also: G243.
G3739
one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc
, including feminine ἥ , and neuter ὅ
Derivation: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article G3588);
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
KJV: one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.
See also G3757.
See also: G3588, G3757.
G2192
be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use
, including an alternate form σχέω ; (used in certain tenses only)
Derivation: a primary verb;
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition)
KJV: be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.
G575
(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with
Derivation: a primary particle;
"off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
KJV: (X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with.
In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
G746
beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule
Derivation: from G756;
(properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank)
KJV: beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule.
See also: G756.
G2443
albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to
Derivation: probably from the same as the former part of G1438 (through the demonstrative idea;
compare G3588); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
KJV: albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to.
Compare G3363.
See also: G1438, G3588, G3363.
G25
(be-)love(-ed)
Derivation: perhaps from ἄγαν (much) (or compare G5689);
to love (in a social or moral sense)
KJV: (be-)love(-ed).
Compare G5368.
See also: G5689, G5368.
G240
each other, mutual, one another, (the other), (them-, your-)selves, (selves) together (sometimes with or )
Derivation: Genitive plural from G243 reduplicated;
one another
KJV: each other, mutual, one another, (the other), (them-, your-)selves, (selves) together (sometimes with G3326 or G4314).
See also: G243, G3326, G4314.
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Verses 5–6
2 John 1:5–6
We come now more into the design and substance of the epistle; and here we have,
I. The apostle's request: Now, I beseech thee, lady. Considering what it is that he entreats, the way of address is very remarkable; it is not any particular boon or bounty to himself, but common duty and observance of divine command. Here he might command or charge; but harsher measures are worse than needless where milder will prevail; and the apostolical spirit is, of all other, the most tender and endearing. Whether out of deference to her ladyship, or apostolical meekness, or both, he condescends to beseech: And now I beseech thee, lady. He may be supposed speaking as another apostle does to a certain master to whom he writes: Wherefore, though I might be very bold in Christ (and according to the power with which Christ hath entrusted me) to enjoin thee that which is convenient, yet, for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such a one as the aged, the elder. Love will avail where authority will not; and we may often see that the more authority is urged the more it is slighted. The apostolical minister will love and beseech his friends into their duty.
II. The thing requested of the lady and her children - Christian sacred love: That we love one another, Jo2 1:5. Those that are eminent in any Christian virtue have yet room to grow therein. But, as touching brotherly love, you need not that I write unto you; for you yourselves are taught of God to love one another. But we beseech you, brethren (and sisters), that you increase more and more, Th1 4:9, Th1 4:10.
1. This love is recommended, (1.) From the obligation thereto - the commandment. Divine command should sway our mind and heart. (2.) From the antiquity of the obligation: Not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, Jo2 1:5. This commandment of mutual Christian love may be said to be a new one in respect of its new enaction and sanction by the Lord Christ; but yet, as to the matter of it (mutual holy love), it is as old as natural, Jewish, or Christian religion. This commandment must every where attend Christianity, that the disciples of it must love one another.
2. Then this love is illustrated from the fruitful nature of it: And this is love, that we walk after his commandments, Jo2 1:5. This is the test of our love to God, our obedience to him. This is love to ourselves, to our own souls, that we walk in obedience to divine commands. In keeping them there is great reward. This is love to one another, to engage one another to walk in holiness; and this is the evidence of our sincere, mutual, Christian love - that we (in other things) walk after God's commands. There may be mutual love that is not religious and Christian; but we know ours to be so, by our attendance to all other commands besides that of mutual love. Universal obedience is the proof of the goodness and sincerity of Christian virtues; and those that aim at all Christian obedience will be sure to attend to Christian love. This is a fundamental duty in the gospel-charter: This is the commandment, that, as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it (Jo2 1:6), that is, walk in this love. The foresight of the decay of this love, as well as of other apostasy, might engage the apostle to inculcate this duty, and this primordial command, the more frequently, the more earnestly.
Cross-references: 2John 1:5 · 1Thess 4:9 · 1Thess 4:10 · 2John 1:6