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.

2 JOHN 1:6KJV
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2 John 1:6 (KJV)

What does 2 John 1:6 mean?

2 John 1:6 says that true love is shown by living according to God’s commandments. The verse reminds readers that the main commandment, which they have known from the beginning, is to keep walking in this way of love and obedience.

The writer, traditionally understood to be the apostle John, is addressing a Christian community, possibly a specific church or group of believers. He connects love directly with action—specifically, following God’s instructions. The verse highlights that this teaching is not new, but something the community has heard from the start of their faith journey.

The Greek behind 2 John 1:6

  • ἀγάπη (agapē, G26): This word for "love" refers to a self-giving, committed kind of love, not just a feeling. In this verse, it is tied to practical obedience rather than emotion.
  • περιπατέω (peripateō, G4043): Translated as "walk," this Greek word often means to live or conduct oneself. Here, it emphasizes that love is something lived out daily, not just believed or felt.
  • ἐντολή (entolē, G1785): This word for "commandment" points to specific instructions or teachings. The verse stresses that love and obedience to these teachings are inseparable.

Why 2 John 1:6 matters

  • This verse clarifies that biblical love is not just a feeling but is shown through ongoing obedience to God’s ways.
  • It connects the idea of love with the commandments, countering any idea that love and obedience are separate or opposed.
  • By reminding readers that this commandment is "from the beginning," the verse ties the message back to the core teachings of Jesus and the early church, emphasizing continuity and reliability.

Where else these words appear

“beginning” Greek G746 · used in 56 verses

  • Matthew 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
  • John 16:4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
  • Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

“commandments” Greek G1785 · used in 65 verses

  • Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
  • John 12:49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
  • Titus 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

“walk” Greek G4043 · used in 90 verses

  • Matthew 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
  • John 7:1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.
  • Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

“love” Greek G26 · used in 106 verses

  • Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
  • 2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Lucas.
  • 1 Timothy 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.