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 1:6KJVWhat 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.