2 John 1:4-6 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
⁴ I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we received commandment from the Father. ⁵ Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another. ⁶ And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.

THE CHRISTIAN WALK: TRUTH, OBEDIENCE, AND LOVE 4–6

John has capitalized on the phrase walking in certain aspects of Christian life. In 1 John, he calls us to walk in the light (1 John 1:7), which indicates that some are walking in the darkness (1 John 1:6). He then says that believers “must walk as Jesus did” (1 John 2:6).

In 2 John 4–6, he adds three more walking exercises for a follower of Christ.

GREAT THEMES

Take a Walk

John’s use of the term walk is so practical. He is referring to our lifestyle or behavior. If we walk in mud and dirt, we get soiled. If we walk through fire, we get burned. If we walk in the rain, we will get wet. John challenges us to walk in the light (1 John 1:7) and in the truth. In so doing, we are covered with the truth. Then truth is what people get when they are touched by our lives. Truth has the power to liberate us and those who are influenced by the truth. God’s truth is transforming. Our daily lives might not always seem to be making an impact; however, over time and through circumstances, people see how we live and talk. They will observe how we react to the ups and downs of life. Our walk is our witness!

Walk in the Truth

In verse 4 John says that he experienced great joy to find some of [the chosen lady’s] children walking in the truth. To walk in something refers to lifestyle or behavior, to the principles and practices by which we live. The essence of the gospel teachings comprises “the truth.” He then repeats a common theme in his writings by calling them to obey the command that is not new, but an old one that they have had from the beginning—the command to love.

Walk in Obedience

The specific obedience required is to [God’s] commands. Even the word “obey” strikes some of us negatively. Many children grow up with parents who are harsh and demanding. When these children grow up, they respond to religion in one of two ways: they either react strongly against any religion that requires obedience, or they look for a demanding style of religion because it’s what they know from their home life. It is actually a “comfort zone” for them.

Others come from homes and families that were light on expectations and obedience. Once again, their reaction can be one of resistance and repulsion or one of welcome oversight.

The great news is that God’s commands are always safe and good to obey because they issue from His love for us. The essence of every commandment of God is incredibly healthy for us to follow.

Walk in Love

Notice the way John connects the amazing relationship between love, obedience, and commands: And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands (v. 6). Then he writes that his command is that [we] walk in love. It all begins—and ends—with love. Everything God calls us to be and do orbits around His love for us and His desire that we love Him and love one another. First John 3:23–24 lays out the core belief and behavior of Christians: correct belief about Christ plus correct attitude and behavior toward one another.

WHAT OTHERS SAY

It [is] well you should be thoroughly sensible of this, “The heaven of heavens is love.” There is nothing higher in religion; there is, in effect, nothing else; if you look for anything more than love, you are looking wide of the mark, you are getting out of the royal way, and when you are asking others, “Have you received this or that blessing?” if you mean anything but more love, you mean wrong; you are leading them out of the way, and putting them upon a false scent. Settle it then in your heart, that from the moment God has saved you from all sin, you are to aim at nothing more, but more of that love described in the thirteenth of the Corinthians. You can go no higher than this, till you are carried into Abraham’s bosom.

—John Wesley

The very heart of John Wesley’s theology was holiness driven by love. Purity of intention and action is paramount in Wesleyan theology.^[1]

By David A. Case and David W. Holdren

SCROLL THROUGH DIFFERENT CATEGORIES BELOW

BIBLE TRANSLATION AND TEXTUAL CRITICISM

BIBLICAL STUDIES / INTERPRETATION

EARLY CHRISTIANITY

CHRISTIAN APOLOGETIC EVANGELISM

TECHNOLOGY

CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY

CHRISTIAN FICTION

^[1] David A. Case and David W. Holdren, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John, Jude: A Commentary for Bible Students (Indianapolis, IN: Wesleyan Publishing House, 2006), 336–338.