2 John 5

Memory Verse

And now I ask you, lady, not as writing to you a new commandment, but that which we had from a beginning, in order that we love one another (2 John 5).

The commandments for the Christian are the words of Christ given to the Church. Many of these words came through Paul (1 Corinthians 14:37). In the upper room, Jesus gave us a new commandment to love one another; other grace believers (John 13:34). It is this love for each other, not directing love at the world, that shows we are disciples of Christ (John 13:35; 1 John 2:15–16). Thus, John is not referring to the Ten Commandments, but the commandments for the Church (1 John 3:23–24).

John is reminding the Church that her commandment is to love one another. There is no greater joy for him than to learn of the saints walking in the truth (2 John 4). Truth is seeing things as they really are, and it sets us free from sin to live a life of righteousness apart from the Law, for we are righteous in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:30).