1
Ὁ πρεσβύτερος ἐκλεκτῇ κυρίᾳ καὶ τοῖς τέκνοις αὐτῆς, οὓς ἐγὼ ἀγαπῶ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ, καὶ οὐκ ἐγὼ μόνος ἀλλὰ καὶ πάντες οἱ ἐγνωκότες τὴν ἀλήθειαν,
The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not I only but also all who have known the truth,
Letter openingasyndetonThe epistolary superscription. The author styles himself simply 'the Elder' (ὁ πρεσβύτερος), addressing 'the elect lady and her children' — most probably a personified local church and its members (so taken here), though a literal Christian woman is grammatically possible. The keyword ἀλήθεια ('truth') sounds three times in vv.1–3, framing the whole letter.
ὉtheNominativearticle
πρεσβύτεροςelderNominativesubject (nominative of superscription)πρεσβύτερος: 'elder, old man'; the self-designation of the writer (also 3 John 1) — a title of venerable authority rather than mere office; traditionally the apostle John.
ἐκλεκτῇto the elect/chosenDativeattributive adjective (addressee)ἐκλεκτός: 'chosen, elect' (from ἐκλέγομαι); the addressee is 'chosen' — the word marks her (or the church) as the object of God's election.
κυρίᾳladyDativeindirect object (addressee)κυρία: 'lady, mistress' (feminine of κύριος); 'the elect lady' — most likely a personified local congregation, though possibly a named Christian woman (see crux).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοῖςtheDativearticle
τέκνοιςchildrenDativeindirect object (co-addressee)τέκνον: 'child'; her 'children' — the members of the congregation (or her actual offspring), the recipients of the warning to come.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of relationship
οὓςwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἀγαπῶ)
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
ἀγαπῶI lovePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀγαπάωmain verb (relative clause)→ stative presentἀγαπάω: 'love'; the keyword ἀγάπη-group, twinned with ἀλήθεια throughout — the Elder's love is 'in truth.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/manner)
ἀληθείᾳtruthDativedat. of sphere/mannerἀλήθεια: 'truth'; 'in truth' = either 'truly/sincerely' or in the sphere of the gospel reality — the keyword of the opening.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐγὼINominativesubject (elliptical)
μόνοςonly/aloneNominativepredicate adjectiveμόνος: 'alone, only'; the Elder's love is shared by the whole company of those who know the truth.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive)
πάντεςallNominativesubject (coordinate)
οἱthe (ones)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἐγνωκότεςhaving knownPerf Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · γινώσκωsubstantival participle (subject)→ intensive perfect (abiding knowledge)γινώσκω: 'know, recognize'; the perfect marks a settled, abiding knowledge of the truth — the bond uniting all who love the elect lady.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀλήθειανtruthAccusativedirect object of ἐγνωκότεςἀλήθεια: 'truth'; the third sounding in v.1 — the gospel reality known and shared by the whole believing community.
2
διὰ τὴν ἀλήθειαν τὴν μένουσαν ἐν ἡμῖν, καὶ μεθʼ ἡμῶν ἔσται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.
because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:
Ground of the loveasyndetonThe ground of the shared love (v.1): the indwelling, permanent truth. The participle μένουσαν ('abiding') and the phrase εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα ('forever') stamp the Johannine note of permanence — the truth is no transient slogan but a settled, eternal indwelling reality.
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)διά: here + acc., 'because of, for the sake of' — the truth is the ground of the love just expressed.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀλήθειανtruthAccusativeobject of διά (cause)ἀλήθεια: 'truth'; now hypostatized as the indwelling, abiding reality — the gospel and its God-given apprehension.
τὴνthatAccusativearticle (attributive, w/ ptc.)
μένουσανabidingPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Fem · μένωattributive participle (modifies ἀλήθειαν)→ present (ongoing/durative)μένω: 'remain, abide'; the great Johannine verb of permanence — the truth 'abides in us' as a settled indwelling.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ἡμῖνusDativeobject of ἐν (sphere of abiding)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μεθʼwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)μετά: here + gen., 'with' — elided μεθʼ before the rough breathing of ἡμῶν.
ἡμῶνusGenitiveobject of μετά (accompaniment)
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (predicting permanence)→ future (predictive)εἰμί: 'be'; the future affirms the truth's abiding presence 'with us' for the age to come.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (extent of time)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
αἰῶναage/foreverAccusativeobject of εἰς (extent of time)αἰών: 'age'; εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα = 'forever, unto the age' — the eternal permanence of the indwelling truth.
3
ἔσται μεθʼ ἡμῶν χάρις ἔλεος εἰρήνη παρὰ θεοῦ πατρός, καὶ παρὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ πατρός, ἐν ἀληθείᾳ καὶ ἀγάπῃ.
Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love.
Greeting (declarative)asyndetonThe salutation-blessing, cast unusually as a confident declaration (ἔσται, 'will be') rather than a wish. The triad grace–mercy–peace (cf. the Pastorals) flows from the Father and from Jesus Christ, named pointedly 'the Son of the Father' — a Christological emphasis aimed at the deniers of v.7. The closing 'in truth and love' re-yokes the letter's two keywords.
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (fronted, declarative blessing)→ future (confident assurance)εἰμί: 'be'; the future indicative makes the blessing a confident assertion ('grace will be with us'), not a mere optative wish.
μεθʼwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)μετά: + gen., 'with'; elided μεθʼ.
ἡμῶνusGenitiveobject of μετά (accompaniment)ἡμῶν: 'us'; the inclusive first person (read here against the variant ὑμῶν, 'you') binds writer and readers in the one blessing.
χάριςgraceNominativesubjectχάρις: 'grace, favor'; first of the threefold blessing — God's unmerited favor.
ἔλεοςmercyNominativesubject (coordinate)ἔλεος: 'mercy, compassion'; the addition of 'mercy' to the usual grace-and-peace recalls the Pastoral salutations (1 Tim 1:2; 2 Tim 1:2).
εἰρήνηpeaceNominativesubject (coordinate)εἰρήνη: 'peace'; the Hebrew šālôm — wholeness and well-being, third of the triad (asyndetic, without connectives).
παρὰfrompreposition + genitive (source)παρά: + gen., 'from (the side of)'; marks the personal divine source.
θεοῦGodGenitiveobject of παρά (source)
πατρόςFatherGenitiveapposition to θεοῦπατήρ: 'Father'; the relational name of God, prepared for the 'Son of the Father' that follows.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
παρὰfrompreposition + genitive (coordinate source)παρά: + gen.; the repeated preposition sets the Son beside the Father as co-source of the blessing.
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveobject of παρά (coordinate source)
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition to ἸησοῦΧριστός: 'Anointed, Messiah'; here name-title — the full 'Jesus Christ' confessed against the deceivers (v.7).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
υἱοῦSonGenitiveapposition to Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦυἱός: 'son'; 'the Son of the Father' — a deliberate Father–Son pairing, the very confession the antichrists reject (cf. 1 John 2:23).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
πατρόςFatherGenitivegenitive of relationship (w/ υἱοῦ)πατήρ: 'Father'; the Son belongs to and reveals the Father — the relational core of the confession.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/manner)
ἀληθείᾳtruthDativedat. of sphere/mannerἀλήθεια: 'truth'; the blessing is received and lived 'in truth' — the keyword, now paired with love.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀγάπῃloveDativedat. of sphere/manner (coordinate)ἀγάπη: 'love'; 'truth and love' yoked — the inseparable pair governing the whole letter (truth in vv.1–4, love in vv.5–6).
4
Ἐχάρην λίαν ὅτι εὕρηκα ἐκ τῶν τέκνων σου περιπατοῦντας ἐν ἀληθείᾳ, καθὼς ἐντολὴν ἐλάβομεν παρὰ τοῦ πατρός.
I rejoiced greatly to have found some of your children walking in truth, just as we received commandment from the Father.
Body-opening (joy)asyndetonThe letter-body opens with the familiar epistolary expression of joy. The partitive ἐκ τῶν τέκνων ('some of your children') is notable — the Elder rejoices over those found walking in truth, perhaps with a quiet hint that not all are so found. 'Walking in truth' restates the keyword and prepares the love-command of vv.5–6.
ἘχάρηνI rejoicedAor Pass Indic 1 Sg · χαίρωmain verb→ constative aorist (epistolary)χαίρω: 'rejoice'; the deponent aorist ἐχάρην — 'I rejoiced/was glad,' the conventional joy that opens the letter-body.
λίανgreatlyadverb (degree)λίαν: 'very much, exceedingly'; intensifies the Elder's joy.
ὅτιthatconjunction (causal/content of joy)ὅτι: 'that, because'; gives the cause/object of the rejoicing.
εὕρηκαI have foundPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ perfect (resultant discovery)εὑρίσκω: 'find'; the perfect εὕρηκα marks the discovery as a present, abiding finding — 'I have found (and so know).'
ἐκof/from amongpreposition + genitive (partitive)ἐκ: + gen.; here partitive — 'some of (your children),' the construction leaving the object of εὕρηκα partly open.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
τέκνωνchildrenGenitivepartitive genitive (object of ἐκ)τέκνον: 'child'; the members of the addressed congregation — 'some of your children.'
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
περιπατοῦνταςwalkingPres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · περιπατέωsupplementary ptc. (object-complement of εὕρηκα)→ present (ongoing conduct)περιπατέω: 'walk, conduct oneself'; the Hebraic metaphor for the manner of life — 'walking in truth' as habitual practice.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ἀληθείᾳtruthDativedat. of sphere (the realm of the walking)ἀλήθεια: 'truth'; the sphere of right conduct — the keyword carried over from vv.1–3 into the life of the children.
καθὼςjust ascomparative conjunctionκαθώς: 'just as, according as'; their walking conforms to the Father's commandment.
ἐντολὴνcommandmentAccusativedirect object of ἐλάβομενἐντολή: 'commandment'; the keyword of vv.4–6 — here the command 'to walk in truth,' soon defined as love.
ἐλάβομενwe receivedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (comparative clause)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'receive'; the commandment was 'received from the Father' — a decisive past reception now binding conduct.
παρὰfrompreposition + genitive (source)παρά: + gen., 'from'; the divine source of the commandment.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
πατρόςFatherGenitiveobject of παρά (source)πατήρ: 'Father'; the commandment is from God the Father — grounding the love-command in divine authority.
5
καὶ νῦν ἐρωτῶ σε, κυρία, οὐχ ὡς ἐντολὴν γράφων σοι καινὴν ἀλλὰ ἣν εἴχομεν ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς, ἵνα ἀγαπῶμεν ἀλλήλους.
And now I ask you, lady — not as though writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning — that we love one another.
Request (the love-command)καὶThe central request. The Elder asks for love, carefully insisting it is no innovation but the commandment 'from the beginning' (ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς, the Johannine refrain, cf. 1 John 2:7). The shift to direct address 'lady' (κυρία) personalizes the appeal; the ἵνα-clause gives its content: mutual love.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
νῦνnowadverb (transitional, of time)νῦν: 'now'; καὶ νῦν marks the turn from joy (v.4) to the request proper.
ἐρωτῶI askPres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐρωτάωmain verb→ present (performative)ἐρωτάω: 'ask, request'; here the gentle 'I ask/entreat,' not a command from above — a request among equals in the truth.
σεyouAccusativedirect object (person asked)
κυρίαladyVocativevocative of addressκυρία: 'lady'; the direct address to 'the elect lady' (v.1), personalizing the entreaty (whether a woman or the personified church).
οὐχnotnegative particle
ὡςascomparative particle (manner)ὡς: 'as, as though'; introduces the disavowal — 'not as one writing a new commandment.'
ἐντολὴνcommandmentAccusativedirect object of γράφωνἐντολή: 'commandment'; the love-command — not a novelty but the original word (cf. 1 John 2:7–8).
γράφωνwritingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · γράφωadverbial ptc. (manner, w/ ὡς)→ present (concurrent)γράφω: 'write'; the participle with ὡς — 'as (one) writing' — frames the manner of the request he disclaims.
σοιto youDativeindirect object of γράφων
καινὴνnewAccusativeattributive adjective (predicative position)καινός: 'new (in kind), fresh'; the commandment is not 'new' — yet (as 1 John 2:8) it is also ever-new in Christ.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εἴχομεν)
εἴχομενwe hadImpf Act Indic 1 Pl · ἔχωmain verb (relative clause)→ imperfect (continued possession)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; the imperfect — 'we were having (and still have)' — of the commandment held continuously since the beginning.
ἀπʼfrompreposition + genitive (temporal origin)ἀπό: + gen.; elided ἀπʼ before ἀρχῆς — 'from the beginning.'
ἀρχῆςthe beginningGenitiveobject of ἀπό (temporal origin)ἀρχή: 'beginning'; ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς = 'from the beginning' — the Johannine refrain for the original gospel message (1 John 1:1; 2:7, 24).
ἵναthatconjunction (content of the commandment)ἵνα: 'that, in order that'; here epexegetical — introducing the content of the ἐντολή.
ἀγαπῶμενwe lovePres Act Subj 1 Pl · ἀγαπάωmain verb (ἵνα clause, subjunctive)→ present (continual/durative)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; the present subjunctive — 'that we keep on loving one another,' the substance of the commandment.
ἀλλήλουςone anotherAccusativedirect object (reciprocal pronoun)ἀλλήλων: 'one another'; the reciprocal — the mutual love that is the hallmark of the Johannine community.
6
καὶ αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ ἀγάπη, ἵνα περιπατῶμεν κατὰ τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ· αὕτη ἡ ἐντολή ἐστιν, καθὼς ἠκούσατε ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς, ἵνα ἐν αὐτῇ περιπατῆτε.
And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.
Definition (love = obedience)καὶThe interlocking definition characteristic of John: love is defined as walking according to the commandments, and the commandment is defined as walking in love. The chiastic circularity (love→commandments, commandment→walk) binds truth, love, and obedience inseparably, again grounded 'from the beginning.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
αὕτηthisNominativesubject (demonstrative, cataphoric)οὗτος: 'this'; cataphoric — 'this is love, namely that…,' pointing forward to the ἵνα-clause.
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίequative verb→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the copula of definition — 'this is love.'
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἀγάπηloveNominativepredicate nominativeἀγάπη: 'love'; defined here not as feeling but as obedient walking — love and commandment interdefined.
ἵναthatconjunction (epexegetical, content)ἵνα: 'that'; epexegetical, defining the content of 'love.'
περιπατῶμενwe walkPres Act Subj 1 Pl · περιπατέωmain verb (ἵνα clause, subjunctive)→ present (continual conduct)περιπατέω: 'walk, live'; love is concretely 'walking according to his commandments.'
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard/norm)κατά: + acc., 'according to'; the norm of the walking.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
ἐντολὰςcommandmentsAccusativeobject of κατά (norm)ἐντολή: 'commandment'; the plural here gathered into the single ἐντολή of love that follows.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of source/possession
αὕτηthisNominativesubject (demonstrative)οὗτος: 'this'; resumes — 'this is the commandment,' now pointing to the walking in love.
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἐντολήcommandmentNominativepredicate nominativeἐντολή: 'commandment'; the single command, heard from the beginning, that they walk in love.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίequative verb→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the copula of the second definition.
καθὼςjust ascomparative conjunctionκαθώς: 'just as'; the commandment accords with what they 'heard from the beginning.'
ἠκούσατεyou heardAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (comparative clause)→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; the decisive past hearing of the original gospel message.
ἀπʼfrompreposition + genitive (temporal origin)ἀπό: elided ἀπʼ — 'from the beginning.'
ἀρχῆςthe beginningGenitiveobject of ἀπό (temporal origin)ἀρχή: 'beginning'; ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς — the original deposit of teaching (cf. v.5).
ἵναthatconjunction (epexegetical, content)ἵνα: 'that'; epexegetical — defining the content of the commandment 'you heard.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
αὐτῇitDativeobject of ἐν (sphere; antecedent ἀγάπη/ἐντολή)αὐτῇ: 'in it' — most likely in love (or in the commandment), the sphere of the believer's walk.
περιπατῆτεyou should walkPres Act Subj 2 Pl · περιπατέωmain verb (ἵνα clause, subjunctive)→ present (continual conduct)περιπατέω: 'walk'; the goal — a continual walking in love, closing the interlocking definition.
7
ὅτι πολλοὶ πλάνοι ἐξῆλθον εἰς τὸν κόσμον, οἱ μὴ ὁμολογοῦντες Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν ἐρχόμενον ἐν σαρκί· οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ πλάνος καὶ ὁ ἀντίχριστος.
For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess Jesus Christ coming in the flesh; this is the deceiver and the antichrist.
Ground of the warningὅτιThe burden of the letter. The causal ὅτι ('for') grounds the coming warning in the danger: many deceivers, who deny the incarnation. The present participle ἐρχόμενον ('coming') — differing from the perfect ἐληλυθότα of 1 John 4:2 — names the standing confession of Jesus Christ as the one who comes in the flesh. Such a denier is 'the deceiver and the antichrist.'
ὅτιfor/becausecausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because, for'; grounds the urgency of the warning in the presence of the deceivers.
πολλοὶmanyNominativeattributive adjectiveπολύς: 'many'; the deceivers are numerous — a widespread danger (cf. 'many antichrists,' 1 John 2:18).
πλάνοιdeceiversNominativesubjectπλάνος: 'deceiver, leading astray' (from πλάνη, 'wandering, error'); those who lead others into doctrinal error.
ἐξῆλθονhave gone outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out'; the deceivers 'went out into the world' — echoing the secession of 1 John 2:19, 4:1.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
κόσμονworldAccusativeobject of εἰς (direction)κόσμος: 'world'; the realm of humanity alienated from God — the sphere into which the deceivers have spread.
οἱthe (ones)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ ptc.)μή: the negative with the participle, marking the characteristic refusal to confess.
ὁμολογοῦντεςconfessingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ὁμολογέωsubstantival participle (apposition to πλάνοι)→ present (characteristic)ὁμολογέω: 'confess, acknowledge'; the deceivers are defined by their refusal to confess the incarnate Christ — the doctrinal test.
ἸησοῦνJesusAccusativedirect object of ὁμολογοῦντες
ΧριστὸνChristAccusativeapposition / object-complementΧριστός: 'Christ'; 'Jesus Christ' as one object — the confession that the man Jesus is the Messiah, truly enfleshed.
ἐρχόμενονcomingPres Mid Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · ἔρχομαιobject-complement participle (w/ Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν)→ present (standing/timeless)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; the present ptc. (vs. perfect ἐληλυθότα, 1 John 4:2) confesses Jesus Christ as the one who comes/has come in the flesh — the standing incarnational confession.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner/mode)
σαρκίfleshDativedat. of manner/mode (ἐν σαρκί)σάρξ: 'flesh'; the reality of the incarnation — 'in the flesh' is the nerve of the confession the deceivers deny.
οὗτόςthis oneNominativesubject (demonstrative)οὗτος: 'this (one)'; sums up the denier — 'such a person is the deceiver and the antichrist.'
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίequative verb→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the copula of the identification.
ὁtheNominativearticle
πλάνοςdeceiverNominativepredicate nominativeπλάνος: 'deceiver'; the articular 'the deceiver' — the archetypal one leading astray.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὁtheNominativearticle
ἀντίχριστοςantichristNominativepredicate nominative (coordinate)ἀντίχριστος: 'antichrist' (a Johannine coinage, ἀντί + Χριστός); the one against/instead of Christ — here the incarnation-denier (cf. 1 John 2:18, 22).
8
βλέπετε ἑαυτούς, ἵνα μὴ ἀπολέσητε ἃ εἰργασάμεθα, ἀλλὰ μισθὸν πλήρη ἀπολάβητε.
Watch yourselves, that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may receive a full reward.
Exhortation (vigilance)asyndetonThe first practical imperative drawn from the warning: vigilance. The asyndeton (no connective) gives the command urgency. The text-critical mix of persons (read here as 'you not lose what we worked for') frames the readers' perseverance as bound up with the apostolic labor; the metaphor of the 'full reward' (μισθόν πλήρη) sets eschatological stakes.
βλέπετεwatch/look toPres Act Impv 2 Pl · βλέπωmain verb (imperative)→ present (general precept)βλέπω: 'see, look'; here 'watch out, take heed' — βλέπετε ἑαυτούς = 'look to yourselves, be on guard.'
ἑαυτούςyourselvesAccusativedirect object (reflexive pronoun)ἑαυτοῦ: reflexive 'yourselves'; the object of the vigilance — self-watchfulness against the deceivers.
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose)ἵνα: 'in order that'; the purpose of the vigilance — negative then positive.
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ subj.)
ἀπολέσητεyou loseAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ἀπόλλυμιmain verb (negative purpose clause)→ constative aorist (subjunctive)ἀπόλλυμι: 'destroy, lose'; here middle/active 'lose, forfeit' — the danger of losing the fruit of the apostolic labor.
ἃwhatAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἀπολέσητε)
εἰργασάμεθαwe worked forAor Mid Indic 1 Pl · ἐργάζομαιmain verb (relative clause)→ constative aoristἐργάζομαι: 'work, labor'; the apostolic 'we worked for' (read here over the variant 'you worked') — the gospel labor whose fruit must not be lost.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
μισθὸνrewardAccusativedirect object of ἀπολάβητεμισθός: 'wages, reward'; the eschatological recompense — to be received 'in full' if they persevere.
πλήρηfullAccusativeattributive adjectiveπλήρης: 'full, complete'; the reward is to be received undiminished — not partial.
ἀπολάβητεyou may receiveAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ἀπολαμβάνωmain verb (positive purpose, coordinate)→ constative aorist (subjunctive)ἀπολαμβάνω: 'receive back, receive in full' (ἀπό-intensive of λαμβάνω); the positive aim — to receive the reward due.
9
πᾶς ὁ προάγων καὶ μὴ μένων ἐν τῇ διδαχῇ τοῦ Χριστοῦ θεὸν οὐκ ἔχει· ὁ μένων ἐν τῇ διδαχῇ, οὗτος καὶ τὸν πατέρα καὶ τὸν υἱὸν ἔχει.
Everyone who runs ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, this one has both the Father and the Son.
Theological criterionasyndetonThe doctrinal criterion that grounds the harsh sanction of vv.10–11. An antithesis: the one who 'runs ahead' (προάγων — progressing beyond the apostolic teaching) does not have God; the one who 'abides' (μένων) in the teaching has both Father and Son. The verb μένω and the Father–Son possession recall 1 John 2:23–24.
πᾶςeveryoneNominativesubject (substantival adjective)πᾶς: 'all, every'; πᾶς ὁ + ptc. — the Johannine 'everyone who…' generalizing formula.
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
προάγωνrunning aheadPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · προάγωsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (characteristic)προάγω: 'go before, lead forward'; here intransitive 'run ahead, go beyond' — the false 'progressive' who advances past the apostolic teaching (read over the variant παραβαίνων, 'transgresses').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ ptc.)
μένωνabidingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · μένωsubstantival participle (coordinate w/ προάγων)→ present (durative)μένω: 'remain, abide'; the Johannine verb of faithful perseverance — 'not abiding in the teaching of Christ.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῇtheDativearticle
διδαχῇteachingDativeobject of ἐν (sphere of abiding)διδαχή: 'teaching, doctrine'; 'the teaching of Christ' — either about Christ or from Christ (see crux); the apostolic deposit.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivegenitive (subjective or objective)Χριστός: 'Christ'; the genitive may be subjective ('Christ's own teaching') or objective ('the teaching about Christ') — the latter fits the incarnation-confession of v.7.
θεὸνGodAccusativedirect object of ἔχειθεός: 'God'; to abandon the teaching is to forfeit God himself — 'does not have God.'
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔχειhasPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔχωmain verb→ stative presentἔχω: 'have, possess'; to 'have God' is to be in saving relationship with him — forfeited by the one who deserts the teaching.
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
μένωνabidingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · μένωsubstantival participle (subject, positive counterpart)→ present (durative)μένω: 'abide'; the positive foil — 'the one who abides in the teaching' possesses both Father and Son.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῇtheDativearticle
διδαχῇteachingDativeobject of ἐν (sphere of abiding)διδαχή: 'teaching'; the same apostolic doctrine — abiding in it secures fellowship with the Father and the Son.
οὗτοςthis oneNominativesubject (resumptive demonstrative)οὗτος: 'this one'; resumes the participial subject for emphasis.
καὶbothcorrelative conjunction (καί…καί)καί…καί: 'both…and'; binding Father and Son together as jointly possessed.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
πατέραFatherAccusativedirect object of ἔχειπατήρ: 'Father'; possessed together with the Son — the inseparability of the two (cf. 1 John 2:23).
καὶandcorrelative conjunction
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
υἱὸνSonAccusativedirect object of ἔχει (coordinate)υἱός: 'Son'; to confess and abide in the teaching is to have the Son — and so the Father.
ἔχειhasPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔχωmain verb→ stative presentἔχω: 'have'; the positive possession — 'has both the Father and the Son.'
10
εἴ τις ἔρχεται πρὸς ὑμᾶς καὶ ταύτην τὴν διδαχὴν οὐ φέρει, μὴ λαμβάνετε αὐτὸν εἰς οἰκίαν καὶ χαίρειν αὐτῷ μὴ λέγετε·
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting;
Conditional sanctionasyndetonThe startling practical sanction. A first-class condition ('if anyone comes…,' assumed for the sake of argument) yields a double prohibition: do not receive the false teacher into the house, nor even bid him 'greeting' (χαίρειν). In the ancient world hospitality and greeting signified fellowship and endorsement; to extend them would be complicity (v.11).
εἴifconditional conjunction (first-class)εἰ: 'if'; with the indicative ἔρχεται — a first-class condition, posing the case as real for argument's sake.
τιςanyoneNominativesubject (indefinite pronoun)τις: 'someone, anyone'; the indefinite — any itinerant teacher lacking the true doctrine.
ἔρχεταιcomesPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (protasis)→ present (general)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; the arrival of a visiting teacher seeking hospitality.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of πρός (direction)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ταύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative adjectiveοὗτος: 'this'; 'this teaching' — the doctrine of Christ confessed in vv.7, 9.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
διδαχὴνteachingAccusativedirect object of φέρειδιδαχή: 'teaching'; the apostolic doctrine of Christ — 'this teaching' which the false teacher does not 'bring.'
οὐnotnegative particle
φέρειbringsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · φέρωmain verb (protasis, coordinate)→ present (general)φέρω: 'bring, bear'; 'does not bring this teaching' — comes without the true doctrine of Christ.
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ imperative)
λαμβάνετεreceivePres Act Impv 2 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (apodosis, prohibition)→ present (general prohibition)λαμβάνω: 'receive, take'; here 'welcome (as a guest)' — μὴ λαμβάνετε = 'do not receive into your home.'
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of λαμβάνετε
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
οἰκίανhouseAccusativeobject of εἰς (direction)οἰκία: 'house, home'; receiving into the house = extending hospitality, which signified fellowship and endorsement.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
χαίρεινgreetingPres Act Inf · χαίρωinfinitive (object of λέγετε)→ present (general)χαίρω: 'rejoice'; the infinitive χαίρειν is the conventional Greek greeting ('greetings!'); χαίρειν λέγω = 'to give greeting.'
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object of λέγετε
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ imperative)
λέγετεsay/givePres Act Impv 2 Pl · λέγωmain verb (second prohibition)→ present (general prohibition)λέγω: 'say'; χαίρειν μὴ λέγετε = 'do not give him the greeting' — withhold even the formula of welcome.
11
ὁ λέγων γὰρ αὐτῷ χαίρειν κοινωνεῖ τοῖς ἔργοις αὐτοῦ τοῖς πονηροῖς.
for the one who gives him greeting shares in his evil works.
Ground of the prohibitionγὰρThe rationale for the severe prohibition of v.10: to greet the false teacher is to 'share' (κοινωνεῖ) in his evil works. The principle is that fellowship extended is complicity incurred — a stark application of truth's demand, where love does not extend to endorsing the destroyer of the truth.
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
λέγωνsaying/givingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λέγωsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (characteristic)λέγω: 'say'; ὁ λέγων…χαίρειν = 'the one who gives the greeting' — whoever bids the false teacher welcome.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunctionγάρ: 'for'; gives the reason for the prohibition of v.10.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object of λέγων
χαίρεινgreetingPres Act Inf · χαίρωinfinitive (object of λέγων)→ present (general)χαίρω: the greeting-formula χαίρειν ('greetings'), as in v.10.
κοινωνεῖsharesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · κοινωνέωmain verb→ present (consequential)κοινωνέω: 'share, have fellowship/partnership' (cf. κοινωνία); to greet the deceiver is to become a partner in his deeds.
τοῖςin theDativearticle
ἔργοιςworksDativedat. of association (object of κοινωνεῖ)ἔργον: 'work, deed'; the deceiver's 'evil works' — the partnership shared by the one who endorses him.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
τοῖςtheDativearticle
πονηροῖςevilDativeattributive adjective (modifies ἔργοις)πονηρός: 'evil, wicked'; the deceiver's works are positively wicked — not merely mistaken but destructive of the truth.
12
Πολλὰ ἔχων ὑμῖν γράφειν οὐκ ἐβουλήθην διὰ χάρτου καὶ μέλανος, ἀλλὰ ἐλπίζω γενέσθαι πρὸς ὑμᾶς καὶ στόμα πρὸς στόμα λαλῆσαι, ἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ἡμῶν ᾖ πεπληρωμένη.
Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink, but I hope to come to you and to speak face to face, so that our joy may be made full.
Closing (travel hope)asyndetonThe epistolary closing. The Elder defers his fuller communication, preferring presence to 'paper and ink' (χάρτης καὶ μέλαν). The idiom στόμα πρὸς στόμα ('mouth to mouth,' i.e. face to face) and the goal 'that our joy may be made full' (cf. 1 John 1:4) close the letter on the note of joy with which v.4 began.
Πολλὰmany thingsAccusativedirect object of γράφειν (substantival)πολύς: 'many'; the neuter plural — 'many things' the Elder has to write.
ἔχωνhavingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔχωconcessive participle ('though having')→ present (concurrent)ἔχω: 'have'; concessive — 'though having much to write,' he chooses presence over letter.
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object of γράφειν
γράφεινto writePres Act Inf · γράφωcomplementary infinitive (w/ ἔχων)→ present (general)γράφω: 'write'; the infinitive completing ἔχων — 'having (things) to write.'
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐβουλήθηνI wantedAor Pass Indic 1 Sg · βούλομαιmain verb→ constative aorist (epistolary)βούλομαι: 'wish, will, intend'; the epistolary aorist — 'I did not wish (to write all) with paper and ink.'
διὰwith/by means ofpreposition + genitive (means)διά: + gen., 'by means of'; the instrument — 'paper and ink.'
χάρτουpaperGenitiveobject of διά (means)χάρτης: 'sheet of papyrus, paper'; the writing material — here set against personal presence.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μέλανοςinkGenitiveobject of διά (means, coordinate)μέλαν: 'ink' (neut. of μέλας, 'black'); 'paper and ink' — the impersonal medium of the letter.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
ἐλπίζωI hopePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐλπίζωmain verb→ present (ongoing expectation)ἐλπίζω: 'hope, expect'; the Elder's hope to visit in person rather than write at length.
γενέσθαιto come/beAor Mid Inf · γίνομαιcomplementary infinitive (w/ ἐλπίζω)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become, come to be'; here 'to come to be (present) with you' — to arrive in person.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of πρός (direction)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
στόμαmouthAccusativeadverbial accusative (idiom)στόμα: 'mouth'; στόμα πρὸς στόμα = 'mouth to mouth,' the idiom for 'face to face' (cf. Num 12:8).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (idiomatic)
στόμαmouthAccusativeobject of πρός (idiom)στόμα: 'mouth'; completing the idiom 'mouth to mouth' — intimate, personal speech.
λαλῆσαιto speakAor Act Inf · λαλέωcomplementary infinitive (coordinate w/ γενέσθαι)→ constative aoristλαλέω: 'speak'; the hoped-for personal conversation — 'to speak face to face.'
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose)ἵνα: 'in order that'; the goal of the longed-for visit — fullness of joy.
ἡtheNominativearticle
χαρὰjoyNominativesubject (ἵνα clause)χαρά: 'joy'; the keyword from v.4, now to be 'made full' by their reunion (cf. 1 John 1:4; John 15:11).
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession (read over ὑμῶν)ἡμῶν: 'our'; the better-attested reading (over ὑμῶν, 'your') — a shared, mutual joy.
ᾖmay bePres Act Subj 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (ἵνα clause, w/ periphrastic ptc.)→ stative present (subjunctive)εἰμί: 'be'; the subjunctive of the periphrastic construction ᾖ πεπληρωμένη.
πεπληρωμένηmade fullPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · πληρόωperiphrastic perfect (w/ ᾖ)→ perfect (resultant fullness)πληρόω: 'fill, complete'; the periphrastic perfect ᾖ πεπληρωμένη — 'may be (brought to a state of being) full,' joy at its abiding fullness (cf. 1 John 1:4).
13
ἀσπάζεταί σε τὰ τέκνα τῆς ἀδελφῆς σου τῆς ἐκλεκτῆς.
The children of your elect sister greet you.
Closing greetingasyndetonThe final greeting. 'The children of your elect sister' most naturally denotes the members of a sister congregation (the church from which the Elder writes), paralleling 'the elect lady and her children' of v.1. The matching 'elect' (ἐκλεκτῆς) seals the letter within the bond of the chosen family of God.
ἀσπάζεταίgreetPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀσπάζομαιmain verb (neut. pl. subject, sg. verb)→ present (epistolary greeting)ἀσπάζομαι: 'greet, salute'; the conventional closing greeting; the singular verb agrees with the neuter plural subject τὰ τέκνα.
σεyouAccusativedirect object (the elect lady)
τὰtheNominativearticle
τέκναchildrenNominativesubjectτέκνον: 'child'; the members of the 'sister' congregation — those among whom the Elder now is.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ἀδελφῆςsisterGenitivegenitive of relationshipἀδελφή: 'sister'; the 'elect sister' — a sister church paralleling the 'elect lady' (v.1), the families of God's chosen people.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἐκλεκτῆςelect/chosenGenitiveattributive adjective (modifies ἀδελφῆς)ἐκλεκτός: 'chosen, elect'; the 'sister' too is 'elect' — framing the whole letter (vv.1, 13) within the chosen family of God.