2 John 1:8 kjv
Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
2 John 1:8 nkjv
Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.
2 John 1:8 niv
Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.
2 John 1:8 esv
Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.
2 John 1:8 nlt
Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward.
2 John 1 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Col 3:23-24 | Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord... knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward... | Working for the Lord brings reward |
| 1 Cor 3:14 | If anyone's work that he has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. | Reward for enduring spiritual work |
| Rev 22:12 | "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done." | God repays according to deeds |
| Heb 10:35 | Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. | Holding confidence leads to great reward |
| Heb 10:36 | For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. | Endurance for receiving promises |
| Matt 6:19-20 | "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven..." | Store up eternal treasures, not earthly |
| Luke 6:35 | But love your enemies... and your reward will be great... | Great reward for Christ-like living |
| Gal 3:4 | Have you suffered so much in vain? if indeed it was in vain. | Warning against vain suffering/effort |
| Phil 2:16 | ...holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may run not in vain or labor in vain. | Hold to truth to avoid vain labor |
| 1 Pet 1:8-9 | Though you have not seen him, you love him... obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. | Outcome/reward of faith is salvation |
| Heb 11:6 | And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. | God rewards those who seek Him |
| Rev 3:11 | I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. | Hold fast to prevent loss of reward/crown |
| Matt 7:15 | "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves." | Warning against false teachers |
| Acts 20:28-30 | "Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock... For I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you... " | Vigilance against internal false teachers |
| Eph 4:14 | ...so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning... | Stability in doctrine against cunning |
| 2 Pet 2:1-3 | But false prophets also arose among the people... they will secretly bring in destructive heresies... and in their greed they will exploit you... | False teachers bring destructive heresies |
| 1 Jn 4:1 | Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. | Test spirits to discern truth |
| 1 Tim 4:16 | Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persevere in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. | Watchfulness in life and doctrine |
| Jude 1:20-21 | But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God... | Build up faith and remain in God's love |
| Heb 3:12-14 | Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away... hold firm to the end... | Warning against apostasy and loss |
| Heb 6:11-12 | And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those... | Earnestness to ensure full hope until the end |
| Gal 6:9 | And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. | Perseverance ensures reaping |
2 John 1 verses
2 John 1 8 Meaning
This verse serves as a crucial warning to the recipients to exercise diligent watchfulness. It admonishes them to safeguard their spiritual investment and labor in the truth, ensuring they are not led astray by false teachers and thus forfeit the spiritual reward they have earned or that was accumulated through the efforts of those who ministered to them. The intent is to secure a complete and unfettered recompense from God.
2 John 1 8 Context
The Second Epistle of John is a brief letter warning a chosen lady and her children – widely understood as a church and its members – against welcoming deceivers and their false doctrines. Chapter 1 begins with expressions of love and truth, commending the recipients for walking in truth according to God's commandment. The specific commandment highlighted is love (v. 5), implying love that adheres to God's truth. Immediately following this, the Apostle pivots to warn against the proliferation of deceivers who deny Jesus Christ's physical coming in the flesh (v. 7). These deceivers are identified as the "Antichrist." Verse 8 then serves as an urgent call to vigilance in light of this pervasive spiritual danger, emphasizing that succumbing to such error would jeopardize their spiritual achievements and anticipated reward. The warning precedes the instruction not to welcome or greet these deceivers (v. 10-11), reinforcing the necessity of strict separation from those who propagate heresy, lest they participate in the evil deeds of the false teachers and suffer spiritual loss.
2 John 1 8 Word analysis
- See (Gr. blepete): This is an imperative, meaning "be seeing," "watch," "take heed," or "beware." It emphasizes constant, active observation and vigilance. It's a strong call to careful self-examination and discernment against threats.
- to yourselves (Gr. heautous): This reflexive pronoun underscores personal responsibility. The warning is not merely about external threats, but about how the believers themselves respond and guard their own spiritual state.
- that you do not lose (Gr. hina mē apolēsthe): "Hina" indicates purpose, "mē" is a negative particle, and "apolēsthe" means "to suffer loss," "be ruined," or "be destroyed." The construction expresses a warning about the consequence of not taking heed: forfeiture or spiritual harm. This isn't about losing salvation but losing spiritual investment and reward.
- what we have worked for (Gr. ha ērgasmetha): The pronoun "ha" (what) refers to the preceding spiritual efforts or attainments. "Ērgasmetha" comes from ergazomai, meaning "to work," "to toil," "to labor." It signifies diligent effort and implies an accumulation of spiritual labor. While some ancient manuscripts read "what you have worked for" (referring to the recipients' own efforts), the more common and robust reading "we" (hēmeis implied by ērgasmetha) suggests the spiritual labor of the apostles/ministers who taught them the truth. This interpretation highlights that allowing false teaching not only negates the recipients' personal progress but also undermines the strenuous evangelistic and teaching efforts of the apostles.
- but that you may receive (Gr. alla apolabēte): "Alla" (but) introduces a strong contrast or alternative. "Apolabēte" (from apolambanō) means "to receive in full," "to receive back," "to get one's due." It suggests a just and deserved recompense for faithful endurance.
- a full (Gr. plērē): Means complete, entire, lacking nothing. It describes the nature of the anticipated reward, implying that any loss would result in an incomplete or diminished recompense.
- reward (Gr. misthon): Refers to "wages," "pay," or "recompense." In a theological context, it signifies the divine compensation or commendation given by God for faithful service and adherence to truth, especially for those who persevere despite opposition or temptation.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "See to yourselves, that you do not lose": This phrase combines personal responsibility with a severe warning of potential forfeiture. It demands active self-monitoring to avoid spiritual detriments stemming from doctrinal compromise.
- "what we have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward": This contrasts two outcomes: losing what has been established or gaining the promised, complete divine recompense. The "we" emphasizes the cooperative nature of spiritual labor—the apostolic foundation laying the groundwork for the believers' sustained obedience, both of which are jeopardized by defection from truth. The emphasis on "full reward" underscores that perseverance and discernment lead to maximum divine recognition, contrasting with a diminished reward that would follow apostasy or embracing error.
2 John 1 8 Bonus section
The "full reward" concept found here aligns with the New Testament theme of differing degrees of eternal recompense for believers based on their faithfulness, service, and endurance in Christ. It's not about earning salvation, but about the quality and completeness of one's participation in the divine will, culminating in differing levels of honor or inheritance in God's Kingdom (e.g., the concept of crowns or greater glory). This warning is highly practical for all believers, reminding them that spiritual effort and doctrinal integrity have tangible, eternal implications for their standing and joy before God.
2 John 1 8 Commentary
Second John 1:8 is a stern yet loving caution against the deceptive teachings of those who deny the incarnate Christ. The apostle John urges the elect lady and her children, likely representing a church community, to maintain vigilant discernment. The essence of the verse is a direct warning: failure to guard against error will result in the loss of what "we have worked for," meaning the spiritual investment and progress made, both by the believers themselves and by those who faithfully ministered the truth to them. The alternative, if they remain steadfast, is to receive a "full reward" from God. This "reward" is not salvation, which is a gift of grace through faith in Christ, but rather a recompense or commendation for faithful perseverance, obedience, and adherence to sound doctrine. It emphasizes the eternal value placed on spiritual steadfastness and the consequences of doctrinal compromise. The call is for consistent application of truth to avoid spiritual forfeiture and ensure the completion of God's blessing.