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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comJamieson Fausset Brown Commentary - 2 John 1:8 - 1:8
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Look to yourselves - amidst the widespread prevalence of deception so many being led astray. So Christ’s warning, Mat 24:4, Mat 24:5, Mat 24:24.
we lose not ... we receive - The oldest manuscripts and versions read, “That YE lose not, but that YE receive.”
which we have wrought - So one oldest manuscript reads. Other very old manuscripts, versions, and Fathers, read, “which YE have wrought.” The we being seemingly the more difficult reading is less likely to have been a transcriber’s alteration. Look that ye lose not the believing state of “truth and love,” which WE (as God’s workmen, 2Co 6:1; 2Ti 2:15) were the instruments of working in you.
a full reward - of grace not of debt. Fully consummated glory. If “which YE have wrought” be read with very old authorities, the reward meant is that of their “work (of faith) and labor of love.” There are degrees of heavenly reward proportioned to the degrees of capability of receiving heavenly blessedness. Each vessel of glory hanging on Jesus shall be fully happy. But the larger the vessel, the greater will be its capacity for receiving heavenly bliss. He who with one pound made ten, received authority over ten cities. He who made five pounds received five cities; each according to his capacity of rule, and in proportion to his faithfulness. Compare 1Co 15:41. “There is no half reward of the saints. It is either lost altogether, or received in full; in full communion with God” [Bengel]. Still no service of minister or people shall fail to receive its reward.