5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. (2 John 1:5-6 KJV)
Walk in Christ’s Commandments
We come now more into the design and substance of the epistle; and here we have the apostle’s request: Now, I beseech you, lady. Considering what it is that he entreats—the common duty and observance of divine command—the way of address is very remarkable. Here he might have commanded, but milder approaches are more effective than harsh ones. The apostolic spirit is especially tender and endearing.
Whether out of respect for her position or apostolic humility, or both, he condescends to beseech: “And now I beseech you, lady.” He may be speaking as another apostle does to a certain master: “Though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is proper, yet for love’s sake I rather beseech you, being such a one as the aged” (Philemon 1:8-9). Love will succeed where authority fails; and the apostolic minister prefers to lead friends to their duty through love.
The thing requested of the lady and her children is Christian love: that we love one another (2 John 1:5). Those who are strong in any Christian virtue can still grow in it. “But as touching brotherly love, you need not that I write to you; for you yourselves are taught of God to love one another. But we urge you, brothers and sisters, to increase more and more” (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10).
This love is recommended, first, from the obligation to it—it is a commandment. Divine command should direct our hearts and minds.
Second, from the antiquity of the commandment: “Not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we had from the beginning” (2 John 1:5). Mutual Christian love is new in its sanction by Christ, but in essence, it is as old as natural, Jewish, or Christian religion. This command must always accompany Christianity—Christ’s disciples must love one another.
Then this love is illustrated by its fruitful nature: “And this is love, that we walk after his commandments” (2 John 1:6). Our obedience to God is the test of our love for him. It is also love for ourselves, since keeping God’s commandments brings great reward. And it is love for one another, when we encourage each other to live in holiness. This is how we show our mutual Christian love—by walking in obedience to God’s commands. There may be mutual love that is not religious or Christian, but we know ours is genuine when it is joined with full obedience. True Christian virtues are proven by universal obedience, and those who aim to obey all of Christ’s teachings will certainly uphold Christian love.
This is a foundational duty in the gospel: “This is the commandment, that, as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it” (2 John 1:6)—that is, walk in this love. The apostle may have anticipated a decline in this love, along with other forms of apostasy, and so felt compelled to repeat and emphasize this original command all the more earnestly.