Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded.
Parallel translations
- WEB Watch yourselves, that we don’t lose the things which we have accomplished, but that we receive a full reward.
- KJV Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
- NKJV Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.
- NASB Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.
- 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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
John urges them to watch themselves so they do not lose what has been accomplished but receive a full reward. Believers must remain vigilant against error so as not to forfeit the fruit of faithful labor.
Overview
Facing the threat of deceivers, John calls for self-watchfulness lest the spiritual gains made among them be undone. The "full reward" speaks of God's gracious recompense for those who persevere in the truth, a reward of grace rather than of merit. The warning underscores that holding fast to sound doctrine is not optional but essential to finishing the Christian course well.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 19
- Heb 10:35So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward.
- Rev 3:11I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
- 1 Cor 3:14If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward.
- 1 Cor 3:8He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.
- Heb 12:15See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many.
- Gal 3:4Have you suffered so much for nothing, if it really was for nothing?
- Mark 13:9So be on your guard. You will be delivered over to the councils and beaten in the synagogues. On My account you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them.
- John 4:36Already the reaper draws his wages and gathers a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together.
- Matt 24:24–25For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible.
- Phil 2:15–16so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world
- Luke 21:8Jesus answered, “See to it that you are not deceived. For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.
- Gal 4:11I fear for you, that my efforts for you may have been in vain.
- Phil 3:16Nevertheless, we must live up to what we have already attained.
- Mark 13:23So be on your guard; I have told you everything in advance.
- Matt 24:4Jesus answered, “See to it that no one deceives you.
- Heb 10:32Remember the early days that you were in the light. In those days, you endured a great conflict in the face of suffering.
- Dan 12:3Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.
- Mark 13:5–6Jesus began by telling them, “See to it that no one deceives you.
- 1 Cor 15:8And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one of untimely birth.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
To walk in truth and love is to abide in 'the teaching of Christ'; whoever has the Son has both the Father and life.
How 2 John 1:8 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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