Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
Parallel translations
- WEB Watch yourselves, that we don’t lose the things which we have accomplished, but that we receive a full reward.
- BSB Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded.
- 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 10:35Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
- Rev 3:11Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
- 1 Cor 3:14If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
- 1 Cor 3:8Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
- Heb 12:15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
- Gal 3:4Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
- Mark 13:9But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
- John 4:36And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
- Matt 24:24–25For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
- Phil 2:15–16That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
- Luke 21:8And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
- Gal 4:11I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
- Phil 3:16Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
- Mark 13:23But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
- Matt 24:4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
- Heb 10:32But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
- Dan 12:3And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
- Mark 13:5–6And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
- 1 Cor 15:8And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
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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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