King James Version

What Does 2 John 1:3 Mean?

2 John 1:3 in the King James Version says “Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in trut...” — study this verse from 2 John chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. be: Gr. shall be”

2 John 1:3 · KJV

GracePeaceTruthLove

Context

1

The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

2

For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.

3

Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. be: Gr. shall be

4

I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

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.

Read 2 John 1 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. John offers a triadic blessing: "grace, mercy, and peace"—divine gifts that encompass the fullness of Christian experience. Grace (Greek charis, χάρις) is God's unmerited favor, the foundation of salvation and source of spiritual enablement. Mercy (Greek eleos, ἔλεος) is God's compassionate withholding of deserved judgment and provision of undeserved kindness. Peace (Greek eirēnē, εἰρήνη) translates Hebrew shalom, signifying wholeness, reconciliation with God, and spiritual well-being.

These blessings flow "from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ"—a clear affirmation of Christ's deity. The coordinate structure places Father and Son on equal footing as the single source of divine blessing. John then adds the remarkable phrase "the Son of the Father" (Greek tou huiou tou patros, τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ πατρός), unique in the New Testament. This emphasizes Christ's eternal relationship with the Father, grounding His identity not in earthly ministry but in eternal sonship.

The phrase "in truth and love" (Greek en alētheia kai agapē, ἐν ἀληθείᾳ καὶ ἀγάπῃ) defines the sphere or atmosphere in which these divine blessings operate. Grace, mercy, and peace are not abstract concepts but realities experienced within the framework of revealed truth and divine love. This prepositional phrase also introduces the epistle's major theme: authentic Christianity cannot separate doctrinal truth from loving practice—both are essential, both must coexist. The order is significant: truth precedes love, providing the foundation and boundaries for genuine Christian affection.

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Historical & Cultural Context

First-century Greco-Roman correspondence typically began with a brief greeting (chairein, "greetings"). Jewish letters often invoked peace (shalom). Christian epistles transformed this convention into theological affirmations, declaring the source and nature of true blessing. Paul's letters typically include grace and peace; John adds mercy, perhaps reflecting his pastoral concern for struggling believers facing deception and persecution.

The explicit identification of Jesus as "the Son of the Father" directly counters early Christological heresies. Gnostic teachers denied either Christ's full deity (Ebionism) or His genuine humanity (Docetism). John's formula affirms both: Christ is fully God (equal source of divine blessing with the Father) and distinct from the Father (the Son). This was crucial as the church formulated Trinitarian orthodoxy against various heretical reductions.

The linking of "truth and love" addresses a specific first-century crisis. Some Christians, opposing heresy, became harsh and censorious, sacrificing love for doctrinal purity. Others, emphasizing love and unity, compromised with false teaching. John insists both must coexist—truth without love produces cold orthodoxy; love without truth enables destructive error. His greeting sets the epistle's agenda: defining faithful Christianity as simultaneously committed to apostolic truth and genuine love.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding Christ as the eternal Son of the Father shape our experience of grace, mercy, and peace?
  2. What practical steps can churches take to maintain both doctrinal fidelity and genuine love in their community life?
  3. In what ways might we reduce grace, mercy, and peace to therapeutic benefits rather than receiving them as divine gifts?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
ἔσται1 of 22

“be”

G2071

will be

μεθ'2 of 22

“with”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

ὑμῶν3 of 22

“you”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

χάρις4 of 22

“Grace”

G5485

graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart

ἔλεος5 of 22

“mercy”

G1656

compassion (human or divine, especially active)

εἰρήνη6 of 22

“and peace”

G1515

peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity

παρὰ7 of 22

“from”

G3844

properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj

Θεοῦ8 of 22

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

πατρός,9 of 22

“of the Father”

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

καὶ10 of 22

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

παρὰ11 of 22

“from”

G3844

properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj

Κυρίου12 of 22

“the Lord”

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

Ἰησοῦ13 of 22

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Χριστοῦ14 of 22

“Christ”

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

τοῦ15 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

υἱοῦ16 of 22

“the Son”

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

τοῦ17 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατρός,18 of 22

“of the Father”

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

ἐν19 of 22

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἀληθείᾳ20 of 22

“truth”

G225

truth

καὶ21 of 22

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀγάπῃ22 of 22

“love”

G26

love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 John 1:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 John 1:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 John 4:10Romans 1:71 Timothy 1:21 Timothy 1:14Galatians 5:62 Timothy 1:13

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2 John 1 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 John Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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