Catena in epistulam Joannis ii (catena Andreae) (e cod. Oxon. coll. nov. 58).

John’s Second Epistle. Argument. He writes this as an elder to a lady and her children. The occasion of the Epistle is this: seeing her children conducting themselves well in the faith, and many deceivers going about saying that the coming of Christ in the flesh did not happen, he writes the Epistle. First, he commends her children for walking well; then, teaching that our mystery is not recent, he again exhorts concerning love, and that they remain in the teaching handed down to them. Further, he teaches that the one who says Christ did not come in the flesh is the Antichrist; he commands that such persons be received into no house, nor that one say “greetings” to them; and thus he concludes the Epistle.

Chapter 1

After the prologue concerning right living in the love of God through steadfast pious faith. The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not I alone, but also all who have known the truth, because of the truth that abides in us, and will be with us forever; grace, mercy, peace will be with us from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Father, in truth and love. Or he writes to the Church, or to some woman managing her own household spiritually through the evangelical commandments.

He writes this Epistle to one of the women who received the proclamation. He exhorts her to two things: first, to walk in love, and second, to avoid even giving the greeting of "rejoice" to those who are in error. The reason the Epistle is brief he himself taught: it is an announcement of his coming to her. I rejoiced greatly that I found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. And now I ask you, lady, not as writing a new commandment to you, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments. And this is the commandment, that as you heard from the beginning, you walk in it; for many deceivers have gone out into the world, who do not confess Jesus Christ coming in the flesh; this is the deceiver and the Antichrist. Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what you have worked for, but receive full reward. Everyone who transgresses and does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God; he who abides in the teaching of Christ has both the Father and the Son. The present passage agrees with what was said in the First Epistle, which runs thus: "And we know that he who loves God keeps the commandments." And the Lord says, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my commandments." To walk according to the commandments is the same as being active in them. He walks according to them who does not depart from them. In this, keeping them is the same; hence he who ceases to act according to virtue no longer keeps the commandments, nor does he any longer walk according to them.

For the one who advances in virtue walks according to the commandments, "to walk" indicating progress. The one who has been perfected, after having walked according to the commandments, preserves them. This agrees with what was said enigmatically, that Adam was placed in Paradise to work and to guard it: "to work" indicating progress in activity, and "to guard" indicating perseverance in perfection.

That one ought not to receive a heretic into one’s house nor greet him on account of sin. If someone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not say “greetings” to him; for the one who says “greetings” to him shares in his evil deeds. Of Saint Basil. What shall they say, who do not love the Lord who made and nourishes them, but have even employed as friends those who speak injustice against God, and partake of the same table with them, and endure, even at that very nourishment, blasphemies against the one who feeds them?

Chapter 2.

The promise of his presence for hope and benefit. Having much to write to you, I did not wish to do so through paper and ink; for I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that our joy may be fulfilled. The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen. Severus: For those who rightly confess and write concerning faith, but do not dismiss those who have written things that are not right, render themselves suspect to them and of unsound opinion. End of the Second Epistle of John. THE SECOND EPISTLE OF JOHN. ARGUMENT. He writes this as a presbyter to the lady and her children. The occasion of the Epistle is this: seeing her children conducting themselves well in the faith, and many deceivers going about saying that the coming of Christ in the flesh is not, he writes the Epistle. And first he commends her children for walking well; then, teaching that our mystery is not recent, he exhorts again concerning love, and that they remain in the teaching delivered to them; and further he teaches that the one who says Christ has not come in the flesh is the Antichrist; and he commands that such persons not be received into the house, nor that one say "greetings" to such persons; and thus he concludes the Epistle. CHAPTER 1.

After the preface concerning right living in the love of God through unshaken pious faith. The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not I alone, but also all who have known the truth, because of the truth that abides in us, and will be with us forever; grace, mercy, peace will be with us from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Father, in truth and love. Or he writes to the Church, or to a certain woman who through the evangelical commandments manages her own household spiritually.

He writes this Epistle to one of the women who received the preaching. He exhorts her to two things: one, to walk in love; the other, to avoid them, so as not even to share the greeting of "rejoice" with them. The reason the Epistle is brief he himself taught: it is the announcement of his coming to her. I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. And now I ask you, lady, not as writing a new commandment to you, but the one we had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments. And this is the commandment, that as you heard from the beginning, you walk in it; for many deceivers have gone out into the world, who do not confess Jesus Christ coming in the flesh; this is the deceiver and the Antichrist. Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what you have worked for, but receive full reward. Everyone who transgresses and does not remain in the teaching of Christ does not have God; he who remains in the teaching of Christ has both the Father and the Son. The present passage agrees with what was said in the First Epistle, which runs thus: "And we know that he who loves God keeps the commandments." And the Lord says, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my commandments." To walk according to the commandments is the same as being activated by them. He walks according to them who does not go outside them. In this, keeping them is the same; hence he who ceases to act according to virtue no longer keeps the commandments, nor does he any longer walk according to them.

For he who advances in virtue walks according to the commandments, "to walk" indicating progress. The one who has been perfected, after having walked according to the commandments, preserves them. This agrees with what was said enigmatically, that Adam was placed in Paradise to work and to guard it; "to work" indicating progress in action, and "to guard" indicating perseverance in perfection.

That one ought not to receive a heretic into one's home or greet him in sin. If someone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house, and do not say "Hail" to him; for he who says "Hail" to him shares in his evil deeds. From Saint Basil. What shall they say, who do not love the Lord who made and nourishes them, but have as friends those who speak injustice against God, and partake of the same table with them, and while taking that food endure blasphemies against the one who nourishes them? Chapter 2.

A promise of his presence in hope for your benefit. Though I have much to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; for I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that our joy may be fulfilled. The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen. Severus: For those who, while rightly confessing and writing concerning the faith, do not dismiss those who have written what is not right, render themselves suspect to them and of an unsound mind. The end of the Second Epistle of John.