2 John 1:8
New International Version
Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.

New Living Translation
Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward.

English Standard Version
Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.

Berean Standard Bible
Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded.

Berean Literal Bible
Watch yourselves, so that you should not lose what things we have worked for, but you may receive a full reward.

King James Bible
Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

New King James Version
Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.

New American Standard Bible
Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.

NASB 1995
Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.

NASB 1977
Watch yourselves, that you might not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.

Legacy Standard Bible
See to yourselves, that you do not lose what we accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.

Amplified Bible
Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have accomplished together, but that you may receive a full and perfect reward [when He grants rewards to faithful believers].

Christian Standard Bible
Watch yourselves so that you don’t lose what we have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Watch yourselves so you don’t lose what we have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward.

American Standard Version
Look to yourselves, that ye lose not the things which we have wrought, but that ye receive a full reward.

Contemporary English Version
So be sure not to lose what we have worked for. If you do, you won't be given your full reward.

English Revised Version
Look to yourselves, that ye lose not the things which we have wrought, but that ye receive a full reward.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Be careful that you don't destroy what we've worked for, but that you receive your full reward.

Good News Translation
Be on your guard, then, so that you will not lose what we have worked for, but will receive your reward in full.

International Standard Version
See to it that you don't destroy what we have worked for, but that you receive your full reward.

Majority Standard Bible
Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded.

NET Bible
Watch out, so that you do not lose the things we have worked for, but receive a full reward.

New Heart English Bible
Watch yourselves, that you do not lose the things which we have accomplished, but that you receive a full reward.

Webster's Bible Translation
Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

Weymouth New Testament
Keep guard over yourselves, so that you may not lose the results of your good deeds, but may receive back a full reward.

World English Bible
Watch yourselves, that we don’t lose the things which we have accomplished, but that we receive a full reward.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
See to yourselves that you may not lose the things that we worked for, but may receive a full reward;

Berean Literal Bible
Watch yourselves, so that you should not lose what things we have worked for, but you may receive a full reward.

Young's Literal Translation
See to yourselves that ye may not lose the things that we wrought, but a full reward may receive;

Smith's Literal Translation
Look to yourselves, lest we should destroy what things we have wrought, but we should receive a full reward.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Look to yourselves, that you lose not the things which you have wrought: but that you may receive a full reward.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Be cautious for yourselves, lest you lose what you have accomplished, and so that, instead, you may receive a full reward.

New American Bible
Look to yourselves that you do not lose what we worked for but may receive a full recompense.

New Revised Standard Version
Be on your guard, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but may receive a full reward.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Look to yourselves, that you lose not those things which you have accomplished, but that you receive a full reward.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Pay attention to your souls, that you do not lose anything which you have cultivated, but that you may receive a full reward.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Look to yourselves, that we lose not the things that we have gained, but that we receive a full reward.

Godbey New Testament
Take heed to yourselves, that you may not destroy those things which you have wrought, but may receive a full reward.

Haweis New Testament
Take heed to yourselves that we lose not the things which we have wrought, but receive a full reward.

Mace New Testament
be upon your guard, that we may not lose the fruit of our labours, but that we may receive our full reward.

Weymouth New Testament
Keep guard over yourselves, so that you may not lose the results of your good deeds, but may receive back a full reward.

Worrell New Testament
Take heed to yourselves, that ye lose not the things which we wrought, but that ye receive a full reward.

Worsley New Testament
Look to yourselves, that ye lose not the things which ye have wrought, but that ye may receive a full reward.
Audio Bible



Context
Beware of Deceivers
7For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded. 9Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son.…

Cross References
1 John 2:28
And now, little children, remain in Christ, so that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.

Galatians 6:9
Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Hebrews 10:35
So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward.

1 Corinthians 3:8-15
He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. / For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. / By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds. ...

Revelation 3:11
I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

Matthew 10:41-42
Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. / And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.”

2 Timothy 4:7-8
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. / From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.

Philippians 2:16
as you hold forth the word of life, in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

Colossians 2:18
Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you with speculation about what he has seen. Such a person is puffed up without basis by his unspiritual mind.

1 Peter 5:4
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize. / Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable. / Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air. ...

Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. / Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Matthew 25:21
His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’

Luke 19:17
His master replied, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, you shall have authority over ten cities.’

Isaiah 40:10
Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and His arm establishes His rule. His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him.


Treasury of Scripture

Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have worked, but that we receive a full reward.

Look.

Matthew 24:4,24,25
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you…

Mark 13:5,6,9,23
And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: …

Luke 21:8
And 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.

that we lose.

Galatians 3:4
Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.

Galatians 4:11
I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

Philippians 2:15,16
That 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; …

wrought.

that we receive.

Daniel 12:3
And 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.

John 4:36
And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

1 Corinthians 3:8,14
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour…

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Accomplished Deeds Effect Full Fully Good Guard Lose Receive Results Reward Rewarded Wages Watch Win Work Worked Wrought Yourselves
2 John 1
1. He exhorts a certain honorable matron, with her children, to persevere in Christian love and belief,
8. lest they lose the reward of their former profession;
10. and to have nothing to do with those seducers that bring not the true doctrine of Christ Jesus.














Watch yourselves
The Greek word for "watch" is "βλέπετε" (blepete), which means to be vigilant or to take heed. This is a call to self-examination and awareness, urging believers to be on guard against false teachings and influences that could lead them astray. In the historical context of the early church, false teachers were prevalent, and the apostle John emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility in maintaining the purity of the faith. This vigilance is not just a passive observation but an active, ongoing effort to protect one's spiritual integrity.

so that you do not lose
The phrase "do not lose" comes from the Greek "ἀπολέσητε" (apolesete), which implies destruction or loss. This is a warning against the potential spiritual loss that can occur if believers are not careful. The early church faced many challenges, including persecution and doctrinal errors, which could lead to a loss of spiritual progress and rewards. The emphasis here is on the importance of perseverance and steadfastness in the faith.

what we have worked for
The Greek word "εἰργασάμεθα" (eirgasametha) refers to labor or toil. This highlights the collective effort of the apostolic ministry and the early church community in establishing and nurturing the faith. The apostles and early Christians invested significant time, energy, and resources in spreading the Gospel and building up the church. This phrase serves as a reminder of the value of their labor and the importance of safeguarding the fruits of their efforts.

but that you may be fully rewarded
The term "fully rewarded" is derived from the Greek "μισθὸν πλήρη" (misthon plērē), indicating a complete or abundant recompense. This speaks to the eternal rewards that await those who remain faithful to the teachings of Christ. In a conservative Christian perspective, this reward is not merely material or temporal but is ultimately spiritual and eternal, reflecting the believer's faithfulness and obedience to God. The promise of a full reward serves as an encouragement to persevere in the face of trials and to remain steadfast in the truth.

Verse 8. - The authorities vary much as to the persons of the three verbs, "lose," "have wrought," "receive," some reading "we," and some "ye," in each case. The best reading seems to be, "That ye lose not the things which we have wrought, but that ye receive a full reward, i.e., beware of allowing our work in you to be undone to your grievous loss. Through not seeing the meaning of the passage, some scribes changed" ye" into "we," and others changed" we" into "ye," thus making all three verbs in the same person. There is a similar case in John 9:4, where the true reading seems to be, "We must work the works of him that sent me;" but in order to produce uniformity some scribes altered "we" into "I," while others turned "me" into "us." The next verse explains the nature of the "full reward" which the lady and some of her children are in danger of losing, - it is nothing less than God himself.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Watch
βλέπετε (blepete)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 991: (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.

yourselves,
ἑαυτούς (heautous)
Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself.

so that
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

you do not lose
ἀπολέσητε (apolesēte)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 622: From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.

what
(ha)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

we have worked for,
εἰργασάμεθα (eirgasametha)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2038: To work, trade, perform, do, practice, commit, acquire by labor.

[that]
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

you may be fully rewarded.
ἀπολάβητε (apolabēte)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 618: From apo and lambano; to receive; also to take aside.


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NT Letters: 2 John 1:8 Watch yourselves that we don't lose (2J iiJ 2Jn ii jn 2 jo)
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