2 John 1:8

Look to yourselves. That is, beware, or take heed (cf. Mark 13:9). The apostle has issued a general warning against deceivers (2 John 7), but now makes a personal application to his readers. It may be noted that he addresses a group, “yourselves,” rather than an individual, “thyself” (cf. on v. 5), supporting the thought that John is writing to a church and not simply to an individual member.

We lose not. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the reading, “ye lose not,” a reading that harmonizes with the context. John is aware of the possibility of falling from the faith, and wants to open his readers’ eyes to the dangers that confront them (cf. 1 Cor. 9:27; 10:12). But the final responsibility rests on the believers themselves, hence the admonition “look to yourselves.”

We have wrought. That is, John and his colaborers have wrought—a reference to their evangelistic work, the results of which should not be lost to the believers.

We receive. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the reading, “ye receive” (cf. above on “we lose not”). The word translated “receive” may be rendered “receive from,” or “receive back,” that is, from God, the One from whom all good rewards come.

Reward. Gr. misthos (see on Rom. 6:23). The “full reward” can be none other than immortality, which will be enjoyed only by those who remain faithful unto the end (cf. on Matt. 24:13; Gal. 6:9).