The Meaning of 2 John 1:8 Explained

2 John 1:8

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

YLT: See to yourselves that ye may not lose the things that we wrought, but a full reward may receive;

Darby: See to yourselves, that we may not lose what we have wrought, but may receive full wages.

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

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does 2 John 1:8 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Compromise with the false teachers could lead to a loss of reward (cf. the warning passages in Hebrews). [1] Moreover loss for John"s readers would involve loss for him as well since he had a share in their lives. This loss would only be partial, however. They would still receive some reward (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15). [2] Loss of salvation is not in view at all.
"The readers are warned to take heed that the deceivers do not undo the work which the apostles and evangelists had done, so that they might receive a full reward." [2]9
"John is anxious that they shall hold on with him to the finish." [4]

Context Summary

2 John 1:1-13 - Walking In Truth
This exquisite letter, a model of old-world correspondence, was probably written when the Apostle was the guest of the nephews of the lady addressed. The Epistle revolves around the two words, love and truth, which were the poles of his life. When Christ is in us, not only are we true in judgment and speech, but we recognize truth wherever it is to be found. No horizon bounds the vision of the true and truth-loving soul. Be true and loving, and you will have a rich heritage of grace, mercy, and peace. Love is best shown by obedience. 2 John 1:8 shows a pastor's anxiety. Don't go on without Christ or you will lose God, 2 John 1:9. Remember that love can be stern, 2 John 1:10.
The letter reveals the strength, purity, and love of the primitive Church. Let us put into our letters thoughts which will make them worth receiving and keeping. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

Greek Commentary for 2 John 1:8

Look to yourselves [βλεπετε εαυτους]
Imperative active with reflexive pronoun as in Mark 13:9. The verb often used absolutely (Philemon 3:2) like our “look out.” [source]
That ye lose not [ινα μη απολεσητε]
Negative purpose with ινα μη — hina mē and first aorist active subjunctive of απολλυμι — apollumi This is the correct text (B), not απολεσωμεν — apolesōmen (we). Likewise απολαβητε — apolabēte (that ye receive), not απολαβωμεν — apolabōmen (we).Which we have wrought (α ηργασαμετα — ha ērgasametha). This is also correct, first aorist middle indicative of εργαζομαι — ergazomai to work (John 6:27.). John does not wish his labour to be lost. See Romans 1:27 for this use of απολαμβανω — apolambanō for receiving. See John 4:36 for μιστος — misthos in the harvest. The “full reward” (μιστον πληρη — misthon plērē) is the full day‘s wages which each worker will get (1 Corinthians 3:8). John is anxious that they shall hold on with him to the finish. [source]
Which we have wrought [α ηργασαμετα]
This is also correct, first aorist middle indicative of εργαζομαι — ergazomai to work (John 6:27.). John does not wish his labour to be lost. See Romans 1:27 for this use of απολαμβανω — apolambanō for receiving. See John 4:36 for μιστος — misthos in the harvest. The “full reward” John is anxious that they shall hold on with him to the finish. [source]
Look to yourselves that [βλέπετε ἑαυτούς ἵνα]
Ἵνα inorder that, marks the intent of the caution. See on John 15:13. [source]
We lose [ἀπολέσωμεν]
The best texts read ἀπολέσητε , ye lose. So Rev, with destroy in margin. For the meanings of the verb see on Luke 9:25. [source]
We receive [ἀπολάβωμεν]
The best texts read ἀπολάβητε yereceive. The compounded preposition ἀπό , has the force of back: receive back from God. [source]
Reward [μισθὸν]
See on 2 Peter 2:13, and compare Matthew 5:12; John 4:36; 1 Corinthians 3:8; Revelation 11:18; Revelation 22:12. [source]

What do the individual words in 2 John 1:8 mean?

Watch yourselves so that not you should lose what things we have worked for but a reward full you may receive
βλέπετε ἑαυτούς ἵνα μὴ ἀπολέσητε εἰργασάμεθα ἀλλὰ μισθὸν πλήρη ἀπολάβητε

βλέπετε  Watch 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: βλέπω  
Sense: to see, discern, of the bodily eye.
ἑαυτούς  yourselves 
Parse: Reflexive Pronoun, Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἑαυτοῦ  
Sense: himself, herself, itself, themselves.
ἵνα  so  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
ἀπολέσητε  you  should  lose 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἀπόλλυμι  
Sense: to destroy.
  what  things 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
εἰργασάμεθα  we  have  worked  for 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 1st Person Plural
Root: ἐργάζομαι  
Sense: to work, labour, do work.
μισθὸν  a  reward 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: μισθός  
Sense: dues paid for work.
πλήρη  full 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: πλήρης  
Sense: full, i.e. filled up (as opposed to empty).
ἀπολάβητε  you  may  receive 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἀπολαμβάνω  
Sense: to receive.