2 John 1:8 (GNV)

Passage

Looke to your selues, that we lose not the things which we haue done, but that we may receiue full reward.

Nearby Context

2 John 1:6 And this is that loue, that we should walke after his commandements. This commandement is, that as ye haue heard from the beginning, ye should walke in it.

2 John 1:7 For many deceiuers are entred into this worlde, which confesse not that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh. He that is such one, is a deceiuer and an Antichrist.

2 John 1:8 Looke to your selues, that we lose not the things which we haue done, but that we may receiue full reward.

2 John 1:9 Whosoeuer transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that continueth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Sonne.

2 John 1:10 If there come any vnto you, and bring not this doctrine, receiue him not to house, neither bid him, God speede:

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "looke", "selues", "lose", "things", "haue", "done", "receiue", and "full". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "looke" and "selues", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 7's "For many deceiuers are entred into this..." into verse 9's "Whosoeuer transgresseth and abideth not in the...", so "looke" and "selues" belong inside that flow. In 2 John context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "looke" and "selues" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.