8a-b

Watch yourselves, so that you do not…: (Logical Connection) John is telling his readers to watch out for these people so that they are not deceived by them. He warns the readers that if they are deceived they may not get the rewards which God wants to give them.

8a

(Good News Translation) then: (Logical Connection) It may be helpful in translation to include a connecting word here to show that this warning is based on what is said in verse 7.

8b-c

(New International Version (2011 Revision)) you…you…you: (Text) Some Greek manuscripts have “we” instead of “you” for some or all of the three verbs the New International Version (2011 Revision) translates here as “lose,” “work for” and “be rewarded.” Different English versions follow different manuscripts, but the best text here is that followed by New International Version (2011 Revision).

(New International Version (2011 Revision)) do not lose what you have worked for: (Meaning) This is a negative way of saying “you may be rewarded fully.” It is referring to the idea that God will reward his people in heaven for their efforts to serve him in this world.

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