2 John

Salutation

1-3 From the elder to the elect lady and her children, bound together by truth, praying for grace, mercy, and peace from the Father and the Son.

In these three verses John mentions the word truth four times. As I peruse the rest of this short letter, I see truth again in verse 4; the word commandment in verses 5 and 6; and the word teaching in verses 9 and 10. Any doubt as to the theme of this letter?

Aspects of truth: John loves the lady “in truth” – with no trace of falsehood (v. 1); We can know the truth – there is such a thing, then, as the truth (v. 1); the truth can be part of us and be with us forever (v. 2); the gifts from God that we find so attractive – grace, mercy, peace, and love – are bound up with truth (v. 3); we can also walk in truth – a more active demonstration of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (v. 4).

As to authorship, I will quote the People’s New Testament commentary:

…every hypothesis which refers to the authorship to any one else than John, the apostle, rests upon filmy foundations.

The People’s New Testament also teaches that the Greek word for “elect lady” is Kyria, a female proper name; hence, he was writing to a particular woman.

Truth and Error

4-6 John is joyful that some of the woman’s children are walking in truth; he urges that we all obey the commandment to love one another.

7-11 Be aware that those deceivers who deny Jesus’ incarnation – don’t follow His teaching – are not of God. If you welcome them into your home, you participate in their false teaching.

Final Greetings

12-13 Although I have a lot to write, I rather hope to talk to you face to face. “The children of your elect sister send you their greetings.”

The People’s New Testament teaches that this refers to physical nieces and nephews; Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown cite others who think the references to the ladies in verses 1 and 13 are to churches.