2 John Chapter 1

“The elder unto the elect lady and her children, etc.] By the “elder” is meant the writer of this epistle, the Apostle John, who so calls himself either on account of his age, he being now near an hundred years of age, having outlived all the apostles: or on account of his office, being a bishop or overseer, not only of the church at Ephesus, but of all the Asiatic churches, which is the same with an elder; nor is this incompatible with his being an apostle; (see <600501>1 Peter 5:1), the elect lady is the person he writes unto; by whom is designed not the church of Christ, since such a way of speaking is unusual;…”

“The elder--In a familiar letter John gives himself a less authoritative designation than "apostle"; so Pe1 5:1. lady--BENGEL takes the Greek as a proper name Kyria, answering to the Hebrew "Martha." Being a person of influence, "deceivers" (Jo2 1:7) were insinuating themselves into her family to seduce her and her children from the faith [TIRINUS], whence John felt it necessary to write a warning to her. (But see my Introduction and Pe1 5:13). A particular Church, probably that at Babylon, was intended. "Church" is derived from Greek "Kuriake," akin to Kuria, or Kyria here; the latter word among the Romans and…”

“The elder - See the introduction, Section 1, (2,d). Unto the elect lady - The elect or chosen Kyria. See the introduction, Section 2. He addresses her as one chosen of God to salvation, in the use of a term often applied to Christians in the New Testament. And her children - The word here rendered “children” (τέκνοις teknois) would include in itself both sons and daughters, but since the apostle immediately uses a masculine pronoun, τοις tois it would seem more probable that sons only were intended. At all events, the use of such a pronoun proves that some at least of her children were sons. Of their number and…”

“The elder - An appellation suited to a familiar letter, but upon a weighty subject. To the elect - That is, Christian. Kuria is undoubtedly a proper name, both here and in Jo2 1:5; for it was not then usual to apply the title of lady to any but the Roman empress; neither would such a manner of speaking have been suitable to the simplicity and dignity of the apostle. Whom - Both her and her children. I love in the truth - With unfeigned and holy love. 2 John 1:2”

“1:1-3 John begins with a standard introduction for a personal letter. • John mentions truth four times in this brief introduction and once in 1:4. John wanted his readers to know and live out the truths about Jesus Christ and their relationship with him and not to be led astray by false teachers. 1:1 This letter is from John, the elder: The translators have added John for clarification; John refers to himself as the elder to affirm his authority in the church. • to the chosen lady (Greek kuria) and to her children: The Greek word kuria could be the name of a specific individual; more likely, it refers to a…”

“ad 90, am 4094 elder: Pe1 5:1; Jo3 1:1 the elect lady: Jo2 1:5, Jo2 1:13; Luk 1:3; Eph 1:4, Eph 1:5; Th1 1:3, Th1 1:4; Th2 2:13, Th2 2:14; Pe1 1:2 whom: Jo2 1:2, Jo2 1:3; Pe1 1:22, Pe1 1:23; Jo1 3:18; Jo3 1:1 known: Joh 8:32; Gal 2:5, Gal 2:14, Gal 3:1, Gal 5:7; Col 1:5; Th2 2:13; Ti1 2:4; Heb 10:26; Jo1 2:21 2 John 1:2”