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2 John 1:13

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does 2 John 1:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The children of thine elect sister salute thee.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The children of thine elect sister salute thee.
2 John 1:13 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 John 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10If any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into [your] house, and give him no greeting:
11for he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works.
12Having many things to write unto you, I would not [write them] with paper and ink: but I hope to come unto you, and to speak face to face, that your joy may be made full.
13The children of thine elect sister salute thee.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.] Not the members of a sister church, as some think; but the children of one who was the sister of this lady, according to the flesh; and who, as she was either a very famous and excellent person, or rather one chosen of God likewise unto eternal life and salvation; and whose children also were walking in the truth, and here send their Christian salutation to their aunt; very likely those sister's children lived at Ephesus, where John resided. FOOTNOTES Ft1 -- Eccl. Hist. 50:3. c. 24. Ft2 -- Adv. Haeres. 50:1. c. 13. & 50:3. c. 18. Ft3 -- Adv. Haeres. 50:3. c. 25. Ft4 -- Herodian. Hist. 50:1. c. 51, 52, 53, 54. Ft5 -- Epist. ad Basil. 4. p.…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“ALFORD confesses that the non-mention of the "lady" herself here seems rather to favor the hypothesis that a Church is meant. Next: 3 John Introduction”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The children of thy elect sister greet thee - Of this “elect sister” nothing more is known. It would seem probable, from the fact that she is not mentioned as sending her salutations, that she was either dead, or that she was absent. John mentions her, however, as a Christian - as one of the elect or chosen of God. Remarks On 2 John In view of the exposition of this Epistle we may make the following remarks: (1) It is desirable for a family to have a character for piety so consistent and well understood that all who know it shall perceive it and love it, 2 John 1:1. In the case of this lady and her household, it would seem that, as far as they were known, they were known as a well-ordered…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The children of thy elect or Christian sister - Absent, if not dead, when the apostle wrote this. Next: 3 John Chapter 1”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:13 from the children of your sister: This probably refers to the sister church in Ephesus and its members, with whom John was staying (see 1:1). John lived in that region and cared for several churches.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Jo2 1:1; Pe1 5:13 Next: 3 John Chapter 1”
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Related study paths

Read 2 John 1 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification