The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; Ver. 1. _The elder to the elect lady_] Salmeron the Jesuit saith (but very absurdly) that Seneca's letters to St Paul, and St Paul's to Seneca (as they are called),... [ Continue Reading ]
For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. Ver. 2. _For the truth's sake_] This is the love that will hold again, and is a sure sign of love unfeigned, when it is thus well founded. Sinisterity is opposite to sincerity. Some love the saints as Isaac loved Esau, for t... [ Continue Reading ]
Grace be with you, mercy, _and_ peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. Ver. 3. _Grace be with you, &c._] This blessing belongs not only to the lady and her children, but to all that rightly read and hear the words of this Epistle, Revel... [ Continue Reading ]
I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. Ver. 4. _I rejoiced greatly_] This cheered up his good old heart more than any outward respects or courtesies whatsoever. See1 Thessalonians 3:8 . _ I found_] ευρηκα, I found by lon... [ Continue Reading ]
And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. Ver. 5. _Not as though I wrote a new commandment_] A new commandment our Saviour calleth it, John 13:34. _Quia exuto veteri induit nos novum hominem,... [ Continue Reading ]
And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. Ver. 6. _As ye have heard_] He studiously declines the suspicion of novelty. Τα καινα κενα. _See Trapp on "_ 1Jn 2:7 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Ver. 7. _For many deceivers_] Gr. πλανοι, cheaters, cozeners, (deceivers) such as can cog _a_ a die to deceive the unskilful, Ephesians 4:14, cast a mist to d... [ Continue Reading ]
Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Ver. 8. _That we lose not, &c._] The godly, when they fall into foul courses, or grow remiss and leave their first love, may lose what they have wrought, 1. In respect of the praise of men; 2... [ Continue Reading ]
Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. Ver. 9. _Hath not God_] And so consequently hath nothing. _Habet omnia qui habet habentem omnia, _ He hath all that hath the haver of all... [ Continue Reading ]
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into _your_ house, neither bid him God speed: Ver. 10. _And bring not this doctrine_] If he hold not the foundation, but be found heterodox and heretical. _ Receive him not, &c._] _Illam domum in qua fuerit inventus haereticu... [ Continue Reading ]
For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. Ver. 11. _Is partaker of his evil_] 1. By his sinful silence and dissimulation. 2. Next, by confirming the sinner in his evil way. 3. Lastly, by offence given to others.... [ Continue Reading ]
Having many things to write unto you, I would not _write_ with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. Ver. 12. _That our joy may be full_] See, saith one, an apostle furthered and quickened by the graces of a woman. When such grandees in grace... [ Continue Reading ]
The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen. Ver. 13. _The children of thine elect_] Who probably sojourned with St John for education's sake. The lady might say to the apostle, as he in Virgil did to Aeneas, " _- sub te tolerare magistro_ Militiam-tua cernere facta Assuescant, primis et t... [ Continue Reading ]