2 John 1:4

The Occasion of the Epistle

4. The Apostle has met with some of the elect lady's children (or some members of the particular Church addressed), probably in one of his Apostolic visits to some Church in Asia Minor. Their Christian life delighted him and apparently prompted him to write this letter.

I rejoiced greatly Or, I have rejoiced greatly, or perhaps, as R. V., I rejoice greatly, if it is the epistolary aorist, as in 1 John 2:26; 1 John 5:13. The same phrase occurs 3 John 1:3 and Luke 23:8. The word for -rejoice" (χαίρω) is cognate with -grace" (χάρις) in 2 John 1:3. -Grace" is originally -that which causes joy": but there is no connexion between the two words here. Like S. Paul, the Elder leads up to his admonition by stating something which is a cause of joy and thankfulness: comp. Phm 1:4; 2 Timothy 1:3; Romans 1:8; &c.

that I found Better, that I have found, or because I have found. There is nothing in -I have found" (εὕρηκα) to shew that there had been any seekingon the part of the Apostle, still less that there had been any examinationas to the rightness of their conduct.

of thy children This elliptical mode of expression (ἐκ τῶν τέκνων) is rather common in S. John (John 1:24; John 7:40; John 16:17; Revelation 2:10; Revelation 5:9; Revelation 11:9; see on 1 John 4:13). It is impossible to say whether the expression is a delicate way of intimating that only some of the children were walking in truth, or whether it merely means that the Apostle had fallen in with only some of the children. The expression of affection in 2 John 1:1 is in favour of the latter supposition; but the strong warnings against intercourse with heretical teachers favours the former: some of her children were already contaminated. -Walking" indicates the activity of human life (see on 1 John 1:7): -in truth" is in Christian truth, as in 2 John 1:1; 2 John 1:3; in Christian tone and temper.

as we have received a commandment The changes made in R. V., even as we received commandment, are all improvements in the direction of accuracy. -Even as" (καθώς) points to the completeness of their obedience: comp. 1Jn 2:6; 1 John 2:27; 1Jn 3:3; 1 John 3:7; 1Jn 3:23; 1 John 4:17. The aorist points to the definite occasion of their reception of the commandment: comp. -heard" 1 John 2:7; 1 John 2:24; 1 John 3:11; and -gave" 1 John 3:23-24. -Commandment" is the third key-word of the Epistle, in which it occurs four times. Love, truth, and obedience; these are the three leading ideas, which partly imply, partly supplement one another. Obedience without love becomes servile; love without obedience becomes unreal: neither of them can flourish outside the realm of truth.

from the Father Literally, as in 2 John 1:3, from the hand of the Father(παρὰ τοῦ Πατρός). The Divine command has come direct from the Giver.