The points embraced in this Epistle are these: A salutation to the female to whom it is addressed, and an expression of warm attachment to her family, 2 John 1:1. An expression of joy and gratitude that he had been permitted to learn that her children had embraced the truth, and were walking in it,... [ Continue Reading ]
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... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE TRUTH’S SAKE - They love this family because they love the truth, and see it so cordially embraced and so happily exemplified. Those who love the gospel itself will rejoice in all the effects which it produces in society, on individuals, families, neighborhoods, and their hearts will be draw... [ Continue Reading ]
GRACE BE UNTO YOU ... - See the notes at Romans 1:7. This salutation does not differ from those commonly employed by the sacred writers, except in the emphasis which is placed on the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ is “the Son of the Father.” This is much in the style of John, in all of whose writin... [ Continue Reading ]
I REJOICED GREATLY THAT I FOUND ... - That I learned this fact respecting some of thy children. The apostle does not say how he had learned this. It may have been that he had become personally acquainted with them when they were away from their home, or that he had learned it from others. The word u... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NOW I BESEECH THEE, LADY - Dr, “And now I entreat thee, Kyria,” (κυρία kuria.) See the introduction, Section 2. If this was her proper name, there is no impropriety in supposing that he would address her in this familiar style. John was probably then a very old man; the female to whom the Epist... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THIS IS LOVE, THAT WE WALK AFTER HIS COMMANDMENTS - This is the proper expression or evidence of love to God. See the notes at John 14:15, John 14:21. THIS IS THE COMMANDMENT - That is, this is his great and special commandment; the one by which his disciples are to be especially characterized,... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR - Ὅτι Hoti. This word “for” is not here to be regarded as connected with the previous verse, and as giving a reason why there should be the exercise of mutual love, but is rather to be understood as connected with the following verse, 2 John 1:8, and as giving a reason for the caution there ex... [ Continue Reading ]
LOOK TO YOURSELVES - This seems to be addressed to the lady to whom he wrote, and to her children. The idea is, that they should be particularly on their guard, and that their first care should be to secure their own hearts, so that they should not be exposed to the dangerous attacks of error. When... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSOEVER TRANSGRESSETH, AND ABIDETH NOT IN THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST, HATH NOT GOD - In the doctrine which Christ taught, or the true doctrine respecting him. The language is somewhat ambiguous, like the phrase “the love of Christ,” which may mean either his love to us, or our love to him. Compare Joh... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THERE COME ANY UNTO YOU - Any professed teacher of religion. There can be no doubt that she to whom this Epistle was written was accustomed to entertain such teachers. AND BRING NOT THIS DOCTRINE - This doctrine which Christ taught, or the true doctrine respecting him and his religion. RECEIVE H... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE THAT BIDDETH HIM GOD SPEED, IS PARTAKER OF HIS EVIL DEEDS - Shows that he countenances and approves of the doctrine which is taught. Compare the notes at 1 Timothy 5:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING MANY THINGS TO WRITE UNTO YOU - That I would wish to say. This language is such as would be used by one who was hurried, or who was in feeble health, or who hoped soon to see the person written to. In such a case only the points would be selected which were of most immediate and pressing impo... [ Continue Reading ]
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 o... [ Continue Reading ]