INTRODUCTION TO 2 JOHN 1 The writer of this epistle describes himself by his office, an "elder", and inscribes it to a certain matron, whom he styles, on account of her honour and riches, a "lady"; and by reason of her grace, "elect"; and to her children, who, as well as herself, were the objects o... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ELDER UNTO THE ELECT LADY AND HER CHILDREN,.... 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 ove... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE TRUTH'S SAKE, WHICH DWELLETH IN US,.... Not for her high birth, nobility, or riches; but either for Christ's sake, who is the truth, and who dwells in the hearts of believers by faith, and who is the same that dwells in one as in another; and on his account it is that saints love one another... [ Continue Reading ]
GRACE BE WITH YOU, MERCY [AND] PEACE,.... This form of salutation, or wish and prayer for the blessings mentioned, FROM GOD THE FATHER, AND FROM THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, is the same used by other apostles; see 1 Timothy 1:2 and Romans 1:7. Only it is added here with respect to Christ, that he is TH... [ Continue Reading ]
I REJOICED GREATLY THAT I FOUND OF THY CHILDREN,.... Not all, but some of them; for good parents have not always good children, or at least not all of them; Adam had a Cain, Abraham an Ishmael, and Isaac an Esau: God is pleased to show his discriminating grace in tribes and families, by taking some,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NOW I BESEECH THEE, LADY,.... Or "Kyria", which word the Syriac and Arabic versions retain, as if it was a proper name: the apostle having finished the inscription, salutation, and congratulation in the preceding verses, passes to an exhortation and entreaty to observe the commandment of love to... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THIS IS LOVE, THAT WE WALK AFTER HIS COMMANDMENTS,.... By observing them as a rule of conversation, in so doing love is shown to God; and such may expect the fresh discoveries of the love of God to, them; 1 John 5:3; THIS IS THE COMMANDMENT, THAT AS YE HAVE HEARD FROM THE BEGINNING, YE SHOULD... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR MANY DECEIVERS ARE ENTERED INTO THE WORLD,.... By whom are meant false teachers, who are described by their quality, "deceivers", deceitful workers, pretending to be ministers of Christ, to have a: value for truth, a love for souls, and a view to the glory of God, but lie in wait to deceive, and... [ Continue Reading ]
LOOK TO YOURSELVES,.... This is an exhortation to the elect lady, and her children, to look about them, and take care of themselves, and beware of these deceivers, and their doctrines: THAT WE LOSE NOT THOSE THINGS WHICH WE HAVE WROUGHT; or as the Alexandrian copy, and many other copies, and the Vu... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSOEVER TRANSGRESSETH,.... Not the law of God, of which everyone is a transgressors and that daily, in thought, word, or deed; but who passes over the rule and standard of doctrine, the word of God, and will not adhere to that, nor walk according to it, but rejects and despises that rule: AND ABI... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THERE COME ANY UNTO YOU,.... Under the character of a preacher; AND BRING NOT THIS DOCTRINE; or does not preach the doctrine of Christ, as before explained, but despises it, and preaches a contrary one: RECEIVE HIM NOT INTO [YOUR] HOUSE; neither into the house of God, suffer him not to preach t... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE THAT BIDDETH HIM GOD SPEED,.... Wishes him well, and success in his ministry, or in a friendly and familiar way converses with him: IS PARTAKER OF HIS EVIL DEEDS; he has fellowship with him, instead of reproving or shunning him, as he ought; he is an abettor of him in his principles, and so... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING MANY THINGS TO WRITE UNTO YOU,.... Either on a civil, or on a religious account, concerning the state of the churches of Asia, and particularly Ephesus, and of private families and persons, and concerning the truths and doctrines of the Gospel; not that he had any new one, or any other than w... [ Continue Reading ]
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... [ Continue Reading ]