2 John
King James Version (KJV)
2 John 1:1
“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;”
King James Version (KJV)
2 John 1:1 Context
1The 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; 2For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. 3Grace 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. 4I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
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Other Translations for 2 John 1:1
The Elder vnto the elect Lady, and her children, whome I loue in the trueth: and not I onely, but also all they that haue knowen þe trueth:
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan
The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth,
- New American Standard Version (1995)
The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not I only, but also all they that know the truth;
- American Standard Version (1901)
I, a ruler in the church, send word to the noble sister who is of God's selection, and to her children, for whom I have true love; and not only I, but all who have knowledge of what is true;
- Basic English Bible
The elder to [the] elect lady and her children, whom *I* love in truth, and not *I* only but also all who have known the truth,
- Darby Bible
The elder to 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;
- Webster's Bible
The Elder to the elect lady and her children. Truly I love you all, and not I alone, but also all who know the truth,
- Weymouth Bible
The elder, to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not I only, but also all those who know the truth;
- World English Bible
The eldere man, to the chosun ladi, and to her children, whiche Y loue in treuthe; and not Y aloone, but also alle men that knowen treuthe;
- Wycliffe Bible
The Elder to the choice Kyria, and to her children, whom I love in truth, and not I only, but also all those having known the truth,
- Youngs Literal Bible
Bible Commentary for 2 John 1:1
Wesley's Notes for 2 John 1:1
1:1 The elder - An appellation suited to a familiar letter, but upon a weighty subject. To the elect - That is, Christian. Kuria is undoubtedly a proper name, both here and in #2Jo 1:5|; for it was not then usual to apply the title of lady to any but the Roman empress; neither would such a manner of speaking have been suitable to the simplicity and dignity of the apostle. Whom - Both her and her children. I love in the truth - With unfeigned and holy love.
People's Bible Notes for 2 John 1:1
2Jo 1:1 SUMMARY OF II JOHN: The Address to an Elect Woman and Her Family. The Commandment of Love. Antichrists. Godspeed Not to Be Given to These Opposers. Greetings. The elder. John, unlike Peter and Paul, nowhere in his writings speaks of himself as an apostle. Peter also speaks of himself as an elder. John probably uses the term here, not officially, but in reference to his great age, as the only survivor of the apostles, and perhaps then the only personal disciple of the Lord living. Unto the elect lady. The term is "Kyria" in the Greek, a term which we know to have been a female proper name. Hence many of the best commentators from the time of Athanasius have held that this is the name of the sister. If not a proper name "Kyria" would be the feminine form of "Kurios" (Lord), the term applied to Christ, a worldly title unaccountable in the church, which does not recognize artificial distinctions of rank. To avoid this difficulty some have held that by "Kyria" the church is meant. It is better to regard the term a proper name. Whom I love. That is, the mother and her children.
1 John 3:8
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
Luke 9:56
For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village
Mark 10:45
"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
Thanks
Sincerely
Spike
Yet, the pressing theme on John's heart, in spite of this woman's faithfulness to Christ & the Word, was the dire warning that was exhibited in his first epistle: that of the strengthening Gnostic influence pervading the Church & Christian thinking (vv 7-11). Gnostiscm, in its many arms of perverted teaching, was propagating the fact that this Jesus from Heaven had not come in the flesh, but merely a man with a mystical nature (v7) & 1 John 2:18-24. And this was based on their belief that "the incarnation is incredible because Deity cannot unite itself with anything material, such as a body". And this belief pervades the Church today & we need to withstand such an atrocity that seeks to remove the fullness of God's Love in the giving of Himself (as none else could), to become Man, & to lay down His Life as our substitutionary Sacrifice. This Truth was now iterated to the Elect lady, to be on guard.
I perceive the same as you: a declination of the faith, not just the U.S. but worldwide over many, many years, as hungry Christians focus on the personality & charisma exuded, rather than confirming their messages from the Word of God. When Christians believe anything fed to them, then the ground becomes fertile for all manner of errors to become Truth. So it shouldn't be too hard for the anti-Christ to persuade such 'Christians' to do his bidding. Matthew 11:8, "when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" As many would "change the Truth of God into a lie, worshipping & serving the creature (in this instance, man) more than the Creator" Romans 1:25. Once the messenger of God becomes 'as God', then the downward spiral is fast & certain.
Spike, we generally understand that this letter, as also 3 John, are attributed to the Apostle John. Even though the letters don't indicate this, the early Church fathers, including Polycarp, a contemporary of John, ascribed the letter to the aged John (around 90 yrs of age). As well, even though elders were appointed in the Church by this time (Acts 14:23, James 5:14, etc.), John's use of the word "Elder" speaks of his old age & apostolic position rather than any sign of humility. He was the last apostle to enter Glory & so probably felt a greater burden to give his remaining time to full use.
We aren't told who the "elect lady" was. She is generally referred to as Kuria or Kyria, but that is debatable as it doesn't come from any reliable source. Yet, from John's letter, we assume that she was a lady of note (a person, not a Church), who was faithful to Christ with her family & may have even received teachers of the Word into her home & supported the ministry. In any case, John had an approving view of her & hoped to see her on a visit - which we don't believe ever took place. You could also be correct, in that John abstained from naming her as it might have been improper & too forward to address a lady by name. And this may be clarified by his naming Gaius in his third letter.
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