Bible Commentaries
2 John 1

Introduction

2 JOHN CHAPTER 1

2 John 1:1-4 The apostle testifieth his regard and good wishes for a certain pious matron and her children, and his joy in their good behaviour.

2 John 1:5-9 He exhorteth them to persevere in Christian love and belief, that they lose not their full reward,

2 John 1:10,2 John 1:11 and to have nothing to do with those seducers that bring not the true doctrine of Christ.

2 John 1:12,2 John 1:13 He hopeth to see them shortly, and concludeth with salutations.

Verse 1

The elder; a general name of office, fitly appropriated with eminency here, he being the only apostle, probably, now surviving on earth.

The elect lady; this appears to have been some noted person, whom both her singular piety, and rank in the world, made eminent, and capable of having great influence for the support of the Christian interest, which her general value with all that had

known the truth, ( i.e. the Christians in those parts), shows. The opinion that a church is intended by this appellation, had it greater probability, is of no great importance, and need not here be disputed.

Verse 2

The indwelling of evangelical truth, which is here meant, signifies its deep radication, and powerful transforming efficacy, in the soul, so as to be productive of holiness, as John 17:17; than which nothing can be a greater inducement among Christians of mutual love.

Verse 3

Such salutations see explained where they have formerly occurred.

Verse 4

Some of her sons, it is probably conjectured, he had met with, upon their occasions, at Ephesus, where, it is thought, he now resided, and found them to have a good savour of religion, and to walk according to rule, which was matter of great joy to him.

Verse 5

He inculcates that great precept, of which see 1 John 2:7,1 John 2:8.

Verse 6

From this particular command he passes to what is more general, requiring in all things a strict and unanimous adherence to the pure and primitive doctrine of the gospel, which would be the best expression of love to God, and the true centre and bond of love to one another, as 1 John 5:1,1 John 5:3.

Verse 7

See 1 John 2:18,1 John 2:22; 1 John 4:3.

Verse 8

Such changes of the person, as we here find, are neither unusual, nor, in exhortation, inelegant; but some copies read in the two latter clauses

ye. He presses to constancy in the true, incorrupt Christian profession.

That we receive a full reward; that the expected recompence be not lost in the whole, or in any part, as Galatians 3:3,Galatians 3:4.

Verse 9

See 1 John 2:23.

Verses 10-11

Such as bring any contrary doctrine, (as Galatians 1:8), ought not to be harboured or countenanced by any encouraging salutation, lest we involve ourselves in the participation of their guilt, 1 Timothy 5:22.

Verse 12

The latter write is not in the Greek text; but the words bear this sense, that having many things to write, I would not by

paper and ink impart them to you, (the expression being elliptical), but hope to come, &c.

Verse 13

They were, it is probable, with him at Ephesus, and took the occasion by him now writing, to transmit their salutations.

Amen; this concluding Amen imports his sincerity in what he had written.