2 John 1:1-2 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;… I. WHAT THE APOSTLE SAYS AS DESCRIPTIVE OF HER CHARACTER. 1. John does not mean to represent her as faultless. He views her not as infallible and impeccable, not beyond the need of cautions and admonitions, which tie therefore administers. 2. Neither does he furnish us with a full delineation of her character, but gives us a few intimations which will enable us to estimate her worth. (1) The foundation of all her excellencies washer personal and evangelical godliness. (2) Her regard to the truth is expressed by her "walking in it." Walking implies life, action, and progress; and she exemplified the influence of the principle by walking in the knowledge of the truth; in the practice of the truth; in the profession of the truth; and in the service of the truth; or, as the apostle expresses it, in being a "fellow-helper to the truth."(3) She seems to have been a woman of some rank and distinction. (4) Again, we see that this excellent lady was in wedded life. Nothing, however, is said of her husband. This may be accounted for in two ways. First, he may not have been a Christian: and if so, and if when she married him she was herself a Christian, she disregarded the requisition to marry "only in the Lord"; and she had no reason to complain of any trials resulting from it. But she may have been herself converted after the union; while he remained in the same state as before. Or, secondly, her husband might have been dead: and, considering the representation given here of the state of her family, this appears to be much more probable than that he was a heathen or an infidel. Now, if this was true, she had been called to sustain the most painful of all bereavements, and was a widow; and a "widow indeed," for she was a maternal widow. Her "children," like herself, were "found walking in truth."(5) Finally, this "elect lady" had not only holy offspring, but pious connections and relatives. "The children of thine elect sister greet thee." If you say this was no part of her character, yet it was, surely, no inconsiderable part of her happiness. And who can tell how far it was in answer to her prayers, and the result of her example, endeavours, and influence? II. WHAT THE APOSTLE DOES AS EXPRESSIVE OF HIS REGARD. 1. He writes her an epistle. How vain would many feel, if they could show a letter addressed to themselves from an extraordinary scholar, or genius, or statesman, or warrior — a Chatham, or a Wellington. What was it then to receive a letter thus indited and directed — "The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth." 2. He honours her not only with a letter, but with a visit. (1) We ought to be thankful for ink and paper. They identify information; they perpetuate intelligence; they annihilate distance; they enable us to talk without being heard. Still, however nimble the pen of a ready writer may be, it cannot utter a thousandth part of the overflowings of the tongue. (2) We know not the place of the residence of this lady; and therefore we know not how far John had to travel: nor can we tell the mode of his conveyance; for he could hardly, at his age, travel on foot. He speaks of his intended journey with pleasure; yet he could not be insensible of the difficulties, dangers, and uncertainties of travelling; especially in those days, and under a weight of years. He, therefore, expresses himself concerning it dependently and piously; and says, "I trust to come unto you"; acknowledging the providence of God, and confiding for the issue in Him. (3) But see the advantage which John desires and expects from the journey itself — "That our joy may be full." They were to be blessings to each other; not only the apostle to the disciple, but the disciple to the apostle. There is no such thing as independence: all are needful, all are useful. We are not only "one body in Christ," but "every one also members one of another." 3. The power of the social principle; and the value, not only of friendship, but of actual intercourse. (1) How pleasing is it to meet "face to face," and commune, after long separation and absence; especially if, during that separation, we have experienced trying circumstances and perilous events. (2) How pleasing to meet "face to face," and commune, in the apartments and confinements of trouble. (3) How pleasing to meet "face to face," in the exercises of social devotion in the sanctuary. (4) What will it be to meet "face to face" in heaven? Then our joy will be full. (W. Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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; |
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