2 John 1:1-3 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;… The elder unto the elect lady and her children, etc. This address and salutation presents to us three chief topics for consideration. I. A LADY OF SAINTLY CHARACTER AND DISTINGUISHED PRIVILEGE. "The elder unto the elect lady and her children," etc. 1. A saintly character. This lady is designated "elect," as chosen out of the unchristian world and called "into the sanctified company of the Church of God" (cf. John 15:19; 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 2:9). We may also infer that she was eminent for her piety from the fact that she was loved by the writer, and by all them that knew the truth (verse 1). 2. A distinguished privilege. Unto this "elect lady" was this letter written by an apostle; and in the providence of God this letter is incorporated into the sacred Scriptures and preserved for the instruction and edification of the Christian world in all ages. Christianity has done more for woman than all other systems whether social or religious. It represents her neither as the serf nor as the toy of man, but as his companion. "She is thy companion. There is neither male nor female; both are one in Christ Jesus. Our Lord honoured women. We see this in his treatment of Martha and Mary of Bethany; Mary Magdalene, to whom he first appeared after the resurrection; and even the poor and sadly erring woman of Samaria. Other women are distinguished in the New Testament. The three Maries at the cross, the women at the sepulcher, Lydia, Dorcas, Priscilla, et al. It is worthy of note that the children of "the elect lady" are mentioned in this address. "Unto the elect lady and her children." In Christian and in friendly correspondence it is well to remember the children for their encouragement in what is good, and for their caution as to what is evil. II. A DECLARATION OF EXALTED CHRISTIAN AFFECTION. "Whom I love in truth; and not I only, but also all they that know the truth; for the truth's sake which dwelleth in us, and it shall be with us for ever." 1. Love of genuine character. "Whom I love in truth." The attachment of the apostle to this lady and her children was sincere. He loved them not merely in word, or "with the tongue, but in deed and truth" (1 John 3:18). 2. Love in the highest sphere. "Whom I love in truth. "He loved her," says Ebrard, "with that love which was a love in truth. His love was such as approved itself in perfect truth and truthfulness of conduct: thus it was not blind to the faults and sins of the object beloved; it did not spare from a false delicacy and sense of propriety; but it had its existence in the sphere of truth, that is, of the being true.... Truth accordingly designates here, not truth in the objective sense (revealed truth), but truth as the subjective Christian-moral characteristic of the spirit and temper and being." 3. Love for the worthiest reason. "For the truth's sake which abideth in us, and shall be with us for ever." Truth is in the Christian intellectually; in his mind - he holds the truth. It is in him sympathetically; in his heart - he loves the truth. It is in him authoritatively; in his soul - he lives the truth. Truth becomes, as it were, incorporated into his being, and his eternal portion. "It shall be with us for ever." It was because of the truth which was in the apostle and also in "the elect lady" that he loved her. "The apostle and the other Christians loved this lady, not so much for her honour, as her holiness; not so much for her bounty, as her serious Christianity." "St. John loved the lady for the truth's sake, but how many in our days love the truth for the lady's sake! - I mean for sinister ends and by-respects. It is a blessed thing when religion, and the grace of God shining in the lives of Christians, is the special loadstone of our love and affection towards them" (Burkitt). III. AN EXPRESSION OF A CONFIDENT WISH THAT OTHERS MAY ENJOY THE RICHEST BLESSINGS. "Grace be with you, mercy, and peace from God the Father," etc. 1. The blessings desired. (1) "Grace" is the free and unmerited favour of God towards man, manifested especially in his redemptive relations to us. Grace is the fountain whence all blessings flow to us. Here I take it as "meaning every Christian grace and virtue, which the Spirit of God imparts to the followers of Christ; Divine favour in the most extensive sense, but specially in the sense of spiritual blessings." (2) "Mercy" is pity or compassion for the sinful and wretched. The word is sometimes used to express the benefits which result from compassion. Mercy is exercised towards those who deserve punishment or need succour. It is the manifestation of grace towards the guilty and miserable. The forgiveness of sins is a mercy. Inasmuch as St. John wishes mercy for "the elect lady," we infer that they "who are already rich in grace have need of continual forgiveness." (3) "Peace," like the Hebrew shalom, means every kind of good and blessing. "Peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). This implies forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with God. Peace as denoting the absence of anxiety, fear, etc. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you," etc. (John 14:27; John 16:33; Philippians 4:6, 7). Peace also with our fellow-men and in our own souls. What a fine example is this of Christian well-wishing! Let us imitate it. Mark the confidence with which this wish is expressed. Literally, "there shall be with us grace, mercy, peace," etc. It is "a wish expressed by a confident assertion of its fulfillment." 2. The Persons from whom these blessings are desired. (1) "From God the Father." He is the Father (a) of all men, as created by him and in his image. Even since the fail of man he in some respects resembles his Creator; he is still possessed of reason, conscience, volition (cf. Acts 17:28, 29). He is the Father (b) especially of all true Christians, because they are renewed into moral resemblance to him (Colossians 3:10). They have been "begotten again," and are his children by a second birth. They also possess the filial spirit (Romans 8:15). God the Father is the great original Source of all good. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above," etc. (James 1:17). (2) "And from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father." Alford, "This solemn title is used for the more complete setting forth of the union of Jesus with the Father in the essence of the Godhead." He is "such a Son as none else can be." "This is my beloved Son," etc. (Matthew 3:17). "The Only Begotten of the Father... the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father" (John 1:14-18). Jesus Christ is the channel of communication between God and man. He is the medium through which these blessings are bestowed upon man. Nay, more, as being the only begotten Son of the Father, united with the Father in the essence of the Godhead, he is the Author and Communicator of these blessings. 3. The condition necessary to the enjoyment of these blessings. "In truth and love." We are not certain as to the exact interpretation of these words. Alford, "Truth and love are the conditional elements in which the grace, mercy, and peace are to be received and enjoyed." These blessings will not be granted unto us unless we are true and loving. Or we may take the clause thus: the grace, mercy, and peace are to be manifested in truth and love; they are to promote truth and love in us. - W.J. 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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