2 John 1:1 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 John 1:1-13

This Epistle is written by the Apostle John to a Christian family. He, like the Apostle Peter had done before him ( 1 Peter 5:1 ), styles himself a presbyter. His First Epistle was written to a Church or to the Churches. In this, the Second Epistle, we have a priceless fragment of early Christian history, showing us the relation which subsisted between the apostle and a Christian family, and also to how large an extent the new Christian faith was in some instances moulding family life, by... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 John 1:1

The elder - See the introduction, Section 1, (2,d).Unto the elect lady - The elect or chosen Kyria. See the introduction, Section 2. He addresses her as one chosen of God to salvation, in the use of a term often applied to Christians in the New Testament.And her children - The word here rendered “children” (τέκνοις teknois) would include in itself both sons and daughters, but since the apostle immediately uses a masculine pronoun, τοις tois it would seem more probable that sons only were... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 John 1:1-2

2 John 1:1-2 . The elder An appellation suited to a familiar letter; for the import of it see the preface: unto the elect That is, the Christian; lady Or Kuria, rather, for the word seems to be a proper name, both here and in 2 John 1:5, it not being 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; and her children There is no mention made by the apostle of... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 John 1:1-13

CONTENTS OF THE LETTERThe ‘elect lady’ whom John mentions in his opening greeting could have been an individual known to John, but the expression seems more likely to refer to a church. If this is so, ‘her children’ would be the church members. Whoever they were, John addresses them in a way that shows the respect and love he has for them. They are united with John and with Christians everywhere through the truth of Christ that they hold in common and the love of Christ in which they all share.... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 John 1:1-15

CONTENTS OF THE LETTERJohn is always glad to hear good news of Christians whom he has helped over the years. In particular, he is encouraged by the news he has heard about Gaius, namely, that he continues to grow in spiritual strength and remains faithful to the truth (1-4).Besides being faithful to God in the things he believes and teaches, Gaius is helpful to the travelling preachers. He welcomes them to preach in the church and provides them with loving hospitality. This is true not just of... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 John 1:1

elder . App-189 . Here not an official title, but referring to the apostle's age. Compare Philemon 1:9 . unto = to. elect . Compare 1 Peter 1:2 . But perhaps used in the sense of "excellent". lady . Greek. kuria, feminine of kurios. In all probability a proper name, "Kyria". children . App-108 . love . App-135 . the . Omit. truth . Seep. 1511. The element or sphere in which the love was seen. Compare Ephesians 4:15 . also, &c . = all they also. known . App-132 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 John 1:1

JOHN'S SECOND LETTERThe elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that know the truth;The elder ... The use of "elder" as an apostolic title is verified by the fact of the apostle Peter having used it (1 Peter 5:1). Peter used "fellow-elder" indicating that others besides himself in the apostolic group were still living. John's use of "elder" could indicate that he alone of the sacred Twelve still remained alive. The title of... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 John 1:1

2 John 1:1. The elder, &c.— The word elder, whether considered as a name of office, or taken in its literal sense, as implying age, will very well suit the character of St. John, who was above 90 years old when this epistle was written, and had the direction and government of the Asiatic churches. There can hardly be stronger internal arguments, that the three epistles now commonly ascribed to St. John, were the production of the same author, than may be derived from that remarkable... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 John 1:1

The elder — In a familiar letter John gives himself a less authoritative designation than “apostle”; so :-.lady — Bengel takes the Greek as a proper name Kyria, answering to the Hebrew “Martha.” Being a person of influence, “deceivers” ( :-) were insinuating themselves into her family to seduce her and her children from the faith [Tirinus], whence John felt it necessary to write a warning to her. (But see my Introduction and see on :-). A particular Church, probably that at Babylon, was... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 John 1:1-2

As explained in the introduction section of these notes, the "elder" was evidently the Apostle John, the "chosen lady" a local church, and her "children" the believers in that church."It may well be that the address is deliberately unidentifiable. The letter was written at a time when persecution was a real possibility. If the letter were to fall into the wrong hands, there might well be trouble. And it may well be that the letter is addressed in such a way that to the insider its destination... read more