2 John 1:2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 John 1:1-4

Ancient epistles began, as here, with salutation and good wishes: religion consecrates, as far as may be, old forms, and turns compliments into real expressions of life and love. Here we have, as usually, I. The saluter, not expressed by name, but by a chosen character: The elder. The expression, and style, and love, intimate that the penman was the same with that of the foregoing epistle; he is now the elder, emphatically and eminently so; possibly the oldest apostle now living, the chief... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 John 1:1-3

1:1-3 The Elder to the Elect Lady and to her children, whom I love in truth (it is not only I who love you and them, but so do all who love the truth) because of the truth which abides in us and which will be with us for ever. Grace, mercy and peace will be with you from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Son of the Father, in truth and love. The writer designates himself simply by the title of The Elder. Elder can have three different meanings. (i) It can mean simply an older man,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 John 1:1-3

It is of great interest to note how in this passage love and truth are inseparably connected. It is in the truth that the elder loves the elect lady. It is because of the truth that he loves and writes to the church. In Christianity we learn two things about love. (i) Christian truth tells us the way in which we ought to love. Agape ( Greek #26 ) is the word for Christian love. Agape ( Greek #26 ) is not passion with its ebb and flow, its flicker and its flame; nor is it an... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 John 1:2

For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us ,.... Not for her high birth, nobility, or riches; but either for Christ's sake, who is the truth, and who dwells in the hearts of believers by faith, and who is the same that dwells in one as in another; and on his account it is that saints love one another, because they belong to him, he is formed in them, and his image is stamped upon them; and every like loves its like: or for the Gospel's sake, which has a place, and dwells in every saint, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 John 1:2

For the truth's sake - On account of the Gospel. Which dwelleth in us - By the grace which it has proclaimed. And shall be with us - For God will preserve not only the Christian religion but its truth, all its essential doctrines for ever. And they that abide in the truth shall go whither that truth leads, i.e. to glory. The Armenian has a strange reading here: "For the truth's sake which dwelleth in us, because it is also with you; and ye shall be with us for ever." But this is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 John 1:1-3

"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... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 John 1:1-3

I. INTRODUCTION . 1 . Address. "The elder unto the elect lady and her children." The writer of this Epistle was known as "the elder;" it clearly bears the Johannine mark. The principal receiver was "the elect lady." Some think that "a Church" is intended; but a mystical interpretation is not to be resorted to when a plain interpretation is tenable and beautiful. The lady was "elect," as "chosen out of the profane world into the sanctified company of the Church of God." She found a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 John 1:1-4

1. Introduction. Address and occasion. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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 1:2

For the truth’s sake - They love this family because they love the truth, and see it so cordially embraced and so happily exemplified. Those who love the gospel itself will rejoice in all the effects which it produces in society, on individuals, families, neighborhoods, and their hearts will be drawn with warm affection to the places where its influence is most fully seen.Which dwelleth in us - In us who are Christians; that is, the truths of the gospel which we have embraced. Truth may be said... read more

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