2 John 1:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 John 1:5-6

We come now more into the design and substance of the epistle; and here we have, I. The apostle's request: Now, I beseech thee, lady. Considering what it is that he entreats, the way of address is very remarkable; it is not any particular boon or bounty to himself, but common duty and observance of divine command. Here he might command or charge; but harsher measures are worse than needless where milder will prevail; and the apostolical spirit is, of all other, the most tender and endearing.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 John 1:4-6

1:4-6 It gave me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, as we have received commandment from the Father. And now, Lady, not as if I were writing a new commandment to you, but a commandment which we have had from the beginning, I beg you that we should love one another. And this is love, that we should walk according to his commandments; and this is the commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that we should walk in it. In the church to which he is writing... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 John 1:5

And now I beseech thee, lady ,.... Or "Kyria", which word the Syriac and Arabic versions retain, as if it was a proper name: the apostle having finished the inscription, salutation, and congratulation in the preceding verses, passes to an exhortation and entreaty to observe the commandment of love to one another, which is not a new commandment, but what was from the beginning: not as though I wrote a new commandment , &c.; See Gill on 1 John 2:7 and See Gill on 1 John 2:8 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 John 1:5

That which we had from the beginning - The commandment to love one another was what they had heard from the first publication of Christianity, and what he wishes this excellent woman to inculcate on all those under her care. The mode of address here shows that it was a person, not a Church, to which the apostle wrote. 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 John 1:5

I beseech thee, lady. The verb has, perhaps, a tinge of peremptoriness about it ἐρωτῶ : "This is a request which I have a right to make." Respecting the "new commandment" and "from the beginning," see notes on 1 John 2:7 . We may reasonably suppose that St. John is here reminding her of the contents of his First Epistle. The parallels between this Epistle and the First are so numerous and so close, that we can scarcely doubt that some of them are consciously made. There are at least ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 John 1:5-11

2. MAIN DIVISION . Exhortation. Having thus stated what has led to his writing, the apostle passes on to the central portion of the letter ( 2 John 1:5-11 ), which consists of three exhortations: to love and obedience ( 2 John 1:5 , 2 John 1:6 ); against false doctrine ( 2 John 1:7-9 ); against false charity ( 2 John 1:10 , 2 John 1:11 ). The transition to this practical part of the Epistle is indicated by the opening particles, "And now." read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 John 1:5

And now I beseech thee, lady - Dr, “And now I entreat thee, Kyria,” (κυρία kuria.) See the introduction, Section 2. If this was her proper name, there is no impropriety in supposing that he would address her in this familiar style. John was probably then a very old man; the female to whom the Epistle was addressed was doubtless much younger.Not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee - John presumed that the command to love one another was understood as far as the gospel was known; and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 John 1:5

2 John 1:5. Now, I beseech thee, Kuria This sort of address suits a particular person much better than a whole church, consisting of many individuals, to which, in the opinion of some, this letter was directed; not as though I wrote a new commandment A commandment which thou didst never hear before; but that which we had from the beginning Of our Lord’s ministry. Indeed it was in some sense from the beginning of the world; that we love one another More abundantly. The apostle does not... 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

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