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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comJamieson Fausset Brown Commentary - 2 John 1:1 - 1:1
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2Jo 1:1-13. Address: Greeting: Thanksgiving for the elect lady’s faithfulness in the truth: Enjoins love: Warns against deceivers, lest we lose our reward: Conclusion.
The elder - In a familiar letter John gives himself a less authoritative designation than “apostle”; so 1Pe 5:1.
lady - Bengel takes the Greek as a proper name Kyria, answering to the Hebrew “Martha.” Being a person of influence, “deceivers” (2Jo 1:7) 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 1Pe 5:13). A particular Church, probably that at Babylon, was intended. “Church” is derived from Greek “Kuriake,” akin to Kuria, or Kyria here; the latter word among the Romans and Athenians means the same as ecclesia, the term appropriated to designate the Church assembly.
love in the truth - Christian love rests on the Christian truth (2Jo 1:3, end). Not merely “I love in truth,” but “I love in THE truth.”
all - All Christians form one fellowship, rejoicing in the spiritual prosperity of one another. “The communion of love is as wide as the communion of faith” [Alford].