Albert Barnes Commentary 2 John 1

The elder. See the Introduction, 1, (2, d).

Unto the elect lady. This refers to the elect or chosen Cyria (see Introduction, 2). He addresses her as one chosen by God for salvation, using a term often applied to Christians in the New Testament.

And her children. The word rendered here as children (tekna) would include both sons and daughters. However, because the apostle immediately uses a masculine pronoun (ouv), it seems more probable that only sons were intended. In any case, the use of such a pronoun proves that at least some of her children were sons. We have no information about their number or character, except that, as noted in the comments on 2 John 1:4, a part of them were Christians.

Whom I love in the truth. See the notes on 1 John 3:18.

The meaning here is that he truly or sincerely loved them. The introduction of the article "the" in the phrase "in the truth," which is not in the original Greek (en alhyeia), somewhat obscures the sense, as if the meaning were that he loved them only insofar as they embraced the truth. However, the actual meaning is that he was sincerely attached to them.

The word "whom" (ouv) in this context refers to both the mother and her children, even though the pronoun is masculine, following Greek grammatical usage. No mention is made of her husband, and from this, it may be inferred that she was a widow. Had he been living, even if he were not a Christian, it is presumed that some allusion would have been made to him as well as to the children, especially since, as noted in the comments on 2 John 1:4, there is reason to believe that only a part of her children were pious.

And not I only, but also all they that have known the truth. This means that all Christians who had an opportunity to know them were sincerely attached to them.

It would seem from a later part of the epistle (2 John 1:10) that this woman was hospitable and accustomed to entertain professed friends of religion, especially religious teachers, at her house. It is probable that she was more widely known because of this. The apostle's commendation here shows that it is possible for a family to be widely known as one of order, peace, and religion, so that all who know it or hear of it will regard it with interest, respect, and love.

An alternative rendering for "elect lady" is "The Lady Electa."

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, neighbourhoods, 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 to have taken up a permanent abode in the hearts of all who love religion.

And shall be with us for ever. Its abode with us is not for a night or a day; not for a month or a year; not for the few years that make up mortal life; it is not a passing stranger that finds a lodging like the weary traveller for a night, and in the morning is gone to be seen no more; it has come to us to make our hearts its permanent home, and it is to be with us in all worlds, and while ceaseless ages shall roll away.

Grace be unto you, etc.

This salutation does not differ from those commonly employed by the sacred writers, except in the emphasis that is placed on the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ is "the Son of the Father." This is much in the style of John, in all of whose writings he dwells much on the fact that the Lord Jesus is the Son of God, and on the importance of recognizing that fact in order to possess true religion. (Compare to 1 John 2:22–23; 1 John 4:15; 1 John 5:1–2, 10-12, 20).

In truth and love. This phrase is not to be connected with the expression "the Son of the Father." as if it meant that he was his Son "in truth and love," but is rather to be connected with "grace, mercy, and peace" (referred to previously), as a prayer that these blessings might be manifested to this family, promoting truth and love.

I rejoiced greatly that I found, etc. This means I learned this fact respecting some of your children. The apostle does not say how he had learned this. It may have been that he had become personally acquainted with them when they were away from their home, or that he had learned it from others. The word used (eurhka) would apply to either method. Grotius supposed that some of the sons had come on business to Ephesus, and that John had become acquainted with them there.

Of your children walking in truth. That is, true Christians; living in accordance with the truth, for this constitutes the essence of religion. The expression used here, "of your children," (ek twn teknwn), means some of your children, implying that he knew of a part of them who were true Christians. This is clear from the Greek construction, because:

1. If he had meant to say that he had found them all to be of this description, the sentiment would have been directly expressed, "your children;" but as it is, some word is necessary to be understood to complete the sense; and
2. The same thing is demanded by the fact that the participle used (walking—peripatountav) is in the accusative case. If he had referred to them all, the participle would have been in the genitive, agreeing with the word children (twn peripatountwn). —Lucke.

Whether the apostle means to say that only a part of them had in fact embraced the gospel, or that he had only known that a part of them had done so (though the others might have done it without his knowledge), is not quite clear. However, the former supposition appears to be the correct one, for if they had all become Christians, it is to be presumed that he would have been informed of it.

The probability seems to be that only a part of her children were truly pious, though there is no evidence that the others were otherwise than correct in their moral conduct. If there had been improper conduct in any of her other children, John was too courteous, and too delicate in his feelings, to allude to so disagreeable a circumstance.

But, "if that pious lady," to use the language of Benson, "had some wicked children, her lot was not peculiar. Her consolation was that she had some who were truly good. John commended those who were good, in order to excite them in the most agreeable manner to persevere."

As we have received a commandment from the Father. That is, as He has commanded us to live: in accordance with the truth which He has revealed. The Father, in Scripture, is everywhere represented as the source of law.

And now I beseech thee, lady. Or, "And now I entreat you, Cyria" (kuria). See Introduction and 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 he might well presume it, for true Christianity never prevails anywhere without prompting to the observance of this law. (See Barnes on 1 Thessalonians 4:9).

But that which we had from the beginning. From the time when the gospel was first made known to us. (See Barnes on 1 John 2:7; see also Barnes on 1 John 2:11).

That we love one another. That is, that there be among the disciples of Christ mutual love; or that in all circumstances and relations they should love one another (John 15:12, 17).

This general command, addressed to all the disciples of the Saviour, John doubtless means to say was as applicable to him and to the pious female to whom he wrote as to any others, and ought to be exercised by them towards all true Christians; and he exhorts her, as he did all Christians, to exercise it.

It was a command on which, in his old age, he loved to dwell; and he had little more to say to her than this: to exhort her to obey this injunction of the Saviour.