A.T. Robertson Commentary 2 John 1:5

"And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote to thee a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another." — 2 John 1:5 (ASV)

Beseech (ερωτω). For pray as in 1 John 5:16.

Lady (κυρια). Vocative case and in the same sense as in 1.

As though I wrote (ως γραφων). Common idiom ως with the participle (present active) for the alleged reason.

New (καινην). As in 1 John 2:7f. , which see.

We had (ειχαμεν). Imperfect active (late -α form like ειχαν in Mr 8:7) of εχω and note ειχετε with απ' αρχης in 1 John 2:7. Not literary plural, John identifying all Christians with himself in this blessing.

That we love one another (ινα αγαπωμεν αλληλους). Either a final clause after ερωτω as in Joh 17:15 or an object clause in apposition with εντολην, like 1 John 2:27; 3:23 and like verse 6.