2 John 1:13

Alford, The non-mention of the "lady" herself seems to favour the hypothesis that a church is meant....

12,13 The apostle refers many things to a personal meeting. Pen and ink were means of strengthening and comforting others; but to see each other is more so. The communion of saints should be maintained by all methods; and should tend to mutual joy. In communion with them we find much of our present joy, and look forward to happiness for ever....

Verse 2 John 1:13. _THE CHILDREN OF THY ELECT SISTER_] Probably her _own_ _sister_, who lived at Ephesus; and, being acquainted with the apostle's writing, desired to be thus remembered to her. _Elect_, both in this and the first verse, signifies _excellent, eminent_, or _honourable_. See note on 2 John 1:1. _Amen_ is wanting in the most ancient MSS., and in most of the _versions_; but ηχαριςμετασου and μεθυμων, _Grace be with_ _thee_, or _with you_, is found in several MSS. and _versions_. Subscriptions in the VERSIONS: - The end of the Second Epistle. - Syriac. The Second Epistle of John is ended. - _Philox_. SYRIAC. Praise be to God for ever, Amen!

THE CHILDREN OF THY ELECT SISTER GREET THEE - Of this “elect sister” nothing more is known. It would seem probable, from the fact that she is not mentioned as sending her salutations, that she was either dead, or that she was absent. John mentions her, however, as a Christian - as one of the elect or chosen of God. Remarks On 2 John In view of the exposition of this Epistle we may make the following remarks: (1) It is desirable for a family to have a character for piety so consistent and well understood that all who know it shall perceive it and love it, 2 John 1:1. In the case of this lady and her household, it would seem that, as far as they were known, they were known as a well-ordered Christian household. John said he loved such a family; and he said that it was loved b

THE CHILDREN OF THY ELECT SISTER GREET THEE. AMEN. Not the members of a sister church, as some think; but the children of one who was the sister of this lady, according to the flesh; and who, as she was either a very famous and excellent person, or rather one chosen of God likewise unto eternal life and salvation; and whose children also were walking in the truth, and here send their Christian salutation to their aunt; very likely those sister's children lived at Ephesus, where John resided....

VER. 2 JOHN 1:13 th/j evklekth/j) {A} After evklekth/j the Textus Receptus, following K L 049 056 0142 most minuscules syrph, h, reads avmh,n, a common liturgical addition. The shorter text, without avmh,n, is strongly supported by a A B P Y 33 81 1739 vg copsa, bo. Other witnesses present a variety of readings, the most widespread being the addition of h` ca,rij meta. sou/ (or meqV u`mw/n). avmh,n. -------------------------...

THE SECOND EPISTLE The Second Epistle is addressed by the elder unto the elect lady and her children. The word elder has the same meaning as it has in 1 Peter 5:1. Some take it that the elect lady means an assembly, and her children the members of the assembly. But this is a very strained application. The word “Kyria” (lady) excludes this meaning, besides other reasons which we do not follow here. She was a Christian woman of note generally known and beloved, having children, whom the apostle had found walking in the truth. She had also a sister with children, who seems to have been in the same place where the apostle was, probably in Ephesus. This is indicated by the last verse of the Epistle, “The children of thy elect sister greet thee.” The keynote of this message to the elect lady, unknown by name, is the word “truth.” The apostle lets them know that he loves them, as well as

THE ELECT LADY (2 John 1:1-3)...

GREET. salute. AMEN. The texts omit....

Conclusion 12, 13. The strong resemblance to the Conclusion of the Third Epistle seems to shew that the two letters are nearly contemporaneous....