The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; THE ELDER. In a familiar letter John gives himself a less authoritative designation than "apostle:" so 1 Peter 5:1. LADY. Bengel takes kuria (G2959) as a proper... [ Continue Reading ]
For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. FOR THE TRUTH'S SAKE - joined with "I love," 2 John. 'They who love in the truth, also love on account of the truth.' DWELLETH IN US, AND SHALL BE WITH US FOREVER - in consonance with Christ's promise, John 14:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. GRACE BE WITH YOU. So B, Vulgate; but 'Aleph (') has 'us' for you. Literally, 'Grace shall be with us;' i:e., with both you and me. A prayer, besides a confident af... [ Continue Reading ]
I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. I FOUND - probably in one of his tours of superintendence. See 'Introduction,' and ; ; . OF THY CHILDREN - some, in truth; i:e., in the Gospel truth. AS - even as. 'The Father... [ Continue Reading ]
And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. I BESEECH, [ Erootoo (G2065)] - rather (cf. note, 1 John 5:16), 'I request thee,' implying some authority. NOT ... NEW COMMANDMENT. It was old, in... [ Continue Reading ]
And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. 'Love is the fulfilling of the law,' and the fulfilling of the law is the test of love. THIS IS THE COMMANDMENT - namely, love, in which all other com... [ Continue Reading ]
For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. As love and truth go hand in hand (2 John 1:3), he gives warning against teachers of untruth. FOR - reason why he dwelt on truth, and on love, which manif... [ Continue Reading ]
Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. LOOK TO YOURSELVES - amidst the widespread deception, so many being led astray. So Christ's warning, Matthew 24:4; . WE LOSE NOT ... WE RECEIVE. 'Aleph (') A B, Vulgate, read, 'that YE l... [ Continue Reading ]
Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. The loss (2 John 1:8) is explained: the not having God, which results from abiding not in the doctrine of Christ. TRANSGRESSETH. 'Ale... [ Continue Reading ]
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: IF THERE COME ANY - as a teacher or brother: indicative, not subjunctive: implying that such persons do actually, and are sure to come: when any comes, as there will. True love is... [ Continue Reading ]
For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. By wishing a false brother joy [ chairein (G5463)], "God speed," you imply that he is capable of good speed and joy, and that you wish him it while opposing Christ; so you identify yourself as 'having communion with [koinonei] his e... [ Continue Reading ]
Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. I WOULD NOT WRITE. A heart full of love pours itself out more freely face to face than by letter. PAPER - of Egyptian papyrus. Pens were t... [ Continue Reading ]
Alford, The non-mention of the "lady" herself seems to favour the hypothesis that a church is meant.... [ Continue Reading ]