_The elder_ An appellation suited to a familiar letter; for the import of it see the preface: _unto the elect_ That is, the Christian; _lady_ Or _Kuria_, rather, for the word seems to be a proper name, both here and in 2 John 1:5, it not being then usual to apply the title of _lady_ to any but the R... [ Continue Reading ]
_Grace be with you_, &c. See on Romans 1:7. Grace takes away the guilt and power of sin, and renews our fallen nature; mercy relieves our misery; peace implies our abiding in grace and mercy. It includes the testimony of God's Spirit and of our own conscience, both that we are his children, and that... [ Continue Reading ]
_I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children_ That is, some of thy children; _walking in truth_ In a manner agreeable to the gospel. It is probable that John speaks of such of her children as he had met with in the course of his travels, probably at their aunt's house, 2 John 1:13; and that havi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now, I beseech thee_, Kuria This sort of address suits a particular person much better than a whole church, consisting of many individuals, to which, in the opinion of some, this letter was directed; _not as though I wrote a new commandment_ A commandment which thou didst never hear before; _but th... [ Continue Reading ]
_And this is love_ The principal proof of true love, first to God, and then to his people; _that we walk after his commandments_ That we be obedient to his will in all things. _This_ love _is the_ great _commandment_, which _ye have heard from the beginning_ Of our preaching; that _ye should walk in... [ Continue Reading ]
_Look to yourselves_ Take heed, lest you grow remiss or negligent in the course of your obedience. _That we lose not_, &c. Lest you lose the reward of what you have already done, which every apostate does; _but that we receive_ Which every one that is faithful unto death shall do; _a full reward_ Th... [ Continue Reading ]
_If there come any unto you_ Either as a teacher or a brother; _and bring not this doctrine_ Of Christ, namely, that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, did come in the flesh to save mankind; or advance any thing contrary to it, or any other branch of Christ's doctrine; _receive him not into your house_ E... [ Continue Reading ]
_Having many things to write_ Concerning these and other subjects; _I would not_ Ουκ εβουληθην, _I was not minded_, to communicate them by _paper and ink_ Probably the apostle meant that he had many things to say concerning the characters and actions of the false teachers; perhaps also he wished to... [ Continue Reading ]