The Pulpit Commentary — 2 John — Section 6

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-3.-.An e:,;emplary Christian greeting. "The elder unto the elect lady and her children," etc. This address and salutation presents to us three chief topics for consideration. I. A. LADY OF SAINTLY CHA.11.ACTER AND DISTINGUISHED PRIVILEGE'. ,, The elder unto the elect lady and her children," etc. 1. .A saintly character. This lady is designated " elect," as chosen out of the unchristian world and called "into the sane-· tified company of the Church of God" (cf. John xv. 19; 2 Tim. ii. 10; 1 Pet. i. 1; ii. ~). We may also infer that she was eminent for her piety from the fact that sbe was loved by the writer, and by all them that knew the truth (ver. 1). 2. .A dis- tin_quished privilege. Unto this "elect lady" was this letter written by an apostle; and in the providence of God this letter is incorporated into the sacred Scriptures and preserved for the instruction and edification of the Christian world in all ages. Chris- tianity has done more for woman than all other systems whether social or religious. It represents her neither as the serf nor as the toy of man, but as his companion. "She is thy companion." "There is neither male rior female;" both "are one in Christ Jesus." Our Lord honoured women. We see this in his treatment of Martha and Mary of Bethany; Mary Magdalene, to whom he first appeared after the resurrection; and even 'the poor and sadly erring woman of Samaria. Other women are distinguished in the New Testament. The three Maries at the cross, the women at the sepulchre, Lydia, Dorcas, Priscilla, et al. It is worthy of note that the children of "the elect lady" are mentioned in this address. "Unto the elect lady and her children." In Christian and in friendly correspondence it is well to remember the children for their encouragement in what is good, aod for their caution as to what is evil. II. A DECLAllATION OF EXALTED CHRISTIAN AFFECTION. "Whom I love in truth; and not I only, but also all they that know the truth; for the truth's sake which dwelleth in us, and it shall be with us for ever." 1. Love of genuine character. "Whom I love in truth." The attachment of the apostle to this lady and her children was sincere. He loved them not merely in word, or "with the tongue, but in deed and truth" (1 John iii. 18). 2. Love in the highest sphere. "Whom I love in truth. "He loved her," says Ebrard, "with that love which was a love in truth. His love was such as approved itself in perfect truth and truthfulness of conduct: thus it was not blind to the faults and sins of the object beloved; it did not spare from a false delicacy aod sense of propriety; but it had its existence in the sphere of truth, that is, of the being true. . . . Truth accordingly designates here, not truth in the objective sense (revealed truth), but truth as the subjective Christian-moral characteristic of the spirit and temper and being." 3. Love/or the worthiest reason. "For the truth's sake which abideth in us, and shall be with us for ever." Truth is in the Christian intellectually; in bis mind-be holds the truth. It is in him sympathetically; in bis heart-he loves the truth. It is io him authoritatively; in his soul-he lives the truth. Truth becomes, as it were, incorporated into his being, and his eternal portion. "It shall be with us for ever." k was because of the truth which was in the apostle and also in•" the elect lady" that be loved her. "The apostle and the other Christians loved this lady; _not so much for her honour, as her holiness; not so much for her bounty, as her senoue Christianity." "St. John loved the lady for the truth's sake, but how many in our 1-18.J THE SECOND EPISTLE OF JOHN. 7