The Pulpit Commentary — 2 John — Section 16

Vers. 1-3.-Salutation: I. INTRODUCTION. 1. .Address. "The elder unto the elect lady and her children." The writer of this Epistle was known as "the elder;" it clearly bears the Johannine mark. The principal receiver was "the elect lady." Some think that "a Church" is intended; but a mystical interpretation is not to be resorted to when a plain interpretation is tenable and beautiful. The lady was "elect," as " chosen out of the profane world into the sanctified company of the Church of God." She found a sphere of usefulness in receiving into her " house" the Christian teachers; her temptation was to be indiscriminate in her receiving; therefore the "elder," meantime, "with paper and ink," puts her on her guard. Her children are associated with her: they were advanced enough to understand the shibboleth of the Incarnation. .Amplification. (1) 'l'he lady and her children objects of love. "Whom I love in truth ; and not I only, but also all they that know the truth." They were loved, not with a love bestowed on friends and foes of the truth alike, but with a love which took its restriction of object and whole characterization from the truth. They were loved, not by Jobn only, but also by them that knew the truth-especially the truth of the Incarnation, as being the highest revelation of God. They were universally loved by these; wherever there were Christians, they were thought of with kindly feelings, (2) Explanation of their being loved. "For the truth's sake which abidetb. in us, and it shall be with us for ever." What cln.im has the trnth ou us? Wandering up and dowu in the world, it is due to the truth that we give it admittance to our hearts. It is also due to the truth that we retain it n.s that deprived of which we are mauo poor indeed. It is further <lne to tho truth that we allow it to be the transforming power in our characters. It is especially duo to the truth that we let our convictions of it be clearly known. It is due to tho truth that wo help its extension. It is, fiually, due to the truth that we love all its friends. 'l'he lady and her children had given facilities for spreading the truth; therefore it was that they were loved. The truth is said to abide in us. We are the house, and the trutb(greater than us) is the occupant. llow cheerless a deserted house-win1lows closed against the light of chy, darkuess, coldness, deadness reigning within I ::,o is it when the soul shuts out the truth, is not lighted 16 THE SECOND EPISTLE OF JOHN. [1-13.