1.
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;
elder . App-189 . Here not an official title, but referring to the apostle's age. Compare Philemon 1:9 .
unto = to.
elect . Compare 1 Peter 1:2 . But perhaps used in the sense of "excellent".
lady . Greek. kuria, feminine of kurios. In all probability a proper name, "Kyria".
children . App-108 .
love . App-135 .
the . Omit.
truth . Seep. 1511. The element or sphere in which the love was seen. Compare Ephesians 4:15 .
also, &c . = all they also.
known . App-132 .
2.
For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
For, &c . = On account of ( App-104 . 2 John 1:2 ) the truth.
dwelleth = abideth. Greek. meno . See p. 1511.
for ever. App-151 . a.
3.
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 . Only here, and three times in the Gospel, and twice in Rev., in John's writings. App-184 . Compare 1 Timothy 1:2 .
be = shall be.
mercy . Only here in John.
God . App-98 .
Father . App-98 .
Lord . The texts omit.
Jesus Christ . App-98 .
Son . App-108 . The expression "The Son of the Father", is found here only. Compare John 1:18 . 1 John 1:3 .
love . App-135 .
4.
I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
rejoiced . Compare 3 John 1:3 . Several of Paul's epistles open with thanksgiving.
greatly . Greek. lian. Only here and 3 John 1:3 in John's writings.
of . App-104 . Not implying that there were others who did not so walk, but referring to such as he had met.
have . Omit.
5.
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.
beseech = ask. App-134 .
new . Greek. kainos. See Matthew 9:17 .
from the beginning . Greek. ap' arches. See 1 John 1:1 .
that = in order that. Greek. hina .
6.
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.
have . Omit. In this verse is the Figure of speech Antimetabole, "walk . . . commandments commandment . . . walk".
7.
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.
deceivers . Greek. planos. See 2 Corinthians 6:8 . Compare 1 John 4:1 .
world . App-129 .
that, &c. Literally Jesus Christ coming in the flesh. The present participle is used, as in Revelation 1:4 . In 1Jn 4:2 , 1 John 4:3 , the perfect is used, referring to His first coming. This refers to His second coming. Compare Acts 1:11 .
a, an = the.
antichrist . See 1 John 2:18 .
8.
Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
Look to . App-133 .
we . The texts read "ye" in both occurances.
lose . Greek. apollumi. See John 17:12 .
have wrought . i.e. the truth and love resulting from John's teaching.
reward . Greek. misthos. In John's writings only here, John 4:36 (wages), and Revelation 11:18 ; Revelation 22:12 .
9.
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.
transgresseth . App-128 . The texts read "goeth before", Greek. proago. See 1 Timothy 1:18 ; 1 Timothy 5:24 .Hebrews 7:18 . This refers to false teachers who claimed to bring some higher teaching, beyond the apostle's doctrine. Compare 1Ti 6:3 . 2 Timothy 1:13 ; 2 Timothy 3:14 .
abideth . See "dwelleth", 2 John 1:2 .
Christ . App-98 .
of Christ . The texts omit.
10.
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
there . . . any = any one ( App-123 ) cometh.
neither, &c . = and . . . not ( App-105 ).
bid . . . God speed . Literally, say, Hail! (Greek. chairein,
to rejoice . See Matthew 26:49 ).
11.
For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
is partaker = partaketh. Greek. koinoneo. See Rom 15:27 . 1 Timothy 5:22 .
evil . App-128 .
12.
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.
would . App-102 .
with = by means of. App-104 . 2 John 1:1 .
paper . Greek. chartes. Only here.
ink . See 2 Corinthians 3:3 .
trust = hope.
speak . App-121 .
face, &c . Literally mouth to ( App-104 .) mouth.
our . The texts read "your".
joy . See 1 John 1:4 .
full . See 1 John 1:4 .
13.
The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
greet = salute.
Amen . The texts omit.