The Elect Lady

vv.1-2:

The term “elect lady” in 2 John is an interesting term. While on the surface it would appear to address a specific person, when we look at the overall context of the letter, this may not be the case.

The first thing to notice is that there are no proper names. This differs from John’s style in 3 John, where he addresses recipients by name.

Second, he addresses himself as the elder, which would suggest a local congregation, over which John had authority.

Verses 7-11 speak of false teachers entering in. While this could apply to many homes, it would most likely be directed toward a local church assembly.

As John closes the letter, he appears to send a greeting from a sister church.

2 John 1:13

2 John 13 NKJV

The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.

The question remains, why would John address the letter in such a way?

It’s likely that John is trying to conceal the identity of the church from persecution by public officials.

This way, if the letter fell into the wrong hands, it would simply appear as a personal letter. Basically, it appears to be written in code.

In any case, I believe that the context makes it clear that the elect lady is a local church assembly, and her children are the congregation.

Love in truth

John asserts that he loves them in truth. The linking of love and truth is very noteworthy.

Christian love is not mere sentimentalism or humanistic compassion.

Instead, it is motivated by a knowledge of the truth which has been revealed in Christ.

Truth is the basis of love because Christ is the truth, and we can love because He first loved us.

Without Christ we wouldn’t truly know love

1 John 4:19

1 John 4:19 NKJV

We love Him because He first loved us.

Christ is truth

John 14:6

John 14:6 NKJV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

John makes it clear that he is not the only one that loves them, but so do all who know the truth (Christ).

John 13:35

John 13:35 NKJV

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

It is precisely this truth that the church must be so careful to guard.

This truth, which is the sole basis of our faith, abides in us and will be with us forever.

We have a very certain guarantee that Christ abides in us, that guarantee is the Holy Spirit.

The Truth abides in all believers, and is guaranteed by the Holy Spirit

1 John 4:13

1 John 4:13 NKJV

By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.

Furthermore, Jesus prayed that the Holy Spirit would abide with us forever.

The Holy Spirit will abide with us forever

John 14:16

John 14:16 NKJV

And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—

Breifly expound on two points

Because believers will always abide with the Holy Spirit, when He leaves this world, so will believers. Therefore, believers will be gone prior to the great tribulation.

This ensures the rapture

2 Thessalonians 2:7

2 Thessalonians 2:7 NKJV

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until 5He is taken out of the way.

Because believers will always abide with the Holy Spirit, we cannot lose our salvation. To lose the Holy Spirit would be to lose your salvation, and we will always be with the Holy Spirit.

v.3:

Grace comes first, then mercy, then peace.

These three words appear together 4 times, and always in this order.

In passages where just grace and mercy appear together, grace always comes first.

In passages where just grace an peace appear together, grace always comes first.

Grace must come before mercy, because mercy is the result of grace.

An ungracious person will never dole out mercy, and until a person receives mercy, he will never know peace.

As John wishes his readers grace, mercy, and peace, we must understand that God is gracious.

There are many references to the grace of God in Scripture, and it is the grace of God which brings salvation.

Grace

Titus 2:11

Titus 2:11 NKJV

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,

Ephesians 2:8

Ephesians 2:8 NKJV

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

God is merciful, and when asked in faith, mercy is granted.

Mercy

Luke 6:36

Luke 6:36 NKJV

Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

Luke 18:13

Luke 18:13 NKJV

And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’

Peace

Philippians 4:7

Philippians 4:7 NKJV

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

You have access to the Father through the Son, and as a result, you'll know grace, mercy and peace.