A Mother's Love

Love Developed In Truth

2 John 1–3 “The elder: To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not only I, but also all who know the truth—because of the truth that remains in us and will be with us forever. Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.”

The writer opens up by addressing her as the “elect lady”. Elect here in the Greek means chosen the same word is used in a few other places such as Titus 1:1. Paul writing Titus in his salutation points to the simple fact that this lady, this mother was chosen by God

John’s love for the elect lady was based in the truth that he learned. What he has been taught shaped how he loved the elect lady.

The phrase “whom I love in truth” reflects both genuine affection and a shared spiritual foundation. The word “truth” here refers not just to honesty or sincerity in a general sense, but specifically to the truth of the gospel—the truth about Jesus Christ, His Identity, and his teachings. In Greek, the phrase can be rendered more literally as “whom I love in the sphere of the truth,” suggesting that their love is rooted in a mutual relationship with the truth of God.

What is truth? — In John’s gospels and letters “truth” almost always points to— Jesus Christ Himself (John 14:16), The Gospel Message: The revealed truth about salvation through Christ, The Word of God (John 17:17)

In the light of John’s other writings it is likely that in 2 John 1:1, “truth” is likely referring to the full body of Christian doctrine and the person of Jesus Christ as revealed in the gospel. John is saying that his love for the elect lady and her children is not just emotional—it’s based on a shared commitment to Christ and his teachings.

What kind of love? — the word translated “love” is from the Greek word agapo—a verb from of agape, which is the highest form of love in the New Testament.

Agape love is:

Selfless, sacrificial, and intentional

Rooted in the will, not merely in emotions

Characterized by desire for the Good of the other person

Often used in the New Testament to describe God’s love for humanity (e.g., John 3:16), and the kind of love believers are to have for one another (e.g., John 13:34)

Love in the context of 2 John 1:1,when John says, “whom i love in truth,” using agapo (the verb tense of agape) he’s expressing:

A deep, spiritual love rooted in their shared commitment to the truth of the gospel

A love that’s motivated by God’s love, not personal gain or emotional attraction.

A love that extends beyond individual connection—John says that “all who know the truth” also shares in this love (v.1), meaning that this is communal love within the Body of Christ

What is the truth?

How does the truth remain? — as previously stated the truth in John’s writings refers to the gospel Messgage ( See first section about “What is the Truth?”

Truth remains more specifically “remains in us” points to a transformation that happens internally by the Holy Spirit.

The phrase “remains in us” refers to something or someone dwelling permanently within the believer. In John’s writings its the Holy Spirit who— Teaches believers (John 14:26), Guides them into all truth (John 16:13), Is given as a guarantee of eternal life (Ephesians 1:13-14)

“In us” likely does refer to the Holy Spirit, who implants and preserves the truth of the gospel within the hearts of believers.

Why will it be with us forever?

“Will be with us forever” emphasizes the security of salvation.

Once the gospel has transformed a believer, it doesn’t leave them.

The Holy Spirit ensures that God’s truth continues to shape, guard, and sustain the believer.

It’s a promise of perseverance and eternal relationship with God

Love That Affects Those Around You

2 John 4–6 “I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, in keeping with a command we have received from the Father. So now I ask you, dear lady—not as if I were writing you a new command, but one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. This is love: that we walk according to his commands. This is the command as you have heard it from the beginning: that you walk in love.”

This echos Matthew 5:16 letting your light shine so that others will see and glorify God.

Walking in truth = Letting your light shine

In john 2:4, John rejoices that the lady’s children are “walking in truth.” That lifestyle of truth and love reflects exactly what Jesus describes in Matthew 5:16: visible obedience to God’s commands that others can see.

The children’s walk is not private—it’s sene by others, including John.

Their obedience becomes a witness that gives glory to God.

The mother’s influence reflects the “Light” Jesus mentions.

If the elect lady is also walking in truth which based on the text we can assume, then her life is shining as a light before her children, and now they are shining too.

Her faithfulness is producing fruit—her children are growing in godliness

This reflects Jesus’ teaching that good works glorify God, not ourselves.

Love and obedience are the “good works” on display

2 John 6 defines love as walking according to God’s Commands—-exactly the kind of visible, obedient life Jesus calls his followers to model.

Their obedience is their light

Their love is their good works

The outcome is glory to the father, just like Matthew 5:16 says.

A mother who lives according to the truth produces fruit that others around her see.

Those very same people are influenced by the light she illuminates. We can come to the conclusion that her children learned the truth from her and decided to live their lives based on it

Hold On To That Love That Saved You

2 John 7–11 “Many deceivers have gone out into the world; they do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves so that you don’t lose what we have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward. Anyone who does not remain in Christ’s teaching but goes beyond it does not have God. The one who remains in that teaching, this one has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home, and do not greet him; for the one who greets him shares in his evil works.”

Deceivers - someone who leads others astray someone who is imposter. John opens up talking about the “truth” (Jesus Christ, The Gospel Message) and encourages her to continue in that truth and now we understand why because there are people who seek to take that from us. We should know those who labor amoung us. It’s important has believers that we know the truth in order to effectively discern what is false. In the day and age we live in biblical literacy is the lowest its ever been. It’s safe to say you cannot discern what you do not know.

“Worked for” - this doesn’t point to working for salvation. But what John meant here is the work put in spreading the gospel.Spending time with people explaining the nature of the gospel and how it transforms the lives of those who recieve it. He encourages those who have received the gospel and believe it to hold on to it because the deceiver more than likely the devil and the antichrist (those who oppose Christ) seek to cause them to lose what the apostles worked so hard to ensure that understood the message. In the light of this John is reminding this mother to not only protect her salvation but she should protect the ones she is connected to. What a beautiful sight this is it reflects the job of a Shepard to protect the sheep. In today’s time we have become to friendly with those who teach contrary to the word of God.

If we in turn protect the salvation that saves us John confirms that we in time will recieve a full reward. This is the promise that we will be with God for eternity.

Spend Time With Those You Love

2 John 12–13 “Though I have many things to write to you, I don’t want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and talk face to face so that our joy may be complete. The children of your elect sister send you greetings.”

The Bible in many different places expresses how important it is for fellowship we should see John’s desire not just want to write but to visit and see face to face. We often forget sharing the Gospel is more than just sharing but we see the apostles doing life with people far and close. B