If EUSEBIUS be right, both Epistles must have been
written after the Apocalypse, in his old age, which harmonizes with the
tone of the Epistles, and in or near Ephesus. It was on one of his
visitation tours that he designed to rebuke Diotrephes
(3Jo 9, 10).
2Jo 1-13.
ADDRESS:
GREETING:
THANKSGIVING FOR THE
ELECT
LADY'S
FAITHFULNESS IN THE
TRUTH:
ENJOINS
LOVE:
WARNS AGAINST
DECEIVERS,
LEST
WE
LOSE
OUR
REWARD:
CONCLUSION.
1. The elder--In a familiar letter John gives himself a less
authoritative designation than "apostle"; so
1Pe 5:1.
lady--BENGEL takes the Greek as a
proper name Kyria, answering to the Hebrew "Martha."
Being a person of influence, "deceivers"
(2Jo 7)
were insinuating themselves into her family to seduce her and her
children from the faith [TIRINUS], whence John
felt it necessary to write a warning to her. (But see my
Introduction and
1Pe 5:13).
A particular Church, probably that at Babylon, was intended.
"Church" is derived from Greek "Kuriake," akin to
Kuria, or Kyria here; the latter word among the Romans
and Athenians means the same as ecclesia, the term appropriated
to designate the Church assembly. love in the truth--Christian love rests on the Christian
truth
(2Jo 3,
end). Not merely "I love in truth," but "I love in
THE truth."
all--All Christians form one fellowship, rejoicing in the
spiritual prosperity of one another. "The communion of love is as wide
as the communion of faith" [ALFORD].
2. For the truth's sake--joined with "I love,"
2Jo 1.
"They who love in the truth, also love on account of the
truth."
dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever--in consonance
with Christ's promise.
3. Grace be with you--One of the oldest manuscripts and several
versions have "us" for you. The Greek is literally,
"Grace shall be with us," that is, with both you and me.
A prayer, however, is implied besides a confident affirmation.
grace . . . mercy . . .
peace--"Grace" covers the sins of men; "mercy," their
miseries. Grace must first do away with man's guilt before his
misery can be relieved by mercy. Therefore grace stands
before mercy. Peace is the result of both, and therefore stands
third in order. Casting all our care on the Lord, with thanksgiving,
maintains this peace.
the Lord--The oldest manuscripts and most of the oldest versions
omit "the Lord." John never elsewhere uses this title in his Epistles,
but "the Son of God."
in truth and love--The element or sphere in which alone
grace, mercy, and peace, have place. He mentions
truth in
2Jo 4;
love, in
2Jo 5.
Paul uses FAITH and love; for faith
and truth are close akin.
4. I found--probably in one of his missionary tours of
superintendence. See
Introduction,
at the end, and
2Jo 12;
3Jo 10, 14.
of thy children--some.
in truth--that is, in the Gospel truth.
as--even as. "The Father's commandment" is the standard of "the
truth."
5. I beseech--rather (compare Note, see on
1Jo 5:16),
"I request thee," implying some degree of authority. not . . . new commandment--It was old in that
Christians heard it from the first in the Gospel preaching; new,
in that the Gospel rested love on the new principle of filial imitation
of God who first loved us, and gave Jesus to die for us; and
also, in that love is now set forth with greater clearness than
in the Old Testament dispensation. Love performs both tables of the
law, and is the end of the law and the Gospel alike (compare
Notes, see on
1Jo 2:7, 8).
that we--implying that he already had love, and urging her to
join him in the same Christian grace. This verse seems to me to decide
that a Church, not an individual lady, is meant. For a
man to urge a woman ("THEE"; not thee and thy
children) that he and she should love one another, is hardly
like an apostolic precept, however pure may be the love enjoined; but
all is clear if "the lady" represent a Church.
6. "Love is the fulfilling of the law"
(Ro 13:10),
and the fulfilling of the law is the sure test of love.
This is the commandment--Greek, "The commandment is
this," namely, love, in which all God's other commandments are
summed up.
7. As love and truth go hand in hand
(2Jo 3, 4),
he feels it needful to give warning against teachers of untruth.
For--giving the reason why he dwelt on truth and on
love, which manifests itself in keeping God's commandments
(2Jo 6).
many--
(1Jo 2:18; 4:1).
are entered--The oldest manuscripts read, "have gone
forth," namely, from us.
confess not . . . Jesus . . . in the
flesh--the token of Antichrist.
is come--Greek, "coming." He who denies Christ's
coming in the flesh, denies the possibility of the
incarnation; he who denies that he has come, denies its
actuality. They denied the possibility of a Messiah's appearing,
or coming, in the flesh [NEANDER]. I think
the Greek present participle implies both the first and
the second advent of Christ. He is often elsewhere called the Coming
One (Greek),
Mt 11:3;
Heb 10:37.
The denial of the reality of His manifestation in the flesh, at His
first coming, and of His personal advent again, constitutes Antichrist.
"The world turns away from God and Christ, busily intent upon
its own husks; but to OPPOSE God and Christ is of
the leaven of Satan" [BENGEL].
This is a, &c.--Greek, "This (such a one as has been just
described) is the deceiver and the Antichrist." The
many who in a degree fulfil the character, are forerunners of
the final personal Antichrist, who shall concentrate in himself all the
features of previous Antichristian systems.
8. Look to yourselves--amidst the widespread prevalence of
deception so many being led astray. So Christ's warning,
Mt 24:4, 5, 24.
we lose not . . . we receive--The oldest manuscripts
and versions read, "That YE lose not, but that
YE receive."
which we have wrought--So one oldest manuscript reads. Other
very old manuscripts, versions, and Fathers, read, "which
YE have wrought." The we being seemingly
the more difficult reading is less likely to have been a transcriber's
alteration. Look that ye lose not the believing state of "truth and
love," which WE (as God's workmen,
2Co 6:1;
2Ti 2:15)
were the instruments of working in you.
a full reward--of grace not of debt. Fully consummated
glory. If "which YE have wrought" be read with
very old authorities, the reward meant is that of their "work (of
faith) and labor of love." There are degrees of heavenly reward
proportioned to the degrees of capability of receiving heavenly
blessedness. Each vessel of glory hanging on Jesus shall be fully
happy. But the larger the vessel, the greater will be its capacity for
receiving heavenly bliss. He who with one pound made ten, received
authority over ten cities. He who made five pounds received five
cities; each according to his capacity of rule, and in proportion to
his faithfulness. Compare
1Co 15:41.
"There is no half reward of the saints. It is either lost altogether,
or received in full; in full communion with God"
[BENGEL]. Still no service of minister or people
shall fail to receive its reward.
9. The loss
(2Jo 8)
meant is here explained: the not having God, which results from
abiding not in the doctrine of Christ. transgresseth--The oldest manuscripts and versions read, "Every
one who takes the lead"; literally, "goes," or "leads on
before"; compare
Joh 10:4,
"He goeth before them" (not the same Greek). Compare
3Jo 9,
"Loveth to have the pre-eminence."
hath not God--
(1Jo 2:23; 5:15).
The second "of Christ" is omitted in the oldest manuscripts, but is
understood in the sense.
He--emphatical: He and He alone.
10. If there come any--as a teacher or brother. The Greek
is indicative, not subjunctive; implying that such persons do
actually come, and are sure to come; when any comes, as
there will. True love is combined with hearty renunciation and
separation from all that is false, whether persons or doctrines.
receive him not . . . neither bid him God speed--This
is not said of those who were always aliens from the Church, but of
those who wish to be esteemed brethren, and subvert the true doctrine
[GROTIUS]. The greeting salutation forbidden in
the case of such a one is that usual among Christian brethren in
those days, not a mere formality, but a token of Christian
brotherhood.
11. By wishing a false brother or teacher "God (or
'good') speed," you imply that he is capable as such of good
speed and joy (the literal meaning of the Greek), and
that you wish him it while opposing Christ; so you identify yourself
with "his evil deeds." The Greek of "partaker" is "having
communion with." We cannot have communion with saints and with
Antichrist at the same time. Here we see John's naturally fiery zeal
directed to a right end. POLYCARP, the disciple of
John, told contemporaries of IRENÆUS, who
narrates the story on their authority, that on one occasion when John
was about to bathe, and heard that Cerinthus, the heretic, was within,
he retired with abhorrence, exclaiming, Surely the house will fall in
ruins since the enemy of the truth is there.
12. I would not write--A heart full of love pours itself out
more freely face to face, than by letter.
paper--made of Egyptian papyrus. Pens were then reeds split.
ink--made of soot and water, thickened with gum. Parchment was
used for the permanent manuscripts in which the Epistles were
preserved. Writing tablets were used merely for temporary
purposes, as our slates.
face to face--literally, "mouth to mouth."
full--Greek, "filled full." Your joy will be complete in
hearing from me in person the joyful Gospel truths which I now defer
communicating till I see you. On other occasions his writing the glad
truths was for the same purpose.
13. ALFORD confesses that the non-mention
of the "lady" herself here seems rather to favor the hypothesis that a
Church is meant.
2 John 1 Bible Commentary
Jamieson, Faussett, and Brown
If EUSEBIUS be right, both Epistles must have been written after the Apocalypse, in his old age, which harmonizes with the tone of the Epistles, and in or near Ephesus. It was on one of his visitation tours that he designed to rebuke Diotrephes (3Jo 9, 10).
2Jo 1-13. ADDRESS: GREETING: THANKSGIVING FOR THE ELECT LADY'S FAITHFULNESS IN THE TRUTH: ENJOINS LOVE: WARNS AGAINST DECEIVERS, LEST WE LOSE OUR REWARD: CONCLUSION.
1. The elder--In a familiar letter John gives himself a less authoritative designation than "apostle"; so 1Pe 5:1.
lady--BENGEL takes the Greek as a proper name Kyria, answering to the Hebrew "Martha." Being a person of influence, "deceivers" (2Jo 7) were insinuating themselves into her family to seduce her and her children from the faith [TIRINUS], whence John felt it necessary to write a warning to her. (But see my Introduction and 1Pe 5:13). A particular Church, probably that at Babylon, was intended. "Church" is derived from Greek "Kuriake," akin to Kuria, or Kyria here; the latter word among the Romans and Athenians means the same as ecclesia, the term appropriated to designate the Church assembly.
love in the truth--Christian love rests on the Christian truth (2Jo 3, end). Not merely "I love in truth," but "I love in THE truth."
all--All Christians form one fellowship, rejoicing in the spiritual prosperity of one another. "The communion of love is as wide as the communion of faith" [ALFORD].
2. For the truth's sake--joined with "I love," 2Jo 1. "They who love in the truth, also love on account of the truth."
dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever--in consonance with Christ's promise.
3. Grace be with you--One of the oldest manuscripts and several versions have "us" for you. The Greek is literally, "Grace shall be with us," that is, with both you and me. A prayer, however, is implied besides a confident affirmation.
grace . . . mercy . . . peace--"Grace" covers the sins of men; "mercy," their miseries. Grace must first do away with man's guilt before his misery can be relieved by mercy. Therefore grace stands before mercy. Peace is the result of both, and therefore stands third in order. Casting all our care on the Lord, with thanksgiving, maintains this peace.
the Lord--The oldest manuscripts and most of the oldest versions omit "the Lord." John never elsewhere uses this title in his Epistles, but "the Son of God."
in truth and love--The element or sphere in which alone grace, mercy, and peace, have place. He mentions truth in 2Jo 4; love, in 2Jo 5. Paul uses FAITH and love; for faith and truth are close akin.
4. I found--probably in one of his missionary tours of superintendence. See Introduction, at the end, and 2Jo 12; 3Jo 10, 14.
of thy children--some.
in truth--that is, in the Gospel truth.
as--even as. "The Father's commandment" is the standard of "the truth."
5. I beseech--rather (compare Note, see on 1Jo 5:16), "I request thee," implying some degree of authority.
not . . . new commandment--It was old in that Christians heard it from the first in the Gospel preaching; new, in that the Gospel rested love on the new principle of filial imitation of God who first loved us, and gave Jesus to die for us; and also, in that love is now set forth with greater clearness than in the Old Testament dispensation. Love performs both tables of the law, and is the end of the law and the Gospel alike (compare Notes, see on 1Jo 2:7, 8).
that we--implying that he already had love, and urging her to join him in the same Christian grace. This verse seems to me to decide that a Church, not an individual lady, is meant. For a man to urge a woman ("THEE"; not thee and thy children) that he and she should love one another, is hardly like an apostolic precept, however pure may be the love enjoined; but all is clear if "the lady" represent a Church.
6. "Love is the fulfilling of the law" (Ro 13:10), and the fulfilling of the law is the sure test of love.
This is the commandment--Greek, "The commandment is this," namely, love, in which all God's other commandments are summed up.
7. As love and truth go hand in hand (2Jo 3, 4), he feels it needful to give warning against teachers of untruth.
For--giving the reason why he dwelt on truth and on love, which manifests itself in keeping God's commandments (2Jo 6).
many-- (1Jo 2:18; 4:1).
are entered--The oldest manuscripts read, "have gone forth," namely, from us.
confess not . . . Jesus . . . in the flesh--the token of Antichrist.
is come--Greek, "coming." He who denies Christ's coming in the flesh, denies the possibility of the incarnation; he who denies that he has come, denies its actuality. They denied the possibility of a Messiah's appearing, or coming, in the flesh [NEANDER]. I think the Greek present participle implies both the first and the second advent of Christ. He is often elsewhere called the Coming One (Greek), Mt 11:3; Heb 10:37. The denial of the reality of His manifestation in the flesh, at His first coming, and of His personal advent again, constitutes Antichrist. "The world turns away from God and Christ, busily intent upon its own husks; but to OPPOSE God and Christ is of the leaven of Satan" [BENGEL].
This is a, &c.--Greek, "This (such a one as has been just described) is the deceiver and the Antichrist." The many who in a degree fulfil the character, are forerunners of the final personal Antichrist, who shall concentrate in himself all the features of previous Antichristian systems.
8. Look to yourselves--amidst the widespread prevalence of deception so many being led astray. So Christ's warning, Mt 24:4, 5, 24.
we lose not . . . we receive--The oldest manuscripts and versions read, "That YE lose not, but that YE receive."
which we have wrought--So one oldest manuscript reads. Other very old manuscripts, versions, and Fathers, read, "which YE have wrought." The we being seemingly the more difficult reading is less likely to have been a transcriber's alteration. Look that ye lose not the believing state of "truth and love," which WE (as God's workmen, 2Co 6:1; 2Ti 2:15) were the instruments of working in you.
a full reward--of grace not of debt. Fully consummated glory. If "which YE have wrought" be read with very old authorities, the reward meant is that of their "work (of faith) and labor of love." There are degrees of heavenly reward proportioned to the degrees of capability of receiving heavenly blessedness. Each vessel of glory hanging on Jesus shall be fully happy. But the larger the vessel, the greater will be its capacity for receiving heavenly bliss. He who with one pound made ten, received authority over ten cities. He who made five pounds received five cities; each according to his capacity of rule, and in proportion to his faithfulness. Compare 1Co 15:41. "There is no half reward of the saints. It is either lost altogether, or received in full; in full communion with God" [BENGEL]. Still no service of minister or people shall fail to receive its reward.
9. The loss (2Jo 8) meant is here explained: the not having God, which results from abiding not in the doctrine of Christ.
transgresseth--The oldest manuscripts and versions read, "Every one who takes the lead"; literally, "goes," or "leads on before"; compare Joh 10:4, "He goeth before them" (not the same Greek). Compare 3Jo 9, "Loveth to have the pre-eminence."
hath not God-- (1Jo 2:23; 5:15). The second "of Christ" is omitted in the oldest manuscripts, but is understood in the sense.
He--emphatical: He and He alone.
10. If there come any--as a teacher or brother. The Greek is indicative, not subjunctive; implying that such persons do actually come, and are sure to come; when any comes, as there will. True love is combined with hearty renunciation and separation from all that is false, whether persons or doctrines.
receive him not . . . neither bid him God speed--This is not said of those who were always aliens from the Church, but of those who wish to be esteemed brethren, and subvert the true doctrine [GROTIUS]. The greeting salutation forbidden in the case of such a one is that usual among Christian brethren in those days, not a mere formality, but a token of Christian brotherhood.
11. By wishing a false brother or teacher "God (or 'good') speed," you imply that he is capable as such of good speed and joy (the literal meaning of the Greek), and that you wish him it while opposing Christ; so you identify yourself with "his evil deeds." The Greek of "partaker" is "having communion with." We cannot have communion with saints and with Antichrist at the same time. Here we see John's naturally fiery zeal directed to a right end. POLYCARP, the disciple of John, told contemporaries of IRENÆUS, who narrates the story on their authority, that on one occasion when John was about to bathe, and heard that Cerinthus, the heretic, was within, he retired with abhorrence, exclaiming, Surely the house will fall in ruins since the enemy of the truth is there.
12. I would not write--A heart full of love pours itself out more freely face to face, than by letter.
paper--made of Egyptian papyrus. Pens were then reeds split.
ink--made of soot and water, thickened with gum. Parchment was used for the permanent manuscripts in which the Epistles were preserved. Writing tablets were used merely for temporary purposes, as our slates.
face to face--literally, "mouth to mouth."
full--Greek, "filled full." Your joy will be complete in hearing from me in person the joyful Gospel truths which I now defer communicating till I see you. On other occasions his writing the glad truths was for the same purpose.
13. ALFORD confesses that the non-mention of the "lady" herself here seems rather to favor the hypothesis that a Church is meant.