2 John 1:1 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

The elder An appellation suited to a familiar letter; for the import of it see the preface: unto the elect That is, the Christian; lady Or Kuria, rather, for the word seems to be a proper name, both here and in 2 John 1:5, it not being then usual to apply the title of lady to any but the Roman empress, neither would such a manner of speaking have been suitable to the simplicity and dignity of the apostle; and her children There is no mention made by the apostle of this matron's husband, either because he was dead, or because he was not a Christian; whom That is, both her and her children; I love in the truth Or rather (as αληθεια is without the article) in truth. The meaning is, whom I love with unfeigned and holy love. The sincerity and purity of his love to this family, the apostle showed on the present occasion, by his earnestness to guard them against being deceived by the false teachers, who were then going about among the disciples of Christ. And not I only love her and them, but also all love them that have known the truth As it is in Jesus, and have had any opportunity of becoming acquainted with them. For the truth's sake Because you have embraced the same truth of the gospel which I myself, and other faithful Christians, have received; which dwelleth in us As a living principle of faith and holiness; see Philippians 1:6; 1 John 2:14; and shall be with us for ever Which, I trust, God will enable us to believe and obey to the end of our lives.