The Salutation. The writer greets the elect lady and her children (see Introduction) on the ground of their fellowship with him in the truth, i.e. the faith held by the Church as opposed to that taught by the false teachers. Such truth became a bond between the various members of the Church.
2 John 1:3. from God the Father. the Son of the Father. By this form of statement the doctrines of the false teachers are challenged in anticipation. in truth and love: i.e. truth of belief and lovingness of disposition the two marks of a valid Christianity as laid down in 1 Jn.