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Selected Verse: 2 John 1:1 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 2Jo 1:1 |
Strong Concordance |
The elder [4245] unto the elect [1588] lady [2959] and [2532] her [846] children [5043], whom [3739] I [1473] love [25] in [1722] the truth [225]; and [2532] not [3756] I [1473] only [3441], but [235] also [2532] all [3956] they that have known [1097] the truth [225]; |
| |
King James |
The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
The elder--In a familiar letter John gives himself a less authoritative designation than "apostle"; so Pe1 5:1.
lady--BENGEL takes the Greek as a proper name Kyria, answering to the Hebrew "Martha." Being a person of influence, "deceivers" (Jo2 1:7) 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 Pe1 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 (Jo2 1:3, 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]. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
The elder - See the introduction, Section 1, (2,d).
Unto the elect lady - The elect or chosen Kyria. See the introduction, Section 2. He addresses her as one chosen of God to salvation, in the use of a term often applied to Christians in the New Testament.
And her children - The word here rendered "children" (τέκνοις teknois) would include in itself both sons and daughters, but since the apostle immediately uses a masculine pronoun, τοις tois it would seem more probable that sons only were intended. At all events, the use of such a pronoun proves that some at least of her children were sons. Of their number and character we have no information, except that (the notes at Jo2 1:4) a part of them were Christians.
Whom I love in the truth - See the notes, Joh 3:18. The meaning here is, that he "truly" or "sincerely" loved them. The introduction of the article the here, which is not in the original, (ἐν ἀληθίᾳ en alēthia) somewhat obscures the sense, as if the meaning were that he loved them so far as they embraced the truth. The meaning however is, that he was sincerely attached to them. The word "whom" here, (οὓς hous,) embraces both the mother and her children, though the pronoun is in the masculine gender, in accordance with the usage of the Greek language. No mention is made of her husband, and it may thence be inferred that she was a widow. Had he been living, though he might not have been a Christian, it is to be presumed that some allusion would have been made to him as well as to the children, especially since there is reason to believe that only some of her children were pious. See the notes, Jo2 1:4.
And not I only, but also all they that have known the truth - That is, all those Christians who had had an opportunity of knowing them, were sincerely attached to them. It would seem, from a subsequent part of the Epistle Jo2 1:10, that this female was of a hospitable character, and was accustomed to entertain at her house the professed friends of religion, especially religious teachers, and it is probable that she was the more extensively known from this fact. The commendation of the apostle here shows that it is possible that a family shall be extensively known as one of order, peace, and religion, so that all who know it or hear of it shall regard it with interest, respect, and love. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
The elder (ὁ πρεσβύτερος)
The word is used originally of seniority in age. So Luk 15:25. Afterward as a term of rank or office. Applied to members of the Sanhedrim (Mat 16:21; Act 6:12). Those who presided over the Christian assemblies or churches (Act 11:30; Ti1 5:17, Ti1 5:19). The twenty-four members of the heavenly court in John's vision (Rev 4:4, Rev 4:10; Rev 5:5, Rev 5:6, Rev 5:8, Rev 5:11, Rev 5:14). Here, with reference to official position, coupled, presumably, with age.
Unto the elect lady (ἐκλεκτῇ κυρίᾳ)
An expression which baffles all the commentators. It is supposed by some that the title describes a person, by others, a society. The views of the former class as to the person designated, are (1.) That the letter was addressed to a certain Babylonian named Electa. (2.) To a person named Kyria. (3.) To Electa Kyria, a compound proper name. Those who regard the phrase as describing a society, divide on the question whether a particular Christian society or the whole Church is intended. It is impossible to settle the question satisfactorily.
Children (τέκνοις)
May be taken either in a literal or in a spiritual sense. For the later, see 1 Timothy 1, Ti1 2:1-15; Gal 4:25; Jo3 1:4. Compare also Jo2 1:4, Jo2 1:13. The explanation turns on the meaning of ἐκλεκτῇ κυρίᾳ. If it mean the Church, children will have the spiritual sense. If it be a proper name, the literal.
Whom (οὓς)
Comprehensive, embracing the mother and the children of both sexes.
I love (ἀγαπῶ)
See on Joh 5:20.
In the truth (ἐν ἀληθείᾳ)
Omit the. The expression in truth marks the atmosphere or element of truth in which something is said, or felt, or done. See Joh 17:17. In truth is equivalent to truly, really. Compare Col 1:6; Joh 17:19.
That have known (οἱ ἐγνωκότες)
Either have come to know, or as Rev., know. The perfect tense of γινώσκω, to learn to know, is rendered as a present: I have learned to know, therefore I know. See on Jo1 2:3. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| The elder - An appellation suited to a familiar letter, but upon a weighty subject. To the elect - That is, Christian. Kuria is undoubtedly a proper name, both here and in Jo2 1:5; for it was not 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. Whom - Both her and her children. I love in the truth - With unfeigned and holy love. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
The elder - John the apostle, who was now a very old man, generally supposed to be about ninety, and therefore he uses the term ὁ πρεσβυτερος, presbyter or elder, not as the name of an office, but as designating his advanced age. He is allowed to have been the oldest of all the apostles, and to have been the only one who died a natural death.
This title led some of the ancients to attribute this epistle to a person called John the Presbyter, a member of the Church at Ephesus; and not to John the apostle. But this is a groundless supposition.
The elect lady - Εκλεκτῃ Κυρια· As Κυρια, kuria, may be the feminine of Κυριος, kurios, lord, therefore it may signify lady; and so several, both ancients and moderns, have understood it. But others have considered it the proper name of a woman, Kyria; and that this is a very ancient opinion is evident from the Peshito Syriac, the oldest version we have, which uses it as a proper name koureea, as does also the Arabic kooreea.
Some have thought that Eclecta was the name of this matron, from the word εκλεκτη, which we translate elect, and which here signifies the same as excellent, eminent, honorable, or the like. Others think that a particular Church is intended, which some suppose to be the Church at Jerusalem, and that the elect sister, Jo2 1:13, means the Church at Ephesus; but these are conjectures which appear to me to have no good ground. I am satisfied that no metaphor is here intended; that the epistle was sent to some eminent Christian matron, not far from Ephesus, who was probably deaconess of the Church, who, it is likely, had a Church at her house, or at whose house the apostles and traveling evangelists frequently preached, and were entertained. This will appear more probable in the course of the notes.
Whom I love in the truth - Whom I love as the Christian religion requires us to love one another.
And not I only - She was well known in the Churches; many had witnessed or heard of her fidelity, and partook of her hospitality; so that she had a good report of all Christians in that quarter. |
3 Grace [5485] be [2071] with [3326] you [5216], mercy [1656], and peace [1515], from [3844] God [2316] the Father [3962], and [2532] from [3844] the Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], the Son [5207] of the Father [3962], in [1722] truth [225] and [2532] love [26].
13 The church that is at [1722] Babylon [897], elected together with [4899] you, saluteth [782] you [5209]; and [2532] so doth Marcus [3138] my [3450] son [5207].
7 For [3754] many [4183] deceivers [4108] are entered [1525] into [1519] the world [2889], who [3588] confess [3670] not [3361] that Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] is come [2064] in [1722] the flesh [4561]. This [3778] is [2076] a deceiver [4108] and [2532] an antichrist [500].
1 The elders [4245] which are among [1722] you [5213] I exhort [3870], who [3588] am also an elder [4850], and [2532] a witness [3144] of the sufferings [3804] of Christ [5547], and also [2532] a partaker [2844] of the glory [1391] that shall [3195] be revealed [601]:
10 If [1536] there come [2064] any [1536] [5100] unto [4314] you [5209], and [2532] bring [5342] not [3756] this [5026] doctrine [1322], receive [2983] him [846] not [3361] into [1519] your house [3614], neither [2532] [3361] bid [3004] him [846] God speed [5463]:
4 I rejoiced [5463] greatly [3029] that [3754] I found [2147] of [1537] thy [4675] children [5043] walking [4043] in [1722] truth [225], as [2531] we have received [2983] a commandment [1785] from [3844] the Father [3962].
18 He that believeth [4100] on [1519] him [846] is [2919] not [3756] condemned [2919]: but [1161] he that believeth [4100] not [3361] is condemned [2919] already [2235], because [3754] he hath [4100] not [3361] believed [4100] in [1519] the name [3686] of the only begotten [3439] Son [5207] of God [2316].
4 I rejoiced [5463] greatly [3029] that [3754] I found [2147] of [1537] thy [4675] children [5043] walking [4043] in [1722] truth [225], as [2531] we have received [2983] a commandment [1785] from [3844] the Father [3962].
3 And [2532] hereby [1722] [5129] we do know [1097] that [3754] we know [1097] him [846], if [1437] we keep [5083] his [846] commandments [1785].
19 And [2532] for [5228] their [846] sakes [5228] I [1473] sanctify [37] myself [1683], that [2443] they [846] also [2532] might [5600] be sanctified [37] through [1722] the truth [225].
6 Which [3588] is come [3918] unto [1519] you [5209], as [2531] [2532] it is in [1722] all [3956] the world [2889]; and [2532] bringeth forth fruit [2076] [2592], as [2531] it doth also [2532] in [1722] you [5213], since [575] the [3739] day [2250] ye heard [191] of it, and [2532] knew [1921] the grace [5485] of God [2316] in [1722] truth [225]:
17 Sanctify [37] them [846] through [1722] thy [4675] truth [225]: thy [4674] word [3056] is [2076] truth [225].
20 For [1063] the Father [3962] loveth [5368] the Son [5207], and [2532] sheweth [1166] him [846] all things [3956] that [3739] himself [846] doeth [4160]: and [2532] he will shew [1166] him [846] greater [3187] works [2041] than [3187] these [5130], that [2443] ye [5210] may marvel [2296].
13 The children [5043] of thy [4675] elect [1588] sister [79] greet [782] thee [4571]. Amen [281].
4 I rejoiced [5463] greatly [3029] that [3754] I found [2147] of [1537] thy [4675] children [5043] walking [4043] in [1722] truth [225], as [2531] we have received [2983] a commandment [1785] from [3844] the Father [3962].
4 I have [2192] no [3756] greater [3186] [5130] joy [5479] than to [2443] hear [191] that my [1699] children [5043] walk [4043] in [1722] truth [225].
25 For [1063] this Agar [28] is [2076] mount [3735] Sinai [4614] in [1722] Arabia [688], and [1161] answereth [4960] to Jerusalem [2419] which [3588] now is [3568], and [1161] is in bondage [1398] with [3326] her [846] children [5043].
1 I exhort [3870] therefore [3767], that, first [4412] of all [3956], supplications [1162], prayers [4335], intercessions [1783], and giving of thanks [2169], be made [4160] for [5228] all [3956] men [444];
2 For [5228] kings [935], and [2532] for all [3956] that are [5607] in [1722] authority [5247]; that [2443] we may lead [1236] a quiet [2263] and [2532] peaceable [2272] life [979] in [1722] all [3956] godliness [2150] and [2532] honesty [4587].
3 For [1063] this [5124] is good [2570] and [2532] acceptable [587] in the sight [1799] of God [2316] our [2257] Saviour [4990];
4 Who [3739] will have [2309] all [3956] men [444] to be saved [4982], and [2532] to come [2064] unto [1519] the knowledge [1922] of the truth [225].
5 For [1063] there is one [1520] God [2316], and [2532] one [1520] mediator [3316] between God [2316] and [2532] men [444], the man [444] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424];
6 Who [3588] gave [1325] himself [1438] a ransom [487] for [5228] all [3956], to be testified [3142] in due [2398] time [2540].
7 Whereunto [1519] [3739] I [1473] am ordained [5087] a preacher [2783], and [2532] an apostle [652], (I speak [3004] the truth [225] in [1722] Christ [5547], and lie [5574] not [3756];) a teacher [1320] of the Gentiles [1484] in [1722] faith [4102] and [2532] verity [225].
8 I will [1014] therefore [3767] that men [435] pray [4336] every [1722] [3956] where [5117], lifting up [1869] holy [3741] hands [5495], without [5565] wrath [3709] and [2532] doubting [1261].
9 In like manner [5615] also [2532], that women [1135] adorn [2885] themselves [1438] in [1722] modest [2887] apparel [2689], with [3326] shamefacedness [127] and [2532] sobriety [4997]; not [3361] with [1722] broided hair [4117], or [2228] gold [5557], or [2228] pearls [3135], or [2228] costly [4185] array [2441];
10 But [235] (which [3739] becometh [4241] women [1135] professing [1861] godliness [2317]) with [1223] good [18] works [2041].
11 Let [3129] the woman [1135] learn [3129] in [1722] silence [2271] with [1722] all [3956] subjection [5292].
12 But [1161] I suffer [2010] not [3756] a woman [1135] to teach [1321], nor [3761] to usurp authority [831] over the man [435], but [235] to be [1511] in [1722] silence [2271].
13 For [1063] Adam [76] was [4111] first [4413] formed [4111], then [1534] Eve [2096].
14 And [2532] Adam [76] was [538] not [3756] deceived [538], but [1161] the woman [1135] being deceived [538] was [1096] in [1722] the transgression [3847].
15 Notwithstanding [1161] she shall be saved [4982] in [1223] childbearing [5042], if [1437] they continue [3306] in [1722] faith [4102] and [2532] charity [26] and [2532] holiness [38] with [3326] sobriety [4997].
14 And [2532] the four [5064] beasts [2226] said [3004], Amen [281]. And [2532] the four [5064] and twenty [1501] elders [4245] fell down [4098] and [2532] worshipped [4352] him that liveth [2198] for [1519] ever [165] and ever [165].
11 And [2532] I beheld [1492], and [2532] I heard [191] the voice [5456] of many [4183] angels [32] round about [2943] the throne [2362] and [2532] the beasts [2226] and [2532] the elders [4245]: and [2532] the number [706] of them [846] was [2258] ten thousand [3461] times ten thousand [3461], and [2532] thousands [5505] of thousands [5505];
8 And [2532] when [3753] he had taken [2983] the book [975], the four [5064] beasts [2226] and [2532] four [5064] and twenty [1501] elders [4245] fell down [4098] before [1799] the Lamb [721], having [2192] every one of them [1538] harps [2788], and [2532] golden [5552] vials [5357] full [1073] of odours [2368], which [3739] are [1526] the prayers [4335] of saints [40].
6 And [2532] I beheld [1492], and [2532], lo [2400], in [1722] the midst [3319] of the throne [2362] and [2532] of the four [5064] beasts [2226], and [2532] in [1722] the midst [3319] of the elders [4245], stood [2476] a Lamb [721] as [5613] it had been slain [4969], having [2192] seven [2033] horns [2768] and [2532] seven [2033] eyes [3788], which [3739] are [1526] the seven [2033] Spirits [4151] of God [2316] sent forth [649] into [1519] all [3956] the earth [1093].
5 And [2532] one [1520] of [1537] the elders [4245] saith [3004] unto me [3427], Weep [2799] not [3361]: behold [2400], the Lion [3023] of [5607] [1537] the tribe [5443] of Juda [2455], the Root [4491] of David [1138], hath prevailed [3528] to open [455] the book [975], and [2532] to loose [3089] the seven [2033] seals [4973] thereof [846].
10 The four [5064] and [2532] twenty [1501] elders [4245] fall down [4098] before [1799] him that sat [2521] on [1909] the throne [2362], and [2532] worship [4352] him that liveth [2198] for [1519] ever [165] and ever [165], and [2532] cast [906] their [846] crowns [4735] before [1799] the throne [2362], saying [3004],
4 And [2532] round about [2943] the throne [2362] were four [5064] and [2532] twenty [1501] seats [2362]: and [2532] upon [1909] the seats [2362] I saw [1492] four [5064] and [2532] twenty [1501] elders [4245] sitting [2521], clothed [4016] in [1722] white [3022] raiment [2440]; and [2532] they had [2192] on [1909] their [846] heads [2776] crowns [4735] of gold [5552].
19 Against [2596] an elder [4245] receive [3858] not [3361] an accusation [2724], but [1508] [1622] before [1909] two [1417] or [2228] three [5140] witnesses [3144].
17 Let [515] the elders [4245] that rule [4291] well [2573] be counted worthy [515] of double [1362] honour [5092], especially [3122] they who labour [2872] in [1722] the word [3056] and [2532] doctrine [1319].
30 Which [3739] also [2532] they did [4160], and sent it [649] to [4314] the elders [4245] by [1223] the hands [5495] of Barnabas [921] and [2532] Saul [4569].
12 And [5037] they stirred up [4787] the people [2992], and [2532] the elders [4245], and [2532] the scribes [1122], and [2532] came upon [2186] him, and caught [4884] him [846], and [2532] brought [71] him to [1519] the council [4892],
21 From [575] that time forth [5119] began [756] Jesus [2424] to shew [1166] unto his [846] disciples [3101], how that [3754] he [846] must [1163] go [565] unto [1519] Jerusalem [2414], and [2532] suffer [3958] many things [4183] of [575] the elders [4245] and [2532] chief priests [749] and [2532] scribes [1122], and [2532] be killed [615], and [2532] be raised again [1453] the third [5154] day [2250].
25 Now [1161] his [846] elder [4245] son [5207] was [2258] in [1722] the field [68]: and [2532] as [5613] he came [2064] and drew nigh [1448] to the house [3614], he heard [191] musick [4858] and [2532] dancing [5525].
5 And [2532] now [3568] I beseech [2065] thee [4571], lady [2959], not [3756] as though [5613] I wrote [1125] [1125] a new [2537] commandment [1785] unto thee [4671], but [235] that which [3739] we had [2192] from [575] the beginning [746], that [2443] we love [25] one another [240].
13 The children [5043] of thy [4675] elect [1588] sister [79] greet [782] thee [4571]. Amen [281].