Keraia
2 John 1

2 John 1:1

A Greeting from the Elder · 2 John 1:1–3
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Translations

Modern
The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I alone, but also all who know the truth—
Traditional
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;
Literal
The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those having known the truth—
Latin
Senior Electæ dominæ, et natis ejus, quos ego diligo in veritate, et non ego solus, sed et omnes qui cognoverunt veritatem,

Original

Greek
English
The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I alone, but also all who know the truth—

Notes

2 John 1:1

  • The elder: The apostle John calls himself “the elder” to affirm his authority in the church.

  • To the chosen lady and her children: The Greek word kuria could be the name of a specific woman. However, it more likely refers to a local church and its members (see 1:13).

  • whom I love in the truth: This could mean “truly love” (see 1:5–6). More likely, it refers to the love shared by people who confess the same truth about Christ. This truth stands in contrast to the lies taught by the false teachers (1:7; see 1 John 2:21–23). John stresses the pronoun I to emphasize the difference from the false teachers, who lack love and reject the true church.

2 John 1:1–3

  • The apostle John begins a common introduction for a personal letter.

  • He mentions truth four times in this short opening and once more in 1:4. John wanted his readers to know the truths about Jesus Christ, to live according to those truths, and not to be led away by false teachers.

Parallels

3 John 1:1–4

Glossary

Elect Lady John (Person) Second Letter of John

Topics

Elder in the Christian Church John: The Apostle: The Epistles of John