2 John 1

THE elder A general Name of Office fitly appropriated with Eminency here, he being the only Apostle, probably, now surviving on earth. unto the elect lady This appears to have been some noted Person, whom both her her singular Pi ty, and Rank in the World, made eminent, and capable of having great Influence for the support of the Christian Interest. and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all Which her general Value with all that had known the Truth, (i. e. the Christians in those parts) shows. The Opinion that a Church is intended by this Appellation, had its greater probability, is of no great Importance; and needs not here be disputed. they that have known the truth.

For the truths sake which dwelleth in us The indwelling of Evangelical Truth, which is here meant, signifies its deep Radication, and powerful transforming Efficacy in the Soul, so as to be productive of Holiness, as Iohn 17.17. than which nothing can be a greater Inducement among Christians of mutual Love., and shall be with us for ever.

Grace be with you, mercy, and peace from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Father, in truth and love Such Saluta ns see explained, where they have formerly occurr'd..

I rejoyced greatly that I found Some of her Sons, its probably conjectured, he had met with, upon their Occasions, at Ephesus, where, 'tis thought, he now resided, and found them to have a good Savour of Religion, and to walk according to Rule, which was matter of great Joy to him. of thy children walking in the truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another He inculcates that great Precept, of which see 1 Ioh. 2.7, 8..

And this is love, that we walk after his commandments From this particular Command, he passes to what is more general, requiring in all things a strict and unanimo s adherence to the pure, and primitive Doctrine of the Gospel, which would be the best Expression of Love to God, and the true Center and Bond of ove to one another, as 1 Ioh. 5.1, 3.. This is the commandment that as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

For many deceivers are entred into the world, who confess not Jesus Christ is come in the flesh: this is a deceiver, and an antichrist See 1 Ioh. 2.18, 22. and 4.3..

Look to your selves that we lose not those things which we Such changes of the Person, as we her find, are neither unusual, nor in Exhortation, inelegant; but some Copies read in the two latter clauses [ye.] He presses to constancy in the true incorrupt Christian Profession. have wrought, but that we receive a full reward That the expected Recompence be not lost in the whole, or in any part, as Gal. 3.3, 4..

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, has not God; he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, has both the Father and the Son. See 1 Iohn. 2.23.

If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine receive him not into your house, neither bid him, God speed.

For he that biddeth him God-speed Such as bring any contrary Doctrine, (as Gal. 1.8.) ought not to be harbour'd, or countenanced by any encouraging Salutation, lest we involve our selves in the Participation of their Guilt, 1 Tim. 5.22., is partaker of his evil deeds.

Having many things to write unto you, I would not write The latter, write, is not in the Greek Text; but the words bear this sense, that having many things to write, I would not by Paper and Ink, impart them to you (the Expression being elliptical) but hope to come, &c. with paper and ink; but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

The children of thy elect sister They were, 'tis probable, with him at Ephesus, and took the occasion by him now writing, to transmit their Salutations. greet thee. Amen This concluding Amen imports his Sincerity in what he had written..