To the Elect Lady and Her Children – 2 John 1:1-3

Whenever my son, who lives in the Boston area, drives us around, he points out churches that are church in name but that do not hold to the historic faith.  He tells me of the history of their abandonment of the faith.  Though they are “historic” churches, they do not abide in the truth.  The same was already true in the first century, and as the apostle John writes from the church where he is serving to another church, it is critical to him to identify them both as those who walk in that truth, churches that are not church in name only.  These churches are elected by God, chosen by Him, and so remain faithful.

The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:  Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.  (2 John 1:1-3 ESV)

Is this elect lady an individual or a symbol for a local congregation?  In verse 13, John says the children of this elect sister send greetings to her.  If it is an individual then two women without believing husbands or else widows (for would he not have addressed their husbands as well?) are being referred to and some of the children of the lady addressed were seen by John to be walking in the truth.  This is certainly a possible scenario but it seems more likely that he is referring to two churches and seeing some of their members walking in the truth.

Everyone who loves the truth loves this “lady” because the truth is what remains in them forever and truth is the touchstone of every relationship they have.  The truth of the gospel brings us together in a fellowship of truth and inevitably causes us to love each other.

John greets this church by acknowledging that God the Father’s and Jesus Christ the Son’s grace, mercy and peace will be with him and this church.  True believers are the grateful recipients of God’s grace that gave us life when we deserved death, His mercy that withheld death which we did deserve, and His peace now that we are reconciled to Him and members of His forever family.

And all of this accompanies truth and love, the two characteristics that always must accompany any congregation of true believers.