NIV Woman’s Study Bible

Annotations for 2 John

1 “Lady chosen by God” (Gk. eklekte kuria, lit. “chosen lady”) may refer to John’s personification of a local congregation. If this is true, then John’s references to the “lady” (v. 5) and “elect children of your sister” (v. 13) would designate churches that know each other. However, it is just as likely that the designation may refer to an esteemed friend (see The Lady Chosen by God).

The Lady Chosen by God

John’s second letter is addressed to “the lady chosen by God and to her children.” The church, as the bride of Christ, is often referenced in feminine terms. Thus, John was possibly writing to an established group of believers. However, correspondence with an esteemed friend and her family is equally possible. Interestingly, the Greek word kuria, translated “lady,” could have been a proper name. If so, John may have been instructing a particular lady regarding a situation she had encountered in her home. Certainly, if that is the case, she is a woman of excellent character whose godly influence touched the lives of those around her, including her own children.

The Roman Empire had an extensive network of roads, allowing its citizens to travel freely and extensively. Inns were located at twenty-two-mile intervals, but the average inn was unsanitary, noisy and frequented by thieves. People therefore tried to stay with acquaintances or acquaintances of friends when they traveled. Because the gospel was being spread by traveling missionaries, hospitality was considered one of the chief expressions of Christian love (Ro 12:13; Heb 13:16). Unfortunately, when it became known that Christians would feed and house those who claimed to be spreading the gospel, many pseudo-missionaries began to take advantage of them. The lady chosen by God may have found herself in this situation.

John exhorted her to continue to offer hospitality but cautioned her to be alert to spot deceivers. He encouraged her to balance the Christian imperative to love with safeguards against the abuse of Christian fellowship. Even in the midst of hospitality and other ministries, a woman must walk in truth and lovingly admonish her children in the ways of the Lord.

See also notes on Evangelism (Jn 6); Hospitality (1Pe 4)

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4–6 John had apparently received news that his readers were following his admonitions. “Walking in the truth” requires a heart that believes in the truth of the message of the incarnate Christ and a lifestyle that reveals this message by showing love to others (vv. 5–6). Belief and action go hand-in-hand (1Jn 3:23). Indeed truth is something to believe and live.

9–10 “Runs ahead” (Gk. parabainō, lit. “run ahead of” or “go before”) was used by John sarcastically to criticize the teachers who claimed they had advanced knowledge of Jesus Christ and thus appeared to “run ahead” of the truth spiritually (see Introduction: Themes). John used some of his most intense language to warn his friends not to extend hospitality to such false teachers. Hospitality often included shelter and lodging as well as a formal greeting. To “welcome” (Gk. charein) suggests the extension of joy or prosperity. Welcoming the false teachers granted a special blessing to them and, in essence, would indicate approval of their wrong deeds and heretical teachings. John argued that Christian hospitality does not extend to include those teachers who twist and malign the Word of God.