OVERVIEW: This letter is a provisional instruction written in the expectation that there will soon be a face-to-face meeting, when outstanding problems and divisions can be resolved. The greeting in the final verse seems to confirm that the letter was sent from one church to another, though closer identification of these churches is impossible. When the elder comes, he will be able to talk about things that are difficult to write in a letter (ORIGEN, OECUMENIUS). Meanwhile he greets the churches (BEDE, OECUMENIUS) as sisters in the faith and daughters of God by baptism (HILARY OF ARLES).
PAPER AND INK. ORIGEN: Because of the incapacity of his hearers, John did not think it right to entrust the solutions of secrets of this kind to paper and ink. SERMONS ON EXODUS 4.2.1
I HOPE TO COME TO SEE YOU. OECUMENIUS: John explains that the reason this and the following letter are so short is that he hopes to visit them personally before too long. When he comes, he will be able to talk about things which are difficult to write in a letter and to clear up any remaining doubts which his correspondents may have. COMMENTARY ON 2 JOHN.2
UNITED IN BAPTISM. HILARY OF ARLES: John unites the leaders of the churches in peace because they are sisters in the faith of the church and daughters of God by baptism. INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 2 JOHN.3
GREETINGS TO THE FAITHFUL. BEDE: On the one hand John forbids us to greet the enemies of the truth, but on the other he salutes the elect. This is so that unbelievers will be shunned by all good people, unless they happen to repent and change their views, and also so that peace and love between believers will continue to grow forever. ON 2 JOHN.4
ADDRESSED TO A CHURCH. OECUMENIUS: This ending proves that John was not writing to a single individual but to a church. COMMENTARY ON 2 JOHN.5