←2 John 1→BSB

• This letter is from John, the elder: The translators have added John for clarification; John refers to himself as the elder to affirm his authority in the church.
• to the chosen lady (Greek kuria) and to her children: The Greek word kuria could be the name of a specific individual; more likely, it refers to a particular local church and its believers (cp. 1:13).
• whom I love in the truth: This either means “truly love” (see 1:5–6) or, more likely, it refers to love between those who profess the same truth about Christ in contrast to the lies of the false teachers (1:7; see 1 Jn 2:21–23). John emphasizes the pronoun I to contrast sharply with the lovelessness of the false teachers, who rejected the true church.

Christian love is rooted in knowing the truth. The truth that lives in us is more than just facts or doctrine; it is the presence of God (see John 14:15–17), who will be with us forever.

Grace, mercy, and peace are blessings of which John is confident for those who live in truth and love, and who demonstrate by their actions that they are God’s children.

I am writing to remind you, dear friends: Literally I urge you, lady. See study note on 1:1.

• many deceivers have gone out into the world: Docetists were denying that Jesus Christ came in a real body. John refuted this heresy in his first letter (see 1 Jn 4:2–3).
• A false teacher is a deceiver, because they mislead unwary believers, and an antichrist, because they distract and lead people away from the true Christ. By using the apocalyptic symbol of the antichrist, John signals the severity of the heresy and the ultimate judgment upon false teachers.

we: This word refers to the apostles and their co-workers. The apostles taught the truth and defended it against heresies, and believers (referred to as you) are admonished to protect their faith from teaching that could destroy them (1:9).

Anyone who wanders away from this teaching (literally everyone going beyond and not remaining in the teaching): To go beyond is to contradict the apostolic teachings about Jesus Christ and believe things about Jesus that were not taught by the apostles. This is a warning to the church not to listen to the false teachers.

• Our English idiom face to face has the same meaning as the Greek idiom used here (literally mouth to mouth; see also 3 Jn 1:14).
• Then our joy will be complete: Our relationship with Christ is not merely a private experience; we experience the fullest joy in harmonious fellowship with other believers.

from the children of your sister: This probably refers to the sister church in Ephesus and its members, with whom John was staying (see 1:1). John lived in that region and cared for several churches.