2 John 1

2 John 1:1

The apostle John, addressing himself to a worthy Christian lady, expresses his joy in her good character, and that of her children; exhorts to continued love, and to guard against deceivers, whom it would be dangerous to countenance and encourage; referring what he had further to say till he should make her a visit. 2 John throughout.

John 1. THE elder unto the elect lady,

John 1. THIS letter is addressed by John, well known in these parts by the name of the Elder, called under that character, to preside 1

The Elder.] The concealment of the name of the author can be no objection against ascribing it to St. John; since his name is also concealed in the first epistle, which is universally allowed to be his. Nor was it customary with this apostle, in any of his writings, to be free in mentioning his own name. His styling himself the elder in this and the following epistle, is probably the reason why they were ascribed by some of the ancients not to the apostle John, universally acknowledged to be the author of the first epis-

tle, but to John, an elder or presbyter of Ephesus. He who would see the testimonies of the fathers, that the apostle John was the author of these two epistles, may consult the second part of Dr Lardner’s Credibility of the Gospel History. There can hardly be stronger internal arguments, that the three epistles, now commonly ascribed to St. John, were the production of the same author, than may be derived from that very remarkable similarity of sentiment and phraseology which appears in them all, on the slightest attention.

St. John inscribes his epistle to the elect lad

in the churches, to the elect lady, whom I need not name, as her excellent christian graces render her so gloriously distinguished; and to her children, whom I love in the truth, on those principles which the gospel, the great system of truth, requires with respect to those who so remarkably support and adorn it. Nor indeed do I only love her and them, but they are beloved also by all those who know the truth, and who have had any opportunity of forming any intimate acquaintance with them. These amiable persons are justly dear to us all, because of the truth which dwelleth in us, and I doubt not shall be in us for ever. And particularly so deeply is it grounded in your mind and heart, that I am persuaded the relish of it will never be lost, be the remaining years of life ever so many, or the events of them ever so trying. May a rich assemblage of every desirable blessing, grace, mercy, [and] peace, be with you all from God the Father of all, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father; and may it animate you to walk in truth, and in universal love, according to the tenor of that glorious gospel with which he hath favoured you.

I rejoiced greatly, when, in some of those excurtions which I made for the service of the gospel, I found some of thy children walking in a manner agreeable to the system of Divine truth, and according to the commandment which we have received from God the Father. And now I beseech thee, my dear and honoured lady, not as writing to thee a new and unknown commandment, but that which we had from the beginning of our acquaintance with our Divine Master, and the religion he came to introduce, that we may all love one another. And this is that love which alone can

The elect lady.] Lord Barrington is by no means convincing: and verse 10 of opinion the lady here spoken of is the seems a strong objection against it. It is church at Jerusalem, sister to that at probable that this lady (styled here 1644 Ephesus. Barr. Miscel. Sacr. p. 51, and κυριε, from whence some have fancied the notion seems to have been taken from her proper name was Eclecta, and others Dr. Whitby. Compare Isaiah liv. 1; Cyria,) was a person of considerable distinction. Gal. iv. 24, &c. But the arguments are

and desires her to beware of seducers.

prove acceptable to him, that we should constantly walk according to his commandments; and this is the commandment, as ye have heard from the beginning, that ye should walk in it; this was the great end of the gospel, to give us proper directions for our conduct, and motives to engage us to act accordingly. And these rules and principles have been so plainly and faithfully delivered to you, that I need not now say any thing more in relation to them.

I refer you to those sacred lessons into which, at your first conversion to Christianity, you were initiated; because many deceivers are gone out into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. And this is a most certain mark of a deceiver and an anti-christ; and if any would go about to refine upon the doctrine of the incarnation and passion of our blessed Redeemer, as if they were allegorical, and expressed mere appearances, and not realities, whatever sublime notions he may pretend, he is to be rejected with abhorrence. Let me therefore beseech you, and all my Christian friends, to whom this letter may come, that ye look to yourselves, and let us all attend to the caution, that we may not lose the things we have already wrought in the service of Christ, but persevering and abounding in it, may receive the ample reward which I trust through Divine grace is laid up for us. For it is certain, that every one who in this respect transgresseth, and remaineth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not an interest in God; but he that remaineth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son, whose cause and whose favour are inseparable. And if any one come unto you, under the character of a religious teacher, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into [your] house, to give him countenance and support, neither wish him good success. For he that thus supports and maintains

c Come in the flesh.] The apostle here alludes to the rise of those heretics who affirmed that Christ only came in appearance.

d Wish him good success.] Thus the Jews, as Dr. Lightfoot and Dr. Whitby observe, were forbid to say, or God

speed, to an excommunicated person, or to come within four cubits of an heretic. But the apostle must not be here understood, as excluding the common offices of humanity to such persons; for that is contrary to all the general precepts of benevolence to be found in the gospel. But to

Reflections on Christian love ;

him, and wisheth him good success, in a case like this, though he does not actually engage himself to labour in it, is partaker of his evil deeds, and in the sight of God and man, accessory to the damage, which such a seducer may, in consequence of such encouragement, bring upon the church.

Having many other things to write unto you, which might have employed my pen in a much longer epistle, I would not [do it] with paper and ink ; but break off here, as I hope ere long to open my mind much more largely when I come to you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be fulfilled ; and we may have mutual reason to acknowledge, that we have received much greater satisfaction than this imperfect method of converse can afford. In the mean time, I shall only add, that the children of thine elect sister salute thee, and I join with them in the kindest wishes which the sincerest friendship can form. And may God accomplish them. Amen.

IMPROVEMENT.

Let us observe this delineation of a love truly Christian ; the 1 love, which the apostle, and all who knew the truth, are said to 2 have had towards this elect and excellent lady, for the truth’s sake which dwelt in her. Adored be that grace, which preserved her in so high a rank of life, from temptations which could not fail to surround her ! that grace, which rendered her an example of wisdom and piety, great and eminent in proportion to her exalted situation !

Nor can we forbear reflecting, how happy, in consequence of 3 this, she herself was, possessed of grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and Jesus Christ our Lord, in truth and love ! What were all the secular honours by which she was distinguished ! What the possession of riches, which in their own nature, and unimproved to the pious and charitable purposes to which she improved them, are very empty and unsatisfactory ; what are these, when compared with such important blessings ! We cannot but rejoice, at this distance of time, and ignorant

have received a seducing teacher into their mischief he might do in the church ; such houses, and have given him suitable ac- favours being not merely offices of comommodations, would have been showing mon humanity, but of patronage and im such regard, and affording him such friendship ; and in the general, at least, a support, as indeed, in some measure testimony of their approbation, as well as would have made them answerable for the kindness.

and on our obligation to avoid deceivers.

as we are of the name, situation, and history, of this worthy lady, that her children walked in the truth. It was a singular joy to JOHN, and may be so in a degree to all; and may teach us to lift up our hearts to God in prayer, that all Christian parents, especially pious mothers, and more particularly those whose character in life is so eminently distinguished, may enjoy this happiness, and see the seed they are with such commendable industry sowing in the minds of their tender offspring, growing up, and bringing forth much fruit.

We have, in the beloved apostle, an excellent pattern of a becoming care, to make a correspondence with our Christian friends useful; which we shall do, if, like him, we are exhorting them to the cultivation of mutual love, and to a constant uniform care in keeping the commandments of God: if we continue warning them against the prevailing sins and errors of the day, and urging them to a holy solicitude, that they may not lose what they have already attained; but may receive full reward for every work of faith, and labour of love, in consequence of a course of resolute and persevering piety.

Persons of the most distinguished goodness have need to be cautioned against that excess of generosity and hospitality, which might sometimes make them partakers with seducers in their evil deeds, by giving them their audience, and wishing them good success, while by their fair speeches they impose upon the simplicity of open and upright hearts, who, because themselves are void of fraud, are often void of suspicion too. But there is a prudent caution to be observed upon this head; and it is the part of faithful friendship to suggest it; for many deceivers are come out into the world. For our security against them, let us be always upon our guard, and take care to continue in the doctrine of Christ; that so we may have the Father, and the Son; and if we are interested in their favour, we shall stand in need of nothing, and shall have nothing of which to be afraid. Amen.

The END of the FAMILY EXPOSITOR on the SECOND EPISTLE of ST. JOHN.

THE

AMILY EXPOSIT

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A PARAPHRASE

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THIRD EPISTLE OF S

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NOTES, AND A PRACTICAL I OF EACH SECTION.

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