The Presbyter to the chosen Lady and to her children whom I love in truth—and not only I but also all who know the truth— 2 because of the truth that dwells in us and will be with us forever. 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son in truth and love. 4 I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth just as we were commanded by the Father. 5 But now, Lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing a new commandment but the one we have had from the beginning: let us love one another. 6 For this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, as you heard from the beginning, in which you should walk. 7 Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh; such is the deceitful one and the antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves that you do not lose what we worked for but may receive a full recompense. 9 Anyone who is so “progressive” as not to remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God; whoever remains in the teaching has the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him in your house or even greet him; 11 for whoever greets him shares in his evil works. 12 Although I have much to write to you, I do not intend to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and to speak face to face so that our joy may be complete. 13 The children of your chosen sister send you greetings.
The Apostle John refers to himself humbly as an elder or presbyter and addresses the Christian community metaphorically as the 'chosen lady' and its members as her children. Alternatively, he may have been addressing a specific Christian woman of high standing, emphasizing her election by God. John highlights that Christian love is grounded in the truth of the Gospel and acknowledges the community as united by the truth revealed through Christ. The truth revealed by Christ dwells in us through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, and is eternal because it reflects God’s unchanging and everlasting nature.
John gives a greeting commonly found in epistles. In this greeting, the gifts believers receive through their relationship with the Trinity are emphasized, the divine nature and unity of the Father and the Son are highlighted, and truth and love are essential for Christian living.
John rejoiced because some believers were living according to God’s commandments and teachings (cf. Jn. 8:31-32) in obedience to His will (cf. Jn. 15:10). He reflects on Christ’s commandment to love one another given from the beginning of His ministry (cf. Jn. 13:34). As Christ taught from the beginning, obedience to God’s commandments and adherence to His will show genuine love.
Many false teachers, especially Gnostics and Docetists, propagate their false teachings denying the Incarnation, a foundational Christian doctrine (cf. Jn. 1:14, 1 Jn. 4:2-3). They claimed that Christ only appeared to have a physical body but was not truly human. The false teachers are deceitful because they distort the truth revealed by God. In his epistle, John uses the term “antichrist” to describe anyone who opposes Christ and His teachings (cf. 1 Jn. 2:18, 1 Jn. 4:3). He calls believers to be vigilant and persevere in faith so that they can receive rewards for fidelity and eternal life (cf. 2 Tim. 4:8).
Those who propagate new doctrines outside of Christ’s teachings are separated from God (cf. Jn. 15:5-6). Whoever adheres to the true teachings of Christ maintains communion with both God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. If anyone comes to the community teaching heresy, greeting them or being hospitable to them could imply approval, support, or complicity for their false teachings.
John ends this passage by expressing the desire to visit them so that the joy of Christian fellowship can be expressed more fully. Another Christian community, a sister in faith, sends greetings.
Almighty God, we thank You for the truth revealed through Your Son, Jesus Christ, and for the call to walk in love and fidelity to His teaching. Grant us the wisdom to remain steadfast in Your truth and the courage to reject anything that leads us astray. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Sources
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
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