TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 2 John 1:12–13.
The apostle concludes this letter, 1. With an adjournment of many things to personal conference: Having many things to write unto you I would not write with paper and ink; but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. Here it is supposed that some things are better spoken than written. The use of pen and ink may be a mercy and a pleasure; but a personal interview may be more so. The apostle was not yet too old for travel, nor consequently for travelling service. The communion of saints should be by all methods maintained; and their communion should tend to their mutual joy. Excellent ministers may have their joy advanced by their Christian friends. That I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me, Rom 1:12. 2. With the presentation of service and salutation from some near relations to the lady: The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Grace was abundant towards this family; here are two elect sisters, and probably their elect children. How will they admire this grace in heaven! The apostle condescends to insert the nieces' duty (as we should call it), or dutiful salutation, to their aunt. The duty of inferior relations is to be cherished. Doubtless the apostle was easy of access, and would admit all friendly and pious communication, and was ready to enhance the good lady's joy in her nieces as well as in her children. May there by many such gracious ladies rejoicing in their gracious descendants and other relations! Amen.
Historical interpretation
Five Centuries of Reception
3 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
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.
The children of your sister, the Elect, greet you. Just as he prohibits us to greet the adversaries of the truth, so, conversely, he greets the elect on behalf of the elect, so that the faithless may be detested by all the good, possibly to correct them in this way, and that the peace and love among the faithful may always increase.
Since I had many things to write to you, I did not want to do so by paper and ink. But I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that our joy may be complete. The children of your sister the Elect greet you. Amen.
The reason for the briefness of the letter, both in this and in the following one, is that John hoped to come to them and to add in person and by his presence what was lacking. However, by what he adds, "The children of your sister, the Elect, greet you," some wish to argue that the letter is not addressed to a woman but to the Church; concerning which I have decided not to dispute.
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Summary
The concluding verse of 2 John delivers a personal greeting from "the children of thy elect sister" to the recipient, the "elect lady," and her children, concluding with a solemn "Amen." This brief salutation reinforces the epistle's core themes of Christian fellowship, divine election, and the interconnectedness of believers who walk in truth and love, emphasizing the unity of the early Christian community across various locations.
Context
Literary Context
2 John 1:13 serves as the final salutation of this concise New Testament epistle. Immediately preceding it, the apostle John (identified as "the elder") has warned against false teachers who deny the true humanity of Christ and has exhorted the "elect lady" and her children to abide in the truth and walk in love according to God's commandments 2 John 1:4-6. The letter is intensely personal, yet its theological warnings and ethical exhortations have broad implications for the early church. Verse 13, therefore, functions as a warm, personal closing, much like a postscript in a modern letter, extending the bonds of Christian fellowship and solidarity from one community of believers to another, affirming their shared faith and commitment to truth in the face of doctrinal error.
Historical & Cultural Context
In the Greco-Roman world, letters typically concluded with personal greetings and well-wishes. This practice was adopted by early Christian writers, as seen throughout the New Testament epistles. Such greetings were not mere formalities but vital means of maintaining communal ties, affirming spiritual unity, and demonstrating solidarity among geographically dispersed believers. The early church faced significant challenges, including internal doctrinal disputes (like the Gnostic-leaning heresies addressed in 2 John) and external persecution. In this environment, expressions of fellowship and mutual encouragement, even through brief greetings, were crucial for strengthening faith and reinforcing the sense of belonging to a larger, unified body of Christ. The use of "sister" and "children" reflects the familial language common in early Christian discourse, emphasizing the deep spiritual kinship among believers.
Key Themes
This concluding verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in 2 John and the broader Johannine corpus. Firstly, it underscores Christian Fellowship and Unity, highlighting the interconnectedness of believers as a spiritual family, transcending physical distance. Secondly, the repeated use of "elect" (as in 2 John 1:1 and 2 John 1:13) emphasizes Divine Election, pointing to God's sovereign choice of His people and the shared identity of those called by Him, a theme echoed in passages like Ephesians 1:4. Thirdly, while not explicitly stated in this verse, the greeting implicitly supports the theme of Abiding in Truth and Love, as the "elect sister" and her children are presumed to be those who also walk in these foundational Christian virtues, in contrast to the false teachers warned against earlier in the epistle 2 John 1:7-11.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
From eklegomai, meaning "chosen" or "selected." This term signifies divine election, highlighting that the "sister" and her children are part of God's chosen people, sharing a common spiritual identity with the "elect lady." It underscores the sovereign grace of God in calling believers into His family, distinguishing them from those who deny Christ's truth.
The feminine form of adelphos, meaning "sister." In this context, it is widely interpreted metaphorically to refer to another Christian church or community, rather than a literal sibling. This metaphorical usage emphasizes the familial bond and unity among different congregations in the early church, all considered part of the larger family of God. This interpretation aligns with the common understanding of the "elect lady" as a local church.
To enfold in the arms, by implication to salute or welcome. This word conveys a warm, affectionate salutation, indicating genuine Christian fellowship and solidarity. It's more than a mere formality; it expresses a bond of love and shared faith, reinforcing the communal nature of early Christian life and the mutual encouragement shared among believers.
Of Hebrew origin, meaning "firm" or "trustworthy," used adverbially as "surely" or interjectionally as "so be it." Here, it serves as a concluding affirmation, expressing assent to the preceding statement or adding a solemn confirmation to the greeting. It signifies truth, certainty, and a heartfelt desire for the greeting to be received and understood as genuine, adding a note of finality and divine endorsement.
Verse Breakdown
"The children of thy elect sister"
This phrase introduces the source of the greeting. "The children" likely refers to members of the "elect sister's" community, possibly younger believers or simply the spiritual offspring of that church. "Thy elect sister" is generally understood as another Christian church or congregation, chosen by God, thereby emphasizing the interconnectedness and shared spiritual identity of different Christian communities that are united by their common faith and election.
"greet thee. Amen."
This is the direct salutation. "Greet thee" (from aspázomai) conveys a warm, personal, and affectionate welcome, signifying Christian fellowship and solidarity between the two communities represented by the "elect lady" and the "elect sister." The inclusion of "Amen" at the very end serves as a solemn affirmation, a "so be it," adding weight and sincerity to the greeting, emphasizing its truth and heartfelt nature, and perhaps expressing a desire for the "elect lady" to remain firm in the truth.
Literary Devices
The verse employs Metaphor in its reference to "thy elect sister," which is widely understood to represent another Christian congregation rather than a literal sibling. This metaphorical usage underscores the familial and unified nature of the early church, where different local assemblies were considered "sisters" within the larger family of God. The phrase also utilizes Synecdoche by referring to "the children" of the sister, likely meaning the members or spiritual offspring of that church, where a part (children) represents the whole (the congregation). Finally, the concluding Affirmation of "Amen" acts as a solemn, emphatic close, lending gravity and sincerity to the greeting, a common rhetorical device in biblical literature to seal a statement or prayer.
Theological and Thematic Connections
This concluding greeting, though brief, carries significant theological weight, emphasizing the profound unity and interconnectedness of God's people. The concept of "elect sister" highlights the corporate aspect of divine election, where entire communities are brought into God's family, sharing a common spiritual identity and purpose. This familial language underscores that the church is not merely an organization but a living organism, a spiritual household bound by shared faith in Christ and a commitment to His truth. In a world often fractured by division, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of the global spiritual family to which believers belong, called to mutual love, support, and encouragement, especially in the face of spiritual challenges.
Reflection and Application
2 John 1:13, though a farewell, offers timeless lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that our faith is not a solitary journey but a shared experience within a global family. The "elect sister" and her "children" represent the vast network of believers, past and present, with whom we share an unbreakable spiritual bond. This verse encourages us to value and actively participate in Christian community, recognizing that we are interconnected members of the body of Christ. It calls us to extend genuine greetings and affirmations to our brothers and sisters in faith, fostering warmth, solidarity, and mutual encouragement. In an increasingly isolated world, remembering that we are part of a divinely chosen, interconnected family provides immense comfort, strength, and a sense of belonging. It challenges us to look beyond our immediate congregations and appreciate the broader, universal church, praying for and supporting fellow believers across geographical and cultural divides, all united in Christ.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who is "thy elect sister" mentioned in 2 John 1:13?
While some historical interpretations suggest a literal sister of the "elect lady" (the recipient of the letter), the most widely accepted and contextually fitting interpretation is that "thy elect sister" refers metaphorically to another Christian church or community. Just as "the elect lady" herself is often understood to represent a local congregation, her "elect sister" would then be another congregation or group of believers, also "chosen" by God. This interpretation emphasizes the familial bond and unity among different Christian assemblies in the early church, highlighting their shared identity in Christ and their commitment to the truth. This understanding aligns with the common practice in the New Testament of using familial terms (like "brother," "sister," "children") to describe fellow believers and congregations, reinforcing the idea of the church as God's spiritual family.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The greeting in 2 John 1:13, though brief, points profoundly to the unifying work of Christ. The concept of an "elect sister" and her "children" underscores the reality of the universal church, a body united not by human lineage or geography, but by divine election in Christ Jesus. As the Apostle Paul teaches, believers are chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, destined for adoption as children through Him. This shared election in Christ forms the unbreakable bond of Christian fellowship, transcending physical distance and cultural differences. The love and truth exhorted throughout 2 John are embodied perfectly in Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Therefore, the greetings exchanged between these early Christian communities are more than mere pleasantries; they are expressions of a spiritual kinship forged by the blood of the Lamb and sustained by the indwelling Spirit of Christ, who makes us one body in Him. In Christ, all believers, regardless of their location, are part of one glorious family, reflecting His unity and love to the world.