2 John 1:1-3
1 “The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth which remains 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 Son of the Father, in truth and love.”
Verse 1: In this passage, the elder (presumably the apostle John) addresses the lady chosen by God and her children. While the specific identity of the lady is not clear, we can understand this as a metaphorical reference to a local church or a group of believers. The elder expresses his love for them in the truth, emphasizing the importance of walking in the truth of the gospel. In the New Covenant, we are chosen by God and loved by him, and our identity is rooted in our union with Christ.
Verse 2: The elder highlights the enduring nature of the truth, which lives in believers and will be with them forever. That the truth is not merely a set of doctrines or principles, but a person – Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of truth, and through our union with him, we have access to the truth that will never fade away. This truth guides and sustains us in our journey of faith.
Verse 3: The elder extends his greetings, invoking grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Jesus Christ. These blessings are not earned or achieved through our own efforts, but freely given to us through the finished work of Christ. We can rest in the assurance that God’s grace, mercy, and peace are always available to us, and they are experienced in the context of truth and love.
