1 The elder to the elect 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 that abides in us and will be with us forever: – I think that there are at least two reasons why John didn’t just write, ‘John to the Leadership of The church in Ephesus and brothers and sisters in Christ’. a) He was an aged Apostle and he considered those who believed as brothers as His children in the faith! He wanted them to know how much he loved and cared for them. b) We don’t really appreciate the persecution and hardships which the church was living under. It would have been much safer for the ‘postal boy’ delivering this letter from Patmos to Ephesus, if he was able to when picked by ‘Highway Robbers’ or anti-Christian officials if he had been able to say ‘It’s nothing but my boss sending a letter to his wife and family. He’s away on a business trip!’ Very possibly such people would not have been able to read!
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 And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. – John had prior to this been the Bishop in Ephesus after Timothy had been killed. His earlier written works the Gospel according to John and his first epistle were full of emphasis on love being core to the gospel. His statement ‘some of your children walking in the truth’ might refer to some who were children or teenagers while he was the Bishop there. But more likely, seen by what follows, he means that there were some members who hadn’t been in the false teaching which the remainder of this short letter is all about! 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. (- they believe that Jesus was truly God -) Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. 9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works. – John doesn’t mince words. The one whom people call ‘the Apostle of Love’ would have a stern face and a firm voice if this had been spoken and not written!
12 Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
13 The children of your elect sister greet you. – John ends with greetings from the church where he is now situated!
1 Peter 5: 8-9 be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith.
Prayer: Thank You that Your Word is so clear. May I not allow myself to be side-lined into heresy!
As I read it! 