The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
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Clement Of Alexandria
AD 215
The second Epistle of John, which is written to Virgins, is very simple. It was written to a Babylonian lady, by name Electa, and indicates the election of the holy Church. He establishes in this Epistle that the following out of the faith is not without charity, and so that no one divide Jesus Christ; but only to believe that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. For he who has the Son by apprehension in his intellect knows also the Father, and grasps with his mind intelligibly the greatness of His power working without beginning of time.
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SEVERAL ancient writers have entertained doubts respecting the Second and Third Epistles of S. John , supposing them to have been written by John the Presbyter, not John the Apostle. They have been led to think this because the writer begins by calling himself the Elder, or the Presbyter, in Greek πζεσβÏτεζος. This doubt is mentioned by Eusebius (H. E. lib3cap ult.) and S. Jerome (de Scrip. Eccles.). But that both these Epistles are canonical is now de fide, and also that they were written by S. John the Apostle. This appears, 1st From the definition of the Council of Trent (sess4), and the Third Council of Carthage (cap47), and the Council of Laodicæa (cap59), and the84of the Canons of the Apostles.
2d. From the Fathers, viz. Ireneus (lib3 c13), S. Augustine (lib2de Doct. Christ. c8). Hear also S. Jerome (Epis. ad Paul): " James , Peter, John , and Jude the Apostles published seven epistles, both mystical, succinct, and brief, all about the same length: short in words,...
The ancient priest, or bishop. See 1 Peter v. 1.
To the lady Elect. Some conjecture that elect might be the name of a family, or of a particular church; but the common opinion is, that it was the proper name of a virtuous lady.
Whom I love in truth, with a sincere Christian charity as well as her children. By reason of the truth, or the true faith, that abideth in us. (Witham)
The Apostle commends Electa and her family for their steadfastness in the true faith and exhorts them to persevere, lest they lose the reward of their labours. He exhorts them to love one another. But with heretics to have no society, even not to salute them. Although this Epistle is written to a particular person, yet its instructions may serve as a lesson to others, especially to those who, from their connections, situation, or condition in life, are in danger of perversion.
To the lady Elect: Some conjecture that Elect might be the name of a family, or of a particular church; but the general opinion is, that it is the proper name of a lady, so eminent for her piety and great charity, as to merit this Epistle from St. John.
