Bible Commentaries

The elder; John, the writer of this epistle. Compare 1 Peter 5:1.

Elect lady; one chosen of God and distinguished as a Christian.

For the truth’s sake; this lady’s family were beloved on account of their love of the gospel and their practice of its duties.

That I found of thy children; when I found some of thy children. The apostle had learned with joy that this was true of some of them. Friends of the truth are friends of each other, and earnestly desire each other’s highest good; and when they hear that the children of their friends have embraced the gospel, and are walking in the love and practice of it, they rejoice with great joy.

Not as though I wrote a new commandment; compare 1 John 2:7.

This is love-his commandments; the proper expression and evidence of love to God and men, is the keeping of his commandments. Compare 1 John 5:2-3.

This is the commandment; what the apostle has just declared; that love, namely, which consists in obedience to God’s commandments.

That Jesus Christ is come in the flesh; see note to 1 John 4:2. Those who pretend to be religious teachers, and yet do not believe that Jesus Christ has come into the world and redeemed us unto God by his blood, are deceivers. Whatever love they may profess towards God or men, they are opposers of Christ and the great interest of his kingdom.

That we lost not; through the seductions of these deceivers leading you to depart from the truth, any portion of the blessings we have obtained, or which the gospel offers.

Doctrine of Christ; that taught by him and his apostles, especially his having come in the flesh and made an atonement for the sin of the world.

Hath not God; not a right knowledge of him, nor an interest in his favor.

This doctrine; of Christ, as taught by him and his apostles.

Receive him not into your house; do nothing to aid or encourage him in his propagation of error.

Biddeth him God speed; if one aid or encourage another in sinning, he becomes partaker of his guilt. Those teachers who reject the great truths taught by Christ and his apostles, of his divinity, incarnation, and atonement; of justification by faith in him, regeneration by the Spirit of God, and the necessity of perseverance in holiness in order to salvation, are not of God, and not to be received: no such attention should be paid to them as will aid or encourage them in the propagation of their errors.