The 'Elect' lady in 2 John

Recently our church had a sermon series on 1 John and it was simply superb. To literally bathe in the goodness of God and the miracle of salvation was wonderful. So it wasn't a surprise to me when one day I was trying to work through issues of women and my sense that I am not meant to let this go... or am I... that I felt a nudge from God to go back to 1 John. So I did and again felt that wonderful assurity of love. As I finished the book I couldn't help wondering how was that meant to help my dilemma and the nudge continued. Keep reading! So I did. Here it is for you in full below (It's short and sweet, just like my short post here!).

My first thought, and this is symptomatic perhaps of my upbringing in a faith which actively avoids the mention of women in any sort of leadership, is that 'elect lady' is 'the church' and not an individual woman. Why am I reading this Lord? Look again! I looked again at 1 John and 3 John. Their introductions and language were plain. No flowery or metaphoric language is used. When you look at Johns other writings (gospel of John, perhaps less so Revelation though there is little agreement over which John wrote that book) he is only affirmative of women and describes Jesus' encounters with women, which can only be described as restorative as he calls women into ministry. 

John was writing to a woman. It seems she was leading a group of people and John saw fit, as an apostle, to speak into that situation and encourage and guide, in the same way he did in 1 and 3 John. "Look to yourselves" suggests that it is a body of people and Johns "rejoicing" at finding her 'children' walking in faith - 'children' being a metaphor for the believers that John regularly uses through his text.

Sometimes it really is just as you see it.

1 The Elder,

To the [a]elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth, 2 because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever:

3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with [b]you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

Walk in Christ’s Commandments

4 I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. 5 And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. 6 This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.

Beware of Antichrist Deceivers

7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that [c]we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.

9 Whoever [d]transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

John’s Farewell Greeting

12 Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

13 The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.

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