1The elder, to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not I only, but also all those who know the truth, 2for the truth’s sake, which remains in us, and it will be with us forever: 3Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4I rejoice greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, even as we have been commanded by the Father. 5Now I beg you, dear lady, not as though I wrote to you a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6This is love, that we should walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, even as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.
7For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who don’t confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the Antichrist. 8Watch yourselves, that we don’t lose the things which we have accomplished, but that we receive a full reward. 9Whoever transgresses and doesn’t remain in the teaching of Christ doesn’t have God. He who remains in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10If anyone comes to you and doesn’t bring this teaching, don’t receive him into your house, and don’t welcome him, 11for he who welcomes him participates in his evil deeds.
12Having many things to write to you, I don’t want to do so with paper and ink, but I hope to come to you and to speak face to face, that our joy may be made full. 13The children of your chosen sister greet you. Amen.
John identifies himself as “the elder” rather than as an apostle. As in his Gospel, he leaves his name out. This follows the practice of personal letters in the Greco-Roman world. The authors of these letters identified themselves by their titles. John is speaking to her as a friend and not as an apostle, per se. Thus, he takes the title of an elder.
He addresses his letter to “the chosen lady.” Whether this is an actual person or a code name for a church has been heavily debated. The evidence is equally strong for either option. However, it seems best to see this as John writing to a person and addressing her with her Roman title. “Elect” could be a personal name with the English equivalent: “Lady Electa.” John’s reference to her children would be her literal children. Whether a person or a church, though, the meaning of this letter is the same.
John expresses his love for her and identifies himself with all those “who know the truth.” This alludes to this letter’s issue, false teachers, and how to deal with them. John is saying that those committed to the truth of God’s word love her in the same way as he. John is living out the command of Christ to love one another.
His reference to the truth “remaining in us” has the body of doctrine in view. It would include the orthodox statements about Jesus in his first epistle and other doctrines of the church taught by the apostles. When he says this truth “will be with us forever,” John indicates that it is an unchanging body of doctrine.