2 Giovanni 1:4 Commento

The apostle here salutes an honourable matron and her children (Jo2 1:1-3). Recommends to them faith and love (Jo2 1:5, Jo2 1:6). Warns them of deceivers (Jo2 1:7), and to take heed to themselves (Jo2 1:8). Teaches how to treat those who bring not the doctrine of Christ (Jo2 1:10, Jo2 1:11). And, referring other things to personal discourse, concludes the epistle (Jo2 1:12, Jo2 1:13).

The writer of this epistle describes himself by his office, an "elder", and inscribes it to a certain matron, whom he styles, on account of her honour and riches, a "lady"; and by reason of her grace, "elect"; and to her children, who, as well as herself, were the objects of the apostle's love, and of all that knew the truth, and that for the sake of it, which was common to them all, , the salutation follows, Jo2 1:3, and then a congratulation of the lady, that some of her children walked in the same path of truth with herself, Jo2 1:4, and next an exhortation to brotherly love, which is the commandment from the beginning; the evidence of which love is walking according to that, and every other command of God, Jo2 1:5, and the rather this should be closely attended to, since many deceivers, who were no other than antichrist, had got into the world, who did not own that Christ was come in the flesh; wherefore it became those that were concerned for his name and glory, as well as their own interest, to take heed lest what was wrought should be lost, and so a full reward be not received, Jo2 1:7, and then a description of these deceivers and false teachers is given; that they are transgressors of the rule of God's word, abide not in the doctrine of Christ, and so have not God, any interest in him; whereas he that abides in the doctrine of Christ has an interest both in the Father and in the Son, Jo2 1:9, wherefore the apostle gives advice to the lady how to behave towards such; not to receive them into her house, nor wish them success, since so to do would be to join with them in their evil deeds, Jo2 1:10, and then he excuses the shortness of his letter, though he had many things to write unto her, yet would not, because he hoped shortly to visit her, and then would personally relate what he had to communicate to their mutual joy, Jo2 1:12, and closes the epistle with the salutation of her sister's children to her, Jo2 1:13.

I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children,.... Not all, but some of them; for good parents have not always good children, or at least not all of them; Adam had a Cain, Abraham an Ishmael, and Isaac an Esau: God is pleased to show his discriminating grace in tribes and families, by taking some, and leaving others: it is a great mercy when any are called by grace, and instead of the fathers are the children: and this was the case of some of the children of this elect lady, they were walking in the truth: in Christ, the truth, by faith, as they had received him; and in the truth of the Gospel, as they had embraced and professed it; they abode in it, and by it, and made a proficiency in the knowledge of it, which may be signified by walking, that being a progressive action: as also they walked according to it, and as became it; and likewise they walked in the truth of Gospel worship, discipline, and ordinances: as we have received a commandment from the Father; and which has been made known by Jesus Christ, as his mind and will. Now as it is matter of joy and gladness to godly parents when their children walk in the paths of faith, truth, and holiness, so it is also to ministers of the Gospel, as well as to the angels in heaven; it gives them an inward pleasure and joy, and which is not only expressed by them, to such children and their parents, but is also abundant by many thanksgivings unto God.

The saints are always overjoyed to see the results of truth at work.

I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, as we received a command from the Father. "I was very glad." For certainly, the greatest cause of joy is to find someone who walks without offense in the straight path of faith in Christ according to His command. But what is that command? It is what Christ says in the Gospels: "Whoever loves me will keep my commandments." (Jn. 14:21) But now John calls Christ Father: since He Himself is also the Father of the children who have been given to Him by a certain privilege from His Father: according to what has been said: "Behold, I and the children whom God has given me." (Isa. 8:18) Moreover, notice the genuine wording of this epistle, which confirms what has been said previously: "And we know that whoever loves God keeps His commandments." (1 Jn. 5:3)

Truly it is a most joyful thing to find a person walking without stumbling in the course of faith in Christ according to His commandment. And what is this commandment? The one about which Christ speaks in the Gospel: "He who loves Me will keep My commandments" (John 14:23). He calls Christ Father here, because He is also the father of those sons who by the dispensation were given to Him by the Father, as it is said: "Behold, I and the children whom God has given me" (Isa. 8:18). Note here also the authenticity of the present epistle. In this regard it agrees with what is said in the first epistle (1 John 5:2–3): we know that he who loves God keeps "His commandments." For to walk according to the commandments is the same as to keep them. Virtues are active, and have their being only when they are practiced. Therefore, whoever has ceased to walk in the virtues does not keep them either. "Walking" is said with the intention of pointing to progress. For the more one acts in virtue, the further one advances, and the greater habit of goodness one acquires. Therefore, I think, this also was said: "things into which angels desire to look" (1 Pet. 1:12). For the blessings granted to us by the incarnate Word are so great that even the angels desire to gain at least some understanding of them. For this is how one must understand "to look into" (παρακύψαι). Every reasonable person desires that which will not cease but will continue forever. And since what is inexhaustible cannot be entirely embraced, it is desirable at least, as far as possible, to become a partaker in it.

The apostle's address to a Christian matron and her children, Jo2 1:1-3. He rejoices to find that certain of her family had received, and continued to adorn, the truth; and he exhorts them to continue to love one another according to the commandment of Christ, Jo2 1:4-6, And particularly cautions them against deceivers, and to so watch, that they might not lose the benefit of what they had received, Jo2 1:7, Jo2 1:8. The necessity of abiding in the doctrine of Christ, Jo2 1:9. He cautions them against receiving, or in any way forwarding, those who did not bring the true doctrine of Christ, Jo2 1:10, Jo2 1:11. Excuses himself from writing more largely, and purposes to pay her and family a visit shortly, Jo2 1:12, Jo2 1:13.

That I found of thy children walking in truth - I have already supposed this Christian matron to be mother of a family, probably a widow, for no mention is made of her husband; and that she was also a deaconess in the church, and one in those house the traveling evangelists preached, and there they were entertained. The children mentioned here may either be her own children, or those members of the Church which were under her care, or some of both. The apostle was glad to find, probably by an epistle sent from herself to him, or from the information of some of the itinerant evangelists, that the work of God was prospering in the place where she lived, and also in her own household. He does not say that all were walking in the truth, but εκ των τεκνων, some of her children; there was a growing and spreading work, and there were many adversaries who strove to pervert them who had already believed, and perhaps were successful in drawing several away from their simplicity.

The elder--In a familiar letter John gives himself a less authoritative designation than "apostle"; so Pe1 5:1. lady--BENGEL takes the Greek as a proper name Kyria, answering to the Hebrew "Martha." Being a person of influence, "deceivers" (Jo2 1:7) were insinuating themselves into her family to seduce her and her children from the faith [TIRINUS], whence John felt it necessary to write a warning to her. (But see my Introduction and Pe1 5:13). A particular Church, probably that at Babylon, was intended. "Church" is derived from Greek "Kuriake," akin to Kuria, or Kyria here; the latter word among the Romans and Athenians means the same as ecclesia, the term appropriated to designate the Church assembly. love in the truth--Christian love rests on the Christian truth (Jo2 1:3, end). Not merely "I love in truth," but "I love in THE truth." all--All Christians form one fellowship, rejoicing in the spiritual prosperity of one another. "The communion of love is as wide as the communion of faith" [ALFORD].

I found--probably in one of his missionary tours of superintendence. See Introduction, at the end, and Jo2 1:12; Jo3 1:10, Jo3 1:14. of thy children--some. in truth--that is, in the Gospel truth. as--even as. "The Father's commandment" is the standard of "the truth."