“THE ELDER, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth…”
whom I love in truth,
“Whom” is in the plural, referring to both the “elect lady” and her “children.”
The “I” is emphatic in Greek. It may be that the heretics did not love the church at Ephesus but merely preyed on them.
“Love” here is not romantic love. John loves these people “in truth.” “Truth” and “love” are the two major subjects of 2 John. Christian love is more than mere sentiment. revolves around the structure of truth. John loves the “elect lady” and her children in the sphere of truth.
John loves people within the framework of the “truth.” He reiterates the word “truth” five times in the first four verses. “Truth” refers to the fundamentals of the Christian faith, so the truth is the essential prerequisite for fellowship.
Jn 17:17, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”
Ti 3:15, “All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.”
and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth
Many others who know the truth and operate in its sphere also love the “elect lady” and her children. We love the truth because we came to know Truth Himself.
1 Ti 2:4, “…who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
PRINCIPLE:
True Christian love revolves around the structure of truth.
APPLICATION:
Christians do not love each other because they are temporarily compatible or naturally drawn to each other, but because of the truth they share. Unbelievers can come to know the truth of Christianity in a casual sense, but not in a tgenuinesense.
Biblical love is always conditioned by truth. This love is more than mere sentiment. It does not lean on the attractiveness of its object. It rests on the Truth Himself, Jesus the Lord. Christian love rests on Christian truth. We cannot compromise truth and genuine love biblically. Biblical truth and love are closely interrelated. They are inseparable traveling companions. Genuine love cannot exist apart from Bible truth. They can never be divorced.
