Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 John 1

1 THE elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth.

A general Name of Office fitly appropriated with Eminency here, he being the only Apostle, probably, now surviving on earth.

This appears to have been some noted Person, whom both her her singular Pi[illegible: 1 letter]ty, and Rank in the World, made eminent, and capable of having great Influence for the support of the Christian Interest.

Which her general Value with all that had known the Truth, (i. e. the Christians in those parts) shews. The Opinion that a Church is intended by this Appellation, had its greater probability, is of no great Importance; and needs not here be disputed.

Marginal references: 3 Joh. 1.

2 For the truths sake which dwelleth in us , and shall be with us for ever.

The indwelling of Evangelical Truth, which is here meant, signifies its deep Radication, and powerful transforming Efficacy in the Soul, so as to be productive of Holiness, as Iohn 17.17. than which nothing can be a greater Inducement among Christians of mutual Love.

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

Such Saluta[illegible: 3 letters]ns see explained, where they have formerly occurr'd.

Marginal references: Gr. shall be.

4 I rejoyced greatly that I found of thy children walking in the truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

Some of her Sons, its probably conjectured, he had met with, upon their Occasions, at Ephesus, where, 'tis thought, he now resided, and found them to have a good Savour of Religion, and to walk according to Rule, which was matter of great Joy to him.

Marginal references: 3 Joh. 3.

5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another .

He inculcates that great Precept, of which see 1 Ioh. 2.7, 8.

Marginal references: 1 Joh. 3.11.; Joh. 13.34. & 15.12. Eph. 5.2. 1 Pet. 4.8. 1 Joh. 3.23.

6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments . This is the commandment▪ that as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

From this particular Command, he passes to what is more general, requiring in all things a strict and unanimo[illegible: 1 letter]s adherence to the pure, and primitive Doctrine of the Gospel, which would be the best Expression of Love to God, and the true Center and Bond of [illegible: 1 letter]ove to one another, as 1 Ioh. 5.1, 3.

Marginal references: Joh. 15.10.; 1 Joh. 2.24.

7 For many deceivers are entred into the world, who confess not Jesus Christ is come in the flesh: this is a deceiver, and an antichrist .

See 1 Ioh. 2.18, 22. and 4.3.

Marginal references: 1 Joh. 4.1.; 1 Joh. 4.2, 3.

8 Look to your selves that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward .

Such changes of the Person, as we her[illegible: 1 letter] find, are neither unusual, nor in Exhortation, inelegant; but some Copies read in the two latter clauses [ye.] He presses to constancy in the true incorrupt Christian Profession.

That the expected Recompence be not lost in the whole, or in any part, as Gal. 3.3, 4.

Marginal references: Gal. 3.4.; Or, gained. Some Copies read, which ye have gained, but that ye rec[illegible: 1 letter]ive, &c.

9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God; he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, hath both the Father and the Son.

See 1 Iohn. 2.23.

Marginal references: 1 Joh. 2.23.

11 For he that biddeth him God-speed , is partaker of his evil deeds.

Such as bring any contrary Doctrine, (as Gal. 1.8.) ought not to be harbour'd, or countenanced by any encouraging Salutation, lest we involve our selves in the Participation of their Guilt, 1 Tim. 5.22.

12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink; but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

The latter, write, is not in the Greek Text; but the words bear this sense, that having many things to write, I would not by Paper and Ink, impart them to you (the Expression being elliptical) but hope to come, &c.

Marginal references: 3 Joh. 13.; Gr. mouth to mouth.; Joh. 17.13. 1 Joh. 1.4.; Or, your.

13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen .

They were, 'tis probable, with him at Ephesus, and took the occasion by him now writing, to transmit their Salutations.

This concluding Amen imports his Sincerity in what he had written.