The phrase “elect lady” in 2 John 1:1 has been interpreted in different ways by Bible scholars. Here is an overview of the main views on who this elect lady might be:
1. A Particular Woman
Many commentators believe that John was writing this short letter to a specific woman who was a leader in one of the churches in Asia Minor. John refers to her children in verse 1 and 13, so she likely had a natural family. This woman was “elect” or chosen by God, as all believers are (1 Peter 1:1-2). John esteems her as a notable Christian woman who was faithful in her walk with Christ and service in the church.
John Stott states: “The adjective ‘elect’ signifies that the lady was a Christian…It is clear from verse 13 that the elect lady had a family of children, some of whom were believers while others were not. She may therefore have been a widow with a family of both sons and daughters.”
One challenge with this view is that the letter seems intended to be circulated around multiple churches (v. 10). Would John address a personal letter this way? Still, many find this to be a plausible explanation.
2. A Particular Church
Other interpreters suggest that John was symbolically addressing this letter to a certain local church that this elect lady represented. The mention of her “children” would then refer metaphorically to members of the church body. This would parallel other places in Scripture where groups of believers are referred to as a “bride” or “woman” (Eph 5:22-32; Rev 19:7).
D.A. Carson writes: “Almost certainly the elect lady designates a church rather than an individual Christian woman…The edges between figurative and literal language are not sharply defined.” Similarly, John Stott says this view is “by no means improbable.” Calling a church “elect lady” would signify John’s warm regard for these believers.
The challenge with this interpretive option is that it relies heavily on symbolism in the letter. There are no other clear textual clues that John is speaking metaphorically about a church.
3. The Church Universal
Some see the elect lady as a personification of the entire church body throughout the world. This would be similar to how the apostle Paul sometimes personifies the church as a bride or woman (2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:22-32). On this reading, the “children” of the elect lady in 2 John would represent all individual believers spread abroad.
Proponents of this view note that John may have wanted to preserve the anonymity of a specific church for reasons of persecution. Referring to the universal church would allow this letter to circulate freely among all congregations. The language of verses 6, 8, 10, 12 also seems to reflect broad concerns for the wider church.
Critics of this position respond that it can seem strange to personify the universal church as a “lady” when this imagery is not found elsewhere in Scripture. The language of 2 John also feels much more natural if it refers to a particular local church context.
4. Martha or Mary of Bethany
A final possibility is that the “elect lady” could refer to an individual woman from the Gospels – either Martha or Mary of Bethany. We know from the Gospel of John that Jesus had a close relationship with this family (John 11:1-5). Perhaps the apostle John is now writing to Martha or Mary many years later as a leading figure in the early church.
However, there is no clear evidence from the text of 2 John itself that would point to Martha or Mary. Some try to associate the name “Kuria” in verse 1 with Martha based on an Aramaic connection. But most scholars view this connection as doubtful and speculative.
In the end, there is no consensus on which of these interpretations is best. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses. But in any case, the identity of the elect lady does not compromise the overall message of 2 John regarding truth, love, and discernment in the Christian life.
Key Themes in 2 John
While scholars debate the identity of the elect lady, the letter contains several themes that are clear and significant:
1. Abide in the truth
John emphasizes the importance of abiding in the truth of Christ’s gospel message (v. 1-2). He is concerned that false teachers are threatening true doctrine, so he urges faithfulness to biblical truth.
2. Live in love
Living in truth should be joined with living in love, as John frequently highlights in his letters. Love is obedience to God’s commands (v. 6).
3. Use discernment
Discernment is needed to detect deceivers who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh (v. 7). Christians should not support or extend hospitality to these false teachers (v. 10-11).
So in summary, 2 John centers on maintaining orthodoxy, orthopraxy, and orthopathy – right doctrine, practice, and affections.
Bible Passages in 2 John
Let’s survey a few key passages in 2 John that shed light on its message and themes:
1. 2 John 1:1-3
The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.
John expresses his love for this elect lady and her children. He ties this affection to their common abiding in the truth of Christ.
2. 2 John 4-6
I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.
John rejoices that at least some of the elect lady’s children are walking in biblical truth. He ties obedience to God’s commands with a lifestyle of active love.
3. 2 John 7-8
For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.
John warns about false teachers who deceive and deny fundamental Christological truth. He urges the elect lady to beware of theological and moral danger.
4. 2 John 9-11
Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.
John provides a theological test related to the doctrine of Christ and guidelines for how to treat false teachers – do not extend hospitality and relational endorsement to them.
So in just a few verses, 2 John hits on vital Christian themes like truth, love, obedience, discernment, and maintaining spiritual and doctrinal purity in the church.
Interpretive Challenges
There are several aspects of this short letter that present challenges to interpreters:
1. Is it figurative language?
As noted above in the different views, it is difficult to determine whether John intends the elect lady to be understood literally or metaphorically. Good arguments can be made either way.
2. What is the context?
Very little information is provided about the situation and circumstances surrounding the writing of 2 John. We don’t know where the elect lady was located or what specific threats faced her church.
3. What false teaching is opposed?
John mentions deceivers and antichrists who do not acknowledge Jesus coming in the flesh, but he doesn’t elaborate. This may have involved Docetism, Gnosticism, or another early Christian heresy.
4. How should hospitality be limited?
John says not to welcome or greet false teachers, but how far should this go? At what point does discernment become unloving hostility?
These kinds of questions continue to stir discussion and debate about how best to interpret 2 John even today.
Comparison to 3 John
It’s interesting to note similarities and differences between 2 John and 3 John, likely written by the same author around the same time:
Similarities
- They are both personal letters addressing specific individuals/churches
- Use the terminology of “the elder” for the author
- Focus on themes of truth and love
- Mention walking in the truth and obedience to God’s commands
- Speak about the problem of traveling false teachers
Differences
- 2 John warns about deceivers while 3 John condemns Diotrephes
- 2 John cautions about supporting false teachers while 3 John criticizes inhospitality
- 2 John addresses an “elect lady” while 3 John addresses Gaius
- 2 John uses more symbolic/metaphorical language
So the two epistles share much in common as far as themes and circumstances but approach their subjects from slightly different angles.
Conclusion
In summary, the identity of the “elect lady” in 2 John remains debated. She could have been an actual Christian woman, a particular local church, or a personification of the wider church. But ultimately, the overall message of truth, love, and discernment runs much deeper than determining one interpretive question. As with all Scripture, there are core biblical principles in 2 John that remain foundational for Christian belief and conduct in all generations (2 Timothy 3:16-17). By abiding in truth and love in the context of deceivers, believers today can apply the timeless wisdom of this short New Testament letter.
