To the casual reader there is little doubt that John is writing to an individual woman. However it is more probable that John is writing to a local congregation. This word lady used here is kyria; and is the same word as “Lord” in the New Testament -- except that it is feminine here (and in verse 5: “And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.” (2 John 5, NIV)). So the normal word for lady and the normal word for Church is not used. What is used is the feminine form of lord. Interesting?
The letter is also addressed to her children. If the "lady" is the local congregation, then her children are significantly her members. This metaphor is extended to the end where greetings are sent from another local church, referred to as her "chosen sister." “The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings.” (2 John 13, NIV)
To the people who belong to God (κυρίᾳ), whom God has chosen (ἐκλεκτῇ) and her members (τέκνοις).
This opening phrase should inspire, assure and inform our life in the Body of Christ, the Church today. This opening phrase exalts the preeminence of Christ in God. It highlights His desire and His purposes for the Church today. The Church and its members are the Lord's. They are His by election and by possession. Paul wrote elsewhere:
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20, NIV).
Whether we are talking about the local congregation or its members (as regenerated participants in the Body), we are talking about men and women who are not their own; and are called to honor God, preeminently and ultimately. John uses this metaphor intentionally. By employing the notion of family (children/sisters) he is emphasizing the organic bond between believers and churches. On the contrary, if one is not "born from above" they neither belong to God, nor are they members of the local church.
One can also presume the the line between the individual member and the local body is very thin, when it comes to apostolic thinking. There seems to be a convergence of categories in the Bible so that the individual never forgets that he or she is part of the larger whole. And alternately, the local church never forgets that it is made up of important and significant individuals. The Bible does not discount one for the other.
What an amazing life that I get to live, Father! I was chosen in Christ before the foundations of the world and now I'm part of a community of people chosen in Christ before the foundations of the world. Together we are a chosen congregation of believers -- elect from every nation; all belonging to God, for the purpose of bringing Him glory and honor. And this community of elect people that meet together and serve together have a bazillion sister congregations all over the world. Born-again, blood bought, called-out ones, all chosen in Christ, by God, for His supreme glory. This is the "purpose driven life" -- to magnify and glorify the risen Lord in all His glory. My purpose today is to make much of Jesus. Every breath is to expel the matchless glories of our merciful Savior. Every decision of the will and every act of the body is to be a road-sign of His glory. Every thought and every feeling is to be raptured into joy unspeakable and full of glory. You, Father, are worthy of this and much more. May Your Spirit cause this to occur in me. For Jesus sake,
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1. Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
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