Post by gsmithb on Jun 20, 2014 3:35:57 GMT
Christadelphian Expositor, pg 294
John's second epistle appears to have been written to an unnamed sister and mother in the Truth whose mistaken kindness to errorists endangered both her home and the ecclesia. She was noted for her love and hospitality, to the extent that she was harboring those who were propagating serious error.
The Apostle gently tried to impress upon her the danger of such action. She doubtless was doing this because of a mistaken understanding of the term " love" and what is required.
...
Though John in this epistle repeats much of what he states in his first Epistle this second letter is an extremely important addition to the canon of scripture, inasmuch as it reveals the application of the principles set forth for the guidance of the Ecclesia in relation to the home.
The Epistle has been interpreted as being directed to an ecclesia who was styled "the elect lady". This indeed was our opinion once; but a closer look at it has convinced us that it relates to an individual: an outstanding sister in the Truth, one for whom John had the highest regards....Certainly, if John would have individuals act toward heretics in the home as he set forth herein, he would desire the Ecclesia to act in similar manner.
John's second epistle appears to have been written to an unnamed sister and mother in the Truth whose mistaken kindness to errorists endangered both her home and the ecclesia. She was noted for her love and hospitality, to the extent that she was harboring those who were propagating serious error.
The Apostle gently tried to impress upon her the danger of such action. She doubtless was doing this because of a mistaken understanding of the term " love" and what is required.
...
Though John in this epistle repeats much of what he states in his first Epistle this second letter is an extremely important addition to the canon of scripture, inasmuch as it reveals the application of the principles set forth for the guidance of the Ecclesia in relation to the home.
The Epistle has been interpreted as being directed to an ecclesia who was styled "the elect lady". This indeed was our opinion once; but a closer look at it has convinced us that it relates to an individual: an outstanding sister in the Truth, one for whom John had the highest regards....Certainly, if John would have individuals act toward heretics in the home as he set forth herein, he would desire the Ecclesia to act in similar manner.