What does 2 John 1:13 mean?

Explanation

The verse 2 John 1:13, "The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.", is the concluding greeting in the Second Epistle of John.

This verse is short yet holds quite a bit of relational and community warmth.

It indicates a message from one Christian community to another, specifically from the children (likely meaning members of the congregation) of an "elect sister" (probably referring to a sister church or the leader of a sister church) to the recipients of the letter.

The term "elect" infers that the sister is chosen or beloved by God, which is a common theme in the New Testament to indicate those who are set apart as followers of Jesus.

The word "Amen" signifies agreement or truth, often concluding prayers or statements of faith.

Historical Context

The Second Epistle of John was written in the late first century AD, a time when early Christian communities were relatively small and scattered throughout the Roman Empire.

They often faced persecution and relied on letters for communication and encouragement.

The author is traditionally believed to be John the Apostle, although some modern scholars debate this.

The letter is addressed to "the elect lady and her children," which could be seen as coded language to protect the identity of the recipients during a time of persecution, or it may indicate a specific church community or a prominent female leader within a community.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives view this verse in the context of broader themes within the New Testament:

• From a Catholic viewpoint, the reference to "children" might be seen in light of the spiritual family and the belief in the universal Church as Mother.
• In Protestant interpretations, "elect" is often understood in terms of divine election, emphasizing God's sovereign choice in salvation.
• Eastern Orthodox theology could emphasize the communion of saints and the unity of the Church throughout the world, with "greet thee" illustrating the fellowship of believers.

Practical Applications

This verse demonstrates the value of Christian hospitality, unity, and the importance of building and maintaining relationships within and between church communities.

One practical application could be to reach out to sister churches or to other denominations to foster a spirit of camaraderie and cooperation in local and wider contexts.

Cross-References

• Romans 16:16: "Salute one another with an holy kiss.

The churches of Christ salute you."

• 1 Corinthians 16:20: "All the brethren greet you.

Greet ye one another with an holy kiss."

• 1 Peter 5:13: "The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son."

Language Study

The original language for this verse is Greek.

Key terms include:

• "Children" (τέκνα, tekna), which implies offspring or disciples.
• "Elect" (ἐκλεκτὴς, eklektēs), meaning chosen or beloved.
• "Sister" (ἀδελφῆς, adelphēs), denoting a female sibling, which here metaphorically represents a related church community or a spiritual sister.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient cultures, greetings and farewells often carried deep significance, as they were opportunities to express respect and acknowledge bonds.

In Jewish tradition, the greeting "Shalom" (peace) was a wish for wholeness and well-being.

The Christian tradition continued this idea with an emphasis on brotherly love and spiritual kinship.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives may not directly relate to this greeting verse, but research on the psychological and societal benefits of social support and community engagement could be discussed. Human connection and greetings are shown to be a fundamental aspect of social bonding and mental health.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians have varying insights into this verse:

• John MacArthur interprets the "elect sister" as either a specific local church or a woman in a position of leadership in her home church.
• Matthew Henry's commentary suggests that Christian love and friendship should be universal among all believers, exemplified in the act of greeting.
• The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges notes the familial language expressing the close ties between different Christian communities in the early church.