Bible Discussion Thread

What does he mean by "the Elder unto the elect lady? I know elect refers to Christians. Is John identifying himself as an "Elder" which he would be because you can't get any "Elder" than one of the original disciples. Or perhaps in that time, it was not proper to send a letter to a woman. Is it that? so he writes to an Elder to deliver it to her. Was John showing humility by identifying himself as an Elder but not as an original disciple of Christ? Is this simply a letter written to a Christian woman who has children and he heard how faithful she has been?

Thanks

Sincerely

Spike

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Yet, the pressing theme on John's heart, in spite of this woman's faithfulness to Christ & the Word, was the dire warning that was exhibited in his first epistle: that of the strengthening Gnostic influence pervading the Church & Christian thinking (vv 7-11). Gnostiscm, in its many arms of perverted teaching, was propagating the fact that this Jesus from Heaven had not come in the flesh, but merely a man with a mystical nature (v7) & 1 John 2:18-24. And this was based on their belief that "the incarnation is incredible because Deity cannot unite itself with anything material, such as a body". And this belief pervades the Church today & we need to withstand such an atrocity that seeks to remove the fullness of God's Love in the giving of Himself (as none else could), to become Man, & to lay down His Life as our substitutionary Sacrifice. This Truth was now iterated to the Elect lady, to be on guard.

I thank you for your response! It is amazing when you read Jude, John III and John II. They warn about deception and people coming into the church and saying a whole lot of nothing. And denying the complete fullness of Christ. You see that today as well. Preachers on TV saying a whole lot of nothing. I think the people are more ignorant leaving the show pertaining to Biblical matters then when they did before they sat down to watch it. I recently was alerted by a friend to view a YOUTUBE clip where Kenneth Copeland said God was the biggest failure in the Bible. I cannot believe for a second anyone would attend his church. How can you say such a thing? You should check it out. No wonder Christianity is on the decline in America. Have a good day.

Especially in light of the U.S. elections result, I immediately re-visited the videos/scripts of recent folk such as Copeland, Robertson, Johnson, et al, to note that they still maintain that Pres. Trump is the winner & that God will do a wonderful thing in this intervening time to ensure this happens. Lest I assume erroneously, I, as others, are waiting for January to see what materialises. These men are standing on shaky ground but I doubt whether their congregants & others amongst their faithful, will allow their position to change for any different outcome.

I perceive the same as you: a declination of the faith, not just the U.S. but worldwide over many, many years, as hungry Christians focus on the personality & charisma exuded, rather than confirming their messages from the Word of God. When Christians believe anything fed to them, then the ground becomes fertile for all manner of errors to become Truth. So it shouldn't be too hard for the anti-Christ to persuade such 'Christians' to do his bidding. Matthew 11:8, "when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" As many would "change the Truth of God into a lie, worshipping & serving the creature (in this instance, man) more than the Creator" Romans 1:25. Once the messenger of God becomes 'as God', then the downward spiral is fast & certain.

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Spike, we generally understand that this letter, as also 3 John, are attributed to the Apostle John. Even though the letters don't indicate this, the early Church fathers, including Polycarp, a contemporary of John, ascribed the letter to the aged John (around 90 yrs of age). As well, even though elders were appointed in the Church by this time ( Acts 14:23, James 5:14, etc.), John's use of the word "Elder" speaks of his old age & apostolic position rather than any sign of humility. He was the last apostle to enter Glory & so probably felt a greater burden to give his remaining time to full use.

We aren't told who the "elect lady" was. She is generally referred to as Kuria or Kyria, but that is debatable as it doesn't come from any reliable source. Yet, from John's letter, we assume that she was a lady of note (a person, not a Church), who was faithful to Christ with her family & may have even received teachers of the Word into her home & supported the ministry. In any case, John had an approving view of her & hoped to see her on a visit - which we don't believe ever took place. You could also be correct, in that John abstained from naming her as it might have been improper & too forward to address a lady by name. And this may be clarified by his naming Gaius in his third letter.