What is the meaning of 2 John 1:13? The children • John closes his brief letter by mentioning “the children,” immediately reminding us that family language is central to Christian identity (2 John 1:1; 1 John 3:1). • Taken literally, these children are the offspring—physical or spiritual—of the “elect sister.” Scripture often uses the title “children” for believers as well (Galatians 3:26: “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”). • Calling them “children” underlines innocence and dependence, echoing Jesus’ own words in Mark 10:14: “Let the little children come to Me…,” stressing the humility and sincerity God values in His people. Of your elect sister • “Elect” highlights God’s sovereign choice, paralleling 2 John 1:1, where the main recipient is the “elect lady.” Peter uses similar wording in 1 Peter 1:1, addressing “the elect.” • “Sister” stresses the unity of the church family. Paul speaks the same way in Romans 16:1–2 when he commends “our sister Phoebe.” • Whether this sister is an individual believer or a local congregation personified, the literal sense remains: she is chosen by God and closely related to the recipients through Christ (Ephesians 2:19: “You are fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household.”). Send you greetings • Ancient letters often ended with personal salutations (Romans 16:16; 1 Peter 5:13: “She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings”). John follows that pattern, anchoring the letter in real relationships. • These greetings affirm living fellowship. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:26, “If one member is honored, all rejoice together.” • The verb “send” signals active love: not mere formality but genuine concern, showing believers’ commitment to encourage one another (Hebrews 10:24–25). summary John’s final line unites doctrine and affection. Real children of a real, God-chosen sister extend greetings, displaying the family bond created by the Father’s electing grace. Their simple message wraps the epistle in warmth and reminds us that truth and love travel together from household to household, heart to heart, across the body of Christ. |
    |