2 John 1:3

Grace. Gr. charis (see on Rom. 1:7; 3:24; 1 Cor. 1:3). Apart from John 1:14, 16, 17; Rev. 1:4; 22:21, the word charis, “grace,” appears only here in the writings of John, but it is a key word in Paul’s vocabulary. John makes frequent use of agapē “love” (see on 1 Cor. 13:1), and employs it 18 times in his first epistle. The threefold greeting, “grace, mercy, and peace,” is found in Paul’s pastoral epistles (1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2; Titus 1:4). John uses it here in a slightly different form.

With you. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the reading “with us.” The apostle is still including himself and his Christian friends in the message to the “elect lady.”

Mercy. Gr. eleos (cf. on Matt. 5:7). The word occurs nowhere else in the Johannine writings.

Peace. See on Rom. 1:7. When grace has awakened a desire for salvation and the heart seeks God for forgiveness and rebirth, then the Lord can give the second gift, “mercy,” or compassion, which would be wasted on one who did not realize his need (Luke 18:10–14). “Peace” comes when the forgiven sinner realizes that he has been reconciled to God and is no longer under the condemnation of the law, which he has broken (see on Rom. 5:1).

From God. Literally, “from the side of God,” hence, “from the presence of God,” indicating that God is the source from which grace, mercy, and peace flow to the believer.

The Father. See on Rom. 1:7, where Paul speaks of “our Father.”

Lord Jesus Christ. Important textual evidence may be cited (cf. p. 10) for the omission of “Lord.” The full title “Lord Jesus Christ” does not occur elsewhere in John’s writings. For comment on “Jesus Christ” see on 1 John 1:3. The apostle emphasizes the equality of the Son with the Father and the fact that spiritual gifts proceed to men from both persons of the God-head (cf. on 1 John 1:2, 3).

The Son of the Father. A unique phrase in Scripture. It emphasizes the central thought in John’s theology, the divinity of his Master, Jesus Christ.

Truth and love. The two elements necessary for the reception of the divinely bestowed gifts of grace, mercy, and peace. The two words “truth” and “love” may be taken as the key words of this short epistle. Common as both words are in the NT, especially in the writings of John, their juxtaposition does not occur elsewhere in the NT.