What does 2 John 1:1 mean?

The first three verses of this letter are an introduction. This begins with the author of the letter, described as ''the elder.'' The letter itself does not say exactly who this is. Tradition holds that the writer is the apostle John. The evidence for his authorship is based on similarities with John's other writings, external evidence from church history, and the lack of any reasonable alternative.

The letter is written to "the elect lady and her children." There have been many different interpretations of this phrase. It may mean that John was writing to a particular Christian woman and her family. It may also refer to a particular woman and a church meeting in her home, a local church and those it has influenced, or the Christian church in general. Of these options, the most likely is that John is writing to a particular local church. This is especially likely since the letter's final verse mentions the "children of your elect sister," a reference to the church of the author.

John loved this church "in truth," as did "all who know the truth." His focus on love and its close association with truth are evident in this letter. John intends to show that legitimate love has an accurate foundation, one distinctly different from false teachers.