2 John 1:1 (DRB)

Passage

The Ancient to the lady Elect and her children, whom I love in the truth: and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth,

Nearby Context

2 John 1:1 The Ancient to the lady Elect and her children, whom I love in the truth: and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth,

2 John 1:2 For the sake of the truth which dwelleth in us and shall be with us for ever.

2 John 1:3 Grace be with you, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus the Son of the Father: in truth and charity.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "ancient", "lady", "elect", "children", "love", "truth", "only", and "known". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "ancient" and "lady", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The next verse adds "For the sake of the truth which...", so "ancient" and "lady" should be read forward into that movement. In 2 John context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "ancient" and "lady" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.