2 John 1:1-3

¹ The Elder, to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth,

² because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever:

³ Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

Elder (v.1) = an older man who presides over an assembly of believers. John, the Apostle who also wrote the gospel of John, 1 John, 3 John, and Revelation.

lady (v.1) = feminine form of the word for “lord”

The Elect Lady was evidently a woman of wealth, a mother of children, and had a house large enough to entertain traveling preachers. — Williams, page 1018.

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Who the “elect lady/sister” was remains a mystery to us, but she was well-known to John and his disciples. John thought of her as an essential part of his spiritual family and ministry, and this is the only book of the Bible specifically written to a woman. The term “elect” is usually a general term referring to believers as “chosen ones.” Here is may also have had a specific meaning to identify an outstanding lady who was chosen to serve in a special way in the Kingdom Church. — Grace, page 2227.

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in truth (v.1) — Not “in the truth,” … as if the reference was to doctrine. The absence of the article here indicates the meaning “in the sphere of truth,” that is, in all sincerity, in contrast to a profession of love that was actually hypocritical. — Vine, page 112.

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the truth (v.1) — signifies that which is summed up, embodied and revealed in Christ, who is Himself “the truth” (John 14:6). — Vine, page 112.

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the truth which abides in us (v.2) — The Holy Spirit, “the Spirit of truth,” puts great stress upon the truth in this and the Third Epistle of John. The popular religion of the present day is that, provided you exercise love, differences of opinion do not matter, and we must agree to differ. That is not the mind of the Lord. His command is that we should be “thoroughly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment” The truth of God’s Word must never be surrendered to the sentiment of love, all important as it is that we should love one another (v.6). The truth makes love possible. — Vine, page 113.

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will be with us forever (v.2) — The Apostle passes from desire to assurance. There is emphasis on “with us.” In this verse the same two prepositions are  used of the truth as in John 14:16-17 concerning the Holy Spirit, and the promise “forever” is made in each. The prepositions are meta, the “with” of intimate accompaniment, and en, the “in” of indwelling. … As with the Spirit, so with the truth, each exercises a living power and through Christ a personal power. — Vine, page 113.

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Grace, mercy, and peace (v.3) — The three words comprehend God’s gracious dealings with man. Grace is God’s favor shown to man, free and unmerited. Mercy is the active manifestation of pity toward those who are in need. Grace is God’s attitude toward the sinful, mercy is His attitude toward those in distress. His grace precedes His mercy. Peace is the result to all who receive God’s favor in Christ. Peace describes both the harmonized relationship between God and those who through faith become His children (John 1:12; Acts 10:36), and the sense of rest and contentment consequent thereon (John 14:27; Romans 1:7; 3:17; 8:6). — Vine, page 113.

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the Son of the Father (v.3) — This is the only place in the New Testament where this especial title is used. It is designed here to lay stress upon the great foundation truth that the Incarnate Son of God is the Person through whom the Father has revealed Himself to men. — Vine, page 114.

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The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son, is the embodiment of both truth and love in one Person (John 14:6; Ephesians 3:19; 4:15). — Grace, page 2227.

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in truth and love (v.3) — Truth is in the sphere of thought, love is in the spere of action. The genuineness of the one expresses itself in the practice of the other. We are to abide steadfastly in the truth and manifest the love which springs from it. — Vine, page 114.

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True Christian love is based upon truth (v.1), and is exercised in the interests of truth (v.2), and it is only in the realm of truth and love that grace, mercy and peace can be enjoyed (v.3). They who love in the truth also love because of the truth. — Williams, page 1018.