2 John 1:3

King James Version (KJV)

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

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Grace be with you - This is addressed to her, her household, and probably that part of the Church which was more immediately under her care.

The Son of the Father - The apostle still keeps in view the miraculous conception of Christ; a thing which the Gnostics absolutely denied; a doctrine which is at the ground work of our salvation.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Grace be unto you … - See the notes at Romans 1:7. This salutation does not differ from those commonly employed by the sacred writers, except in the emphasis which is placed on the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ is “the Son of the Father.” This is much in the style of John, in all of whose writings he dwells much on the fact that the Lord Jesus is the Son of God, and on the importance of recognizing that fact in order to the possession of true religion. Compare 1 John 2:22-23; 1 John 4:15; 1 John 5:1-2, 1 John 5:10-12, 1 John 5:20.

In truth and love - This phrase is not to be connected with the expression “the Son of the Father,” as if it meant that he was his Son “in truth and love,” but is rather to be connected with the “grace, mercy, and peace” referred to, as a prayer that they might be manifested to this family in promoting truth and love.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

Religion turns compliments into real expressions of respect and love. And old disciple is honourable; an old apostle and leader of disciples is more so. The letter is to a noble Christian matron, and her children; it is well that the gospel should get among such: some noble persons are called. Families are to be encouraged and directed in their love and duties at home. Those who love truth and piety in themselves, should love it in others; and the Christians loved this lady, not for her rank, but for her holiness. And where religion truly dwells, it will abide for ever. From the Divine Persons of the Godhead, the apostle craves grace, Divine favour, and good-will, the spring of all good things. It is grace indeed that any spiritual blessing should be given to sinful mortals. Mercy, free pardon, and forgiveness; for those already rich in grace, need continual forgiveness. Peace, quietness of spirit, and a clear conscience, in assured reconciliation with God, together with all outward prosperity that is really for good: these are desired in truth and love.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

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 agapÄ“ “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.

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Cross References

Grace

the Son

in truth

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2 John 1:3