OF THE SECOND EPISTLE OF
J O H N.
HERE
we find a canonical epistle inscribed, principally, not only to a
single person, but to one also of the softer sex. And why not to one of
that sex? In gospel redemption, privilege, and dignity, there is
neither male nor female; they are both one in Christ Jesus.
Our Lord himself neglected his own repast, to commune with the woman of
Samaria, in order to show her the fountain of life; and, when almost
expiring upon the cross, he would with his dying lips bequeath his
blessed mother to the care of his beloved disciple, and thereby
instruct him to respect female disciples for the future. It was to one
of the same sex that our Lord chose to appear first after his return
from the grave, and to send by her the news of his resurrection to this
as well as to the other apostles; and we find afterwards a zealous
Priscilla so well acquitting herself in her Christian race, and
particularly in some hazardous service towards the apostle Paul, that
she is not only often mentioned before her husband, but to her as well
as to him, not only the apostle himself, but also all the Gentile
churches, were ready to return their thankful acknowledgments. No
wonder then that a heroine in the Christian religion, honoured by
divine providence, and distinguished by divine grace, should be
dignified also by an apostolical epistle.
Matthew Henry "Verse by Verse Commentary for '2 John' Matthew Henry Bible Commentary".
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