We have other examples to show that early Christians often referred to Rome as “Babylon.” Thus, we can safely conclude mat “Babylon” means Rome in 1 Peter 5:13. [2] BDAG refers to A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd Edition, by Walter Bauer, revised and edited by F.W Danker (University of Chicago Press, 2000). Who is the lady? The title elder is also how John identifies himself in 3 John 1. 3:28). In my reading of ancient papyri, however, I have never come across a congregation called kuria. I think it is unlikely that the chosen lady’s name was Electa. . For instance, in verse 5, John speaks directly to the woman and says, “Now I ask you (sg) lady . 30:23; Isa. 7. Second John. I really appreciate your analytical approach to the questionable religious traditions about women’s roles in the Body of Christ. Certainly, there were people still living in Philippi who knew him by name, but Luke does not tell us that name. Barker, Brooke, Bruce, Marshall, McDowell, Smalley, Stott, and Westcott are representative of many who view the chosen lady as a metaphor for a church, and her children as members of the church. Sadly, the church in Thyatira was being corrupted by the teachings and false prophecies of a wicked and immoral female leader (Rev. Looking forward to hearing more from you. 1 The Elder vnto the elect Lady, and her children, whome I loue in the trueth: and not I onely, but also all they that haue knowen þ e trueth: 2 For the trueths sake which dwelleth in vs, and shalbe with vs for euer: 3 Grace bee with you, mercie, and peace from God the Father, and from the Lord Iesus Christ, the Sonne of the Father in trueth and loue. 1:1 The elder to the elect (chosen) lady and her children… (I believe the elect lady is those leaders of the Jewish or Gentile church, and in verse 13 ‘the elect (chosen) sister’ being how the two churches may have referred to one another, the children being the members of the churches that are being led into the truth. It would not have been out of place for John—while writing the letter specifically to Mary—to have addressed the church as a very special lady. We can debate about this though, but I do not want to at the moment. (Similarly, some men are addressed as kurios as a term of respect and affection.) I’ve written about this more here: https://margmowczko.com/authority-in-the-church/. If Mary had remained a perpetual virgin, and denied Joseph physical consummation, she would have been living in perpetual sin. However, 1 Peter (addressed to all the Christians in Asia Minor) doesn’t mention it. Even if it wasn’t to her, but someone else. For example, in The Enchiridion (para. As she led in the church, all these people were in her care. Because of her father’s influence, she often has to confront religious traditions that are contrary to Scripture. While it is more likely that the word “elect” is simply used to describe the lady, Clement of Alexandra believed that eklektē was this woman’s name, a name we would translate into English as “Electa.” If so, eklektēkuria in 2 John 1:1 could be translated as “to Lady Electa.” However, the sister mentioned in th… Jesus did not give any authority to any class or office of Believers over their Brothers and Sisters. Amen." I have learned a lot reading your comments. Purpose of 2 John. It’s very well done and informative. I don’t think that John would write a letter to a housemate. Read 2 John 1:13. Some people who take the word “children” (tekna) literally believe that this letter was written to a mother with believing children (2 John 1:1, 4 & 13). It is believed that John wrote his Gospel and his letters from Ephesus. 2 John 1:1 ABP_Strongs (i) 1 G3588 The G4245 elder, G1588 to the chosen G2959 lady, G2532 and G3588 to G5043 her children, G1473 G3739 whom G1473 I G25 love G1722 in G225 truth, G2532 and G3756 not G1473 I G3441 alone, G235 but G2532 also G3956 all … In fact my views on the topic have been formed by reading the Greek, including the Greek of John’s other letters. Posted by Marg | Jan 29, 2011 | All Posts on Equality, Bible Women, Equality in Ministry, Women in Ministry | 32, John’s second letter in the New Testament is addressed “to the chosen (or elect) lady and to her children” (eklektē kuria kai tois teknois autēs). There is no reason not to take the woman “who is in Babylon” to be an actual woman, a leader or prominent member of the church at Rome who was well-known to the recipients of 1 Peter. 1:1 - The elder, to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not I only, but also all those who know the truth; John certainly wanted the whole church to practice discernment, but the church probably included some new Christians who did not know enough to discern between true and false teaching. A third argument for taking the chosen lady as a metaphor for a church is that Israel and the church are frequently portrayed with feminine metaphors. [12] The apostle Paul also used the word “children” or “child” in reference to the Christian converts at Corinth and Galatia, and of Onesimus and Timothy, etc (1 Cor. On the one hand at the beginning, the elect Lady is St. Mary and it is the Church on v. 13. 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