The identity of the recipient of the Second Epistle of John is a matter of ongoing scholarly debate. The letter is addressed to “the elect lady and her children,” which has led to several interpretations. Some believe this refers to a specific individual, possibly a prominent woman in an early Christian community. Others suggest a metaphorical reading, interpreting “elect lady” as a symbolic representation of a particular church or the Church as a whole. A third interpretation sees the term as referring to a specific church and its members, the ecclesia, a Greek word which is grammatically feminine.
Understanding the intended audience of 2 John is crucial for interpreting the letter’s message. The author’s warnings against false teachers and his emphasis on love and obedience within the community take on different nuances depending on whether the recipient is an individual, a specific congregation, or the entire Christian community. The debate surrounding the recipient also sheds light on the social structures and roles of women within early Christianity, as well as the challenges faced by the early Church in maintaining doctrinal purity and unity.