2 John 1:13 Meaning: Who Are the Children of Your Chosen Sister?
The children of your chosen sister greet you. Amen.
The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
The children of thine elect sister salute thee.
salute thee do the children of thy choice sister. Amen.
The children of thine elect sister greet thee.
Meaning in one sentence
Is 'elect sister' a literal relative or a sister church? Explore interpretations of this closing verse of 2 John 1:13.
Context
This is the closing line of John's second letter. The epistle is addressed to a 'chosen lady and her children', possibly a literal woman and her household, or a local church pictured as a lady. John writes with urgency about false teachers who deny that Christ came in the flesh. He warns his readers not to welcome such teachers into their homes. Now, at the end, he sends greetings from 'the children of your chosen sister'. The identity of this sister has long been discussed. Is she a real sibling, alive or deceased? Or is she another congregation reaching out in fellowship? John does not explain, but the greeting itself carries warmth and affection.
Key Words
Three words carry the weight of this verse. Elect (eklektos) is the same word used for the lady in verse one. It means chosen or picked out. John is not saying some people are special while others are not; he is reminding every believer that God has called them by name. Sister (adelphē) could mean a literal sister related by blood, or a sister in the family of faith. The early church used family language because faith made them family. Greet (aspazomai) means more than a quick hello. It carries the idea of drawing someone close, wishing them well, pulling them into an embrace. John makes sure his readers know: they are not alone. Even across distance, the bonds of chosenness and love hold them together.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have understood the 'elect sister' in two ways. Many older commentators, like Matthew Henry and Gill, take it as a literal sister of the lady, with her children sending their love to their aunt. Others, like the Cambridge Bible and Bishop Alford, see a sister church. In that reading, 'children' are the members of a nearby congregation, and the greeting is from one church to another. Both views honor Scripture. The first highlights how faith strengthens family ties. The second reminds us that congregations belong to one another. What is clear is this: John wanted his readers to know they were remembered, prayed for, and loved.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers assume that 'elect' means a special class of Christian, as if some are chosen and others are not. In fact, throughout this letter, the word points to the calling that all believers share. The lady, her children, and the sister are all elect, not because they earned it, but because God chose them for Himself and for each other.
Living This Out
This week, think about the people in your life who share your faith. When was the last time you sent a simple greeting? A text, a phone call, a note. John shows us that even a brief acknowledgment of others matters. You do not need a long letter. Just let someone know they are remembered. That small gesture says: we belong to the same Father, and you are not forgotten. It may be the encouragement someone needs today.
Main takeaway: The ties we share in Christ are as real as family ties, and every greeting is a reminder that we belong to God's chosen people.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
This verse is like saying, 'Your aunt’s kids say hi!' But the special part is that they are chosen by God. God’s family is big and full of love.
For ages 9, 12
In this verse, John sends greetings from another Christian family. Some think it is a real aunt and cousins; others think it is a whole church sending love. Either way, it shows that Christians are connected like family, even when they are far apart. That is why we call each other brothers and sisters in Christ.
Questions People Ask
Who is the 'elect sister' in 2 John 1:13?
The letter does not name her, so we cannot know for sure. Many commentators think she was the biological sister of the chosen lady. Others believe 'elect sister' refers to a sister church, and the 'children' are its members. Either way, she is described as chosen by God, just like the lady.
Does 'elect sister' refer to a church or a literal person?
Christians have held both views. Matthew Henry and Gill saw a literal relative. The Cambridge Bible and Alford see a sister church. The language works for both readings. The greeting carries the same warmth regardless of which view you hold.
Why does John include this greeting at the end?
Personal greetings were a normal part of letter writing in the first century. John includes this one to show that the lady and her household are remembered by other believers. It strengthens the sense of family across distance.
What does 'Amen' at the end of the verse mean?
Amen means 'so be it' or 'truly'. Many ancient manuscripts do not include 'Amen' in this verse, so it was likely added later by a copyist as a closing. It is a fitting word of agreement to John's message of truth and love.
Is the 'chosen lady' of verse 1 the same as the 'elect sister' here?
No, they are different. The letter is addressed to a chosen lady. The greeting at the end comes from the children of a chosen sister. That means two different women (or churches) are mentioned, both chosen by God.
For pastors & researchers
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