[349] There is no doubt a large amount of authority for this view that St. John addresses a Church personified. It has the support of sacred critics so different as Bishop Wordsworth and Bishop Lightfoot. (Ep. to Colossians and Philemon, 305), and Professor Westcott seems (with some hesitation) to lean to it. But there is also a great body of support, ancient and modern, for the literal view. (Clem. Alex., Adunbr. ad ii. Joan., Op., iii. 1011.) So Athanasius, or the author of "Synopsis S.S." in Athanasius, Opp., iv. 410. See also the heading of the A. V. ("He exhorteth a certain honourable matron, with her children.") For reasons for accepting Kyria rather than Electa as the name, see Speaker's Commentary, iv. 335.
[350] Ver. 12.
[351] ευρηκα, ver. 4.
[352] "James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars." Gal. ii. 9.
[353] Luke ii. 36.
[354] 1 Tim. v. 3, 5, 10.
[355] 1 Tim, v. 6-11, 12, 13.
[356] 2 John 2.
[357] Ver. 1.
[358] δια την αληθειαν την μενουσαν εν ἡμιν, και μεθ' ἡμων εσται εις τον αιωνα. 2 John ver. 2.