2 John 5 5And now I am asking you, lady, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, in order that we love one another.
In typical letters of this type, the main theme is stated at the start of the body, in what is called the propositio, the letter’s thesis statement. John approaches the topic with gentleness and endearment, addressing the lady directly, possibly referring to the leader or host of the house church. The whole church community was likely also intended to hear or receive through the lady the instructions that John gives.
John begins to build his exhortation on the foundation of the primary commandment Jesus gave his disciples in John 13:34: that his followers love one another. His reminder about love builds on the truth in verse 4. One cannot love fully without knowing and living by the truth. Likewise, the message of truth is not complete without the response of love. John’s reminder contrasts sharply with the deceivers of verse 9. The verb love (agapōmen) is present tense, emphasizing the consistent lifestyle the church ought to have. The command is simply stated but requires the commitment that comes with faithful obedience. We need to be reminded often to love one another because selfishness, the primary characteristic of the unbelieving world, likes to creep back into our hearts and poison our relationships.