II John 1:5 “And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.”
The “commandment” to “love one another” is not new, it is a perpetual “commandment” from the Lord (John 13:34). It was a “new commandment” when the Lord gave it (John 13:34), and the Lord’s Apostles and faithful ministers have been repeating it ever since the Lord issued it. The Church is referred to as “lady” for she is magnificently glorious, and she stands out as an authoritative beacon of godliness in a world that is awash with sin and corruption. Furthermore, she is a “lady” because she is faithful to her Husband, the Lord Jesus Christ; and she is warm and nurturing to her children, the Children of God! To “love one another”, in this context, is to lovingly entreat “one another” with brotherly love, warm fellowship and tender kindness. This blessed “love” toward “one another” makes this “lady” most beautiful and attractive to all the Children of God who see her. As our Lord said of His Bride, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” (Matthew 5:14). Let us likewise, heed this “commandment” that we’ve “had from the beginning”, so “that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16)!