## The elder ## This refers to John, the apostle and disciple of Jesus. He refers to himself as "elder" either because of his old age or because he is a leader in the church. The name of the author can be made explicit: "I, John the elder, am writing." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) ## because of the truth that remains in us and will be with us forever ## This could be translated “because we continue to believe the truth and will forever” ## The elder to the elect lady and her children ## This is how letters are started in Greek. This could be translated “I, the elder John am writing this letter to you believers.” ## all those ## This is a pronoun referring to fellow believers. ## whom I love in truth ## This could be translated “whom I truly love" ## because of the truth that remains in us ## The full meaning can be made explicit: "because the truth of Jesus' message lives in us since we have believed it, and it will live in us forever." ## in truth and love ## This could be translated "because they are true and they love us." Alternate translation: "because they truly love us." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys]])