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]])
See in Reader
