ISB ~ 2 John 1 v1

The elder:Or, “the presbyter”. The Greek term can refer to an elderly man or to an ordained shepherd of the Church, such as an apostle (1 Pet 5:1) or priest (Acts 14:23). John was both an apostle and an older man at the time of writing.

See word study:Elders at Jas 5:14.

the elect lady:Some think the addressee is an individual matron, named Electa or Kyria (the Greek is eklektē kyria). More likely, it is a local Church, as suggested by the greeting from a sister community in verse 13.

John envisions this local congregation in the same way that Paul envisions the universal Church:as feminine and maternal (Eph 5:23; CCC 2040). See introduction to 2 John: Themes and Characteristics.