John, The Second and Third Epistles of. The second Epistle is addressed, to an individual woman. One who had children, and a sister and nieces, is clearly indicated. According to one interpretation, she is "the Lady Electa," to another, "the elect Kyria," to a third, "the elect Lady."
The third Epistle is addressed, to Caius or Gaius. He was probably, a convert of St. John, 3 John 1:4, and a layman of wealth and distinction, 3 John 1:5, in some city near Ephesus.
The object of St. John in writing the second Epistle was, to warn the lady to whom he wrote, against abetting the teaching, known as that of Basilides, and his followers, by, perhaps, an undue kindness displayed, by her toward the preachers, of the false doctrine.
The third Epistle was written, for the purpose of commending, to the kindness and hospitality of Caius, some Christians who were strangers, in the place where he lived. It is probably that, these Christians carried this letter with them, to Caius as their introduction.