1:1The elder: Perhaps the head of the group or “college” of elders that presided over each Christian community. John was head not only of the Ephesus community but of all the communities in the province of Asia. 1:1the elect lady: Probably not an individual lady but a particular church or community in Asia. 1:8 Other ancient authorities read we 1:13children: i.e., the Christians of Ephesus.
The Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition, copyright (1965, 1966, 2006) by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.