Lady Eclecte

Lincoln Blumell presents a detailed case that the addressee of 2 John is a named woman, Eclecte, arguing scribal omission created the traditional reading 'the elect lady.

' He uses papyrological parallels, Greek grammatical norms, and manuscript evidence to propose the lost definite article was dropped, producing the puzzling phrase.

The book situates this reading within early Christian practices of house churches and women’s roles, exploring implications for authority and hospitality.

Blumell engages with ancient commentators (notably Clement of Alexandria) and modern textual-critical principles to support his reconstruction.

The work models how careful attention to scriptio continua and papyrological habits can change long-standing biblical interpretations.