ELECTA. — In the heading of 2 John it is read: "The presbyter to an E. Lady (εἰς λεγήν, νυμφή) and to her 21 children." In the epilogue: "The children of your sister E. greet you" (v. 13). The most common interpretation sees in the term E. a synonym for Church. Also in 1 Pt. 5, 13 the Church of Rome (Babylon) is called "co-elect" (συλεκτή). In our case the collective sense results from the shift from "you" to "you all" (vv. 5, 8, 10, 12). The children of E. are the elect (Christians). Every church formed by the elect is "electa." The Church, the mystical Bride of the Lord, is "Lady."
Since there is no article in the heading, one may think that 2 John is a kind of circular letter.
Less probable are the interpretations that see in the terms E. and Lady (ἐγνάει) proper names.