Don’t Provide Hospitality to False Teachers
April 19, 2020
Commentary
Here we see very clearly the danger which John saw in these false teachers (vv. 7-9). They are to be given no hospitality; and the refusal of hospitality would be the most effective way of stopping their work. We can never compromise with mistaken teachers but we are never free from the obligation of seeking to lead them into the truth. When we realize how the false view of the person of Christ affects man’s eternal destiny then we can understand the reason, John, the “Apostle of love” used such strong words in this passage in regard to false teachers.
There is absolutely no place among Christians for false teachers. They are not to be helped at all, not even to be given cordial welcomes or farewells. We are not to agree with their teaching or invite them into our home (v. 10). Greeting them is the same as taking part in their evil deeds (v. 11). Perhaps this sounds rigid and harsh to us today, especially if we have become very tolerant of religious differences and lost our strong convictions about truth. However, the New Testament writers did not share this toleration. They were committed to truth and the warning of false teachers.
The writer says I have much more to tell you, but I don’t want to put it in writing (v. 12). I want to come and talk to you in person, because that will make our joy more complete. He ends by saying, “greetings from the children of your sister church” (v. 13).
Application
“Abstain from all appearance of evil” (I Thes. 5:22). Am I doing that with my eyes and with my hands and feet? The closer I am to the truth the more I will recognize the false teaching.
2 John 1:7– 13 (NET)
7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, people who do not confess Jesus as Christ coming in the flesh. This person is the deceiver and the antichrist! 8 Watch out, so that you do not lose the things we have worked for, but receive a full reward.
9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not remain in the teaching of Christ does not have God. The one who remains in this teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house and do not give him any greeting, 11 because the person who gives him a greeting shares in his evil deeds.
12 Though I have many other things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink, but I hope to come visit you and speak face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
13 The children of your elect sister greet you.