2 John 10-11
2 John 10‑11 • 1 min. read • grade level: 9
The application of this scripture is primarily to teachers, to all such who did not bring “the doctrine of Christ;” i.e., the truth concerning His person, if not also concerning His work. It was the former rather than the latter that was in question in the apostles’ days. (See 5: 7; 1 John 4:33And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1 John 4:3), &c) It is, however, sometimes asked whether those who hold erroneous doctrines on this subject should in like manner be refused. Other scriptures deal with this point, but here the apostle is evidently concerned with those who move about from place to place in order to teach. But then, “if there come any to you,” and take the place of teachers in seeking to propagate their errors, they are to, be treated as the apostle enjoins. As faithful to Christ, it is the responsibility of every head of a household to maintain the truth, and thus to exclude from his house that which would really undermine the foundations of Christianity. Christ must be first; and it would be impossible to maintain fellowship with Him and at the same time to be a “partaker of the evil deeds” of those who denied the full truth of His person and work.