2 John

1Chapter

Greeting

1The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:
3Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love.

Walking in Truth and Love

4I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. 5And now I ask you, dear lady— not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning— that we love one another. 6And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. 7For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. 9Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

Final Greetings

12Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
13The children of your elect sister greet you.
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TWISTED SCRIPTURE

2 John 10

Some Christians believe this verse means we should not invite Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormon missionaries into our homes. Others say we must not even open the door to anyone who believes wrong teachings. Examination of the immediate and broader context shows that this is not John’s meaning. Recall that in 1 Peter 3:15-16 we are told to kindly give “a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” Since this requires having relationships with non-Christians, and since the Bible cannot contradict itself, we can be sure that John is not commanding us to be unkind to nonbelievers. We must also note that in the first century there were no church buildings, so Christians met in their homes. Second John 10 warns first-century readers that they should not let a false teacher, posing as a Christian, teach heretical doctrines at their official house-church gatherings. In our day, we must prevent false teachers from occupying a church pulpit, but the Bible does not allow us to refuse to be hospitable toward people of other religions.