2 John 1:11

For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. By wishing a false brother joy [ chairein (G5463)], "God speed," you imply that he is capable of good speed and joy, and that you wish him it while opposing Christ; so you identify yourself as 'having communion with [koinonei] his evil deeds.' We cannot have communion with saints and with Antichrist at once. Here we see John's naturally fiery zeal directed to a right end (Luke 9:54). Polycarp, disciple of John, told contemporaries of Irenaeus, who narrates it on their authority, that once when John was about to bathe, and heard that Cerinthus, the heretic, was within, he retired with abhorrence, exclaiming, Surely the house will fall in ruins since the enemy of the truth is there!...

7-11 The deceiver and his deceit are described: he brings some error concerning the person or office of the Lord Jesus. Such a one is a deceiver and an antichrist; he deludes souls, and undermines the glory and kingdom of the Lord Christ. Let us not think it strange, that there are deceivers and opposers of the Lord Christ's name and dignity now, for there were such, even in the apostles' times. The more deceivers and deceits abound, the more watchful the disciples must be. Sad it is, that splendid attainments in the school of Christ, should ever be lost. The way to gain the full reward is, to abide true to Christ, and constant in religion to the end. Firm cleaving to Christian truth unites us to Christ, and thereby to the Father also; for they are one. Let us equally disregard such as abide not in the doctrine of Christ, and those who transgress his commands. Any who did not profess an...

Verse 2 John 1:11. _IS PARTAKER OF HIS EVIL DEEDS._] He that acts towards him as if he considered him a Christian brother, and sound in the faith, puts it in his power to deceive others, by thus apparently accrediting his ministry. No sound Christian should countenance any man as a _Gospel minister_, who holds and preaches erroneous doctrines; especially concerning the _Lord Jesus_. Nor can any Christian _attend the ministry of such teachers without_ _being criminal in the sight of God_. He who attends their ministry is, in effect, bidding them _God speed_; no matter whether such belong to an _established Church_, or to any congregation of _dissenters_ from it. But what St. John says here does not mean that we should deny such the common offices of humanity, charity, and mercy. No. In these offices we are equally bound to all men; far less does it in...

FOR HE THAT BIDDETH HIM GOD SPEED, IS PARTAKER OF HIS EVIL DEEDS - Shows that he countenances and approves of the doctrine which is taught. Compare the notes at 1 Timothy 5:22....

FOR HE THAT BIDDETH HIM GOD SPEED,.... Wishes him well, and success in his ministry, or in a friendly and familiar way converses with him: IS PARTAKER OF HIS EVIL DEEDS; he has fellowship with him, instead of reproving or shunning him, as he ought; he is an abettor of him in his principles, and so far joins in the propagation of them, and helps to spread them, and gives too much reason to think he is one with him in them....

VER. 2 JOHN 1:11 ponhroi/j The Sixtine edition of the Vulgate, following several Latin manuscripts that differ slightly among themselves, adds _Ecce praedixi vobis, ut in die Domini non confundamini_ (“Behold, I have forewarned you, that in the day of the Lord you may not be confounded”)....

THE SECOND EPISTLE The Second Epistle is addressed by the elder unto the elect lady and her children. The word elder has the same meaning as it has in 1 Peter 5:1. Some take it that the elect lady means an assembly, and her children the members of the assembly. But this is a very strained application. The word “Kyria” (lady) excludes this meaning, besides other reasons which we do not follow here. She was a Christian woman of note generally known and beloved, having children, whom the apostle had found walking in the truth. She had also a sister with children, who seems to have been in the same place where the apostle was, probably in Ephesus. This is indicated by the last verse of the Epistle, “The children of thy elect sister greet thee.” The keynote of this message to the elect lady, unknown by name, is the word “truth.” The apostle lets them know that he loves them, as well as

EXHORTATION AND WARNING. The commandment of love given by Christ to His Church from the beginning must be faithfully observed. Loyalty to Christ meant that His followers must beware of the false teachers, the embodiment of Antichrist, who denied the reality of His Incarnation. Ground already won for the faith might be lost. Those who, under the lure of advanced thought, sought to beguile others from Christ's teaching, were not Christians, and must receive neither countenance nor hospitality. 2 JOHN 1:4. In some way, possibly through a visit from some travelling evangelists belonging to the church addressed, John had ascertained the fidelity to the truth which many of its members exhibited. 2 John 1:5 f. 1 John 2:7

THE ELECT LADY (2 John 1:1-3)...

IS PARTAKER. partaketh. Greek. _koinoneo._ See Rom 15:27. 1 Timothy 5:22. EVIL. App-128....