2 John 1:9

Explains more fully what is at stake; no less than the possession of the Father and the Son.

Whosoever transgresseth This is a simplification (KL) of a much more difficult reading (א AB), Whosoever, or Every one that(see on 1 John 3:16) goeth before (πᾶς ὁ προάγων) or that goeth onwards. The verb is fairly common in the Synoptists and the Acts, but occurs nowhere else in S. John's writings. It may be interpreted in two ways: 1. Every one who sets himself up as a leader; 2. Every one who goes on beyond the Gospel. The latter is perhaps better. These antichristian Gnostics were advancedthinkers: the Gospel was all very well for the unenlightened; but they knew something higher. This agrees very well with what follows: by advancing they did not abide. There is an advance which involves desertion of first principles; and such an advance is not progress but apostasy.

in the doctrine -In the teaching", as R. V., is no improvement. Of the two words used in N. T., διδαχή (as here) and διδασκαλία (which S. John does not use), the former should be rendered -doctrine", the latter, as being closer to διδάσκαλος and διδάσκειν, should be rendered -teaching". But no hard and fast line can be drawn.

of Christ The doctrine which He taught (John 18:19; Revelation 2:14-15), rather than the doctrine which teaches about Him.

hath not God This must not be watered down to mean -does not know God": it means that he has Him not as his God; does not possess Him in his heart as a Being to adore, and trust, and love.

he that abideth The opposite case is now stated, and as usual the original idea is not merely negatived but expanded. -Of Christ" in this half of the verse must be omitted: it has been inserted in some authorities to make the two halves more exactly correspond.

hath both the Father and the Son This shews that -hath not God" implies -hath neither the Father nor the Son". See on 1 John 2:23.