2nd John Part 9

1:10-11 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Here John issues further warning to the elect lady that if such false evangelists arrive bearing this message that perverts the nature and person of Jesus Christ that she was not to admit him or even wish him well. There was to be no blessing given to someone so set against the truth of the gospel. Two possibilities exist here. Either the elect lady was the matron of a house church that gathered under her roof, or the “elect lady” is indeed a cipher for a church body that John may have planted.

2nd John Part 8

1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

John tells us that failing to abide in the doctrine of Christ delivered first by the apostles and then by evangelists and others was a transgression, Matthew 28:20; John 15:14. The Greek word for “transgresseth” John uses is “parabaino” and means “to go contrary, to violate a command, to go aside, or to go beyond.” To teach opposite of what Christ taught, to violate His command, to turn aside from His word, or to go beyond His word by adding our own, is to transgress His doctrine.

2nd John Part 7

1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

This verse first of all commands that Christians watch over one another, especially in terms of doctrinal deviance which results in moral degeneration. Paul writes that we are to bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ, Galatians 6:2. This is in regards to the Christian ministering to a saint that has gone astray, Galatians 6:1. We are to look after ourselves, but also have the interests of others in mind, Philippians 2:20-21. The word “likeminded” in Philippians 2:20 is the Greek “isopsuchos” and means “of equal soul.” This is the mindset that we have for the brethren; the exact same mindset that Christ Jesus has.

Unprompted

I don't normally write impromptu posts, but I was compelled to simply write and praise God for the marvelous, prayer answering, faithful and holy God that He is. He is so much kinder to us, so much more patient with us, than anyone deserves. This modern mentality which demands what we deserve does not take into account that we deserve nothing, and that what we do have this is good is only a gift from God, purely by His grace.

2nd John Part 6

1:6-7 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

We demonstrate our love in a visible, testable way by obeying the voice of God as He reveals His will in Scripture. We are to walk—that is, order our lives—after His commandments. Listen to one of Israel’s prophet’s concerning the nature of walking in the direction God points us in.