2 John 1:10-11

2 John 1:10-11

[10] there come  unto  and  bring  not  doctrine,  receive  him  not  into  your house,  neither  bid  him  God speed:  [11] For  he that biddeth  him  God speed  is partaker  of his  evil  deeds. 

What does 2 John 1:10-11 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

In the culture of John"s day philosophers and teachers relied on the people to whom they spoke for lodging and financial assistance (e.g, Acts 18:2-3; Acts 21:7). John instructed his readers to refuse to help the false teachers in these ways. Beyond this they were not even to give verbal encouragement to these apostates (cf. Acts 15:24; Acts 23:2-6; 1 Corinthians 10:20; 1 Timothy 5:22; James 1:21; 1 Peter 3:13). [1] John did not advocate the persecution of heretics here, but he strongly counseled his readers to give them no aid or encouragement in their destructive ministry. [2]
"This is a severe measure, particularly when one remembers that hospitality is generally enjoined in the NT." [3]
I believe John would have approved his readers" efforts to correct the false teachers in private and to lead them into a true appreciation of the person and work of Christ (cf. Acts 18:26). In dealing with such persons ourselves we must also relate to their ministry in one way and to themselves in another. We must not approve or encourage their work but must show concern for their personal relationship with Christ. [4]
"Admittedly great care should be exercised before applying such a radical withholding of hospitality from anyone. For the elder it was applied only to antichristians who were committed to destroying the faith of the community. The issue involved more than disagreements in interpretation or personal misunderstandings among members of the body of Christ. It was radical and clearly defined unbelief, and it involved active and aggressive promotion of perversions of truth and practice that struck at the heart of Christianity.
"The responsibility of parents may furnish an analogy. Parents must discriminate as to whom even among their relatives they entertain in their home. Some relatives might be of such questionable character as to menace the moral, spiritual, and physical welfare of the children. Such relatives must be excluded. Parents must balance their concern for their relatives with their responsibility for their children. Notice that John does not suggest that the elect lady and her children deal with the false teachers in hatred or retaliate against them. Instead, he counsels that the false teachers be kept at a distance lest their heresy destroy the young church." [5]