Everyone 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. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.
Failing to discern truth makes one complicit in lies. In the early church there were many traveling pastors/teachers. Remember, most of “church-life” was conducted in homes. The “church-home” was the standard. This little letter was written to the “elect lady and her children.” That is probably reference to a specific “church-home.” This small congregations would offer “hospitality” to these traveling pastor/teachers. The issue we are facing her in 2 John is that John was warning this church about false teachers who were traveling and taking advantage of their hospitality. The Apostle John is warning this church that their hospitality can’t be based upon a mere “giving” of yourself and your home. It had to also be based upon truth. The Apostle uses the word “truth” five times in the first four verses of the epistle. He wants them to be hospitable, giving and sacrificial. But, he also wants them to stand on truth. Even “caring” has to be govern by “truth.” In our world today we are so interesting in the “giving” part we often miss the “truth” part. This is the point of John’s gospel. Giving and caring and being hospitable is to be governed by truth. If not, you are complicit.
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