2 John 1:11

Let me repeat that it is not "God speed," for this might give a false idea. It sounds as if we were wishing him well in his work. But it conveys nothing of the sort — merely a Greek "good morning," what would pass in the ordinary speech of the day among one's fellows.

This passage clearly has two people in view: one holding false doctrine about the Person of Christ, and the other a person who wishes him well. The passage does not say or imply that this second person holds the false doctrine. It says he identifies himself, by an act of fellowship, with the man who does. In doing so, God calls him "a partaker of his evil deeds." If God calls this man a partaker of evil deeds, he is surely a defiled man. He is defiled not because he has taken in the evil doctrine, but because he knowingly keeps company with a man who holds it.

To do so would be encouraging and helping him. It is to tamper with my own conscience, because I am allowing something to be Christ which is a false one, and the deepest dishonour to God. If I show this appearance of love where the truth is not, it is not Christ at all; it is denying Him, and saying that what is false is as good as what is true. It is helping the Antichrist and not the Christ. "Whoever greets him" — that is, salutes him as he leaves — "takes part in his wicked works." It was a sign of recognition and companionship.

He who has fellowship with such a person shares in his wicked ways. In fact, as one has said, he is morally worse. The denier of true doctrine is sincere and believes he is speaking the truth. He is deceived, and probably believes he is honouring Christ. But the one who condones his evil way by having fellowship with him knows it is wrong and does it with his eyes open.

True love is jealous for the truth. It will not bid the heretic God speed; it will withdraw from him and avoid the associations where he is tolerated. The one who denies the truth of Christ is a deceiver and an antichrist. To keep company with him is to play the traitor to the Lord. True love will close the door against the evil teacher. It knows that to keep Christ in, it must keep the deceiver and antichrist out. It also knows that letting evil teaching in poisons the very springs of life, so all true godliness withers and dies.

This scripture applies first of all to teachers — to all who did not bring "the doctrine of Christ," that is, the truth about His Person, if not also about His work. Here the apostle is dealing with those who move from place to place in order to teach. But then, "if anyone comes to you," and they take the place of teachers, seeking to spread their errors, you are to treat them as the apostle directs.

Some have been puzzled how far they should take this. They say, "We have unconverted relations and acquaintances who certainly do not bring the doctrine of Christ. Must we refuse them entry into our houses?" We find, however, that the Scriptures permit a Christian to eat with unbelievers if he is so minded. In 1 Corinthians 10:27 we read, "If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience." It is plain, then, that this does not refer to those who have made no profession of faith in Christ. It must apply to those who are in a Christian assembly.