What is the definition ofgodspeed/god speed?

Let me here 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. This would be commonly inferred by one unaccustomed to read the language of the Holy Ghost. But it conveys nothing of the sort — merely a Greek "good morning" — what would pass in the current language of the day among one's fellows.

The apostle now comes to the practical consequence. He has laid down the principle in the ninth verse: now comes the practice. "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." Mark how it is put. It is not — bring not the true humanity, or the proper Deity; because Satan might change the doctrine somewhat, so as to save appearances for the simple. Therefore it would not do merely to specify some one particular form of error, because then the devil would have only to evade that form, and there would be no resource. But here it stands firm yet comprehensive: if a man come to you, and does not bring this doctrine (that is, the doctrine of Christ), do not you receive him. No matter what may be the particular manner in which the enemy has warped his soul, and through him dishonoured Christ; no matter what may be the peculiar nature of the false doctrine, — if a man come to you, and bring not the divinely revealed doctrine, the Holy Ghost's teaching of Christ in the written word, — "receive him not into your house, neither bid him greeting." That is to say, do not bid him a common salutation. There is nothing about "God speed" in the word (χαίρειν), though "good speed" might be tolerable. The stronger terms are merely put in by the English translators. It was the ordinary form of courteous greeting every day.

Verse 9 is the foundation of the following exhortation, in which the apostle sets forth what our attitude should be towards false teachers on this subject. It is clear that preachers abounded at this period; and on this account it was necessary to put the saints on their guard. If they brought the truth, if servants of Christ and doing His work, the saints were responsible to receive them and their testimony; "If," however, John says, "there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine (the doctrine of the Christ), receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." In such a case there must be no compromise whatever, no consideration for personal character, or for an outwardly blameless walk, which might be associated with a false teacher; nor must there be any hesitation in action. Once it became evident that the teacher did not bring the true doctrine (however alluring his own might be to the natural mind), he must be instantly refused; nor must he be entertained in the saints' houses, or receive even the ordinary courtesies of salutation. For to "greet him" (this is the significance of the word rendered "God speed") would be moral identification with the false teacher, and a becoming "partaker of his evil deeds." Surely this instruction has been almost entirely ignored in the church of God, to her own bitter and sorrowful loss!

247 You have, firstly, the great fact of not having God at all; a man is absolutely without God if he has not Christ. Then, secondly, when he unfolds the truth, it is the Father and the Son. He urges decision upon these saints. "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed." 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 shew 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. "Him that biddeth him God speed" (that is, literally salutes him on going away), "is partaker of his evil deeds." It was a sign of recognition and companionship.

In turning to Scripture let us keep clearly before our minds the question at issue. Does association with a teacher known to teach false doctrine defile; or must the false doctrine first be imbibed before defilement is contracted? In 2 John: 10 and 11, we read, "If there come any to you, and bring not this doctrine receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that bids him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." This passage clearly contemplates two persons; one holding false doctrine as to the Person of Christ, the other a person who wishes him God speed. The passage does not say, or imply, that this second person holds the false doctrine, but that he identifies himself, by an act of fellowship, with the man that does, and, so doing, God calls this person "a partaker of his evil deeds." If then God calls this man a partaker of evil deeds, he is surely a defiled man, and that, not because he has imbibed the evil doctrine but because he is knowingly associated with a man that holds the false doctrine.

An old uncle bids you God-speed, and commends you both to the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. Night is nearly over, so mind you walk worthily of the day. If I and — return ere daybreak I shall hope to come and see you. G.V.W.

May God hasten your footsteps, is my prayer.

THEY say that "good-bye" is equivalent to "God be, with you." It may be so, but from habits of thought the former drags down the mind to circumstances; the latter tends towards a lift upwards. If I do not see you en passant, my heart's and my soul's desire is that "God be with you," as well as with me, until we meet again. I am prisoner today, waiting for — to come here. Tomorrow's dawn may give light for my steps tomorrow. I have at present none. My heart entreats God's blessing on you. G.V.W.

Speed me with your prayers for that other hemisphere.

In the love of the Lord, in haste.