What Does Love and Truth Have to do with False Teachers?
Introduction: Have you ever wondered how CHRISTians should respond to false teachers? This study in 2 John will give us some guidelines as to how to respond. A Christian lady sent me a text message recently asking about this passage of Scripture. Here is my response.
Let’s break down this passage of Scripture:
(2 John 1:1-12)
• Contextually
• Grammatically
• Historically
• Doctrinally
• Practically
2. Historically:
The apostle John is writing around 90 A.D. Scholars agree this was written from Ephesus where some believe John Pastored… he also wrote 1, 2, and 3 John.
3. Doctrinally:
John is writing to refute Gnosticism, which was prevalent during his day. Gnostics (false teachers) were those who denied Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, equal with God – God in the flesh (His deity), His resurrection, and His second coming. “Truth, Love, and Fellowship” are the themes.
4. Grammatically:
(2 John 1:7)
“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.”
{The word “deceivers” v. 7, is plános, which means “imposter, corrupter, misleader, leader astray- off the path”}
{The word “confess” v. 7, is homologéō, which means to say the same thing as}
“Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought,[1] but that we receive a full reward.”
{The word “look” v. 8, is blépō, which means “discern, perceive, watch”}
{The word “lose” v. 8, is apóllymi, which means destroy}
{The word “reward” v. 8, is misthós, which means dues, wages}
“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.”
{The word “transgresseth” v. 9, is proágō, which means to go before, to lead forward, to lead the way, to go further than what is right}
{The word “abideth” v. 9, is ménō, which means to remain, to stay, to live}
{The Greek word for “doctrine” v. 9, is didache, which means teaching, instruction.}
John is saying measure what a person says – teacher or person – based on what Jesus said in His Word – the Bible.
“If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed”
{The word “receive” v. 10, is lambánō, which means to take with the hand, to carry away, to associate as a companion, to admit.}
{The word “house” v. 10, is oikía, which means dwelling, home, residence}
{The word “God speed” v. 10, is chaírō, which means rejoice, be glad, delighted, greetings, cheer}
“For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”
{The word “biddeth” v. 11, is légō, which means to say or speak}
{The word “God speed” v. 11, is chaírō, which means rejoice, be glad, delighted, greetings, cheer}
{The word “partaker” v. 11, is koinōnéō, which means sharer, partner}
{The word “evil” v. 11, is ponērós, which means bad, hurtful, wicked}
{The word “deeds” v. 11, is érgon, which means works, business, job}
In other words, do not support false teachers or promoters of false teaching.
5. Practically:
(2) Keys words that John uses in this letter need to be discussed and discerned: “Love & Truth”
According to 1, 2, 3 John, “Love” does not mean embracing lies, false teaching, and deception which are contrary to God’s Word, His doctrine, His teaching- His “Truth.”
In studying 2John, (3) specific directions about LOVE & TRUTH need to be addressed:
1. Do we have real, “LOVE” and “TRUTH”, shown with “OUTWARD FELLOWSHIP”? (2 John 1:1, 6)
“The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth,” v1.
“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,” v6.
Practical application:
Real “Love & truth” will reach “out” to other believers with fellowship.
2. Do we have real, “LOVE” and “TRUTH”, shown with “UPWARD FELLOWSHIP”? (2 John 1:4)
“I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father”
Practical Application:
Real “love & truth” will reach “up” to God the Father for fellowship.
3. Do we have real, “LOVE” and “TRUTH,” shown with “BACKWARD FELLOWSHIP”? (2John 1:7-11)
What I mean by “BACKWARD FELLOWSHIP” is turning our BACK on those, withdrawing our fellowship.
“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.”
“Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought,[1] but that we receive a full reward.”
“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.”
“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.”
Practical Application:
Real “love & truth” will turn “back” from deceivers (false teachers) of the truth, withdrawing fellowship.
Conclusion:
Based on this exegetical study of 2 John 1:1-12 from a Historical, Contextual, Grammatical, Doctrinal, and Practical perspective, as believers in Jesus Christ based on what He and others taught in the Bible, we are to LOVE the Lord “Upwardly” & Others “Outwardly,” but those who despise the teaching of Scripture and seek for us to join them, we must “refuse” their welcome or support. While we can pray for them, obeying the Lord is more important than being popular or being rejected.