Guard Your Pulpits, Pastors!

John is discussing how to deal with false teachers with a local church that he affectionately calls "the elect lady."   When false teachers leave their assembly, don't be ashamed and don't be quiet. False teachers include those who add to the Scriptures.  Now he comes to a third dimension.

2 John 10–11 (NIV),

¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. ¹¹ Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.

Because this appears to be a "house" church, I understand that what John is referring to is the welcoming of someone who is by definition a false teacher into your local assembly -- ostensibly to hear what they have to say.   Don't do that!  You become a partner in their wickedness."This is not a prohibition about showing the hospitality to sinners for which Jesus himself was well known (and criticized; see Matt. 9:10–13; 11:19)." [1]  "These circuit-riding preachers depended upon the people of God in each town along their route for food and sustenance; they could not survive without the help and support of Christians." [2]

"The false teachers must not be shown hospitality, as if they were brothers in the faith. Because they are deceivers, it would be a mockery of the Father and a sin against Christ to give those who deny the Son and hate the brethren a place of respect within the community of faith. To do so would be to become a partaker in their unbelief and hatred of the truth." [3]

This should shock us because John is the "so-called" Apostle of love.  But as he set the tone in this letter, a walk of love is never at odds with a walk of truth.  One is not the other, without the other.  

This is tantamount to churches needing to guard their pulpits.  Greeting, in the sense of welcome, fellowship, mutual ministry, etc. to false teachers is nothing less than partnering with them in their atrocities. "While rudeness is not advocated, sternness and determination are clearly dictated as a pattern of behavior for believers. The prohibition includes exclusion from fellowship as well as the refusal to ask God’s blessing upon such a heretic. The phrase “greet him” is a translation of chairein (Gk.) and may be rendered “joy to him” or “health to him.” [4]

Father, Paul through the Holy Spirit called elders to watch for the flock of God.  Wolves would appear from within and without.  Godly church elders need to have the courage not to welcome false teachers into the church.  We need to be discerning.  Sometimes that is hard, Father.  Sometimes what is false is cloaked as an angel of light.  Grant discernment to Your Church, today, Father.  Your love and mercies for the Church are beyond description.  Your Son, our Savior, gave His life and purchased the Church for You.  Fill elders and pastors with the Holy Spirit today and grant us the spiritual gifts to discern falsehood and exalt what is holy and good.  For the glory of our Lord, we pray, Amen. 

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1. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (2441). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

2. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2643). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

3.  Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:2 John/Exposition of 2 John/II. A Formal Word of Instruction (4-11)/B. A Warning (7-11), Book Version: 4.0.2

4. Believer’s Study Bible. 1991 (W. A. Criswell, P. Patterson, E. R. Clendenen, D. L. Akin, M. Chamberlin, D. K. Patterson & J. Pogue, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (2 Jn 10). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.