What is the meaning of 2 John 1:7-11?

Question

I have seen a lot of Christians answer questions with this Bible
verse 2 John 1:7-11 I was wondering if some one could explain this verse to me because I think I am confused? I have seen some Christians use this verse to say that we should not hang out with (or greet) Non-Christians or Christians who do not believe in the Trinity. I do not understand how we could do this because there are so many people who are not Christian.? I really think I am misunderstanding this verse.. May be this verse means that we should not accept there beliefs & that we should just stick to our own? I dont understand how being friendly to some one could be wrong?
When I ask my self what would Jesus do the answer that come to me is to be kind, loving & respectfull to others.

I hope I did not offend any one with this question but I really would like some advise on this. Please answer respectfully, I really do not want to start a fight over this I just want to understand what people are talking about.

There is 2 John 1:7-11
7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we[b] do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.
9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

Thanks every one for your help.

Answer 1

Jehovah's Witnesses will keep away from everyone but Jehovah's Witnesses with this verse in mind. I don't think it goes that far especially since Jesus exhorts us to a love for those around us. The verse does have to do with false doctrine of other gods of that time, but I believe there is also the seriousness of NOT seeing Jesus Christ as God the Son that should be a message to those that receive anyone with Arian heresies in their doctrine, into their homes to give them a listening ear. It doesn't mean that you shouldn't be friends with them and keep the dialogue going. Just keep away from false doctrine, and if they persist, you have biblical permission to show them the door.

Answer 2

2 John 7-11

Answer 3

2 John 1:7-11 is written by John. It was a letter warning about false teachers.

In John's day, many false teachers taught that spirit was good and matter was evil, therefore, they reasoned that Jesus could not have been both God and man. In strong terms, John warns against this kind of teaching.

There are still many false teachers who promote an understanding of Jesus that is not Biblical. These teachers are dangerous because they distort the truth and undermine the foundations of Christian faith. They may use the right words but change the meanings. The way your teachers live shows a lot about what they believe about Christs. For more on testing teachers, see 1 John 4:1.

Answer 4

I don't see how the verse "proves" the trinity.

Put it this way, there have always been and always will be honest and sincere Christians who do not believe in the trinity and they use scripture and personal experience to back it up.

"doesn't acknowledge Jesus came in the flesh" in no way means that Jesus is God. In fact Unitarians and JW's themselves believe that Jesus did come from heaven and take on a body of flesh. So this verse covers them as well.

In fact there is even a verse in the Koran that says "some (prophets) have been sent from above (heaven)" and all Muslims believe that Jesus lived. So they could even be covered by this verse, too.

Even Buddhist believe that Jesus was real. It is also possible for Jesus to have come from "heaven" in Buddhism. Same goes for Hinduism and many other non-Christian religions.

Just because non-Christians/Unitarians don't believe exactly like the Trinitarian Christians doesn't mean that they "don't acknowledge Jesus Christ has come in the flesh". (Note the verse doesn't say "God" has come in the flesh.")

So if I were you, I would just relax and recognize that the "trinity" is not a central part of the Bible and that there have always been good/honest/sincere Christians that use the same verses to prove there is no "trinity". And these Unitarians are just as concerned about you and the Trinitiarians as you are concerned about them. So just relax and praise God. You are all his Children.

Answer 5

Here is the answer to your question:

"When I ask my self what would Jesus do the answer that come to me is to be kind, loving & respectfull to others."

You might want to start reading the Bible in his historical and cultural context (that unfortunately means you have to read the views of educated people who are not necessarily aligned with the particular religious group you've been indoctrinated into). Then you will get a different, more full-bodied, educated, personal and integrated and less brainwashed idea of the Christian message, which is one of love, tolerance, and hope--not of paranoia and judgmentalism, fingerpointing, or xenophobia.

In studying early Christianity, you will learn that there were very many different groups with very different interpretations of Christ's teaching (the same as today). Some groups at that time believed that Jesus was the "son of God"; others thought that he was just a great teacher. The nature of Christ's divinity was a topic of debate in early Christianity. The line that you are referring to is a little irrelevant today. Christians by definition believe that Jesus is the son of God. Indeed, many persons from other faiths--such as Hindus--believe--in their own way and while maintaining their own unique spiritual beliefs--that Jesus is the "son of God" as well.

Answer 6

My interpretation is that John is not telling us to reject all non-Christians. Rather, he is telling us to be on our guard against people who distort the Gospel message--the deceivers and anti-christs of verse 7.

Note both here and in 1st John that the term anti-christ is used to describe anyone who does not believe that Jesus is the Son of God. These are the only places you will find the word anti-christ in the Bible; it's not found anywhere in the book of Revelation. The anti-christ of so many fundamentalist churches and writers is pure fiction.

Also note that I began this answer by saying this is my interpretation. The same is true for everyone. You have to come to your own interpretation of scripture. Read what other people, particularly scholars and experts, have to say, but in the end you have to decide for yourself what scripture means to you.

Answer 7

John uses the expression about these deceivers going out into the World in 1 John. It means people who are claiming to be christians then setting themselves up as christian teacher, but teaching serious error. So people setting themselves up as christian teachers but actually teaching things contrary to the gospel salvation message should not be listened to with regard to what they are saying. Teachers probably used to be invited round to people's houses, where a small assembled group would presumably listen and learn, comment and so on. Such people can be a danger as they can be very convincing because of natural abilities.

E.g:
Denominations like Episcopalian in US used to be bible believing and very conservative. Now people who don't really believe the gospel have got in leadership roles and subverted it to the point that it is becoming unchristian.

Answer 8

John is warning the young Christian Church to use discretion in testing a visitor's message and motive. He cautions against entertaining visitors who do not teach the truth about Christ.

Answer 9

I read 2 John 1:7-11 several times and I think it means that if you know Jesus but you deny Him and continue to go against Him, you have decieved Him and will not receieve His blessings. But to those who believe and follow in His teachings will recieve His blessings. I think the letter is telling us that if those decievers are not going to accept GOD and believe that He is coming again and they try to pull other christians down, so we as believers and followers of God are to not let them pull us down and stay firm in our faith..

I hope this helps.. GOD BLESS

Answer 10

Stick to the Gospels and the Acts. After that you get later and later after Christ's time and you get more and more ideas inserted by people who came centuries later. Everything you need to know about what Jesus would do is in the Gospels.