Why is it important to not "welcome him into your home"? Setting the Verse in Context 2 John 1:10: “If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not welcome him into your home or give him any greeting.” Who Is the “Him”? • Itinerant teachers who deny the full deity and humanity of Christ (2 John 1:7). • Anyone peddling doctrine that clashes with the apostolic gospel (Galatians 1:8–9). Why the Home Matters • First-century homes doubled as house-churches (Romans 16:5). Offering hospitality meant giving a traveling teacher a pulpit. • Welcoming equaled endorsing (2 John 1:11). It publicly stamped falsehood with your approval. Reasons Scripture Says “Do Not Welcome” 1. Protect the purity of the gospel – Galatians 1:8-9: a curse on anyone preaching “another gospel.” – Jude 3: “contend for the faith once for all delivered.” 2. Guard your household from deception – 1 John 4:1: “test the spirits.” – 1 Corinthians 15:33: “bad company corrupts good morals.” 3. Avoid sharing in their evil works – 2 John 1:11: “Whoever greets him shares in his evil deeds.” – Ephesians 5:11: “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.” 4. Preserve the unity and health of the church – Romans 16:17: “watch out for those who cause divisions… avoid them.” – Titus 3:10-11: “reject a divisive person.” 5. Maintain a clear witness to outsiders – 1 Timothy 5:22: “do not share in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.” – Matthew 5:16: let your light shine without mixture or confusion. What “Not Welcoming” Does NOT Mean • It does not forbid common courtesy (Luke 6:27-28). • It does not silence evangelism—Paul still reasoned with unbelievers (Acts 17:17). • It draws the line at providing a platform or endorsement. Practical Takeaways Today • Vet every teacher by Scripture, not charisma (Acts 17:11). • Hospitality is a ministry; use it to advance truth, not error (1 Peter 4:9-11). • Love and truth walk together (2 John 1:3); refusing endorsement is love in action when error endangers souls. |
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