What does 2 John 1: 10-11 mean?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Raafat
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
R

Raafat

Guest
Hi
I was reading an apologetic against JWs and it made use of 2 John: 10-11 that says
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.

2 John 1: 10-11, NIV
Click to expand...
But does this mean you show that much unwelcomeness towards those who profess a different faith?
Why not even greet them? Isn’t this taking a bit too far?
Where is the interfaith acceptance and discussion churchs trying nowasays saying they adore?

You don’t befriend them? So all my Christian friends are committing a sin?
 
Alright! Let’s bring in some context. A good rule of thumb when examining a single verse is to start by looking at the verses before and after it. Let’s start at 2 John 1:6 and end at 11.
1:6 And this is charity: That we walk according to his commandments. For this is the commandment that, as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in the same:
1:7 For many seducers are gone out into the world who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a seducer and an antichrist.
1:8 Look to yourselves, that you lose not the things which you have wrought: but that you may receive a full reward.
1:9 Whosoever revolteth and continueth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God. He that continueth in the doctrine, the same hath both the Father and the Son.
1:10 If any man come to you and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into the house nor say to him: God speed you.
1:11 For he that saith unto him: God speed you, communicateth with his wicked works.
Click to expand...
Sounds to me like this is referring to people who are openly preaching heretical doctrines and want to spread them to your community, not simply those of a different faith. But to be sure, I’m going to link what Haydock’s Commentary says about this.
Ver. 10. Nor say to him, Hail; or peace be to you, God speed you, all hail; or use any form of saluting him, as you would a friend, much less receive or entertain him in your house: this admonition is in general to forewarn persons of the dangers which may arise from a familiarity with heretics, and such as teach evil doctrine. But by this is not forbidden civility, kindness, and a sincere charity for all men, by which we ought to wish and pray for the eternal salvation of every one. I translate Ave by peace be to you, because this was the usual salutation among the Jews, and in those times, as we see Luke xxiv. and John xx.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
At the time of John’s writing the liturgy was celebrated in the homes of followers of the way. In the literal sense he is not say to treat them like they have the plague, but that they are not to be invited to share in the breaking of bread until they have been baptized and catechized.
 
Fauken said:
Sounds to me like this is referring to people who are openly preaching heretical doctrines and want to spread them to your community, not simply those of a different faith. But to be sure, I’m going to link what Haydock’s Commentary says about this.
Click to expand...
Well we are all heretics to each other, aren’t we?

If one has a novel idea shouldn’t be he listened to and discussed?
If I don’t befriend him and never welcome him into my home, even as a fellow human being, then what good does this do any of us?
 
Hereiam said:
At the time of John’s writing the liturgy was celebrated in the homes of followers of the way. In the literal sense he is not say to treat them like they have the plague, but that they are not to be invited to share in the breaking of bread until they have been baptized and catechized.
Click to expand...
If it only means this, then It’d be not an issue at all.
 
Well, no. Heresy is objective – heresy does not depend on viewpoint. A JW, for example, may think that Mary’s being without sin as heresy, but that JW would be wrong. There is a difference between novel ideas and heresy. I’d also repeat that the verse does not say we should deny basic courtesy to non-Catholics/Christians.
 
Fauken said:
Well, no. Heresy is objective – heresy does not depend on viewpoint. A JW, for example, may think that Mary’s being without sin as heresy, but that JW would be wrong. There is a difference between novel ideas and heresy. I’d also repeat that the verse does not say we should deny basic courtesy to non-Catholics/Christians.
Click to expand...
Well there’s nothing objective about dogmas, at least their details.
Only Catholics hold to the sinless Mary, and to be honest if God made Mary sinless then he better made all people sinless again and save us and himself lots of trouble.

How can never greeting someone be courtesy?
 
No, dogmas are objective. There may be a misunderstanding on what heresy is.

Heresy is the denial of a truth of Christianity. As Catholicism contains the fullness of truth, a denial of a truth promoted as such by the Church, which include doctrine and dogma, is heresy.

Not greeting someone is not courteous and that is not what the verse is saying to do.
 
Fauken said:
Not greeting someone is not courteous and that is not what the verse is saying to do.
Click to expand...
What does say then?

The text says not to great any heretic I guess. Anyone who does greet them then he is a heretic or some sort of co-criminal.
 
Raafat said:
If one has a novel idea shouldn’t be he listened to and discussed?
Click to expand...
You either believe you have found the pearl of great price or you don’t.

Those of us who believe we have it, do not entertain foreign ideas.
 
De_Maria said:
You either believe you have found the pearl of great price or you don’t.

Those of us who believe we have it, do not entertain foreign ideas.
Click to expand...
Well you might ask someone why do they believe it, then proceed from then on.
 
It means don’t welcome heretics into your community to preach and teach as if they were legitimate teachers.
 
The elder ( the Godhead). To the lady ( the Catholic Church or Our Lady Mary ). and the children ( the body of Christ, we as Christians ). ( Love in truth, the Gospel ). (Truth abides in us, Tabernacle of Christ ). Will be forever, ( if we say in God’s love we will see heaven ).( Grace, peace and love be with us from the Godhead. Let us stay in Union with the Godhead ). Some people are following the truth. ( The Catholic Church ). ( We have been commanded to by the Father, To worship Him on the Sabbath ) And now I beg you lady though I were writing you a new commandment just that we love one another, ( John is in distress because some have fallen away from the Church. He is preaching what Jesus had taught his apostles, love your God and love your neighbor. (
For many deceivers have gone out into the world. ( He is talking Christians that have turn their back on Christ and that are preaching a false theology ). This is important! Men who will not acknowledge Jesus Christ coming in the flesh! ( Jesus Christ spiritual body and souls manifestation ). Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. ( The Antichrist will manifest himself and try to lead others away from Christ ). Look to yourselves that you may not lose what you have worked for but may win a full reward. ( Keep your eyes on heaven, go to confession do penance help one another and most of all keep God as number one in your life ). Anyone who goes ahead and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. ( This doctrine is the doctrine of the Catholic Church if there is any other doctrine it is false. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this Doctrine do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting for He Who greets him shares his Wicked works. ( Here John is speaking hyperbole like Jesus did in the Gospels. Luke 14:26 he calls for hate. Matt. 5: 29 follow me and leave the dead to bury their own dead). We are to try to preach the gospel to all non Christians.

We must treat others with respect but call out when someone talks against Christ and his Doctrine. God bless
 
I added that because I have to write a post with a minimum of 16 characters.
 
Why let people entangle you in things that you have left behind? Have you not read in Scripture?

Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
 
De_Maria said:
Why let people entangle you in things that you have left behind? Have you not read in Scripture?

Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Click to expand...
So to have a debate and a discussion about faith will disqualify me from entering the “Kingdom of God”
 
0104 said:
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this Doctrine do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting for He Who greets him shares his Wicked works. ( Here John is speaking hyperbole like Jesus did in the Gospels. Luke 14:26 he calls for hate. Matt. 5: 29 follow me and leave the dead to bury their own dead). We are to try to preach the gospel to all non Christians.

We must treat others with respect but call out when someone talks against Christ and his Doctrine. God bless
Click to expand...
So it shouldn’t be taken literally?
So you greet them, talk to them, befriend them, listen to whatever they have to say and debate with them?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top