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2 John 1:7-11 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
⁷For many deceivers have gone out into the world, even those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.[3] ⁸Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward. ⁹Everyone who goes on ahead and does not remain in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who remains in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting; ¹¹for the one who gives him a greeting shares in his evil deeds.

VIRTUES THAT SAFEGUARD VICTORY 2 John 1:7–11

Now we arrive at the concern John bears for the church and the families he is addressing in this letter. The false teachers had departed from early orthodoxy (1 John 2:19), but they were apparently getting into the believers’ fellowships and striking at close range those who would offer them hospitality.

John warns the believers that the deceivers … and the antichrist do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh (v. 7). This deception seems as though it comes from some of the Gnostic teachings, especially those of Cerinthus (see the Introduction of 1 John).

Antichrist: (ἀντίχριστος antichristos) The term “Antichrist,” occurs in the NT five times. From those five times, we gather this entity is “against” (i.e., denies Christ) or “instead of” (i.e., false Christs) Jesus Christ. Many antichrists began back in the apostle John’s day and will continue up unto Jesus’ second coming. (1 John 2:18) The antichrist is referred to as a number of individuals taken together, i.e., collectively. (2 John 1;7) Persons who deny Jesus Christ are the antichrist. (1 John 2:22) All who deny the divinity of Jesus Christ as the One and Only Son of God is the antichrist. (1 John 2:22; John 10:36; Lu 9:35) Some antichrists are apostates who left the faith and are now in opposition to the truth. (1 John 2:18-19) Those who oppose the true followers of Jesus are the antichrist. (John 15:20-21) Antichrists are individuals or nations opposing Jesus or trying to supplant his kingly authority. – Ps. 2:2; Matt. 24:24; Rev. 17:3, 12-14; 19:11-21.—Edward D. Andrews.

John’s battle for the purity of the faith is a strategic one. It appears that various heresies were now gaining influence, and John is the remaining link directly to Christ. Therefore, no one else could write with the credibility or the authority of the apostle John. So, John delineates virtues for Christian victory to the chosen lady and her children, as well as to us and our children.

Discernment

John warns us that we should be alert to the variations of the truth once delivered to the Church—especially heretical teachings about Jesus Christ (v. 7). The incarnation of Christ is essential Christian truth.

Discipline

John also warns that we should be care that we do not lose what [we] have worked for, so we will be able to be rewarded fully. He says to be careful not to run ahead and to continue in the teaching of Christ (v. 9). Some tried to detach Jesus from God, therefore denying Christ’s relationship with the Father and denying Christ of His divine nature.

Denial

There is a time to deny hospitality and fellowship. When heresy is being advocated, John does not recommend taking the “enemy of truth” into our own homes and churches. Rather, he says, do not take him into your house or welcome him (v. 10). Anyone who makes such a mistake in the name of kindness or hospitality shares in his wicked work (v. 11). He says we become an accomplice in evil. We should never let falsehood enter our homes.^[1]

By David A. Case and David W. Holdren

^[1] David A. Case and David W. Holdren, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John, Jude: A Commentary for Bible Students (Indianapolis, IN: Wesleyan Publishing House, 2006), 338–339.