Tackling Tradition 94: 2 John 10 & 11

Accordings to those who believe that baking the cake, attending the wedding, &tc  is a sin, does 2 John 10 - 11 teach that doing so is a sin? 

4 I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. 5 And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we ihave had from the beginning—that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. 9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.  (2 John 4–11, ESV)

Notice first that the text only states that whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.   The text stops short of stating that if someone greets him, thus taking part in his wicked works, then that person (the one greeting) is in sin as a consequence of having participated in the other person’s wicked works. 

Legalism says that the one greeting is in sin regardless of his or her motives.  The Bible says that we sin when we follow our own desires into sin, condemnation, & death (James 1:14 - 15).     

It also teaches that God judges the morality of our thoughts, words, & deeds by way of what is in our hearts — not the hearts of other people (1 Samuel 16:7, Jeremiah 17: 9 & 10). 

2 John here is very specific.  It says that the other person’s actions are his own wickedness.   It does not state that the wickedness of the other person automatically makes the one greeting him morally wicked. 

What is happening in this particular text?   John commends his audience for hearing & understandin the truth & being doers of the word.    He then reminds them that the spirit of antichrist is at work in the world around them, & many deceivers have gone out into the world & to be wary of them.  

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

This isn’t a prooftext in favor of legalism.   It’s a warning that letting such people (false teachers) into the church.   It’s about the possible results of exercising poor discernment.  In short, it’s a reiteration of 1 Timothy 5:22. 

Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.  (1 Timothy 5:22, ESV)

This isn’t about an individual or group of individuals’ personal moral blameworthiness or lack thereof.  It’s about failing to exercise sound judgment with respect to who you allow into your church, community, family circle, &tc.   

As we read this text, we need to remember that 1900 + years ago, the Way (Christianity) was much smaller & not nearly as influential as it is today.   They & the Jews were surrounded by polytheism, &, while 2nd Temple Judaism was protected whereas the Way was not.   Acts also records incidents in which some of the Jewish leaders persecuted the early Christians.    

As time went on, as Acts 19 in particular demonstrates, there were those among the Gentiles willing to act like the hooligans in Sodom & Gommorah.  1 Corinthians strongly warns the members of the Corinthian church to avoid the Aphrodite (and any other Greco-Roman temple).  Paul , in Philippians, says that there are peddlers of the Gospel out there,  j in 2 Corinthians draws attention to the haughtiness of the “Superapostles” who had insinuated themselves in their church. 

I John ratchets the threat level even higher.   He warns about the spirit of antichrist itself.    2 John echoes this theme.   

These early believers had to function, in some places, like Daniel who was eventually thrown into the lions den for having prayed to LORD & being seen by his enemies at court & those rebuilding the temple in the days when Sanballat & Tobiah persecuted those seeking to restore the Holy City & rebuild the LORD’s temple.  

That is what 2 John is about.  Be wise, circumspect, & vigilant about who you allow into your family circle, ecclesiastical community, &tc.  Don’t go overboard, but at the same be vigilant.  

This is the Way! This is our prayer!  O LORD, hear our prayer(s)!