“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. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” (2 John 9-11)

There are two possible definitions for the “doctrine of Christ.” (1) The “doctrine of Christ” is the doctrine about Christ, i.e. “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). (2) The “doctrine of Christ” is the doctrine which Christ taught. The importance of finding the correct meaning lies within the consequences of the individual who does “not abide in the doctrine of Christ.” One who does not “abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God.” Also, the “children walking in truth” (vs. 4) cannot “receive [him who does not abide in the doctrine of Christ] into [their] house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” It is imperative that we understand the meaning of the phrase “the doctrine of Christ.” In order to rightly interpret “the doctrine of Christ,” proper exegesis demands full consideration of the surrounding context.

The epistle is addressed to “the elect lady and her children.” This refers to the local church and its members. Paul describes the church as a female (cf. Ephesians 5:25-27). This lady is elect, or chosen. The church is the chosen, or predestined group that is described in Ephesians 1:3-6. John describes the love he has for the “elect lady.” This love is “in truth.” This love is possible because of the truth which abides in both John, and the “elect lady.”

John elaborates on the “love in truth.” He refers to a commandment given by Jesus Himself, “that we love one another” (cf. John 13:34). The Holy Spirit then defines love. “This is love, that we walk according to His commandments.” It is impossible to love the children of God while disobeying God (cf. 1 John 5:3). It is equally impossible to obey God without loving the children of God (cf. 1 John 4:20). The two commandments to obey God (cf. Matthew 22:37; John 14:15), and to love each other (cf. Matthew 22:39; 1 John 4:11) are codependent. This particular love is a matter of fellowship. It is important to note the instruction given by the apostle Paul to the church in Corinth to “reaffirm [their] love” to the individual that was involved in sexual immorality (2 Corinthians 2:8). They had withdrawn fellowship from that individual that “his spirit [might] be saved” (1 Corinthians 5:5). Up to this point in his second epistle John is discussing the doctrine which Christ taught. This subject continues with a specific application John deems necessary to make.

“For” introduces the reason John wrote the things previously discussed, “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.” The immediate threat to the recipients of John’s epistle was the Gnosticism which was so prevalent during their time. However, John does not imply that this was the only problem facing the church. This was merely a specific issue John was wanting to address. The foundational problem of not confessing Christ as coming in the flesh was a failure to “walk according to His commandments.” To deny Christ as coming in the flesh is to “transgress,” or go beyond, the “doctrine of Christ,” i.e. the doctrine that Christ taught. Christ taught that He was God in the flesh (cf. John 14:9; 8:58). He commissioned the apostles to make disciples and teach them what He had commanded and taught them (cf. Matthew 28:20). Included in this was the fact that Jesus had come in the flesh. “That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3). However, it is noted that the declaration was not just what the apostles had seen, but also that which they had heard! One of the many things the apostles heard from Christ was, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). We conclude that the “doctrine of Christ” includes everything Christ taught, including but not limited to the fact that He had come in the flesh.

“If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” If anyone is in contradiction with anything that Christ taught he is unworthy of fellowship. This restriction advances so far as to even include greeting such a person. One who ventures past the boundaries of said fellowship “shares in his evil deeds.” Even if an individual does not express agreement with a deceiver’s fallacy he condones it by having unauthorized fellowship with him. He then loses his fellowship with the Father and the Son (cf. 2 John 9).

It is important to be consistent with all scripture. Our motive to study must not be to exonerate our questionable behavior, but to find the truth and transform our behavior to fit it (cf. Romans 12:1-2).