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NASB | 2 John 1:10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 John 1:10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching [but diminishes or adds to the doctrine of Christ], do not receive or welcome him into your house, and do not give him a greeting or any encouragement; |
Subject: Help!! |
Bible Note: Robert, there’s the verses I was looking for. What a great point – “IF my way of life with my family reflects Christ, than we can spread the gospel by inviting him into our house”. What better goal than for our family to reflect Christ – isn’t that what Christ meant when He proclaimed: “They will know you are my disciples BY your love one for another”? About not receiving someone into our house, nor saying “Good-bye” less it shows us having “fellowship” with him – I believe this has given our enemy (satan) a means of keeping the truth from the bearers of false doctrine. We live in different times, in a different culture. When we read Scripture, we tend to forget to whom it was originally addressed. We mustn’t forget what John meant by not allowing them to preach in “your house”. The house was where the “church” was. He was saying, in effect, don’t let false teachers teach your congregations. Of course, that doesn't give license for them to do in "our houses" but ... Too often pastors wrongly advise their congregations, by using those verses, “don’t even talk to them”. The words “God’s speed” in this portion of Scripture isn’t a mere “Good-bye”. John said don’t give the same salutation you give to all your family and friends. John is saying in effect, “Don’t offer a religious greeting to him, and don’t make onlookers think you acknowledge his doctrine”. Our Hi and goodbyes are too often spoken as we pass. Theirs were always face to face, cheek to cheek, hugs, and with a salutation. It is the same kind of instruction Jesus gave those He sent out. “Don’t greet any on the road.” That didn’t mean don’t say “Hello” to anybody you meet. It meant don’t hug everyone you meet, and ask, how’s your mother, father, brothers, sisters, mother-in-law, wife, sons, daughters, animals, business, etc. etc. and tell him how all of yours are. In the Middle East, “greetings” take many minutes. Many greetings would take many hours. Greetings to you, Taleb |