2 John 1:11

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.

American Standard Version (1901)

for he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works.

Bible in Basic English

For he who gives him words of love has a part in his evil works.

Douay-Rheims 1899

For he that saith unto him, God speed you, communicateth with his wicked works.

Free Bible Version

for if you encourage them you share in their evil work.

Geneva Bible 1599

For he that biddeth him, God speede, is partaker of his euill deedes. Although I had many things to write vnto you, yet I woulde not write with paper and ynke: but I trust to come vnto you, and speake mouth to mouth, that our ioy may be full.

King James (Authorized) Version

For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Translation for Translators

I say that because if you treat people like that as you would treat a fellow believer, God will punish you along with them for the evil that they do.

Unlocked Literal Bible

For the one who greets him participates in his evil deeds.

Noah Webster Bible

For he that wisheth him happiness, is partaker of his evil deeds.

World English Bible

for he who welcomes him participates in his evil deeds.

Young's Literal Translation

for he who is saying to him, 'Hail,' hath fellowship with his evil works.

Context

Beware of Deceivers

¹⁰If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him.¹¹Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.

Summary

This verse warns against welcoming false teachers into one's home or giving them any form of support, as doing so would be to share in their wicked work. It underscores the importance of discernment and adherence to the true teachings of Christ, cautioning believers to be vigilant against deception. By maintaining a firm stand in the truth and not aiding those who promote falsehood, Christians uphold the purity of the Gospel message and protect the integrity of their faith community.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Is partaker of his evil deeds - He that acts towards him as if he considered him a Christian brother, and sound in the faith, puts it in his power to deceive others, by thus apparently accrediting his ministry. No sound Christian should countenance any man as a Gospel minister, who holds and preaches erroneous doctrines; especially concerning the Lord Jesus. Nor can any Christian attend the ministry of such teachers without being criminal in the sight of God. He who attends their ministry is, in effect, bidding them God speed; no matter whether such belong to an established Church, or to any congregation of dissenters from it. But what St. John says here does not mean that we should deny such the common offices of humanity, charity, and mercy. No. In these offices we are equally bound to all men; far less does it intimate that we should persecute such on account of their heretical or heterodox sentiments. No. This right has God given to no man, to no Church, to no state. They who persecute others, even for the worst heretical opinions, may expect the heaviest judgments of Almighty God. There is a remarkable addition here in several MSS. Of the Vulgate, and in some printed editions. Ecce praedixi vobis, ut in diem Domini nostri Jesu Christi non confundamini. "Behold, I have foretold this to you, that ye may not be confounded in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." This addition is found in the edition of Pope Sixtus the Fifth, and in the Complutensian Polyglot; but it is not acknowledged by any of the versions, nor by any Greek MSS.

2 John 1:11

Beware of Deceivers

¹⁰If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him.¹¹Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.