King James Version

What Does 2 John 1:10 Mean?

2 John 1:10 in the King James Version says “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:” — study this verse from 2 John chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:”

2 John 1:10 · KJV

Context

8

Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. wrought: or, gained, some copies read, ye have gained, but that ye, etc.

9

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

10

If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

11

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

12

Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. face to: Gr. mouth to mouth our: or, your

Read 2 John 1 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. John issues a controversial command: those who bring false doctrine about Christ should not be received into the house or greeted. "If there come any unto you" (Greek ei tis erchetai pros hymas, εἴ τις ἔρχεται πρὸς ὑμᾶς) refers to itinerant teachers who traveled among churches seeking hospitality and a platform to teach. The early church relied on such teachers for instruction and encouragement, but this system also enabled false teachers to spread heresy.

"Bring not this doctrine" (Greek tautēn tēn didachēn ou pherei, ταύτην τὴν διδαχὴν οὐ φέρει) means failing to bring the apostolic teaching about Christ—specifically, the incarnation affirmed in verse 7. "Receive him not into your house" (Greek mē lambanete auton eis oikian, μὴ λαμβάνετε αὐτὸν εἰς οἰκίαν) prohibits hospitality. Since houses were where churches met, this effectively bars false teachers from church fellowship and denies them platforms to promote error.

"Neither bid him God speed" (Greek kai chairein autō mē legete, καὶ χαίρειν αὐτῷ μὴ λέγετε) means withholding the customary greeting (chairein, "rejoice" or "greetings"). Some interpret this as refusing any friendly interaction; others see it as specifically denying formal endorsement or partnership. Either way, John forbids actions that could be construed as approving or enabling false teaching. This is not personal hatred but protecting the church from spiritual poison. Those who deny Christ's incarnation forfeit Christian fellowship, however sincere or likeable they may be personally.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In the first-century church, traveling teachers were common and necessary. Local churches often lacked mature leadership or written Scripture, depending on itinerant apostles, prophets, and teachers for instruction. Christian hospitality was both a virtue (Romans 12:13, Hebrews 13:2, 1 Peter 4:9) and a practical necessity—teachers had no hotels and needed lodging and financial support.

However, this system was vulnerable to exploitation. The Didache (late first-century church manual) addresses protocols for receiving traveling teachers, including how to distinguish genuine from false teachers. False teachers could claim apostolic authority, appear sincere, and use Christian language while spreading destructive heresies. Unsuspecting believers might provide platform and endorsement to those undermining the gospel.

John's command protected churches from this threat. Denying hospitality wasn't merely withholding personal courtesy but refusing to aid false teaching's spread. Since house churches provided the venue for teaching and Lord's Supper fellowship, excluding false teachers from homes effectively prevented them from influencing the congregation. This set precedent for church discipline: those promoting false doctrine about Christ's person must be excluded from Christian fellowship, not to punish them personally but to protect the church and maintain gospel purity.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we distinguish between showing common human kindness and providing specifically Christian endorsement or partnership?
  2. What criteria should churches use to evaluate which teachers receive platforms, partnerships, or recommendations?
  3. How can we practice this biblical discernment without becoming harshly judgmental or isolated from all outside influence?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
εἴ1 of 21
G1487

if, whether, that, etc

τις2 of 21
G5100

some or any person or object

ἔρχεται3 of 21

“there come”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

πρὸς4 of 21

“unto”

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

ὑμᾶς5 of 21

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

καὶ6 of 21

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ταύτην7 of 21
G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

τὴν8 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

διδαχὴν9 of 21

“doctrine”

G1322

instruction (the act or the matter)

οὐ10 of 21

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

φέρει11 of 21

“bring”

G5342

to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows)

μὴ12 of 21

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

λαμβάνετε13 of 21

“receive”

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

αὐτῷ14 of 21

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

εἰς15 of 21

“into”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

οἰκίαν16 of 21

“your house”

G3614

properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)

καὶ17 of 21

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

χαίρειν18 of 21

“God speed”

G5463

to be "cheer"ful, i.e., calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well

αὐτῷ19 of 21

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

μὴ20 of 21

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

λέγετε·21 of 21

“bid”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 John 1:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 John 1:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Titus 3:10Romans 16:17-182 Thessalonians 3:62 Timothy 3:5-62 Thessalonians 3:141 Corinthians 5:11

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