The Pulpit Commentary — 2 John — Section 13

teRcher" (Alford), flA in John x. 4, "He goeth before them," etc. Ebrard explains it thus: "' He who in such a sense goes forward in knowledge as not to abide in the doctrine of Obrist, bath not God.' It is undeniable that reference is here made to the pretensions of the Gnostics, who always represented their doctrine as a constant pro- gression in knowledge. 'fhere is a progress which forsakes the first principles which have been established; and such a progress is apostasy. In all true progres~irJn of knowledge there must ever be a firm adherence to the unchangeable root or l'oundation of knowledge.'' Men may renounce truth for error. " If any among you do err from the truth.'' Men may fail to abide in the true doctrine by reason of (1) a curious and speculative mental disposition. Some will not recognize the fact that "secret things belong unto the Lord.'' They are presumptuous in their intellectual inquiries and investigations. They forget that it is "the meek whom he will guide in judgment," etc. (Ps. xxv. 9). "Thou bast hid these things from the wise and understanding," etc. (Matt. xi. 25), Again, men may fail to abide in the true doctrine by reason of (2) loss of spiritual health. If a man become a backslider in heart, his strongest guarantee for steadfastness in the faith is gone. "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him," etc. When the heart is not right with God, man is easily Jed away from truth into error. We are required to abide in the true teaching. We are to be rooted and grounded in it; to grow up in it, etc. The sad conMequence of failure in this respect should arouse us to maintain our steadfastness in the doctrine of Christ. "Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, bath not God;" i.e. he bas no fellowship with God, he is not a partaker of his nature, he does not possess him as his Portion. III. THE BLESSED CONSEQUENCE OF MAINTAINING THIS TRUE RELATION TO THE SUPREME TEACHING OF THE DIVINE. "He that abideth in the teaching, the Slime hath both the Father and the Son.'' How are we to understand this? He has them : 1. By true acquaintance with them. " We have the mind of Christ.'' We know the only true God, e.nd Jesus Christ whom he hath sent. We have the author himself, in an important sense, when we have grasped his opinions. principles, arguments, sympathies; ao we have the Father and the Son by our acquaintance with the Divine teaching. 2. By swpreme sympathy with them. "God is Love; e.nd he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God dwelleth in him.'' "Our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.'' By mutual Jove we possess each other. By mutual love we "have both the Father and the Son." 3. By covenant relation with them. "God said, I will dwell in them, and walk' in them: and I will be their God, and they shall be my people;" "The Lord is my Portion, saith my soul;" "My Lord and my God." Let us give all diligence to a.bide in the teaching of Christ, that this most glorious e.nd blessed possession may be ours, even" the Fe.ther and the Son.''-W. J. Vers. 10, 11.-How to treat heretics. "If there come any unto you, e.nd bring not this doctrine," etc. Our subject divides itself into two branches. I. THE EXHORTATION OF THE APOSTLE. "If any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into your house, and give him no greeting.'' Notice : 1. Wnat the ea;hortation implies, (1) That tho elect lady was accustomed to enter- tain Christian ministers (cf. 3 John 5, 6). We have a beautiful illustration of similar hospitality in 2 Kings iv. 8-13. From that time to this very many godly persons have obtained for themselves e. good report by entertaining faithful ministers of religion. In so doing they have often been richly blessed; and a gracious reward is promised unto them (Matt. x. 40--42). (2) That there were ministers of false teaching abroad who were likely to call upon this lady. "If any one cometh unto you, and brin~eth not this teaching;" i.e. "the teaching of Christ" (ver. 9). Alford points out that the use of" the indicative after ,l shows that the case supposed actually existed; that snch persons were sure to come to" her. 'l'he tee.chem of error were at work, etc. 2. What the ea;hortation enjoins. "If any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into your house, and give him no greeting.'' \Ve have already con- sidered (in dealing with ver. 8) what is a Christian's first duty in relation to false doctrines and their propagators. What is his subsequent duty? 'l'o refute such doctrines? To denounce such teachers? To oppose them? Or, to persecute them? The N""' 'l'este.ment 11owhere sanctions persecution in any form. And opposition should  THE SEOOND EPISTLE OF JOHN.