The Pulpit Commentary — 2 John — Section 14

be loft to the few who have the ability to conduct it successfully. The wise course for the great majority of those who hold the truth is, first, to look to themselves (ver. 8), and next, to withhold all help and encouragement from the false teachers. St. John enjoins: (1) That we do not aid the teachers of false doctrine by our hospitality. "Receive him not into your house." The apostle is not giving directions concerning the case _of an ordinary trnveller seeking hospitality; but of an active agent in the propagat10n of error, and error as to a fact of vital importance. "Let not your house be made a base of opera.tions age.inst Christ." (2) That we do not aid the teachers of false doct.rine by wishing them success. "Give him no greeting." Do not bid him "God-speed." Do not countenance him and his errors in any way or in any degree. " God will be no Patron of falsehood, seduction, and sin." And in this respect his people ~hould imitate him. In our age, in some quarters, there is a great demand for liberality in the treatment of men who differ from us on religious questions. Aud so far aa matters of opinion and of the interpretation of the Scriptures are concerned, the demand is a just one. But it is altogether different when it is a question of the acceptation or rejection of facts, or a fact, as in the case before us. The question was-Had Jesus Christ come in the flesh, or not? (ver. 7). In such a case the course marked out by St. John in this letter (vers. 8, 10, 11) is the only one for a Christian. How severely he cha- racterizes the heretics ( ver. 7) ! How sternly St. Paul writes of teachers of error (Ga.I. i. 7-9) ! They knew that a. true faith is the necessary root of Christian fruit~ fulness and beauty. True faith is essential to spiritual. life, holy love, and hearty obedience. 11. THE REASON BY wm:CH THE EXHORTATION IS ENFORCED. "For he that giveth him greeting parta.keth in his evil works." To countenance a. teacher of error, to wish him "God-speed," is to approve his evil works and to share his guilt. Says Matthew Henry, " We may be sharers in the iniquities of others. How judicious and how cautious should the Christian be! There are many ways of sharing the guilt of other people's transgressions; it may be done by culpable silence, indolence, unconcemednesd, private contribution, public countenance and assistance, inward approbation, open apology and defence." Let us take heed that we be not "partakers of other men's sins." In matters of opinion let us cultivate the widest liberality; in matters of fact, uncom- promising firmness. " In things essential, unity; in things doubtful, liberty; in all things, charity."-W. J.