In part one I showed the absurdity of using 1 John 10, 11 to condemn the practice of inviting Mormon’s and Jehovah Witnesses into my house to share Jesus. Part 2 I will show what I consider a better interpretation of these verses. I will start with verse one which will establish who the letter is addressed to.
2 John 1 (NASB)1 “The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth…” The vast majority of Biblical scholars believe the phrase “to the chosen lady and her children” is actually referring to the church. So this letter by Apostle John is addressed to the church.
The key verses 2 John 9-11 “Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. 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; 11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.”
The word “House” in this context most likely refers to a house church. These church homes were not to allow false teachers to go from house church to house church and spread their false doctrines from the pulpit. These house churches were also not to lend support (financial, etc.) to these false teachers. It would be comparable to a church, like Willow Creek in Chicago, allowing a Jehovah's Witness to teach Watchtower doctrines from the pulpit to turn people from the truth. John was warning the house churches to not let them teach or give them support in anyway.
Some who interpret these passages as dealing with house churches are Hank Hanagraff “the Bible Answer Man,” the New Bible Commentary, Walter Martin in his book “Kingdom of the Cults,” The Bible Knowledge Commentary, the IVP New Testament Commentary, and the New Testament Commentary.
A second interpretation could be John was speaking of a home in the congregation giving support to false teachers to spread their lies. The New American Commentary takes this stand.“The elder is not demanding that they refuse to engage in conversation with someone who is spiritually confused. He is not saying you cannot invite them into your home for a visit where you confront them with the claims of Christ. What he is saying is that we are not to provide support and aid (e.g., a place to stay and money) to anyone who is spreading false teaching and disseminating error. They must not open their homes to any such persons and give them a base of operation to spread their heresy. The unloving thing would be to assist and accommodate their error. A strong stand of opposition to these evangelists of error is essential for the health of the church.” (The New American Commentary)
So when I talk with Jehovah Witnesses and Mormon’s in my house do I participate in their evil? Absolutely not! I am being an ambassador for Christ and allowing God to make his appeal to their hearts and minds through me.It is the most loving thing I can do; it is the most loving thing you can do.
