2 John: Balancing Truth, Hospitality & Discernment

Truth is mentioned 5 times in this 1 page epistle (all in the first 4 verses!).

Hospitality (especially towards other believers) is a Christian grace commended in Romans 12:9-13: "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality"

In the first century church, itinerant preachers would depend upon the hospitality of God's people to assist them in their ministry. The aged Apostle commends and commands "the elect lady" to "love one another" (vs 5). Such hospitality is a manifestation of Christian love! Compare 3 John 5-7 "Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, because they went forth for His name’s sake"

But that love (and hospitality) must not compromise truth - rather it must discern and reject those who herald falsehoods - especially about Christ and the Gospel of Christ.

In the 2nd Epistle of John, the Apostle John warns against providing hospitality to false teachers: 7-11, "For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. ... Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds"

What is truth (Pilate asked this of Christ as recorded in John 18:38)? A better question is "Who is Truth?". Jesus answers that question in John 14:6, "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me". Not only is Jesus truth, but He declares that God's Word is truth (John 17:17: "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth").

The next time the Jehovah's Witnesses, the Mormons or other purveyers of falsehood knock on the door, don't let them in!