For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. (8) Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. (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. (13) The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
There is nothing here which can need a comment, the whole being so very plain and obvious. They shew the affectionate mind of the Apostle, in watching over the Church; and they no less teach how very early the heresies sprung up among the people. Very painful must it have been to the hoary Apostle, who had lain in Jesus's bosom, to live long enough to see men arise who dared to deny that Jesus Christ had come in the flesh. But, Reader! Had John lived to our day, or could he have beheld the infidelity, which we are vexed with, what judgments would he not teach the Church they might expect to follow? Not the true Church, however, for this is everlastingly and eternally safe; but the professing Church, who have frittered away all that is truly valuable in the Gospel of Christ, and left nothing to it but the mere name of Christian.
The Apostle very sweetly closeth the Epistle with the greetings from one branch of the Lord's chosen family to another!