For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
By wishing a false brother joy х chairein (G5463)], "God speed," you imply that he is capable of good speed and joy, and that you wish him it while opposing Christ; so you identify yourself as 'having communion with [koinonei] his evil deeds.' We cannot have communion with saints and with Antichrist at once. Here we see John's naturally fiery zeal directed to a right end (Luke 9:54). Polycarp, disciple of John, told contemporaries of Irenaeus, who narrates it on their authority, that once when John was about to bathe, and heard that Cerinthus, the heretic, was within, he retired with abhorrence, exclaiming, Surely the house will fall in ruins since the enemy of the truth is there!