2 John 1 · Verse 11

2 John 1:11

For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
2 John 1:11, King James Version

2 John 1:11 in other translations

BSBWhoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.
WEBfor he who welcomes him participates in his evil deeds.
ASVfor he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works.
YLTfor he who is saying to him, ‘Hail,' hath fellowship with his evil works.
DARBYfor he who greets him partakes in his wicked works.
BBEFor he who gives him words of love has a part in his evil works.
WebsterFor he that wisheth him happiness, is partaker of his evil deeds.

What does 2 John 1:11 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
11. By wishing a false brother or teacher "God (or 'good') speed," you imply that he is capable as such of good speed and joy (the literal meaning of the Greek), and that you wish him it while opposing Christ; so you identify yourself with "his evil deeds." The Greek of "partaker" is "having communion with." We cannot have communion with saints and with Antichrist at the same time. Here we see John's naturally fiery zeal directed to a right end. Polycarp, the disciple of John, told contemporaries of Irenæus, who narrates the story on their authority, that on one occasion 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.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 11. For he that biddeth him, God speed, is partaker of his evil deeds. Shows that he countenances and approves of the doctrine which is taught. Comp. 1Timm 5:22.

(+) "speed" "wisheth him success" (b) "partaker" 1Timm 5:22

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 11 Is partaker of his evil deeds - He that acts towards him as if he considered him a Christian brother, and sound in the faith, puts it in his power to deceive others, by thus apparently accrediting his ministry. No sound Christian should countenance any man as a Gospel minister, who holds and preaches erroneous doctrines; especially concerning the Lord Jesus. Nor can any Christian attend the ministry of such teachers without being criminal in the sight of God. He who attends their ministry is, in effect, bidding them God speed; no matter whether such belong to an established Church, or to any congregation of dissenters from it. But what St. John says here does not mean that we should deny such the common offices of humanity, charity, and mercy. No. In these offices we are equally bound to all men; far less does it intimate that we should persecute such on account of their heretical or heterodox sentiments. No. This right has God given to no man, to no Church, to no state. They who persecute others, even for the worst heretical opinions, may expect the heaviest judgments of Almighty God. There is a remarkable addition here in several MSS. Of the Vulgate, and in some printed editions. Ecce praedixi vobis, ut in diem Domini nostri Jesu Christi non confundamini. "Behold, I have foretold this to you, that ye may not be confounded in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." This addition is found in the edition of Pope Sixtus the Fifth, and in the Complutensian Polyglot; but it is not acknowledged by any of the versions, nor by any Greek MSS.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 John 1:7-11

The deceiver and his deceit are described: he brings some error concerning the person or office of the Lord Jesus. Such a one is a deceiver and an antichrist; he deludes souls, and undermines the glory and kingdom of the Lord Christ. Let us not think it strange, that there are deceivers and opposers of the Lord Christ's name and dignity now, for there were such, even in the apostles' times. The more deceivers and…

Read the full comment on 2 John 1:7-11 →

2 John 1:11 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὁhothe [one]G3588
λέγωνlegōntellingG3004
γὰρgarforG1063
αὐτῷautōhimG846
χαίρειν,chaireinto rejoiceG5463
κοινωνεῖkoinōneipartakesG2841
τοῖςtoisin theG3588
ἔργοιςergoisworksG2041
αὐτοῦautouof himG846
τοῖςtois<the>G3588
πονηροῖς.¶ponēroisevil.G4190

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 John 1:11

  • 1 Timothy 5:22

    Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.

  • Ephesians 5:11

    And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

  • Revelation 18:4

    And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

  • Psalms 50:18

    When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
partaker.
Ps 50:18; Eph 5:11; 1Ti 5:22; Re 18:4

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 John 1:10

    If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

  • 2 John 1:11

    For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

  • 2 John 1:12

    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.

Read all of 2 John 1

2 John 1:11 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque el que le dice bienvenido, comunica con sus malas obras.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		car celui qui le salue participe à ses mauvaises œuvres.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn wer ihn grüßt, nimmt teil an seinen bösen Werken.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Qui enim dicit illi Ave, communicat operibus ejus malignis.