2 John 1:11 Meaning and Explanation
“For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →To wish such a false teacher well is to share in his evil work.
What Does 2 John 1:11 Mean?
This short verse completes the thought of the one before it. To 'bid God speed' to a teacher who denies the truth about Christ is not a harmless courtesy; it makes one a 'partaker of his evil deeds.' To encourage and assist such work is, in a real sense, to join in it.
The elder is showing that our choices ripple outward. Welcoming and blessing what opposes the gospel is not neutral; it lends our weight to harm. The reader is sobered but also dignified by this: what we support matters. We are called to a discerning love that refuses to bless what would damage others' faith, while still longing, as the whole letter does, for all to walk in the truth.
2 John 1:11 in the Original Language
koinōneō (κοινωνέω), 'partaker' — to share or have fellowship in, the same root behind the rich New Testament word for communion.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 John 1:11
What does 2 John 1:11 mean?
To wish such a false teacher well is to share in his evil work.