Do not have fellowship with [people who practice] worthless deeds of darkness [i.e., sinful living], but expose them instead.
2 John 1:11 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition) For the person who greets him [with approval] participates in his evil deeds [i.e., in his false teaching]. More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition For he who wishes him success [who encourages him, wishing him Godspeed] is a partaker in his evil doings. American Standard Version (1901) for he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works. Common English Bible because welcoming people like that is the same thing as sharing in their evil actions. Catholic Public Domain Version For whoever speaks a greeting to him, is speaking with his evil works. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version For he that saith unto him, God speed you, communicateth with his wicked works. |
Do not have fellowship with [people who practice] worthless deeds of darkness [i.e., sinful living], but expose them instead.
Do not be in a hurry to lay hands on anyone [i.e., to appoint them to office. See 4:14], and do not participate in the sins of other people. [Note: If Timothy failed to carefully determine the qualifications of a prospective elder before appointing him, it would make him partially responsible for any wrongdoing by that elder]. Keep yourself pure [i.e., of involvement in anyone’s sins].
For everyone who has to drink “milk” is inexperienced in the teaching about righteousness, for he is [still] a [spiritual] baby.
you should save others [from hell, as though you were] snatching them out of the fire. And you should show pity toward some people, [coupled] with a fear [of the consequences of sin], hating the clothing contaminated by a physical sore [i.e., hating sin so much as to avoid it at all costs].
Then I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, so that you do not share in her sins, and so that you do not receive her plagues [i.e., judgments].