Anyone who doesn’t provide for their own relatives, and especially for their own family, has denied the faith and is worse than someone who doesn’t believe.
Now I’m ready to visit you for the third time. I’m not going to be a burden to you, because I don’t want what you have. What I really want is you. After all, children shouldn’t have to save up for their parents. Parents should save up for their children.
‘I know what you’ve been doing. Look! I’ve opened a door in front of you, and no one can shut it. I know you don’t have much strength, but you’ve obeyed my word, and you haven’t denied me.
‘I know that even though you live where Satan has his throne, you’re still faithful to me. You didn’t give up your faith even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city, where Satan lives.
But there were also false prophets among the people. In the same way, there will be false teachers among you. They’ll secretly bring in wrong teachings that can destroy you. They’ll even deny the Lord and Master who died to pay for their sins. So they will quickly destroy themselves.
Certain people have secretly slipped in among you. Long ago it was written that they would be found guilty. They’re ungodly people who misuse the grace of our God as an excuse for sexual sins. They deny Jesus Christ, our only Lord and King.
If they still refuse to listen, then tell it to the community of believers. And if they refuse to listen even to the community, then treat them the way you would treat an unbeliever or a traitor.