An Overview of the Teachings of Christ -- 2 John 9
By Joe R. Price

A disciple is a learner, or pupil. The disciple’s objective is to train under his master’s direction and guidance so that he will become like his teacher. A disciple learns so that he may live in the shadow of his master’s approval. Jesus said: "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher." (Luke 6:40) The Christian's goal then, is to learn and live the Lord’s teachings so that he will, in his thinking and conduct, be like Jesus.

Another word for teaching is doctrine ("didache, teaching, that which is taught," Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Thayer, 144). To say that the "doctrine of Christ" is secondary, and not as important as Christ to one's salvation is to say that the "teaching of Christ" is secondary and not as important as Christ to one's salvation. But how can we know Christ except through His teachings? " Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." {John 8:31,32}

Christ’s teachings are revealed and available to us in the New Testament. If we dare to reject Christ, His words will surely judge us in the last day. "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him -- the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day." {John 12:48} Conversely, if we "abide in the doctrine of Christ," we will enjoy fellowship with Him, now and eternally (2 John 9; cf. John 14:21, 23-24).

Christ’s teachings contain His authority and train the Christian to so live that his "life is hidden with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:3) Christ will not be in the life of the Christian who does not let the word of Christ richly dwell within him (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:16). When Christ's word dwells in the Christian, he is well equipped to obey Colossians 3:17: "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

In this article, we will examine the meaning of "the doctrine of Christ" within the context of 2 John 9, as well as the broader context (the entire New Testament).

2 John 9 and "the Doctrine of Christ"
"Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son." (2 John 9)

I. WHAT IS "THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST" IN 2 JOHN 9?

  1. At least three views of "the doctrine of Christ" are presently being expressed among brethren.
    1. The teaching about Christ (His nature).
    2. The teaching done by Christ and His apostles, but only that teaching which is fundamental and clear. (This view can be summarily eliminated due to its subjective plea for "clarity" as the basis for determining the doctrine of Christ. Also, in the absence of any scriptural pattern for such a definition, this view must be rejected. It is the core gospel plea of the new hermeneutics that rejects Biblical patterns as the means of establishing and applying Bible authority.)
    3. The entire body of gospel teaching, the New Testament of Jesus Christ.
The Bible gives abundant evidence that "the doctrine of Christ" is the teaching given by Christ and His apostles.

  1. The "doctrine of Christ" in 2 John 9 is the entire body of what Christ taught, personally and through his apostles.
    1. Abide - "in reference to state or condition ... to remain as one, not to become another or different." (Thayer, 399)
    2. In - "a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time, or state)." (Ibid., 209-212)
    3. Doctrine - "teaching ... that which is taught ... doctrine, teaching, concerning something." (Ibid., 144)
    4. Of - conveys possession (genitive case).
    5. Christ - Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Matthew 16:16).
    6. By Him, God has spoken to us in these last days (Hebrews 1:1-2).
    7. By Holy-Spirit-inspired apostles and prophets, Christ's teachings have been communicated to us (cf. John 16:12-15; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13; 14:37).
    8. The doctrine of Christ is His gospel, the New Testament.

  1. NT usage of "the doctrine of" indicates its meaning in 2 John 9.
    1. The doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 16:6,12) - Jesus was referring to the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees, not teaching about those sects.
    2. The apostles' doctrine (Acts 2:42) - This is none other than what the apostles taught (the gospel, Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:20), not teaching about the apostles.
    3. The doctrines of men (Colossians 2:22; Matthew 15:9; Mark 7:7) - These are the teachings of men, not teachings about men.
    4. The doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1) - Does that mean men would fall away due to giving heed to teachings about demons, or due to giving heed to doctrines taught by demons? (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 1 John 4:1)
    5. The doctrine of Balaam (Revelation 2:14) was what Balaam taught: "who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel...," not teaching about Balaam.
    6. The doctrine of the Nicolaitans (Revelation 2:15) - Was this the teaching about the Nicolaitans, or the teaching being done by the Nicolaitans?
    7. The doctrine of Christ in 2 John 9 is a general reference to the doctrine that comes from Christ. It is not limited to teaching about His nature.

  1. The teaching of Christ is said to be "His teaching," not the teaching about Him.
    1. Matthew 7:28-29 - The people were astonished at His teaching.
      1. Luke 4:32 - "And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority." It was His word and its authority that astonished them.
      2. Mark 11:18 - "...all the people were astonished at His teaching."
    2. So, it was what Jesus taught that astonished the people, and that included much, much more than teaching about who He was -- it encompasses all that He taught!

  1. The context of 2 John supports this meaning of "the doctrine of Christ."
    1. The doctrine of Christ is "the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever" (2 John 1-2). We must choose to abide in the doctrine of Christ, which will be with us forever.
      1. Do we only abide in teaching about the nature of Christ (who He was, etc.)?
      2. To truly be His disciples, we must abide in all the word of Christ (John 8:31).
    2. The doctrine of Christ is the truth in which we are to "walk" (2 John 4).
    3. The doctrine of Christ is the "commandment" we received from the Father (2 John 5). (cf. John 12:48-50)
    4. The doctrine of Christ contains the "commandments" in which we are to walk. This is love. (cf. John 13:34-35)

  1. When the Christian abides (remains) in "the doctrine of Christ," he abides in:
    1. The word of Christ (John 8:31-32).
    2. Jesus (1 John 2:5-6, 3; John 15:4).
    3. Christ's love, by keeping His commandments (John 15:9-10).
    4. The light (1 John 2:10).
    5. The Son, by letting the gospel abide in him (1 John 2:24, 28).
    6. Christ, by keeping His commandments (1 John 3:24).
    7. The truth (2 John 1-2).
    8. His commandments (2 John 6).

  1. The gospel that the apostles preached is "the doctrine of Christ."
    1. All truth (the doctrine of Christ) was revealed to the apostles of Christ (John 16:12-13).
    2. The apostles were inspired to preach the doctrine of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:10-13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
    3. The apostolic teaching is the doctrine of Christ (1 Corinthians 14:37; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 2 Timothy 1:13).

II. ARE WE LIMITED IN OUR APPLICATION OF 2 JOHN 9-11 TO THE IMMEDIATE CONTEXT?

Since John is addressing the false doctrine that Jesus Christ did not come in the flesh (v. 7), some conclude that is the only application of 2 John 9. Consider these words of W. L. Wharton on this matter:

2 John 9 presents a specific problem. Any specific denial that Christ is come in the flesh is a denial of the Lord's teaching. But not all failing to 'abide in the teaching' is a specific denial that the Lord is come in the flesh. There are many such verses. Revelation 22:18, 19 contains prohibition and penalty against adding to or taking from the words of that prophecy. That is pretty specific! Is it wrong to take those verses and apply them to a tampering with any other book in the scripture?

Granting the existence of general authority, we must keep in mind that specifics are readily governed by mention of the generics to which they attach. While generics govern specifics, the rule does not reverse to permit specifics to govern generics.

Of course, 2 John 9 condemns denying that Christ is come in the flesh (a specific error), because holding such a belief is not abiding in the doctrine of Christ (generic). But the denial is not the whole; rather, the whole encompasses the denial.

While 2 John 9 applied to those who denied the fleshly advent, it is wrong to say it has no other application. The real issue over 2 John 9 lies not in the field of grammar, or even context, but rather in an overreaching of its teaching to make what is general (the doctrine of Christ) mean nothing more than that Christ came in the flesh. While doctrine of Christ in this text is not applied to anything else, it does not follow on that account that it therefore includes nothing else.

To say that 2 John 9 refers to nothing more than denial of the fleshly advent is not exegesis; it is perversion!

To say that it applies to nothing more than the text, adds no knowledge or help to anyone and is, at best, pointless. At worst, it is a sop held out to members of the rising tide of the let's fellowship everybody element who say that its application is limited to the specific of the text. Armed with that, they are ready to join up with the "mechanical instruments of music in worship" and "brethren in prospect" contenders. (The Preceptor Magazine, date, volume unknown; cited by Larry Ray Hafley, Watchman Magazine, July 1998).

Robert Turner succinctly states the truth on this matter:

"It seems to me that both context and N.T. usage require 2 John 9 to refer to that which Christ taught personally and through His apostles. John warns of a particular error (that Christ had not come in the flesh), but this does not negate a more general application of the principle given. In 1 John 4:2, are we to understand that the only test for determining those who are of God is the confession that He is come in the flesh? Or is this simply one example (currently needed) of a broad principle? (Note vs 6.) Do all who say Jesus is Lord have spiritual gifts? (1 Corinthians 12:3). See Deuteronomy 13:2 for an Old Testament example of citing a specific error to teach a general principle." (Original citation unknown, cited by Larry Ray Hafley, Watchman Magazine, July 1998)

III. THE CHRISTIAN'S RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST.

  1. The Christian must not go beyond the teaching of Christ - 2 John 9.
    1. We sin when we transgress the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9).
    2. Sin separates us from God. Therefore, when one goes beyond the doctrine of Christ, his sin deprives him of his fellowship with God. (Galatians 1:6-9)
    3. If we sin by adding to, or taking away from, the doctrine of Christ, we incur divine wrath and punishment (Revelation 22:18-19; 1 Corinthians 4:6).
  2. The Christian is to abide in the doctrine of Christ - 2 John 9.
    1. We abide in the doctrine of Christ by keeping the word of Christ (John 14:23). Jesus said if we do not keep His words (His teachings), we do not love Him (John 14:24).
    2. By practicing the truth, one walks in the light and has fellowship with God (1 John 1:6-7).
    3. By keeping His commandments, we have the truth in us, we are in Christ, and we have real assurance of fellowship with God (1 John. 2:3-6; 3:24).
  3. The Christian is not to extend fellowship to one who does not abide in the doctrine of Christ - 2 John 10-11 (cf. Ephesians 5:3-11; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1).
    1. To extend and maintain fellowship with a person who teaches and/or practices error and sin is a clear violation of 2 John 10-11. It causes one to have fellowship with evil.
    2. We are to "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them" (Ephesians 5:11).
    3. We are to remain separate and distinct from the sin and error of the world (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1).
  4. The Christian should extend fellowship to everyone who teaches and abides in the gospel - Galatians 2:7-9; cf. 3 John 5-8.

IV. PARALLEL THOUGHTS CONFIRM THAT "THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST" IN 2 JOHN 9 IS THE TEACHING THAT COMES FROM CHRIST.

2 John 9 says "Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son." Now, see the common thread of thought in the following additional New Testament passages:

CONCLUSION

We can be united in our understanding, teaching, and application of 2 John 9. Diligent study of God's word, proper attitudes of heart, and unwavering commitment to obey the word of Christ in all things will bring us to the unity for which Jesus prayed (Jno. 17:20-21; cf. 2 Tim. 2:15; Eph. 4:1-3; Jno. 8:31-32). The following words of brother Hafley appropriately challenge us to choose to remain in "the doctrine of Christ" and truly be disciples of Christ.

Those who cringe and apologize for the truth when it is preached and who disclaim and despise those who teach the doctrine of the Lord are not friends of Christ (2 Tim. 1:15; 4:14-16). They who defend the integrity of those who teach error, while they use every veiled and hidden slur against those who oppose error are not loyal to the Lord. "Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel" (2 Tim. 1:8). Choose now, as Moses did, to suffer affliction with the people of God, for the gospel's sake. It is not human loyalty, the friendship of the world, but it is love for the doctrine of the Lord and the support of faithful saints that will be rewarded in that last, great day (Phil. 1:5-7; Heb. 6:10-12). So give our God your hearts and your hands, O, ye of Israel who love his law and delight in his doctrine! (Watchman Magazine, July 1998)

***Brother Price had done an excellent job of showing the correct understanding of 2 John 9. Over the years, brethren have tried to prop up their error by redefining words. Some want to say that doctrine and gospel are two different words and that they should be preached to two different audiences. The gospel is for the lost, and doctrine is for those who are saved. Such teaching, when examined by the honest truth seeker, simply does not pass the test of scriptural soundness. Men seek to twist and pervert God’s word in order to sustain their own agendas. God’s word is in perfect harmony, and without contradictions. Why can’t we simply accept what the book says and leave it at that? If I knew the answer to that question, I could help those of my brethren who have drifted (and are drifting deeper) into apostasy. ***

Go Back to Knollwood Church of Christ Index Page