Albert Barnes Commentary 2 John 1:10

"If any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into [your] house, and give him no greeting:" — 2 John 1:10 (ASV)

If there come any unto you. Any professed teacher of religion. There can be no doubt that she to whom this epistle was written was accustomed to entertain such teachers.

And bring not this doctrine. This means the doctrine which Christ taught, or the true doctrine concerning Him and His religion.

Receive him not into your house. This cannot mean that no acts of kindness, in any circumstances, were to be shown to such persons; but that there was to be nothing done which could be fairly construed as encouraging or countenancing them as religious teachers. The true rule would seem to be, regarding such persons, that as far as we have interaction with them as neighbors or strangers, we are to be honest, true, kind, and just, but we are to do nothing that will countenance them as religious teachers.

We are not to attend their instruction (Proverbs 19:27); we are not to receive them into our houses or entertain them as religious teachers; we are not to commend them to others or give them any reason to use our names or influence in propagating error. It would not be difficult to practice this rule and yet show to others all the kindness and attention in circumstances of want which religion demands.

A man who is truly consistent is never suspected of countenancing error, even when he is distinguished for liberality and is ready, like the good Samaritan, to pour in oil and wine into the wounds of any waylaid traveler. The command not to receive such a one into the house, in such circumstances as those referred to by John, would probably be understood literally, as he doubtless designed that it should be.

To do that—to meet such persons with a friendly greeting—would be construed as countenancing their doctrine and commending them to others, and hence it was forbidden to entertain them as such. This treatment would not be required where no such interpretation could be placed on receiving a friend or relative who held different and even erroneous views, or on showing kindness to a stranger who differed from us; but it would apply to receiving and entertaining a professed teacher of religion, as such. The rule is as applicable now as it was then.

Neither bid him God speed. kai cairein autw mh legete. "And do not say to him, hail, or joy." Do not wish him joy; do not hail or salute him. The word used expresses the common form of salutation, as when we wish someone health, success, prosperity (Matthew 26:49; Acts 15:23; Acts 23:26; James 1:1). It would be understood as expressing a wish for success in the enterprise in which they were embarked; and though we should love all men, desire their welfare, and sincerely seek their happiness, yet we can properly wish no one success in a career of sin and error.