2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh… I. THE NATURE OF THE ERROR DENOUNCED. It did not consist so much in openly impugning the principles of the gospel as in "not confessing them." It was insinuated rather than avowed. II. THE TENDENCY OF THE ERROR DENOUNCED. In temporal matters, that form of evil which is most injurious is not always that which is most so in appearance. "The pestilence that walketh in darkness" is not less fatal than the "destruction which wasteth at noonday." In our religious concerns it is the same. The description will apply to those of the present day who, without openly patronising Socinianism, secretly advance it by the systematic omission of the Scriptural doctrines of Christ's deity and atonement. 1. The relation which the points omitted have to the other facts and doctrines of the Christian system. (1) The object of Christ's advent. (2) The tendency and results of Christ's advent. (3) The demerit of sin. (4) The love of God in our redemption. (5) The motives of Christian obedience. 2. The tendency which the omission has to subvert the principles omitted. Never hearing any distinct ideas in regard to the person and work of the Redeemer, the people come to regard them as matters of "doubtful disputation," if not as positively unscriptural.Lessons — 1. Let this subject furnish a criterion of truth and error. 2. Let us learn the danger of erroneous principles in matters of religion. 3. Let us avoid those connections which would lead to the adoption of erroneous principles. (R. Brodie, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. |
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