2 John 1:11 (KJV)

Passage

For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Nearby Context

2 John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

2 John 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

2 John 1:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

2 John 1:12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

2 John 1:13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "biddeth", "speed", "partaker", "evil", and "deeds". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "biddeth" and "speed", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 10's "If there come any unto you and..." into verse 12's "Having many things to write unto you...", so "biddeth" and "speed" belong inside that flow. In 2 John context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "biddeth" and "speed" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.