2 John 1:9 (KJV)

Passage

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.

Nearby Context

2 John 1:7 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.

2 John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

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.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "whosoever", "transgresseth", "abideth", "doctrine", "christ", and "hath". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "whosoever" and "transgresseth", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 8's "Look to yourselves that we lose not..." into verse 10's "If there come any unto you and...", so "whosoever" and "transgresseth" 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 "whosoever" and "transgresseth" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.