This is a very good, practical question.  To understand and obey this portion will affect the way we conduct ourselves when others come to our door seeking to teach us unscriptural teachings.  First of all, this portion is not addressing our Gospel efforts, rather it is instructing us to not give room to those who come to us with false doctrine.

2 John 10-11 says, “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”  “This doctrine speaks of the ‘doctrine of Christ’ mentioned in verse 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.”  This person is not an invited guest, but one who comes to your house to spread falseness.  “If there come any unto you…” shows this.  Yet, this person is not coming to your house to share the truth.  This person does not bring the doctrine of Christ.  We are given instruction in Proverbs 19:27, “Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.”  Once we understand that a lie is being told, we should immediately shut our ears and cause them to cease teaching falsities. 

If such a person comes to our home hoping to lead us in the path of error, there are two things we SHOULD NOT DO.

RECEIVE HIM NOT INTO YOUR HOUSE – I take this very literal.  If a so-called Jehovah’s Witness, or a Mormon comes to my door, I may engage him outside my house…perhaps on the porch.  I do not want to give him the impression that I have respect for what he does and make him feel welcome as if he is wanted to come in and share his thoughts with me.  Once we establish what they are there to teach, many times we know the major doctrines of their cult and can simply tell them we are not interested.  I have often engaged these people, but outside my home and I insist we look at the Bible for the things we declare to be true. 

NEITHER BID HIM GOD SPEED – To bid someone ‘God speed’ is really a token of a common greeting among the Christian fellowship.  The Greek word for God speed is ‘chaírō’ and literally means ‘be well’ or ‘be glad’ or ‘peace be to you.’  That word is translated as ‘rejoice’ ‘be glad’ and in Luke 19:6 it is translated as ‘joyfully.’ “And he made haste, and came down, and received him JOYFULLY.”  It is so dangerous to make these cultists think we are happy for what they are doing and the influence they are trying to have on others. 

The Lord Jesus was accused of looseness and associating with sinners in Luke 15:2, “And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.”  If we know someone who is not saved and we desire to share the Gospel with them, it seems a good thing to possibly take them out for a meal and share the Good News with them while eating.  We must be sure of our motives and seek the Lord’s guidance so that we might be an effective witness to the lost.  (CC)  (629.2)