Chapter XVI.—The fate of false...

Chapter XVI.—The fate of false teachers.

Do not err, my brethren. ⁵⁹⁶ Those that corrupt families shall not inherit the kingdom of God. ⁵⁹⁷ If, then, those who do this as respects the flesh have suffered death, how much more shall this be the case with any one who corrupts by wicked doctrine the faith of God, for which Jesus Christ was crucified! Such an one becoming defiled [in this way], shall go away into everlasting fire, and so shall every one that hearkens unto him.

Do not err, my brethren. ⁵⁹⁸ Those that corrupt families shall not inherit the kingdom of God. ⁵⁹⁹ And if those that corrupt mere human families are condemned to death, how much more shall those suffer everlasting punishment who endeavour to corrupt the Church of Christ, for which the Lord Jesus, the only-begotten Son of God, endured the cross, and submitted to death! Whosoever, “being waxen fat,” ⁶⁰⁰ and “become gross,” sets at nought His doctrine, shall go into hell. In like manner, every one that has received from God the power of distinguishing, and yet follows an unskilful shepherd, and receives a false opinion for the truth, shall be punished. “What communion hath light with darkness? or Christ with Belial? Or what portion hath he that believeth with an infidel? or the temple of God with idols?” ⁶⁰¹ And in like manner say I, what communion hath truth with falsehood? or righteousness with unrighteousness? or true doctrine with that which is false?

Footnotes

56:596

Comp. Jas. i. 16.

56:597

1 Cor. 6:9, 10.

56:598

Comp. Jas. i. 16.

56:599

1 Cor. 6:9, 10.

56:600

Deut. xxxii. 15.

56:601

2 Cor. vi. 14-16.