7–11 False teachers had been troubling some of the Christian communities by attacking the central truth of the gospel—that Jesus is the Anointed One, the eternal Son of God who took on human nature to accomplish salvation (1 John 2:22; 4:2, 3). To reject this truth is to reject all hope of reconciliation with God, while to receive it is to receive God Himself. John warns the lady and her household that the work of false teachers threatens their spiritual progress and even their hope of eternal reward. In the face of such dangers, the only safe course is to avoid all involvement with the false teachers.