My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.
I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: [but] he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
I John 2 offers practical guidance on how believers can maintain fellowship with God and avoid the pitfalls of the world. This chapter emphasizes obedience, love, and discernment as essential characteristics of a true Christian life. It’s a powerful call to examine our hearts, ensuring we are genuinely walking in the light and not deceived by the darkness around us.
Christ Our Advocate and Atoning Sacrifice (I John 2:1-2)
John begins with a pastoral heart, addressing his readers as "little children" (I John 2:1). He makes it clear that his desire is for them not to sin. However, recognizing the reality of human fallibility, he offers comfort and assurance: "if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (I John 2:1). Jesus serves as our defense attorney, representing us before God's judgment. We were spiritually bankrupt, unable to pay the penalty for our sins, but the Father Himself provided the perfect advocate in His Son.
Furthermore, Jesus is not only our advocate but also "the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world" (I John 2:2). "Propitiation" signifies that Jesus' sacrifice appeased God's wrath, satisfying His righteous demands against sin. Through His atoning work, God is now favorably disposed toward those who place their faith in Jesus for eternal life. This unlimited atonement means that Jesus paid the price for a restored relationship and intimate fellowship with God, available to all who believe.
Knowing God Through Obedience and Love (I John 2:3-11)
How can we be sure that we truly "know" God, not just intellectually, but experientially? John answers plainly: "And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments" (I John 2:3). Obedience, rooted in love, is the hallmark of genuine fellowship with God. It's not about earning salvation, but about demonstrating the reality of our transformed hearts. Grace grants us the ability to fulfill God's commands and grow in love, leading to a deeper, more intimate knowledge of Him.
John uses the word "remains" (or "abides") frequently. To "hang out with" Christ means that He will influence you. For Christ to transform your life, you must remain in Him.
This obedience is most clearly seen in our love for one another. John emphasizes the commandment to love one another, calling it both "old" and "new" (I John 2:7-8). It's old because it's found in Leviticus 19:18, and it's new because it is the governing commandment for the Christian life. Love is not merely a sentimental feeling, but a comprehensive and righteous effort to meet the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ in a way that brings glory to God.
In contrast, "anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness" (I John 2:11). Such a person is out of fellowship with the God of light, blinded and lost. Love for God and neighbor allows you to see clearly and avoid falling into sin.
Spiritual Maturity: Children, Young Men, and Fathers (I John 2:12-14)
John reminds his audience of their identity in Christ. He categorizes believers into three groups: children, young men, and fathers, which correspond to different stages of spiritual development.
- Children: They have come to know the Father (I John 2:14). New Christians come to know God as Father.
- Young Men: They have overcome the evil one. They need not listen to Satan’s lies; they have conquered the evil one through Christ.
- Fathers: They have come to know the one who is from the beginning (I John 2:13, 14). Mature believers have persevered over the long haul. Circumstances do not dictate their actions. Their eyes are on the eternal.
The goal is spiritual maturity, progressing from a basic understanding of God as Father to a deep, abiding knowledge of Him who is from the beginning.
The Danger of Loving the World (I John 2:15-17)
John warns against loving "the world" (I John 2:15). He's not referring to the physical planet, but to the organized system headed by Satan that draws us away from God's love and will. Loving the world means prioritizing worldly, non-spiritual things over godly things. It's about allowing worldly affections to govern our choices, excluding God in the process.
The world offers fleeting pleasures: "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life" (I John 2:16). These temptations promise to satisfy legitimate desires in illegitimate ways, tempt our minds through covetousness, and inflate our ego through pride in possessions. However, "the world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever" (I John 2:17). Worldliness makes the "now" more important than eternity. The price tag for loving the world is the loss of personal intimacy with God.
The Last Hour and the Antichrists (I John 2:18-27)
John declares, "It is the last hour" (I John 2:18), referring to the period between Christ's first coming and His return. During this time, we must be aware of the presence of "antichrists," those who oppose and replace Christ, seeking to distract and derail Christians from pursuing Him.
These "antichrists" deny that "Jesus is the Christ" (I John 2:22), spreading lies and false teachings. John emphasizes that "no one who denies the Son has the Father" (I John 2:23). Access to God is only found in His Son, Jesus Christ.
However, believers are not defenseless. We have "an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth" (I John 2:20). This "anointing" refers to the internal teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit, who illuminates our minds to understand and apply God's truth, as well as to detect deception. The Holy Spirit's ministry always remains available to teach Christians, but the truth ("what you have heard from the beginning") must remain in us.
Abiding in Him (I John 2:28-29)
John concludes this section with a powerful exhortation: "And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming" (I John 2:28). To "continue" or "abide" in Jesus means to live in constant communion with Him, allowing His presence to permeate every aspect of our lives. If you remain or abide in Jesus, you will have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
By abiding in Him, we will demonstrate that we are truly "born of Him" (I John 2:29), living a righteous life that reflects the character of God. This chapter provides a clear path for believers to walk in the light, avoid the darkness, and experience the fullness of fellowship with God.
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.
I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: [but] he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
I John 2 offers practical guidance on how believers can maintain fellowship with God and avoid the pitfalls of the world. This chapter emphasizes obedience, love, and discernment as essential characteristics of a true Christian life. It’s a powerful call to examine our hearts, ensuring we are genuinely walking in the light and not deceived by the darkness around us.
Christ Our Advocate and Atoning Sacrifice (I John 2:1-2)
John begins with a pastoral heart, addressing his readers as "little children" (I John 2:1). He makes it clear that his desire is for them not to sin. However, recognizing the reality of human fallibility, he offers comfort and assurance: "if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (I John 2:1). Jesus serves as our defense attorney, representing us before God's judgment. We were spiritually bankrupt, unable to pay the penalty for our sins, but the Father Himself provided the perfect advocate in His Son.
Furthermore, Jesus is not only our advocate but also "the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world" (I John 2:2). "Propitiation" signifies that Jesus' sacrifice appeased God's wrath, satisfying His righteous demands against sin. Through His atoning work, God is now favorably disposed toward those who place their faith in Jesus for eternal life. This unlimited atonement means that Jesus paid the price for a restored relationship and intimate fellowship with God, available to all who believe.
Knowing God Through Obedience and Love (I John 2:3-11)
How can we be sure that we truly "know" God, not just intellectually, but experientially? John answers plainly: "And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments" (I John 2:3). Obedience, rooted in love, is the hallmark of genuine fellowship with God. It's not about earning salvation, but about demonstrating the reality of our transformed hearts. Grace grants us the ability to fulfill God's commands and grow in love, leading to a deeper, more intimate knowledge of Him.
John uses the word "remains" (or "abides") frequently. To "hang out with" Christ means that He will influence you. For Christ to transform your life, you must remain in Him.
This obedience is most clearly seen in our love for one another. John emphasizes the commandment to love one another, calling it both "old" and "new" (I John 2:7-8). It's old because it's found in Leviticus 19:18, and it's new because it is the governing commandment for the Christian life. Love is not merely a sentimental feeling, but a comprehensive and righteous effort to meet the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ in a way that brings glory to God.
In contrast, "anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness" (I John 2:11). Such a person is out of fellowship with the God of light, blinded and lost. Love for God and neighbor allows you to see clearly and avoid falling into sin.
Spiritual Maturity: Children, Young Men, and Fathers (I John 2:12-14)
John reminds his audience of their identity in Christ. He categorizes believers into three groups: children, young men, and fathers, which correspond to different stages of spiritual development.
- Children: They have come to know the Father (I John 2:14). New Christians come to know God as Father.
- Young Men: They have overcome the evil one. They need not listen to Satan’s lies; they have conquered the evil one through Christ.
- Fathers: They have come to know the one who is from the beginning (I John 2:13, 14). Mature believers have persevered over the long haul. Circumstances do not dictate their actions. Their eyes are on the eternal.
The goal is spiritual maturity, progressing from a basic understanding of God as Father to a deep, abiding knowledge of Him who is from the beginning.
The Danger of Loving the World (I John 2:15-17)
John warns against loving "the world" (I John 2:15). He's not referring to the physical planet, but to the organized system headed by Satan that draws us away from God's love and will. Loving the world means prioritizing worldly, non-spiritual things over godly things. It's about allowing worldly affections to govern our choices, excluding God in the process.
The world offers fleeting pleasures: "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life" (I John 2:16). These temptations promise to satisfy legitimate desires in illegitimate ways, tempt our minds through covetousness, and inflate our ego through pride in possessions. However, "the world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever" (I John 2:17). Worldliness makes the "now" more important than eternity. The price tag for loving the world is the loss of personal intimacy with God.
The Last Hour and the Antichrists (I John 2:18-27)
John declares, "It is the last hour" (I John 2:18), referring to the period between Christ's first coming and His return. During this time, we must be aware of the presence of "antichrists," those who oppose and replace Christ, seeking to distract and derail Christians from pursuing Him.
These "antichrists" deny that "Jesus is the Christ" (I John 2:22), spreading lies and false teachings. John emphasizes that "no one who denies the Son has the Father" (I John 2:23). Access to God is only found in His Son, Jesus Christ.
However, believers are not defenseless. We have "an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth" (I John 2:20). This "anointing" refers to the internal teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit, who illuminates our minds to understand and apply God's truth, as well as to detect deception. The Holy Spirit's ministry always remains available to teach Christians, but the truth ("what you have heard from the beginning") must remain in us.
Abiding in Him (I John 2:28-29)
John concludes this section with a powerful exhortation: "And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming" (I John 2:28). To "continue" or "abide" in Jesus means to live in constant communion with Him, allowing His presence to permeate every aspect of our lives. If you remain or abide in Jesus, you will have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
By abiding in Him, we will demonstrate that we are truly "born of Him" (I John 2:29), living a righteous life that reflects the character of God. This chapter provides a clear path for believers to walk in the light, avoid the darkness, and experience the fullness of fellowship with God.