The Epistles · Chapter 2 of 5

1 John 2

John writes so his readers will not sin, yet assures them that if any do, Jesus Christ the righteous is their advocate and the propitiation for the sins of the whole world. Real knowledge of God shows in keeping his commandments and loving one's brother, walking in the light. He warns against loving the world, which passes away, and against antichrists who deny the Son, urging them to abide in the anointing and in Christ until he appears.

What happens in 1 John 2

John states his aim, that they sin not, then comforts: if any sin, they have an advocate, Jesus Christ the righteous, the propitiation for their sins and the whole world's (v1-2). Knowing God is proven by keeping his commandments; the one who disobeys is a liar (v3-6). He writes an old yet new commandment: love. The one who hates his brother is in darkness, while the one who loves abides in the light (v7-11). He addresses little children, fathers, and young men, affirming their forgiveness, knowledge, and victory (v12-14).

He warns them not to love the world or its lusts, which pass away, unlike the one who does God's will (v15-17). Naming the last time, he warns of many antichrists who deny that Jesus is the Christ, denying the Father and Son (v18-23). He urges them to continue in the anointing that teaches them, abiding in Christ so they have confidence at his appearing (v24-29).

1 John 2 in context

John writes to churches shaken by a group that had left them, teachers who denied that Jesus is the Christ and downplayed sin and obedience. His letter offers tests of genuine faith: obedience, love, and right belief about Jesus. Against a false confidence that claimed knowledge of God while ignoring his commandments, and against those who unsettled believers, John reassures the faithful of their forgiveness, their anointing, and their standing, while exposing the marks of deception.

Main themes of 1 John 2

1 John 2 (KJV)

1My 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: 2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 3And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 7Brethren, 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. 8Again, 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. 9He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 10He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 11But 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. 12I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake. 13I 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. 14I 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. 15Love 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. 16For 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. 17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 18Little 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. 19They 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. 20But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 21I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 22Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 23Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. 24Let 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. 25And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. 26These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 27But 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. 28And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 29If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

Verses to carry from 1 John 2

“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:”1 John 2:1

“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.”1 John 2:15

“And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”1 John 2:17

Reflection

When you sin, notice whether you hide or run to your advocate. Jesus Christ the righteous already pleads for you. Let that mercy free you to obey rather than pretend. Look honestly at your affections: is your heart set on a world that passes, or on the will of God that abides forever?

A prayer from 1 John 2