1 John2
New International Version
1My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
2He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
3We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.
4Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.
5But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him:
6Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
7Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard.
8Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.
9Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.
10Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.
11But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.
12I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
13I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.
14I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
15Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
16For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.
17The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
18Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.
19They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.
20But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.
21I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth.
22Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son.
23No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
24As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.
25And this is what he promised us—eternal life.
26I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.
27As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.
28And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.
29If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 John 2.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The apostle directs to the atonement of Christ for help against sinful infirmities. (1, 2). The effects of saving knowledge in producing obedience, and love to the brethren. (3–11). Christians addressed as little children, young men, and fathers. (12–14). All are cautioned against the love of this world, and against errors. (15–23). They are encouraged to stand fast in faith and holiness. (24–29).
vv1-2
When have an Advocate with the Father; one who has undertaken, and is fully able, to plead in behalf of every one who applies for pardon and salvation in his name, depending on his pleading for them. He is “Jesus,” the Saviour, and “Christ,” the Messiah, the Anointed. He alone is “the Righteous One,” who received his nature pure from sin, and as our Surety perfectly obeyed the law of God, and so fulfilled all righteousness. All men, in every land, and through successive generations, are invited to come to God through this all-sufficient atonement, and by this new and living way. The gospel, when rightly understood and received, sets the heart against all sin, and stops the allowed practice of it; at the same time it gives blessed relief to the wounded consciences of those who have sinned.
vv3-11
What knowledge of Christ can that be, which sees not that he is most worthy of our entire obedience? And a disobedient life shows there is neither religion nor honesty in the professor. The love of God is perfected in him that keeps his commandments. God's grace in him attains its true mark, and produces its sovereign effect as far as may be in this world, and this is man's regeneration; though never absolutely perfect here. Yet this observing Christ's commands, has holiness and excellency which, if universal, would make the earth resemble heaven itself. The command to love one another had been in force from the beginning of the world; but it might be called a new command as given to Christians. It was new in them, as their situation was new in respect of its motives, rules, and obligations. And those who walk in hatred and enmity to believers, remain in a dark state. Christian love teaches us to value our brother's soul, and to dread every thing hurtful to his purity and peace. Where spiritual darkness dwells, in mind, the judgment, and the conscience will be darkened, and will mistake the way to heavenly life. These things demand serious self-examination; and earnest prayer, that God would show us what we are, and whither we are going.
vv12-14
As Christians have their peculiar states, so they have peculiar duties; but there are precepts and obedience common to all, particularly mutual love, and contempt of the world. The youngest sincere disciple is pardoned: the communion of saints is attended with the forgiveness of sins. Those of the longest standing in Christ's school need further advice and instruction. Even fathers must be written unto, and preached unto; none are too old to learn. But especially young men in Christ Jesus, though they are arrived at strength of spirit and sound sense, and have successfully resisted first trials and temptations, breaking off bad habits and connexions, and entered in at the strait gate of true conversion. The different descriptions of Christians are again addressed. Children in Christ know that God is their Father; it is wisdom. Those advanced believers, who know Him that was from the beginning, before this world was made, may well be led thereby to give up this world. It will be the glory of young persons to be strong in Christ, and his grace. By the word of God they overcome the wicked one.
Key Words
μοῦ (moû): of me
τεκνίον (tekníon): an infant, i.e. (plural figuratively) darlings (Christian converts)
γράφω (gráphō): to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
ταῦτα (taûta): these things
ὑμῖν (hymîn): to (with or by) you
ἵνα μή (hína mḗ): in order (or so) that not
ἁμαρτάνω (hamartánō): properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e. (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐάν (eán): a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
τὶς (tìs): some or any person or object
Cross References
1 John 2Jesus' original statement of the "new commandment" of love, echoed directly by John here.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Explains why our Advocate must be "the righteous"—holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners.
Supported by John Calvin
Paul's definition of propitiation, aligning with John's presentation of Christ as our atoning sacrifice.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Exhorts believers to follow Christ's steps, parallel to walking "even as he walked."
Supported by Matthew Poole
Walking in darkness and not knowing where one goes, mirroring Christ's exact warning.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The firm foundation of God stands sure, distinguishing true members from those who depart.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Defines eternal life as knowing God, which John connects to keeping His commandments.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Echoes the sharp dualism between friendship with the world and love for God.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Refers to Jesus Christ specifically as "the Holy One and the Just" (Righteous).
Supported by Matthew Henry
Instructs believers to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, choosing to live soberly.
Supported by Matthew Henry
No man can serve two masters; parallel to the exclusion of Father's love by worldliness.
Supported by Matthew Henry