1 John — Chapter 2

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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: (but) 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.

1My little children, these things write I unto you that ye may not sin. 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 whole world.

3And hereby we 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 hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him:

6he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked.

7Beloved, no new commandment write I unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning: the old commandment is the word which ye heard.

8Again, a new commandment write I unto you, which thing is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shineth.

9He that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother, is in the darkness even until now.

10He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him.

11But he that hateth his brother is in the darkness, and walketh in the darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because the darkness hath blinded his eyes.

12I write unto you, [my] little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name`s sake.

13I write unto you, fathers, because ye know him who is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the evil one. I have written unto you, little children, because ye know the Father.

14I have written unto you, fathers, because ye know him who 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 evil 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 vain glory 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 hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last hour.

19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us.

20And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and ye know all the things.

21I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and because no lie is of the truth.

22Who is the liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, [even] he that denieth the Father and the Son.

23Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that confesseth the Son hath the Father also.

24As for you, let that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father.

25And this is the promise which he promised us, [even] the life eternal.

26These things have I written unto you concerning them that would lead you astray.

27And as for you, the anointing which ye received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as his anointing teacheth you; concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, ye abide in him.

28And now, [my] little children, abide in him; that, if he shall be manifested, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

29If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one also that doeth righteousness is begotten of him.

1(My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.) But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One,

2and he himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the whole world.

3Now by this we know that we have come to know God: if we keep his commandments.

4The one who says “I have come to know God” and yet does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in such a person.

5But whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has been perfected. By this we know that we are in him.

6The one who says he resides in God ought himself to walk just as Jesus walked.

7Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have already heard.

8On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.

9The one who says he is in the light but still hates his fellow Christian is still in the darkness.

10The one who loves his fellow Christian resides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.

11But the one who hates his fellow Christian is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

12I am writing to you, little children, that your sins have been forgiven because of his name.

13I am writing to you, fathers, that you have known him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young people, that you have conquered the evil one.

14I have written to you, children, that you have known the Father. I have written to you, fathers, that you have known him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young people, that you are strong, and the word of God resides in you, and you have conquered the evil one.

15Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him,

16because all that is in the world (the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the arrogance produced by material possessions) is not from the Father, but is from the world.

17And the world is passing away with all its desires, but the person who does the will of God remains forever.

18Children, it is the last hour, and just as you heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. We know from this that it is the last hour.

19They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us because if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But they went out from us to demonstrate that all of them do not belong to us.

20Nevertheless you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know.

21I have not written to you that you do not know the truth, but that you do know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

22Who is the liar but the person who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This one is the antichrist: the person who denies the Father and the Son.

23Everyone who denies the Son does not have the Father either. The person who confesses the Son has the Father also.

24As for you, what you have heard from the beginning must remain in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.

25Now this is the promise that he himself made to us: eternal life.

26These things I have written to you about those who are trying to deceive you.

27Now as for you, the anointing that you received from him resides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things, it is true and is not a lie. Just as it has taught you, you reside in him.

28And now, little children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink away from him in shame when he comes back.

29If you know that he is righteous, you also know that everyone who practices righteousness has been fathered by him.

1My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous.

2And he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.

3This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments.

4One who says, “I know him,” and doesn’t keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn’t in him.

5But whoever keeps his word, God’s love has most certainly been perfected in him. This is how we know that we are in him:

6he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.

7Brothers, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.

8Again, I write a new commandment to you, which is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shines.

9He who says he is in the light and hates his brother, is in the darkness even until now.

10He who loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no occasion for stumbling in him.

11But he who hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and doesn’t know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

12I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.

13I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, little children, because you know the Father.

14I have written to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God remains in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

15Don’t love the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love isn’t in him.

16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s.

17The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God’s will remains forever.

18Little children, these are the end times, and as you heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen. By this we know that it is the final hour.

19They went out from us, but they didn’t belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have continued with us. But they left, that they might be revealed that none of them belong to us.

20You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.

21I have not written to you because you don’t know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.

22Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the Antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.

23Whoever denies the Son, the same doesn’t have the Father. He who confesses the Son has the Father also.

24Therefore, as for you, let that remain in you which you heard from the beginning. If that which you heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son, and in the Father.

25This is the promise which he promised us, the eternal life.

26These things I have written to you concerning those who would lead you astray.

27As for you, the anointing which you received from him remains in you, and you don’t need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, you will remain in him.

28Now, little children, remain in him, that when he appears, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

29If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

Jesus is our Advocate with the Father and the propitiation for sins, the one who truly knows God keeps His commandments, the new commandment is to love one another, and John warns against loving the world and the coming antichrists who deny the Father and the Son.

Authorship & Background

Author: The Apostle John (see Chapter 1 notes for full details).
Historical Context: Chapter 2 addresses Christ as our advocate (vv.1-2), the test of obedience (vv.3-6), the command to love (vv.7-11), assurance for different maturity levels (vv.12-14), the warning against worldliness (vv.15- 17), and the threat of antichrists (vv.18-29). John continues providing "tests of life" — how to know you truly know God.
Christ Our Advocate (vv.1-2): John writes so they won't sin — but when they do, Christ is their advocate (defense attorney) with the Father (v.1). He is the propitiation (satisfaction of God's wrath) for our sins and the whole world's (v.2).
The Test of Obedience (vv.3-6): "We know that we know him, if we keep his commandments" (v.3). Claiming to know God while disobeying is lying (v.4). Walk as Christ walked (v.6).
The Command to Love (vv.7-11): The old/new commandment: love one another (vv.7-8). Claiming to be in the light while hating a brother = still in darkness (v.9). Loving = abiding in light (v.10). Hating = blinded by darkness (v.11).
Warning Against Worldliness (vv.15-17): "Love not the world" (v.15). Three categories of worldliness: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life (v.16). The world passes away; doing God's will abides forever (v.17).
Antichrists (vv.18-29): Many antichrists have come (v.18). They left the church — proving they were never truly part of it (v.19). The antichrist denies that Jesus is the Christ (v.22). Believers have the "anointing" (the Spirit) who teaches truth (vv.20, 27). Abide in Him (v.28).

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik covers Christ as advocate, the obedience test, the love command, worldliness, and the antichrist warning.
  • Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "Love Not the World" on vv.15-17 (MTP Vol. 14, No. 834) "Love not the world — not the physical creation (God made that good) but the world-system opposed to God. Three forms: lust of the flesh (bodily appetites demanding satisfaction), lust of the eyes (covetous desire for what you see), pride of life (arrogant self-sufficiency). These three cover every temptation. Eve faced all three at the tree. Jesus faced all three in the wilderness. And the world passes away — it's temporary. Why love what's dying?"

Videos

The Bible Project — 1 John Overview

Animated overview of the book's literary structure, themes, and theological message. Excellent visual introduction. (Approx. 8 minutes)

Reflection

  • 1. "We have an advocate with the Father" (v.1). When you sin, Christ doesn't condemn you — He defends you. Do you run to Him after failure or hide from Him?
  • 2. "He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked" (v.6). Is your walk matching your talk? Does your life look like Jesus's life?
  • 3. "Love not the world" (v.15). Which of the three worldly categories is your greatest temptation: lust of the flesh (bodily cravings), lust of the eyes (wanting what you see), or pride of life (status and self- sufficiency)?
  • 4. "The world passeth away" (v.17). Everything the world offers is temporary. Are you investing in what lasts or what's passing away?
  • 5. "They went out from us, but they were not of us" (v.19). Departure from the faith reveals that faith was never genuine. How does this both warn and comfort you?