1 John
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1 John 2
1 John 2
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.
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.
Commentary · verses 1-2
Doctrines on this passage
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.
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.
Commentary · verses 3-6
Cause: We know God (Fellowship). - Effect: We keep His commandments.
Cause: We keep His commandments. - Effect: We know that we know Him.
- Truth was the measurement.
- The love of God is perfected (maximum profitability) when we keep His word. By this we also know that we are in Christ.
- If you say you abide (live, dwell) in Christ, you ought to walk as He walked (make progress towards God; grow in grace). Again, the contradictions prove we are not allowing God to direct our actions, because there are no contradictions with God.
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.
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.
Commentary · verse 7
Beloved (believers) already knew what John had written. The old commandment was Christ and they have already heard (understand) this.
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.
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.
Commentary · verse 8
Next, John wrote about this "new commandment." John gave us a hint to what the second half of this letter was about.
The Hint: the "true" light now shineth; the "true" light was in Christ and in believers. This was the same Doctrine referenced in John 1:5,9.
9He that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother, is in the darkness even until now.
9He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
Commentary · verse 9
This was the same conclusion as 1 John 1:6.
10He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him.
10He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
Commentary · verse 10
This was the same Doctrine as John 11:10. John's reference to the light was an allusion to the Holy Spirit. John had yet to directly reference the Person of the Holy Spirit by name to this point.
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.
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.
Commentary · verse 11
If we love our brothers (fellow believers) we abide in the light. The only way to truly love is by the Holy Spirit through you (grace). When we are in the light, we will not stumble. When walking in darkness (intentionally making progress away from God) the person does not have direction because they are blind.
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.
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.
Commentary · verses 12-13
This Doctrine was also in John 17:3. The next verse also referenced the Doctrine that we need to know the only true God...
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.
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.
Commentary · verse 14
John wrote to:
- "Little children" (new believers) because their sins were forgiven and they knew God. John wanted them to know their sins were forgiven and that making some mistakes did not necessarily mean they did not know God. John wanted to assure them that they did know God.
- "Fathers" (mature believers who make "little children") because they knew Christ from the beginning. John wrote this twice. These fathers had sound Doctrine.
- "Young men" (bold and fervent believers) because they had overcome the wicked one, they were strong, and God's Word lived in them. These young men had sound Doctrine, took abuse well, and lived in the light. They had overcome (conquered) the wicked one. They took an offensive stand against the enemy with the Word of God that was in them. Spiritual warfare is done with words.
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 vainglory 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.
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.
Commentary · verses 15-17
If we love the world, the love of God is not in us because the world consists of: lusts of the flesh, lusts of the eyes (imaginations), and the pride of life. Notice, the three things that are in the world correlate with the three reasons in Genesis 3:6 that Eve had for eating the forbidden fruit:
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lust of the flesh ("good for food"
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lust of the eyes ("pleasing to the eye"), and
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vain glory of life ("makes one wise in one's self").
The world will pass away and the lust of the world will pass away because our flesh will pass away. Those who do the Will of God will live forever.
Doctrines on this passage
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.
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.
Commentary · verse 18
We have heard that Antichrist (singular) will come and now there were many antichrists (plural). This was WHY we know it is the last hour. The word Christ literally meant "anointed." Antichrists were against ("anti") the anointing.
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.
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.
Commentary · verse 19
The antichrists came out from us (believers) but were not of us or they would still be with us. We know that we know God (verse 3); the antichrists do not know God. People outside of these two groups (believers and antichrists) will know that the groups are separate.
20And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
20But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
Commentary · verse 20
We have an anointing. This anointing comes from the Holy One (Holy Spirit). We can know all things through the anointing (grace) from the Holy One (Holy Spirit). From John 16:13 - "...he will guide you into all truth..."
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.
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.
Commentary · verses 21-23
John wrote to us because we know the truth and because we know that no lie is of the truth. Those who deny that Jesus is the Christ (Anointed One) are liars. Those who deny the Father and the Son are antichrists. Those that deny Christ do not have the Father. Those who acknowledge the Son have the Father.
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.
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.
Commentary · verse 24
Let the Word (Christ) abide (live, dwell) in you. If the Word remains in you, you will continue with Christ and God. John also wrote this: "...If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." (John 14:23) If we love Christ and keep His words (let the Word abide in you), Christ and God will make Their abode with US, the new Jerusalem, the Bride!
25And this is the promise which he promised us, even the life eternal.
25And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
Commentary · verse 25
This promise will happen if we let the Word live in us and remain in us.
26These things have I written unto you concerning them that would lead you astray.
26These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
Commentary · verse 26
John wrote these things about/because of those that would lead us astray (antichrists). We can only make progress in the light by choosing to take direction from God via the Holy Spirit, which is grace.
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.
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.
Commentary · verse 27
There were a lot of Doctrinal points in this long sentence:
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The anointing lives in us (grace through the Holy Spirit).
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We do not need any man to teach us.
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The anointing teaches us all things: "11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;" (Titus 2:11-12)
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The anointing is truth and no lie.
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As much as the anointing has taught us, we will live in Him. The more we grow our faith (understanding and experience), the more we will live 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.
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.
Commentary · verse 28
When is the best time to start this process of fellowship with God, Christ, Holy Spirit, and each other? Now! So that we are always ready for when Christ returns (Luke 12:40 - "Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not."). We will have boldness if we allow God to direct our actions via the Holy Spirit.
29If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one also that doeth righteousness is begotten of him.
29If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
Commentary · verse 29
Every one that does Righteousness is born anew. Righteousness that results in our Salvation comes from God, because of Christ, to the Holy Spirit, through us (grace). This is God's Righteousness, not ours. God gets the credit but it is our responsibility to choose to let God flow through us.
Theme of Chapter 2: The only way to prove that we are believers is to choose to allow the Holy Spirit to direct our actions. John alluded to the Holy Spirit when he wrote about the light. To this point, John had not directly written about the Person of the Holy Spirit.
"My little children" were new believers. John wrote these things so that they would not sin. However, if you sin, you have an Advocate: Christ. "Advocate" meant "lawyer." Christ is a Lawyer for believers. He pleads the cause of believers who sin before a judge. Who is this judge?
God the Father is the objective Judge. He sees sin and recognizes the unrighteousness and injustice. Christ is our Lawyer. He pleads our case to God, the Judge…and Christ paid the bill.
Christ is our propitiation. His Blood paid for our sin. Not only for our sins (believers) but for the sins of the whole world (everyone who has ever lived, is living, and will live…believer and unbeliever). Notice, Christ did not only die for believers. Christ provided everything necessary for Salvation for everyone. It is the choice of the individual whether Salvation is attained. It is the responsibility of the individual.