1 John 2

1 John 2 provides a continuation of the teachings from the first chapter, focusing on the themes of sin, obedience, and love as markers of true fellowship with God. John writes to clarify the traits of genuine believers and to encourage his readers to live in the light of Christ’s commandments, emphasizing love as the defining characteristic of the Christian life.

1 John 2:1-2 (NKJV)
1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

John addresses his readers affectionately as "my little children," emphasizing his pastoral concern that they avoid sin. However, he acknowledges human fallibility and provides reassurance that Jesus Christ acts as an Advocate for believers. The concept of Jesus as the "propitiation" highlights His role in atoning for sin, not just for a select group but for all humanity.

1 John 2:3-6 (NKJV)
3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

These verses discuss the evidence of truly knowing God: obedience to His commandments. John states plainly that claiming to know God without obeying His commands is dishonest. True knowledge of God and fellowship with Him is demonstrated by a life that mirrors Jesus’ example, showing that obedience is not only about following rules but embodying the character of Christ.

1 John 2:7-11 (NKJV)
7 Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.
8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.
9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.
10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

John emphasizes love as the defining mark of true believers, highlighting that the commandment to love is both "old" and "new"—old because it has always been part of God's law (Leviticus 19:18), yet new because Jesus fully revealed its depth through His life and sacrifice (John 13:34). Walking in the light means living in love, and those who truly abide in Christ will reflect His love in their relationships. Hatred toward a brother or sister is incompatible with walking in the light, as it leads to spiritual blindness and separation from God. However, this love is not just for fellow believers but extends to unbelievers as well. Jesus taught that love must be shown even to enemies (Matthew 5:44), and true love seeks the eternal good of others while standing firm in God’s truth. Just as Christ loved sinners and sought to bring them to salvation (Luke 19:10), believers are called to be a light to the world (Matthew 5:16), demonstrating kindness, patience, and selflessness. Love is not merely a feeling but a way of life that proves true transformation in Christ, as failing to love—whether believers or unbelievers—keeps a person in darkness. True spiritual maturity is measured not just by knowledge but by Christlike love, which is the evidence of genuine fellowship with God.

1 John 2:12-14 (NKJV)
12 I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.
13 I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father.
14 I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.

John addresses different groups within the Christian community: children, young men, and fathers. Each group is commended for specific spiritual achievements—forgiveness of sins, knowing God, overcoming evil, and possessing strength through the word of God. This passage underscores the diverse yet unified nature of the Christian experience, highlighting different stages of faith development and spiritual maturity.

1 John 2:15-17 (NKJV)
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

John warns against the dangers of loving the world and its desires, contrasting them with the eternal nature of doing God’s will. The "world" represents anything that leads away from God—materialism, pride, and selfish desires. These are transient and ultimately unfulfilling. In contrast, living according to God’s will offers stability and eternal life, emphasizing the fleeting nature of worldly pursuits versus the lasting value of spiritual obedience.

1 John 2:18-21 (NKJV)
18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.
19 They 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 none of them were of us.
20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.
21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

This passage warns believers about the presence of many antichrists, emphasizing that their appearance is a sign of the last days. The term "antichrist" refers to those who oppose Christ and His truth, leading others astray. These individuals were once among the faithful but departed, revealing that they were never truly committed. True believers, however, have an "anointing from the Holy One," meaning they are guided by the Holy Spirit to discern truth from error. The passage highlights the importance of remaining faithful to Christ and His teachings, as deception will increase, but those who abide in Him will not be misled.

1 John 2:22-23 (NKJV)
22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.
23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

This section warns against those who deny that Jesus is the Christ, identifying them as antichrists—opposers of truth. This denial is not just a rejection of His Messiahship but also a distortion of His true nature and role in salvation. The passage makes it clear that rejecting the Son also means rejecting the Father, as their relationship is inseparable. True worship of God is only possible through Christ, and any attempt to approach God while rejecting His Son is futile. Additionally, doctrines such as the Trinity or Tritheism, which teach that Christ is not truly the begotten Son of the Father, undermine His Sonship, as they reject the foundational truth that Jesus is the literal Only Begotten Son of the One True God—God the Father. By redefining Christ’s identity, such teachings obscure the Father-Son relationship presented in Scripture, weakening the understanding of God’s love and the true nature of His gift to humanity.

1 John 2:24-29 (NKJV)
24 Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.
25 And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.
26 These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you.
27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.
29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.

John concludes the chapter by emphasizing the importance of remaining faithful to the teachings they received from the beginning. The anointing by the Holy Spirit enables believers to discern truth from deceit without needing additional instruction. The call to "abide in Him" is a call to remain connected to Jesus, ensuring that they are prepared and unashamed at His return. Practicing righteousness is presented as evidence of being born of God, tying ethical behavior directly to divine affiliation.