1 John 2

Some Tests of Fellowship with God

1. The Sin Test - vv. 1-2

2. The Obedience Test - vv. 3-5

3. The Disciple Test - v. 6

4. The New Old Commandment - vv. 7-8

5. The Love Test - vv. 9-11

6. Three Classes of Christians - vv. 12-14

7. Love not the World - vv. 15-17

8. Anti - Christ - vv. 18-29

1 John 2

1 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:

2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Verse 1:

Ÿ “My little children” - term of affection

Ÿ “These things” - “I” - now warns against the practice of sin

Ÿ “That ye sin not” - do your best not to sin

Ÿ “If any man sin” - probability

Ÿ “Advocate” - (Comforter) (parakletos) - See Hebrews 1:3; Galatians 4:6

Ÿ “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.”

Ÿ "He shall give you another Comforter" (John 14:16)? Even in that passage, it is clear that Christ himself is the other one.

Ÿ NT:3875 - parakletos (par-ak'-lay-tos); an intercessor, consoler: KJV - advocate, comforter.

Ÿ See 1 John 3:2; Romans 3:25; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; 2 Corinthians 5:21; John 9:31; James 5:16

Ÿ “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense -- Jesus Christ, the Righteous One”

Ÿ Here John uses a term of affection: “my little children.” He is concerned about their spiritual well being. He encourages them to abstain from sin. However, if one should stumble, he reminds them that they have an intercessor that speaks on their behalf. Jesus the righteous is our comforter, our advocate. This is why we pray in His name. We must go through Him to reach the Father. God forgives those who are truly sorry and those that are faithful.

Verse 2:

Ÿ “propitiation” - renders one favorable (satisfaction)

Ÿ God hates sin - Hebrews 1:9; Psalm 7:11

Ÿ Both High Priest and Sacrifice!

Ÿ NT:2434 - hilasmos (hil-as-mos'); atonement, i.e. (concretely) an expiator: KJV - propitiation.

Ÿ PROPITIATION

2. hilasmos NT:2434, akin to hileos ("merciful, propitious"), signifies "an expiation, a means whereby sin is covered and remitted." It is used in the NT of Christ Himself as "the propitiation," in 1 John 2:2 and 4:10, signifying that He Himself, through the expiatory sacrifice of His death, is the personal means by whom God shows mercy to the sinner who believes on Christ as the One thus provided. In the former passage He is described as "the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world." The italicized addition in the KJV, "the sins of," gives a wrong interpretation. What is indicated is that provision is made for the whole world, so that no one is, by divine predetermination, excluded from the scope of God's mercy; the efficacy of the "propitiation," however, is made actual for those who believe.

Ÿ See Hebrews 2:9

Ÿ He is the universal atonement and propitiation for all that are saved and brought home to God, and to his favour and forgiveness.

Ÿ Just as people in the Old Testament could approach God when the blood of the sin offering was sprinkled on the altar, so believers can fellowship with God because of Christ's sacrifice on the cross. Fellowship with God is always based solidly on the fact of Christ's atoning death. Because Jesus Christ is the atoning sacrifice for our sins (see also 4:10), he can stand before God as the believers' mediator. His death satisfied the wrath of God against sin and paid the death penalty for it. Thus Christ satisfies God's requirement. In him, believers are forgiven and purified.

Ÿ Jesus is the atonement for the sin of mankind. Those who are truly saved by His precious blood, have Jesus as the High Priest and the sacrifice that satisfied the debt we owe God the Father.

Ÿ The part here about the whole world does not imply that all will be universally saved. What it does mean is that all have the opportunity to be saved if they choose to obey the Gospel. This refutes the doctrine of Calvinism.

3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

Verse 3:

Ÿ “In this we know” - a relationship

Ÿ “If we keep His commandments”

Ÿ “keep” - “to attend carefully, to guard, to observe.”

Ÿ Keeping the commandments of God is the prerequisite and the test either of loving God (John 14:15) or of knowing God.

Ÿ See John 15:14; Philippians 3:10

Ÿ NT:1097 - ton patera, the nature of God the Father, especially the holy will and affection by which he aims to sanctify and redeem men through Christ, John 8:55; 16:3; 1 John 2:3 f,14 (13); 3:1,6; 4:8; a peculiar knowledge of God the Father is claimed by Christ for himself, John 10:15; 17:25;

Ÿ Relationship is demonstrated by walking "as Jesus did" (1 John 2:6).

Ÿ We grasp knowing Jesus if we are diligently striving to keep His commandments.

Ÿ “If we obey God's commands, then we are sure that we know him.” - TEV

Ÿ See Jeremiah 33:3.

Verse 4:

Ÿ A habitual liar does not know God. For to know Him, is to make every effort to obey His commandments.

Ÿ "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 7:21). All talk of knowing God, loving God, or even of "believing" or "having faith" is meaningless in the mouths of people who dishonor the commandments of the Lord through disobedience and failure to do the "work of faith." It is even more than meaningless; it is falsehood. (Coffman).
Verse 5:

Ÿ Here we have some attributes of the “Obedience Test:”

1. Keep His Word

2. A constant moving forward.

3. A love for God - See John 14:21; 2 Corinthians 8:24; 1 John 5:3.

4. The love is fully developed (perfected).

5. See 2 Corinthians 5:19; Acts 10:48; Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3-4.

Ÿ We show that we love God by trying our best to do as He asks. See John 15:14; Philippians 3:10.

Ÿ See also Romans 13:14.

Ÿ To keep the word of God, or of Christ, is sacredly to attend thereto in all the conduct and motion of life; in him that does so is the love of God perfected.

WHY OBEDIENCE MATTERS:

This epistle mentions obedience extensively. For many people, "obey" is, in the worst possible sense, a four-letter word. It smacks of submission and humility. When we obey, we give up our own agenda, and we do the bidding of another. Obedience may not come naturally to proud people, and it may not be easy. But a lifestyle of complying with God's will is very important, because:

it acknowledges God's sovereignty over our lives (Lev 18:4);

it leads to blessing (Deut 6:24; 12:28; 28:2; Josh 1:7; 2 Chron 31:21);

it demonstrates love for God (John 14:15,23);

it is how Christ lived (John 8:29; Heb 5:8);

it results in fulfilling relationships (Eph 6:1,5-6; Heb 13:17);

it is evidence that we truly know God (1 John 2:3);

it reveals our destiny (Rom 6:16);

it fulfills the Great Commission (Matt 28:20).

What steps of obedience do you sense God wants you to take today?

Ÿ See 1 John 4:12, 15, 16, 2 John 6

Ÿ The love to God is not a mere emotional response, "it is the response lived out in obedience. Love delights to do God's will." (Coffman) See Colossians 1:28

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

Ÿ “abideth” - the parable of the vine - John 15:1-7

Ÿ Walk as He walked - See 1 Peter 2:21.

Ÿ Here is a case of “practice what you preach.” If you say you are a Christian, then you ought to walk as a Christian. Jesus came down from Heaven and dwelt on earth in the flesh yet walked in the Spirit. He did the Fathers will. Let us not be as the Pharisees who had the knowledge of God but did not walk as if the knowledge was with them. See Matthew 5:20; 16:6,11; 23:13-15,25,27,29.

Ÿ Compare John 13:15; 1 John 1:6; 1 John 3:24

Ÿ Jesus said, "My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow me (John 10:27). Those who belong to Jesus are responsive to His voice.

The New Old Commandment

7 Brethren, 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.

8 Again, 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.

Verse 7:

Ÿ The old commandment is here identified as "the word which ye heard," meaning the gospel of Christ; and this automatically gives the meaning of "which ye had from the beginning." (Coffman)

Ÿ The new-old commandment deals with love, a fact he confirms in verses 9-11. (Wayne L. Fussell)

Ÿ In respect to all that he taught, the views of truth which he held the duties which he enjoined, the course of life which he would prescribe as proper for a Christian to live, he meant to say that it was not at all new; it was nothing which he had originated himself, but it was in fact the same system of doctrines which they had always received since they became Christians.

Ÿ John does not bring some new commandment for itchy ears, as would some false teachers. He merely reflects on the inspired truth that was first taught at the beginning when the Gospel of Jesus Christ was first preached. (J.D.) See 1 John 1:1; 3:11; 2 John 5-6; John 13:34-35; Leviticus 19:18; 1 John 4:11

Ÿ One of John's major themes is that a person's lifestyle supersedes whatever that individual's lips might claim. In other words, your walk matches your talk! Christians would be far better off to stop talking big and start living right. Let your life speak first. Your life will "talk" most persuasively when it is modeled after the life of Jesus.

Verse 8:

Ÿ From one point of view the commandment is new and another it is not. It is not new in time but in quality. See Leviticus 19:18. Jesus introduced a quality of love unknown by former generations, a love for the unloving and the unlovable. (Wayne L. Fussell)

Ÿ Love has always been encouraged (Deuteronomy 10:19; Leviticus 19:18; Micah 6:8). However, the people never fully grasped the kind of love God desired for them to have. When Jesus came to earth, He was Love in the flesh. He was the express image of God. The fullness of the Father was in Him. When one looked upon Jesus, they saw God the Father. God is love. Christ has removed the darkness of hate. Jesus is the Light. He is the Love that now shines. Christians who exhibit their love for one another truly have Christ in their hearts and are walking in the Light. (J.D.)

Ÿ {A new commandment ...} The new commandment must almost certainly be identified with Jesus' words when he said, "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another" (John 13:34). It is hardly possible that the apostle John could have meant anything else except this.

1. Wherein was it a new commandment? The Old Testament had taught God's people to love each other, and the new element here is the qualifier even as I have loved you! The Old Testament knew nothing of such love as that, for Christ had not yet revealed it.

2. Wherein is it an old commandment? It went back to Christ himself; and, also, some of the Christians might have been hearing this practically all of their lives, "From the beginning" here being best understood as "from the first of your Christian lives."<21>

3. Why did John stress the newness of it? He may have had in mind the word of Christ himself who declared that, "The kingdom of heaven is like unto the householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure things both new and old" (Matt. 13:52).

Ÿ Compare John 8:12; 12:35-36,46; Isaiah 9:2.

Ÿ Thanks to the victory of Christ, the outcome of the conflict between light and darkness is a foregone conclusion.

Ÿ Not only had the commandment been given by him but it had also been exhibited in his example. . . . The new commandment of love finds concrete expression in the daily life of the believer in union with Christ. This love was first shown by Christ in his life on earth, and it is only because he first fulfilled the commandment of love that we can now fulfill it. -- W. E. Vine

The Love Test

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

10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

11 But 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.

Verse 9:

Ÿ John says if anyone claims he is “in the light” or living in fellowship with God while hating his brother, deceives himself; consequently, he is in fact living in darkness and out of fellowship with God. (Wayne L. Fussell)

Ÿ In the sermon on the mount, Jesus said: "If thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness" (Matthew 6:23). Thus, the metaphor of light and darkness goes back to Christ himself. Paul likewise received and used the same metaphor, his message in Ephesians 4:17-18 reading thus: "For they live blindfolded in a world of illusion, and are cut off from the life of God through ignorance and insensitiveness.” (J. B. Philips) He also wrote, "Cast off the works of darkness" (Romans 13:12-14), "We are not of the night, nor of darkness" (1 Thessalonians. 5:5), "What communion hath light with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14). (Coffman)

Ÿ It is hypocrisy to say that you are walking in the light when in fact you are walking in darkness by hating your brother. To walk in the light, hatred for a fellow brother or sister in Christ must be far removed. We are also to love our neighbors and enemies as well. (J.D.) See 1 John 4:11; 1 Thess. 4:9

Verse 10:

Ÿ The one who exhibits this love toward his brethren in Christ is the one who truly “abideth in the light” or who makes fellowship with God his permanent place of residence. (Wayne L. Fussell)

Ÿ See John 3:16; Romans 5:6-10; Matthew 5:44; Galatians 5:22; Romans 5:5

Ÿ The Christian, who demonstrates his love for his brothers and sisters in Christ, truly is remaining steadfast in the Light. A Christian who does this prevents himself and others from stumbling. (J.D.) See Romans 14:13; 1 Corinthians 8:9; Matthew 5:29; Romans 13:10; 2 John 9

Ÿ “But anyone who loves other Christians is walking in the light and does not cause anyone to stumble.”

- N. L. T.

Ÿ “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” - 1 John 3:18 - KJV

Ÿ {Abideth in the light ...} There can hardly be any doubt that John had in mind the great declaration of Jesus Christ that “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness” (John 8:12) [Coffman]

Verse 11:

Ÿ The Christian who hates his brother blindly gropes through life mistakenly thinking that he is right with God, not knowing that his fellowship with God has been severed. (Wayne L. Fussell)

Ÿ By hating his brother, this individual has turned the light off. Although the light is turned off, he cannot see that he is walking in darkness because hatred has blinded him. Because of this hatred, he cannot see where he is going. Someone needs to shine some light on this one. (J.D.) See 1 Peter 2:9; Colossians 1:13; Titus 1:13; John 12:35

Three Classes of Christians

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

13 I 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.

14 I 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.

Verse 12:

Ÿ Here John addresses the new converts by telling them that he is writing to them because they have been saved by the remission of sins that comes by being washed in the blood of Christ. They have been baptized into his death and into his name. (J.D.) See Acts 2:38; John 3:5; Romans 6:1-6; Acts 8:12

Ÿ The great purpose of redemption in Christ is precisely this, the forgiveness of sins. (Coffman)

Ÿ In these three verses, John is addressing:

1. New Christians, under the heading “children”

2. Older mature Christians of long standing “fathers”

3. Young, yet mature, Christians as “young men”

- Wayne Fussell

Ÿ See John 14:6; Acts 14:12; Matthew 1:21

Ÿ The youngest sincere disciple is pardoned; the communion of saints is attended with the forgiveness of sins. Sins are forgiven either for God's name's sake, for the praise of his glory (his glorious perfections displayed in forgiveness), or for Christ's name's sake, upon his score, and upon the account of the redemption that is in him; and those that are forgiven of God are strongly obliged to relinquish this world, which so interferes with the love of God.

Ÿ Wherever we are in the family of God, new believer or mature in our faith, we can overcome Satan through remembering our salvation and past spiritual victories and by abiding in God's Word.

Verse 13:

Ÿ “fathers” - another class of Christians - mature ones, known the Lord from the beginning

Ÿ “young men” - like a middle stage of spiritual maturity - they overcame the devil. See Revelation 12:10; John 8:44; 12:31; 1 Peter 5:8

Ÿ “little children” - they have known the father - they have come to know the Lord and will continue to grow.

Ÿ “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” - Phil 3:8 (KJV)

Ÿ See 2 Timothy 2:24-26

Ÿ John writes to the mature Christian because they have known the Lord from the beginning. He writes to those who have reached a middle spiritual maturity because they have come to a point where they have over come the devil. And again, he writes to the new converts because they have a relationship with the father. (J.D.)

Ÿ John has written to these older Christians (more spiritually mature) because they know God who is eternal. He has written to those who are at the middle ground of spiritual maturity because they are sound in the faith. Also, he points out that God’s Word dwells steadfastly in them. And that they have overcome the devil. They have overcome the devil because God’s Word is with them, which makes them strong in faith. (J.D.)

Ÿ “Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. - Isa 40:30-31(KJV)

Ÿ See Ephesians 6:16

Ÿ The basic victory over the evil one can be viewed as a fact now because in the past Jesus Christ has conquered the devil (cp. 1 John 4:4-5; 5:4 f). But John and his readers are fully aware that their own struggle with the evil one is still going on.

Ÿ VICTORY:

Today, as in Bible times, spiritual victories come through a continually renewed relationship with God. Don't live off the past. Keep your relationship with God new and fresh.

Our faith in Christ gives us present spiritual victory and assurance of final victory. The Old Testament records the lives of the various people who experienced great victories. Joshua and Deborah conquered kingdoms (the book of Josh; Judg 4:1-5:31). Nehemiah administered justice (the book of Nehemiah). Daniel was saved from the mouths of lions (Dan 6). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were kept from harm in the furious flames of a fiery furnace (Dan 3). Elijah escaped the swords of evil Queen Jezebel's henchmen (1 Kings 19:2 ff.). Hezekiah regained strength after sickness (2 Kings 20). Gideon was powerful in battle (Judg 7). A widow's son was brought back to life by the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 4:8-37). All these achievements were examples of faith in action.

15 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.

Ÿ John admonishes his readers to not love the ways of the world nor those temporal sinful pleasures that are in them. If any man has the principles of the world as their ruling guide then there is no room to be loving and faithful to God. Basically, by desiring temporary worldly things, one deserts God. We cannot have two masters. Jesus is both Lord and Savior. (J.D.)

Ÿ {Love not the world ...} God so "loved the world" that he gave his only begotten Son (John 3:16), but "world" here has a different meaning. "It is an inclusive term for all those who are in the kingdom of darkness and have not been born of God."<Stott> It also regards the material and temporary character of it. It is "visible" and therefore must be classified among those things which "are seen," contrasting with the things which "are unseen" and designated by Paul as eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18).

Ÿ "No man can serve two masters" (Matt. 6:24).

Ÿ To love the world is to pursue a daily course of worldliness in life. Satan is the leader of this world. (John 12:31). So, the “world” is an evil system at enmity with God. (Wayne Fussell)

Ÿ Every Wrong linked with the world must be broken in order for our love for the father to remain pure and untainted. (Wayne Fussell)

Ÿ The Love of the world and the love for God are mutually exclusive. The Christian must choose which he will make sovereign in his life. “...whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” - James 4:4 (KJV) [Wayne Fussell]

Ÿ Compare the notes at Rom 12:2, and James 4:4. See also Matt 16:26; Luke 9:25; 1 Cor 1:20; 3:19; Gal 4:3; Col 2:8.

Ÿ Now John warned that in order to love and respond to God, we must stop acting from the motives that reflect the world's value system.

Ÿ A Christian cannot live with a divided heart, responding one moment out of love for God and at the next turning to the world for pleasure. If we want to demonstrate (to ourselves, as well as to God) that we know Him, we need to make a clear-cut commitment to do the will of God rather than respond to the world's passions.

Ÿ Discipline in Christ's Army -- Josh. 1:11

Let the word "compromise" with regard to evil never even cross your thoughts. Our Lord and Master made no compromises. He told us that it would be better to pluck out our right eye and cut off our right hand rather than that they should cause us to offend. Give your heart so fully up to Jesus, my beloved brother, that you are altogether separated from this world. Let the world know where you are, and what you are, and take care that you know where it is, and what it is. Be not, I pray you, conformed to this world; and, on the other hand, never hide your religion. Do not ask for a truce with the enemy, for that would be treachery to your Lord. Remember that solemn warning, "Whosoever will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" James 4:4.

Ÿ “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” - 2 Corinthians 6:17 (KJV)

16 For 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.

Ÿ The prevailing attitudes of the world are clearly expressed in these three propensities:

1. The Lust of the Flesh. - “lust” is NT:1939 epithumia (ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah); from NT:1937; a longing (especially for what is forbidden): KJV - concupiscence, desire, lust (after). See Ephesians 2:3-5; Galatians 5:19-21.

2. The Lust of the Eyes. - “mental pleasure.” See Matthew 5:28; 2 Peter 2:14. It was the lust of the eyes that contributed to the downfall of Eve in Eden’s Garden (Genesis 3:6), to Achan among the spoils of gold and silver (Joshua 7:21), and to David on a housetop, lustfully looking a bathing Bath-sheba (2 Samuel 11:2-3). The eyes are the “windows of the soul” that can be used to fill the soul with either beauty and grace or with evil cravings for forbidden pleasures .

3. The Pride of Life - Vincent says, “It means, originally, empty, braggart talk or display; swagger; and thence an insolent and vain assurance in one’s resources, or in the stability of earthly things, which issues a contempt of divine laws. The vainglory of life is the vainglory which belongs to the present life” (336). See 1 Timothy 3:6.

- (Wayne Fussell)

Ÿ “The Father is the source of light, life, blessings, holiness, salvation; the world is the source of sin, lust, ruin, and death.” - Lenski

Ÿ See 1 John 5:19; James 4:16.; Romans 8:5

Ÿ Those things that men desire or long for that are in and of the world cause a dividing line between their spirit and the oracles of God. (See Hebrews 5:12; 1 Peter 4:11). For to love God, one should strive to go by His guidelines and not the liberal views of the “world.” “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” - 1 John 5:3 (KJV). There are numerous philosophies in the world all claiming to have a truth of their own. However, God is truth and the truth shall set you free. (See John 8:32; 14:6). The lusts of the flesh and eyes along with the pride of life prevent one from truly serving God with the completeness of the heart. These things must be mortified. (J.D.) (See Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:5)

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

Ÿ This world system, which rebels against the creator of all mankind, is continually in the process of disintegration. If one (mine j. d.) continues in obedience to the will of God, he aspires for the lasting, the infinite, and the eternal. The Christian is motivated by the desires of God. (Wayne Fussell)

Ÿ See Hebrews 11:25

Ÿ The philosophies, theories, conjectures and surmising of the world will pass away just like the world will be burned up in a great fervent heat as it is rolled up as a scroll. Heaven and earth shall pass away but God’s Word will endure forever. See Matthew 24:35; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 John 2. He that strives to serve the Lord wholeheartedly, will live eternally with God in Heaven. See Matthew 6:21; Matthew 12:34; Acts 8:21-24; Colossians 3:1-3; Hebrews 3:12; Colossians 3:24.

Ÿ All of the vain things that so charm, seduce and dominate the lives of people during their brief pilgrimage upon earth are actually endowed with no more permanence than a mirage. Whatever glory or eminence may come to man is only for the fraction of a moment; he builds for himself a house, a palace or an empire; but the whirling suns brush him into the grave, and where is he? Whatever achievement, success or honor may place upon his head for an instant some distinction or accolade, tomorrow cannot remember it. This tragic quality of all human glory is the reason why the apostles taught Christians to look to the unseen, the invisible realities of hope and faith in Christ for their true fulfillment. [Coffman]

Ÿ “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” - 2 Cor 4:18 (KJV)

Ÿ See 1 Corinthians 7:31; Matthew 7:24-27; Matthew 4:10

18 Little 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.

Ÿ See Matthew 24:16

Ÿ {It is the last hour ...} The apostles had asked Christ to tell them when the end of the world was coming, when the temple would be destroyed, and when the Christ would come. To these three questions, Jesus gave a composite answer (Matt. 24), but not distinguishing for them the fact that these events would not all occur simultaneously; however, Jesus did deny them altogether any answer as to the time of his Second Coming (Matt. 24:36,42)

Ÿ The “last hour is when antichrist comes.” Anyone who denies Jesus is the Christ is an antichrist.

Ÿ See 1 John 4:1-3; 2 John 7; 1 Timothy 4:1

Ÿ Barclay says this: “the fact is that antichrist is not so much a person as a principle, the principle which is hostile to, and actively opposed to, God, a principle which may well be thought of as incarnating itself in men who in every generation have seemed to be the open and blatant and wicked opponents of God. (from Wayne Fussell’s commentary on 1st John)

Ÿ Could it be that "antichrist" is a Cerinthian Gnostic? The "last hour" is when antichrist comes. Anyone who denies Jesus is the Christ is an antichrist. Those who deny the virgin birth, the resurrection, ascension and victory over death are against Christ; therefore, they are "antichrists." This is not a particular person in this case. It is used in the general sense. It has been "last time" sense John's day and nearly 2000 years have passed and we are still in the last days. Jesus will return soon to redeem the saints. However, It will be by the Father's will as to when it happens.

Ÿ Some have supposed that the "last time" here refers to the destruction of Jerusalem, and the end of the Jewish economy; but the more natural interpretation is to refer it to the last dispensation of the world, and to suppose that the apostle meant to say that there were clear evidences that that period had arrived.

Ÿ Since they were present in John's day and have been present throughout church history, the "last hour" must be the entire period between the first and second advents of Christ.

19 They 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.

Ÿ From this verse it is plain that the "antichrists" were Christians who had defected from the truth. Their departure from the apostles and from the church indicated their hostility to the truth. Many of these were no doubt teaching the most shameful errors, justifying, or rationalizing the most wicked and dissolute behaviour on the basis of Gnostic or other false teachings they had adopted. Their departure from the faith became final at some point prior to their leaving; but there is no suggestion by the apostle that those who departed had never been truly converted at the beginning of their Christian association. The fallen angels were not wicked from the beginning but became so; and Judas was not wicked when the Lord chose him as an apostle, but he fell "through transgression." [Coffman]

Ÿ Why were they not “of” God’s family? They did not belong to the body of Christ because they denied the basic doctrine of Christ: they denied that Jesus was the Son of God or God in human flesh. They could not enter the church without confessing Jesus as the Son of God (Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 8:37) [Wayne Fussell]

Ÿ Burton Coffman says these were Christians who defected from the truth, Wayne Fussell says they never knew the truth; however, “they were not all of us,” indicates that there were both departed Christians and pretenders or gnostics. The fact of the matter is, whether one was or never was a Christian, both groups will wind up in Hell unless they come to acknowledgment of the truth and obey the gospel throughout their lives. (J.D.)

Ÿ See Matthew 7:23

Ÿ [They went out from us] From the church. That is, they had once been professors of the religion of the Saviour, though their apostasy showed that they never had any true piety. This passage proves that these persons, whatever their pretensions and professions may have been, were never sincere Christians.

Ÿ “You therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things before, beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, etc.,” 2 Peter 3:17-18.

Ÿ See Mark 13:13; 2 Timothy 2:19; Luke 11:23

20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

Ÿ Jesus is the anointed one! See Acts 3:14; 4:26-27; Revelation 3:7. The anointing is plainly the all sufficient Word of God that has been entrusted into the care of every child of God. (Wayne Fussell)

Ÿ NT:5545 chrisma (khris'-mah); from NT:5548; an unguent or smearing, i.e. (figuratively) the special endowment ("chrism") of the Holy Spirit: KJV - anointing, unction.

Ÿ All men receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when they are baptized into Christ for the remission of sins.. (See Acts 2:38). Once they have been baptized into Christ, they become Christians and the Holy Spirit is their guide. By prayer and careful study of God’s Word, Christians learn God’s Will. This is the “unction,“ That is the “anointing” of the Holy Spirit. (See 2 Corinthians 1:21-22). Those people who are weak are unstable souls and are deceived by every wind of doctrine. (See Ephesians 4:14-16). Those who deceive are false teachers and will be held accountable. So, what we have in every generation are people with reprobate minds, false teachers, those who choose to obey the Gospel then fall away, and those who are sound in the faith because they are “attentive“ to the Holy Spirit. A person has no need of going to college to learn about God’s Word. See John 7:15; Acts 4:13. Again, it is constant prayer and consistent study of God’s Word in the Bible that one may know the things necessary to proceed to eternal life and spiritual maturity. (J.D.)

Ÿ See Hebrews 8:10-11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 10:16

Ÿ “But you have had the Holy Spirit poured out on you by Christ, and so all of you know the truth.” - TEV

Ÿ See 1 Peter 2:5,9

Ÿ It is not meant that any new truth is revealed to the mind by the Holy Spirit. All the truth that is brought before the mind of the Christian is to be found in the Word of God, and "revelation," as such, was completed when the Bible was finished. That the minds of Christians are so enlightened that they have a new perception of the truth. They see it in a light in which they did not before. They see it AS truth. They see its beauty, its force, its adapted less to their condition and wants. They understand the subject of religion better than they once did, and better than others do. What was once dark appears now plain; what once had no beauty to their minds now appears beautiful; what was once repellant is now attractive. (from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft)

Ÿ See 1 Corinthians 2:14-16; John 14:26

Ÿ But now the Spirit of God anoints every believer upon conversion (1 Corinthians 12:13). Because we Christians have received this anointing, we can be assured of the basis for our salvation and for the Spirit-filled life.

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

22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

24 Let 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.

25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

Verse 21:

Ÿ They know the truth because they have the anointing of God’s revelation. (Wayne Fussell)

Verse 22:

Ÿ An antichrist rejects Christ who is the truth; therefore, an antichrist is a liar. An antichrist denies both the Father and the Son. See John 5:23; Luke 9:48; John 14:6.

Ÿ Certain Gnostics and Docetists theorized that Jesus was only a man, the natural son of Joseph, and that "Christ" descended upon him and inhabited his body at the time of his baptism, deserted him for the crucifixion, etc. The exalted view of Christ in John's writings, and throughout the New Testament refutes such nonsense fully. The Christian believes and confesses that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, that he is one with the Father, that he, in fact, "was God," that of his own volition he entered our earth life by means of the incarnation, that he was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary, and that he was born and passed through all the phases of human life without sin, that the power of the Godhead dwelt in him bodily during his ministry enabling the mighty works which were done by him, that he gave his life a ransom for all in his crucifixion, and that he himself arose from the grave, commissioned his apostles, ascended to the Father where he was before, and that he will come again to judge the quick and the dead at the consummation of all things. All the Christians of all the ages have tenaciously held these basic views regarding Jesus Christ our Lord. John was saying in this verse that any denial of such things is falsehood, and that such liars are antichrist. No distinction between the Christ and Jesus is of the truth, but belongs rather to the heresy of the Cerinthians. [David Smith, op. cit., p. 181.]

Verse 23:

Ÿ “deny Jesus, lose God!”

Ÿ See Matthew 16:16; John 9:35-38 - Son; Philippians 2:11 - Lord; 1 John 2:22 - Messiah; Matthew 10:32; 7:21

Verse 24:

Ÿ Be grounded in the faith from the beginning of your journey to the end. (J.D.)

Ÿ “If the true doctrine of Christ remains at home in you, you will continue to be at home in Jesus and the Father.” (Wayne Fussell)

Ÿ See John 15:1-6; 2 Corinthians 5:19; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22-23; Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:27

Verse 25:

Ÿ Those who remain faithful will have eternal life. (J.D.) See John 17:3; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:13-20; conditions - John 8:31-32; Matthew 10:22; 2 Peter 1:10-11)

Ÿ Inherent in this precious and exceedingly great promise is the fact of its being conditional, the primary condition being that of abiding in God and abiding in Christ, that in turn being conditional, everything in the last analysis being contingent upon whether or not people hear and obey the original gospel, that is, "abide in that which ye have heard from the beginning. (Coffman)

26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

27 But 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.

28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

Verse 26:

Ÿ John writes to these brethren to warn them of the deception of the false teachers that may lead them astray. (J.D.)

Ÿ No new teaching is needed, the original gospel being relevant in all situations tending toward apostasy. (Coffman)

Verse 27:

Ÿ There are a few of things here that John is saying:

1. The “anointing” that is from the Holy One should remain in you!

2. No one has to teach you what you already know about the truth of God because you were already taught when you were converted. See Romans 14:5; 2 Peter 1:3; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

3. God’s Word continues to teach and it is true because it comes from the Lord. See Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18; John 17:17.

4. Gnostics switch the truth like the Gentiles did in Romans 1:25.

5. Gnostics deny the Messiah-ship of Jesus.

6. “It” is the “anointing,” The Holy Spirit is a He, not an “it.” See John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:13-14

Ÿ Verse 27 can be rephrased in this way: “Continue to make this area of activity, which is designated as “in Christ,” your permanent home just as the anointing of God’s Word has instructed you from the beginning of your Christian life.” (Wayne Fussell)

Verse 28:

Ÿ Christians keep the faith, that way you will not be ashamed when He will appear at His Second Coming. (See 2 Peter 3:10-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 Corinthians 15:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:1; James 5:7-8; 2 Peter 3:4). Those who are prepared can have Confidence at His return and will not have to be ashamed. Those who are unprepared will be ashamed and can have no confidence that they would be allowed to enter into Heaven. See Luke 21:36; Hebrews 9:28; 2 Timothy 4:8; 3 John 3

29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. - KJV

Ÿ The 1st “know” here is oida which means to know absolutely. The second “know” is ginosko which means to know experientially.

Ÿ What John says here can be coined in this matter: “If you know absolutely, as a matter of fact, that God is righteous, you may also know by practical experience that whosoever practices righteousness as a habitual operation of his life is born of the one who is righteous, that, is God.” (Wayne Fussell)

Ÿ “born of God” See 1 John 3:9, 18; 4:7

Ÿ practice righteousness

Ÿ Obey God’s rules. See John 3:3-5; Titus 3:5; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 3:27; Psalms 119:172.