1 John Chapter 2
Fellowship and the Hindrance of Sin – 1 John 2:1–2
1 John 2:1 says:
“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.”
John, speaking with fatherly care, addresses believers as “My little children.” This phrase reflects his spiritual authority and tender concern for their holiness. His purpose is clear: “so that you may not sin.” While in 1 John 1:8, he wrote, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us,” and in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” now he affirms that sin is not to be treated casually. God’s will is not that we continue in sin, but that we grow in sanctification.
Sin is not inevitable because God has made provision for holiness. The flesh is weak, but the Spirit is willing (Matthew 26:41: “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”). Victory is possible because believers have all spiritual resources in Christ. If a believer does fall, they are not without hope. “We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” The word “Advocate” (Greek: paraklētos) means one who comes alongside to help, like a defense attorney. This speaks of Jesus representing us before the Father.
John gives the assurance that Jesus Christ is fully qualified — “the righteous” — meaning He has never sinned and therefore can righteously represent the sinner. This does not imply that God the Father is unwilling to forgive, but that Jesus' intercession is based on His own righteousness, not ours.
1 John 2:2 continues:
“And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”
The word “propitiation” means an atoning sacrifice that turns away wrath. Jesus' death satisfied the righteous judgment of God. Romans 3:25 affirms this:
“Whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed.”
This was not a bribe or a plea bargain. It was God the Son satisfying the justice of God the Father, so that mercy could be extended without violating righteousness.
Importantly, His propitiation is “not for ours only but also for the whole world.” This does not teach universalism — that all will be saved — but that the atonement is sufficient for all, though only efficient for those who believe. John 3:16 confirms this universal offer of salvation:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Christ’s blood has made the barrier of sin surmountable, and He continues to intercede for believers. Hebrews 7:25 says,
“Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”
This truth gives assurance and encourages the believer to walk in the light while also offering restoration when sin has occurred.
1 John 2:3–6 – The Fruit of Fellowship
1 John 2:3–6:
“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”
This passage draws a direct connection between genuine salvation and the evidence of obedience. John does not speculate — he declares plainly that assurance of knowing God is demonstrated by keeping His commandments. The Greek word for “know” (ginōskō) emphasizes experiential knowledge, not merely intellectual awareness.
To “keep His commandments” is not to obey perfectly, but to pursue obedience sincerely. This is not legalism — it’s fruit. John 14:15 records Jesus saying, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” The one who knows Christ will not only acknowledge Him but follow Him. A faith that produces no obedience is dead (cf. James 2:17).
John continues in verse 4, “He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” This is a direct rebuke to nominal Christianity. To claim intimate relationship with Jesus while disregarding His commandments is self-deception and dishonesty. John deals in absolutes — the one who does not obey is not confused or immature, he is a liar.
In verse 5, he writes:
“But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.”
The word “perfected” (teleioō) means made complete or matured. This is not sinless perfection, but a completeness of love that results in obedience. The indwelling love of God compels the believer to obey. This is also the foundation for Christian assurance — we know we are in Him because our life shows it. John 15:10 says, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.”
Then, verse 6 finishes the thought:
“He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”
To abide (menō) in Him means to remain, to dwell, to live in continual fellowship with Christ. The believer who claims such abiding must live a life of daily conformity to Christ’s character and conduct. Romans 8:29 tells us that God predestined believers to be “conformed to the image of His Son.”
This does not mean performing miracles or dying on a cross; rather, it means walking in obedience, humility, and devotion to the Father — just as Christ did. The standard for Christian life is not other Christians, but Christ Himself. Philippians 2:5 says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”
1 John 2:7–11 – The Absolute Imperative of Love
1 John 2:7–8:
“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. 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.”
This “old commandment” is the command to love one another, which is rooted in the teachings of the Old Testament (cf. Leviticus 19:18: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”). But it is also “new” because Jesus renewed and deepened it in John 13:34:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”
The commandment became new in emphasis and example — Jesus’ sacrificial love set a new standard.
In Jesus and in His followers, this new love is lived out. “The darkness is passing away” refers to the waning influence of sin and hatred in the world through the advancing light of Christ’s kingdom. John 1:5 says, “And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
1 John 2:9–11:
“He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 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.”
This is the moral and relational test of fellowship. John gives a stark contrast: hatred reveals spiritual darkness; love reveals the light. To “hate his brother” is not limited to malice — it includes resentment, bitterness, and apathy. Matthew 5:22 equates unjust anger with murder in God’s eyes:
“But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.”
To hate a fellow Christian is incompatible with walking in the light. The one who hates “walks in darkness” — a metaphor for spiritual blindness and danger. He “does not know where he is going” because hatred distorts moral vision. Proverbs 4:19 states:
“The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.”
Verse 10 assures us:
“He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.”
Love is the evidence of divine life, and it protects from spiritual stumbling. Love builds up, guides, and reflects the nature of God. 1 John 4:7 says, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”
To walk in the light means to be governed by the truth and character of God. God is light (1 John 1:5), and those who walk in hatred contradict His nature and prove themselves spiritually deceived. Love is not a sentimental feeling but a Christlike, sacrificial action (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:4–7). This love is not optional — it is the sign of genuine fellowship with the God who is love.
1 John 2:12–13 – John Addresses His Readers According to Their Spiritual Maturity
1 John 2:12 – Little Children, Who Have Their Sins Forgiven
“I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.”
(1 John 2:12, NKJV)
This verse opens a poetic and pastoral section in which the Apostle John addresses three groups within the church: little children, fathers, and young men — not according to age, but spiritual maturity.
“Little children” refers to those new in the faith — babes in Christ. This term (Greek: teknia) is used often by John as a term of endearment, but here it also serves as a theological classification.
John reminds them of the foundational truth: “Your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.”
This is not forgiveness based on merit, effort, or ritual, but solely because of the finished work of Jesus Christ. The phrase “for His name’s sake” reflects the glory, authority, and righteousness of Christ as the grounds for our forgiveness. It echoes Psalm 25:11, which says, “For Your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity, for it is great.”
Forgiveness is complete at conversion — it is not gradual. The youngest believer is just as forgiven as the oldest saint. Colossians 1:14 says, “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” This is the baseline for Christian assurance.
John intends to stir joy. If we are not moved by the reality that our sins are fully forgiven, then we likely fail to grasp the weight of our sin or the price of redemption. Luke 7:47 reminds us, “Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”
1 John 2:13a – Fathers, Who Have an Experiential Knowledge of Christ
“I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning.”
(1 John 2:13a, NKJV)
The “fathers” are not physical elders necessarily, but spiritually mature believers — those with a deep, abiding relationship with God. The Greek word for “known” (egnōkate) indicates an intimate, experiential knowledge — not merely academic.
“Him who is from the beginning” unmistakably refers to Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, echoing 1 John 1:1: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes…” These mature believers know Christ not as a concept, but as a Person — in relationship, tested over time, through seasons of blessing and trial.
Spiritual fathers are like oaks — stable, deep-rooted, and consistent. Their faith has been refined. Job 23:10 says, “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.”
This knowledge comes only with time. There is no shortcut to maturity. It involves walking with Christ through the valleys, bearing fruit in season, and holding fast when tested. These fathers are the backbone of the church.
1 John 2:13b – Young Men, Who Have Known Spiritual Victory
“I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one.”
(1 John 2:13b, NKJV)
These “young men” represent believers who are past infancy but not yet fathers. They are the spiritual warriors — active, engaged, tested in combat with the enemy. The verb “overcome” (nenikēkate) is in the perfect tense, indicating a decisive victory with ongoing results. It refers to personal, experienced triumph over Satan — the “wicked one” (ho ponēros).
Ephesians 6:11 commands us, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” These believers have done so. They have fought temptation, resisted false doctrine, endured trials, and emerged stronger. They are not sinless, but seasoned.
The battlefield is spiritual, and the enemy is real. 1 Peter 5:8–9 reminds us,
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith.”
These young men are not idle students — they are soldiers. And the victory they’ve experienced was won not in their strength, but in Christ’s. 1 John 4:4 declares, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
It’s worth noting: John places this group between the children and the fathers — a reminder that growth is expected. Remaining a spiritual child is abnormal. Paul rebukes the Corinthians for this in 1 Corinthians 3:1–2, where he writes,
“And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it.”
1 John 2:13c – Little Children, Who Know the Father
“I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father.”
(1 John 2:13c, NKJV)
This verse focuses again on “little children,” but John uses a different Greek word here than in verse 12. Instead of teknia, which emphasizes the child’s relationship to the parent (i.e., dependency), John uses paidia, which focuses more on a child’s immaturity and need for training.
John says, “because you have known the Father.” This refers to the intimate, relational knowledge of God as Father — a central feature of the gospel and the new birth. Romans 8:15 declares,
“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’”
This “knowing” is not merely doctrinal — it is relational. The new believer rests in the tender assurance of God’s paternal love. This is foundational, especially in a world filled with insecurity, fatherlessness, and spiritual deception. Galatians 4:6 confirms this reality:
“And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’”
The picture is beautifully illustrated by Charles Spurgeon: the child’s view of his earthly father as the greatest figure in his world mirrors the believer’s adoration of God the Father. To the spiritually young, the Father fills the whole horizon.
1 John 2:14a – Fathers, Who Have an Experiential Knowledge of Christ
“I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning.”
(1 John 2:14a, NKJV)
This line exactly mirrors 1 John 2:13a, underscoring its importance. Repetition is a literary technique John uses to solidify core truths.
Again, the phrase “you have known Him who is from the beginning” points to Jesus Christ, the pre-existent Son of God, echoing John 1:1:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
The spiritually mature — the “fathers” — have a deep, tested, and enduring relationship with Jesus. They know Him not just as Savior, but as the Sovereign, Eternal Lord. The repetition reminds us that maturity doesn’t move beyond Christ — it moves deeper into Him. As Paul said in Philippians 3:10:
“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.”
There is no “graduate level” beyond knowing Christ. The highest calling is not new insights or hidden mysteries, but deeper, richer fellowship with Jesus.
1 John 2:14b – Young Men, Who Are Strong and Know Spiritual Victory
“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.”
(1 John 2:14b, NKJV)
In this second address to the “young men,” John adds depth to their spiritual profile. He says three things about them:
“You are strong.”
This strength is not physical or emotional but spiritual. It is the strength of conviction, of obedience, of standing firm in trials. The young men are in the thick of spiritual warfare and are expected to fight and endure. Ephesians 6:10 declares:
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”“The word of God abides in you.”
This is the source of their strength. These young believers are saturated with Scripture. God’s Word is not just read or quoted — it lives in them. It has taken residence, guiding their thoughts, shaping their conscience, and directing their choices.
Psalm 119:11 affirms this principle:
“Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”“And you have overcome the wicked one.”
Spiritual warfare is not theoretical. These believers have fought and won battles against the schemes of Satan. Their victory is rooted not in self-discipline alone but in abiding in God’s Word.
James 4:7 states:
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
This group models what strong, spiritually engaged believers should look like — not complacent, not immature, but equipped and active in the faith. The church needs such men and women today — not content to remain in infancy, but trained, tested, and spiritually engaged.
1 John 2:15 – The Problem of Worldliness
“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.”
(1 John 2:15, NKJV)
John issues a sobering and direct command. The believer is to make a decisive break from worldliness. The term “world” (Greek: kosmos) here refers not to God’s creation or to mankind in general, but to the rebellious, man-centered system opposed to God — the fallen order of society governed by “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2).
This is a system built on pride, lust, and self-glorification. God loves the people of the world (John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…”), but believers are not to love the fallen order or its enticements. The word love here (Greek: agapaō) indicates devotion and allegiance, not mere enjoyment. To love the world is to give it our heart, energy, and identity — things that rightly belong to God.
John says clearly: “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” That is not ambiguous. Worldliness and divine fellowship are incompatible. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). James echoes this when he writes, “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?” (James 4:4).
1 John 2:16 – The Character of the World
“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.”
(1 John 2:16, NKJV)
John now defines what comprises the world system:
The lust of the flesh – This includes anything that corruptly appeals to our physical desires. Not all bodily desires are sinful, but the lust of the flesh twists legitimate desires into self-serving indulgences.
Galatians 5:19–21 warns of the works of the flesh: “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness… those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”The lust of the eyes – This is covetousness, greed, and discontentment. It’s the insatiable desire for what we see but do not have — a root of much sin (see Exodus 20:17 – “You shall not covet…”).
The pride of life – This is arrogance, self-promotion, and the desire for recognition or superiority. It is the ambition to glorify self above others.
Proverbs 16:18 warns, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
These three categories mirror the temptation of Eve in the garden:
“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food (lust of the flesh), that it was pleasant to the eyes (lust of the eyes), and a tree desirable to make one wise (pride of life), she took of its fruit and ate.” (Genesis 3:6, NKJV)
Jesus, in contrast, overcame all three in His wilderness temptation (Matthew 4:1–11). The point is this: none of these worldly lusts come from the Father. They are not tools God uses to sanctify; they are tools the enemy uses to destroy.
1 John 2:17 – The Folly of Worldliness
“And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”
(1 John 2:17, NKJV)
Here lies the fundamental argument against loving the world: it is dying. The world and all its allurements are fleeting. This is not poetic — it is eschatological reality. The world is terminal.
Compare 2 Peter 3:10:
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise… both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.”
Lot’s life in Genesis is a textbook example. He compromised by pitching his tent toward Sodom (Genesis 13:12), and eventually lost everything in its destruction. Despite having material gain, he lacked spiritual discernment and eternal investment.
In contrast, John writes: “he who does the will of God abides forever.” That is, those who obey God will continue into eternity. This echoes the Lord’s words in Matthew 7:21:
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”
Worldliness is temporal; obedience is eternal. The wise Christian invests in what endures. We are not to cling to the temporary trappings of this age but to be transformed by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2 – “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”).
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1 John 2:18–19 – The Spirit of Antichrist and Apostasy
“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. 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.”
(1 John 2:18–19, NKJV)
John opens with a pastoral plea: “Little children, it is the last hour.” The urgency reflects the imminence of Christ’s return — a doctrine consistent with the literal, premillennial view. John expected Christ at any time, as should we. The phrase "last hour" implies the closing period of the current age. It does not suggest mere proximity to a date but the kind of time we’re in — characterized by doctrinal deception, apostasy, and the infiltration of the Antichrist spirit.
“As you have heard that the Antichrist is coming…” – John acknowledges the prophetic expectation that a final Antichrist figure will arise. This man will oppose and exalt himself above all that is called God (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 – “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition…”). However, John warns that even now, “many antichrists have come.” These are not the final Antichrist but forerunners of his spirit — those who preach a false Jesus, offer a counterfeit gospel, or rebel against the apostolic faith.
“They went out from us, but they were not of us…” This identifies apostasy. These antichrists originated from within the visible church but were never truly regenerate. Their departure reveals their true nature. John is not referring to someone transferring churches, but rather to those who entirely abandon the fellowship of the redeemed, denying the faith and promoting error. This echoes Christ’s own warning in Matthew 24:24:
“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”
Their exit is not a loss of salvation but a manifestation that they were never saved to begin with. This supports the doctrine of eternal security: true believers persevere. As Philippians 1:6 declares,
“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
1 John 2:20–21 – The Anointing That Guards Against Deception
“But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. 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.”
(1 John 2:20–21, NKJV)
The “anointing from the Holy One” is the indwelling Holy Spirit, received at salvation. This anointing gives spiritual discernment — a vital safeguard in an age of deception. Jesus promised in John 14:26:
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things…”
This does not negate the need for teachers, but it means that every true believer has the internal witness of the Spirit to affirm truth and expose lies. John emphasizes: “You know all things” — that is, believers possess sufficient knowledge, not exhaustive knowledge. When grounded in Scripture and led by the Spirit, they are protected from falling into damnable error.
1 John 2:22–23 – Denying the Son and the Father
“Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.”
(1 John 2:22–23, NKJV)
Here John defines the central mark of the Antichrist spirit — the denial of Jesus as the Messiah. But this denial is not merely about the title “Christ”; it involves a rejection of His divine identity, mission, and relationship to the Father. Denying Jesus as the incarnate Son of God — truly God and truly man — is tantamount to calling God a liar. This is not minor theological error; this is blasphemous rejection of God’s testimony.
As Jesus declared in John 5:23:
“That all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.”
And again in John 14:6:
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”
There is no neutral ground. Anyone who claims to know God while rejecting the Son is self-deceived. Whether it's Islam denying the Son, liberal theology rejecting His virgin birth and deity, or cults like Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons redefining Him — all are manifestations of the Antichrist spirit. John states plainly: “Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either.”
Yet there is hope: “He who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” This is the confession of the redeemed — not just intellectual assent, but a full-hearted allegiance to Jesus Christ as Lord, God, and Savior.
(1 John 2:26–27) How to guard against deception: the anointing that abides.
These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. 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.
John now explains the protective benefit of abiding. The anointing believers have received from God — which is the presence of the Holy Spirit — serves as a safeguard against false teachers. John affirms, “you do not need that anyone teach you,” which must be understood in context. He is not denying the usefulness of God-ordained teachers within the church; after all, John himself is actively teaching through this letter. Instead, John is emphasizing that believers are not dependent on a special class of mystical or elite teachers with “secret knowledge.” Every believer, by virtue of the indwelling Holy Spirit, has access to truth and the ability to discern deception.
The phrase “as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie” underscores the reliability and sufficiency of the Holy Spirit. While false teachers seek to deceive and mislead with clever philosophies and doctrines, the Spirit’s instruction is grounded in truth. He is the one who leads us into all truth, as Jesus said: “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13, New King James Version). The Spirit will never contradict the written Word, which He inspired, and He always points us to Jesus Christ.
John concludes this verse with the reminder: “just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.” The key to spiritual survival — and fruitfulness — is abiding. If we rest in Christ, walk in the Spirit, and hold fast to what was revealed from the beginning, we will not be shaken by antichrists or false teachings.
(1 John 2:28–29) The confidence of abiding.
And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.
Here John connects abiding with readiness for the return of Jesus Christ. The exhortation to “abide in Him” is more than moral advice — it is a command to stay rooted in a living relationship with Christ. The reason is clear: Jesus is coming again, and when He appears, believers will either meet Him with confidence or with shame.
The word “confidence” (Greek: parrēsia) refers to boldness and assurance. This is not arrogance, but the settled confidence of a child meeting their loving Father. But the one who has drifted into compromise or doctrinal error will shrink back in shame at the Lord’s return. This is not a question of salvation — believers will be saved — but a matter of reward, honor, and fellowship at His appearing.
John emphasizes moral alignment with God as the evidence of abiding. “If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.” This statement does not teach that righteousness earns salvation; instead, righteousness reveals sonship. The new birth produces a new life — and while not sinless, it is oriented toward righteousness. Those who truly belong to Him will show it in their life choices and character.
Thus, abiding in Christ preserves us doctrinally, morally, and relationally. It produces discernment, brings assurance, and keeps us prepared for the Lord’s return. It is not optional for the Christian — it is essential.
3. (1 John 2:26–27) Our protection against deception: the anointing of the Holy Spirit
“These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. 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.” (1 John 2:26–27, NKJV)
John writes with pastoral concern for his readers, warning them of those who attempt to deceive—namely, antichrists (as referenced in 1 John 2:18). The antidote to deception is not academic knowledge alone, but the divine anointing believers have received: the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
The phrase “the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you” is an assurance that all true believers have the Holy Spirit as a permanent indwelling presence. As Paul also affirms, “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee” (2 Corinthians 1:21–22, NKJV). This anointing guards believers from deception and affirms truth.
When John says “you do not need that anyone teach you,” he is not denying the role of spiritual teachers (cf. Ephesians 4:11–12), but is emphasizing that the believer is not dependent on any secret or elite knowledge to know God. This statement is a direct refutation of early Gnostic heresies that claimed only those with hidden knowledge could attain true spiritual insight.
Jesus said of the Holy Spirit, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13a, NKJV). This aligns with John’s assertion that the anointing “teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie.” God’s Spirit is trustworthy and never leads into falsehood. As believers remain sensitive to the Spirit’s leading and align themselves with Scripture, they will “abide in Him.” This last clause connects doctrinal fidelity with relational intimacy.
4. (1 John 2:28–29) What it means to live in Jesus and prepare for His return
“And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.” (1 John 2:28–29, NKJV)
John now turns to eschatological implications of abiding. The word “abide” (Greek: μένω, menō) indicates a continual, enduring fellowship with Christ. This abiding relationship ensures “confidence” (Greek: παρρησία, parrēsia) when Jesus appears—boldness, openness, and assurance instead of shrinking away in guilt.
This passage clearly speaks of the Second Coming of Christ—“when He appears”—a visible and literal return. For those who abide, it will be a moment of joy. For others, including those saved but carnal, it may be a moment of regret and shame. As Paul writes: “If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire” (1 Corinthians 3:15, NKJV). Abiding protects us from being “ashamed before Him at His coming.”
John’s exhortation mirrors Jesus’ teaching: “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him” (John 14:23, NKJV). Paul also prayed that “Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3:17a, NKJV). The Greek word used there implies a permanent, settled presence—not a casual visit. Abiding is not occasional religious observance but the continual dwelling of Christ in the believer’s heart.
The statement, “If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him,” ties abiding in Christ to practical righteousness. Righteous living is not what makes us born again, but it is evidence that we are. “He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous” (1 John 3:7b, NKJV).
This does not mean sinless perfection. John has already acknowledged that believers sin (1 John 1:8–10), but the habitual pattern of the Christian’s life is one of righteousness. A life that imitates the character of God confirms spiritual birth. The spiritual DNA of the Father is evident in His children. As Jesus taught, “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16a, NKJV).
This section closes a significant theme: true faith is not just doctrinal, but moral and relational. Abiding is the pathway to confidence before Christ, and righteousness is the inevitable fruit of that abiding. The Spirit within assures the truth, transforms the heart, and prepares the believer for Christ’s return.
