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1 John Chapter Two

 

I. Content of the Chapter

 

How to Keep the Fellowship

A.  Be forgiven by God the Father by Jesus Christ the righteous (v.1-2);

B.  Abide in light through keeping the Lord’s commandment of love (v.3-11);

1.  Only those who know the Lord keep the commandment of love (v.3-4);

2.  Only those who abide in the Lord keep the commandment of love (v.5-6);

3.  This commandment of love is an old and new commandment (v.7-8);

4.  He who loves brothers abides in light (v.9-11);

C.  Keep the fellowship by the knowledge of life (v.12-29);

1.  Know the difference between the Father and the world (v.12-17);

2.  Know the difference between Jesus Christ and antichrist (v.18-23);

3.  Know the difference between the teachings of the anointment and that of man (v.24-27);

4.  Those who abide in the Lord and practice righteousness are born of Him (v.28-29);

 

II. Verse by Verse Commentary

 

1John. 2:1 “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.”

YLT: “My little children these things I write to you that ye may not sin: and if any one may sin an advocate we have with the Father Jesus Christ a righteous one ”

Meaning of Words: children”: infants; Advocate”: intercessor consoler comforter;the righteous”: the just;

Literal Meaning: “my little children these things I write to you “children” the love and care of the elders to juniors in the house of God are manifested here; “these things” refer to the word in the first chapter of this book especially verse five to ten that he who confesses his sins will be forgiven.

“So that you may not sin” “not sin” not sin intentionally namely be not indulged in the flesh but let God’s word of life in us (see 3:9; 5:18);

And if anyone sins “sin”: commit sins occasionally (see Rom. 7:18-20).

“We have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous” “the Father”: God in the heavens (see Heb. 4:14); here it mentions “Father” instead of “God” which seems to regard believers’ sins against God as occasional cases in the house of God; “Advocate” the Lord Jesus is the defender who provides help and becomes an intercessor for us before God (see Heb. 7:22-25); “Jesus Christ the righteous” it means that the Lord Jesus is completely without sin but he has borne the punishment of sin for us and satisfied the requirements of God’s righteousness; Only He is able to defend for us so His intercession must appease the righteous wrath of God.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    God is perfect so His requirements for His people must also be perfect. God does not say that we may sin less but not sin (see John 8:11).

2)    If a believer relies on God’s grace of remission selfishly he will see light of sins. He will not take care of his conversation since God will forgive him (see 1:7-9).

3)    We believers are merely “human beings”. Therefore when we reject sins by the Lord we may still commit sins again. Thanks God! He has prepared for our possible failure.

4)    There are two improper responses to sins for abnormal Christians ---- sin with boldness without any restraint and be unable to overcome sins and become faint and discouraged in mind.

5)    “With the Father” it indicates that even though the fellowship of believers with God may be interrupted because of sins the relationship of God the Father with the children will never be broken.

6)    The Lord Jesus has become the Advocate of a better covenant. He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him since He always lives to make intercession for them (Heb. 7:22 24).

 

1John. 2:2 “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”

YLT: “and he -- he is a propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but also for the whole world ”

Meaning of Words: propitiation”: atonement expiator; only”: merely;  

Literal Meaning: “and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins our sins”: all our sins including those we have committed after we have been saved; “propitiation”: sacrifices that appease the wrath of God; the Lord Jesus not only makes intercessions for our sins (see v.1) but also becomes the sacrifice that appeases the wrath of God ---- who sacrificed Himself on the cross and became the only offering appeasing the wrath of God.

“And not for ours only but also for the whole world”ours”: that of believers; “the whole world”: people in the world of all generations; the Lord’s redemption on the cross is for all sinners in the world but only those who believe will enjoy such effect.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The Lord Jesus is both “Advocate” (see v.1) and “propitiation”. And he is also the High Priest and the sacrifice.

2)    The Lord is the “propitiation” who is able enough to redeem the relation of God with the whole world. However if man is unwilling to believe and receive he is unable to experience the redemption.

3)    The Lord is both our “propitiation” when we are saved to be reconciled with God and our “propitiation” after we are saved to keep the fellowship with God.

 

1John. 2:3 “Now by this we know that we know Him if we keep His commandments.”

YLT: “and in this we know that we have known him if his commands we may keep;”

Meaning of Words: keep”: hold fast watch preserve; commandments”: injunctions precepts;

Literal Meaning: “if we keep his commandments” “if” here it points out another condition of having fellowship with God. The first two verses are the negative conditions and verses from three to eleven are the positive conditions. “Keep his commandments”: keep the commandment given by the Lord that we shall love one another (see John 13:34).

  “By this we know that we know him” “know”: consciousness in oneself; “know him”: subjective and personal knowledge; there are two words of “know” in Greek: one (ginosko) is the objective knowledge acquired by learning and the other one (oida) is the subjective knowledge obtained from personal experience. And the two “know”s in this verse belong to the latter one. In the original the second know is in the present perfect tense showing that the acquisition of such knowledge is ongoing.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     We need to recover our fellowship with God by the Lord Jesus but also accelerate and develop our fellowship with God by keeping the Lord’s commandments.

2)     The real secret of “knowing oneself and the Lord” is that one has to experience the Lord’s loving bowel in conversation and keep the Lord’s commandment of love.

3)     Believers shall learn to know God through knowledge and practical experience of the Lord’s word.

4)     Any knowledge that can not make us determined to keep the truth of God is vain and valueless to us just like that priests and scribes clearly knew that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem and yet paid little attention to the visitation of the magi from the east (see Matt. 2:1-8).

 

1John. 2:4 “He who says "I know Him " and does not keep His commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him.”

YLT: “he who is saying `I have known him ' and his command is not keeping a liar he is and in him the truth is not;”

Meaning of Words: know”: understand; keep”: hold fast watch preserve;commandments”: injunctions prescriptions;truth”: reality verity;

Literal Meaning: He who says "I know Him" “He”: he who confesses he is a believer including false teachers or true believers who have failed; “I know Him” many people like to confess that they know the Lord so as to exalt themselves and teach others.

“And does not keep His commandments “keep”: the present tense shows that it is a continuous action. “Does not keep His commandments”: fail to manifest the brotherly love in daily conversation

“Is a liar and the truth is not in him” “liar” the one who confesses that he knows the Lord and walks oppositely; “the truth is not in him”: the word of the truth seems to be nothing to such man.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     Right faith is the foundation of normal life. Whether a man has right faith can be seen from his conversations.

2)     Normally we Christians keep the commandments of the Lord and abstain from sins though we may sin occasionally (see v.1 1:8).

3)     He who confesses the Lord and disobeys the Lord’s commandments is the worst liar in the world.

 

1John. 2:5 “But whoever keeps His word truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.”

YLT: “and whoever may keep his word truly in him the love of God hath been perfected; in this we know that in him we are.”

Meaning of Words: keep”: preserve hold fast watch; “word”: logos; “love”: divine love (agape); “truly”: really; “perfected”: finished make perfect consecrated; “know”: understand;

Literal Meaning: whoever keeps His word “His word” it is larger than “the Lord’s commandments” (see v.4). “Keep His word” it includes keeping the Lord’s commandment of love.

“Truly the love of God is perfected in him” “the love of God” is perfect but the manifestation of love in believers varies according to their spiritual conditions respectively. And the divine love will be perfected in all believers as they keep the Lord’s word.

By this we know that we are in Him” “we know”: know consciously (see v.3); “we are in Him” only he who is in the Lord will love God and men by the divine love. He who does not abide in the Lord will love God and men by “the conditional human love” (phileo). Therefore we shall know whether we are in the Lord.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     “The Lord’s word” and “God’s love” are interrelated. The degree the Lord’s word has influenced us will decide how much the love of God has been perfected in us.

2)     When we are willing to keep the Lord’s word the love of God has been perfected to fulfill the purpose of enabling us to obey Him.

3)     Obedience and love can test whether one is a true believer and are elements of living in light.

4)     Whether a believer has lived in the Lord is decided by whether “the love of God” has been perfected in him (see 3:14).

 

1John. 2:6 “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”

YLT: “He who is saying in him he doth remain ought according as he walked also himself so to walk.”

Meaning of Words: abide”: dwell live; ought to”: have to;as”: according to;walk”: conduct;

Literal Meaning: He who says he abides in Him” “abiding in Him” is deeper than “being in the Lord” (see v.5). “Abides in Him” it means that abiding in the Lord continuously has becoming a habitual pattern of one’s life.

  “Ought himself also to walk just as He walked” “as He walked” here it especially refers to the Lord’s love to us. “Walk just as He walked” it means that we shall also love one another (see John 13:34).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     We shall not be merely satisfied that we “are in the Lord” but seek further to “abide in the Lord”.

2)     “Abide in the Lord” is “walking with the Lord” ---- let us walk as the Lord walks.

3)     The closer the relation of believers with the Lord is the more shall believers’ interpersonal relationship be influenced. We cannot be too spiritual to regard others.

4)     We are responsible to make our walking worthy of the gracious calling we are called (see Eph. 4:1).

 

1John. 2:7 “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.”

YLT: “Brethren a new command I write not to you but an old command that ye had from the beginning -- the old command is the word that ye heard from the beginning;”

Meaning of Words: new”: fresh; “commandment”: prescription precept injunction; “from the beginning”: at the outset; “word”: logos;

Literal Meaning:brethren I write no new commandment to you new commandment”: a commandment that believers have not heard before with no record in the Scriptures; 

“But an old commandment which you have had from the beginning “from the beginning”: from the time when we believed the Lord; “old commandment”: the commandment that we had once received;

The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning”the word which you heard” refers to the commandment of “loving one another” given to us by the Lord (see John 13:34).

Here “new … old” it is not “that is new or old” by nature but in time. That believers have heard before is old and that have not is new.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     Heretics often boast of the “new” teachings. However many Christians also prefer the new to the old and are not drawn by the truth they heard before so that the heretical teachings creep in.

2)     Though believers have to leave the word of the beginning and go on to full growth (Heb. 6:1) they shall not reject the word of the beginning namely the word we heard when we had just believed the Lord.

 

1John. 2:8 “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.”

YLT: “again a new command I write to you which thing is true in him and in you because the darkness doth pass away and the true light doth now shine;”

Meaning of Words: again”: anew; true”: real;passing away”: departing going away;shine”: appear be seen;

Literal Meaning: “again a new commandment I write to you though the commandment itself is not new (see v.7) to we believers we will always find a kind of new light and feeling in our practice and experience new provision and power. Therefore “the new commandment” is different from that in verse seven. Here it is the new by nature.

“Which thing is true in Him and in you “true in Him” the Lord’ revelation and provision to we believers are always new everyday. “And in you” our feeling on and experience of this commandment are also fresh everyday.

“Because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining” “darkness”: the darkness of sin and hating brothers (see 1:6; 2:9); “is passing away” if believers keep the Lord’s commandment of love his power of sin and hatred toward brothers will decrease and vanish finally because of the Lord’s provision. “True light” the light shone out of the Lord’s life and His word (see 2Cor. 4:4-6).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     Every time we believers read the word of God and enjoy and experience the Lord’s life we will have new feelings and light for the Spirit always renews us in us (see Titus 3:5).

2)     If we live in the “old man” of us everything is old. However if we live in the Lord everything has become new (see 2Cor. 5:17).

3)     Darkness cannot resist the true light. The more we draw near to the true light the more will the darkness in us vanish.

 

1John. 2:9 “He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in darkness until now.”

YLT: “he who is saying in the light he is and his brother is hating in the darkness he is till now;”

Meaning of Words: hate”: detest; 

Literal Meaning: “he who says he is in the light and hates his brother” “in the light”: that is “in the Lord” (see v.5) keep the fellowship with the Lord; “and hates his brother” it points that the nature of “hatred” is completely opposite to that of “light”.

  “Is in darkness until now” “until now” the condition of such man has not changed yet. “Is in darkness”: he was in darkness and is still in darkness.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     The conversations of some Christians go against their words. Their walking is utterly unworthy of their words that seem to be spiritual.

2)     Hatred toward brothers is darkness. He who hates brothers does not know the Lord or himself for he is in darkness.

3)     Our relationship with brothers reflects that whether we are in light or darkness. The real spiritual condition of a man can be clearly seen from how he treats with his brothers.

 

1John. 2:10 “He who loves his brother abides in the light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.”

YLT: “he who is loving his brother in the light he doth remain and a stumbling-block in him there is not;”

Meaning of Words: love”: the divine love; “abide”: dwell live inhabit; “stumbling”: stumbling-block;

Literal Meaning: “he who loves his brother abides in the light” “love his brother”: here it refers to the actions of love not the words of love only (see v.9; 3:18); “abides in the light”: “abide in the Lord” (see v.6) i.e. “walk with the Lord”.

  “And there is no cause for stumbling in him” “stumbling” make both oneself and others stumbled; “cause”: reason;

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     Love helps to clear away the barriers on the moral path. If we love brothers we may understand how to avoid sinning against God and men.

2)     If a Christian keeps sound relationship with the Lord his path will be shone brightly. If once action is consistent with his words he will not make others stumble.

3)     Our love or hatred toward others influences our judgment upon things around us and our actions. Therefore it is true that out of the heart are the issues of life (Pro. 4:23).

 

1John. 2:11 “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.”

YLT: “and he who is hating his brother in the darkness he is and in the darkness he doth walk and he hath not known whither he doth go because the darkness did blind his eyes.”

Meaning of Words: hate”: detest; walk”: go tread all around;know”: consider understand;

Literal Meaning: “but he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness “in darkness” it refers to the static situation without light. “Walk in darkness”: it refers to the dynamic situation in darkness.

“And does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes” “where he is going”: one has not direction on his path of life and is lost in darkness. “The darkness had blinded his eyes”: the darkness keeps his eyes shut (see Matt. 13:14-15);

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Hatred destroys man’s morality and finally it makes man dark.

2)    Hatred causes three steps of corruption: a) the first step is in darkness; b) the second step is moving in darkness; c) the third step is that one loses his life direction in darkness.

3)    If people in one church hate those who are in another church there must be problems in the doctrines the first church has received ---- possibly they are heretical doctrines out of darkness.

 

1John. 2:12 “I write to you little children Because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake.”

YLT: “I write to you little children because the sins have been forgiven you through his name;”

Meaning of Words: “forgiven”: remitted;

Literal Meaning: “I write to you little children “children” it can be proved by the next verse that children is a common name to all the members in the house of God what ever their physical or spiritual age is.

“Because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake “your sins”: all the sins we committed before we were saved “for His name’s sake” whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Rom. 10:13); “are forgiven”: it is an accomplished fact.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     Our sins are forgiven for the sake of the Lord’s name. It is a real fact to all Christians.

2)     God has cast all our sins behind His back (see Is. 38:17) and will not remember any more. Therefore we need not to be worried about sins before we are saved.

 

1John. 2:13 “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.”

YLT: “I write to you fathers because ye have known him who from the beginning; I write to you young men because ye have overcome the evil. I write to you little youths because ye have known the Father:”

Meaning of Words: fathers”: parents; know”: be aware of understand;young men”: youth;overcome”: subdue conquer;the wicked one”: the evil one;

Literal Meaning: I write to you fathers Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. “Fathers”: believers who are mature in life; “have known Him who is from the beginning”: they have already got knowledge of God in experience and such knowledge is ongoing; “who is from the beginning”: no matter in what condition they are God is always true and living to them.

I write to you young men Because you have overcome the wicked one” “young men”: believers are strong in faith and full of vitality (see v.14); “have overcome the wicked one” they have overcome the schemes of the devil by the divine life (see 5:18).

I write to you little children Because you have known the Father”little children”: believers who are still young in the preliminary stage; “have known the Father”: know that God is the source of all provisions and He can meet all the needs in the house of God.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    We shall know God from the objective truth as well as subjective experience and recognition which will become our spiritual sources that never fade.

2)    Christians shall early learn the secret of overcoming the devil that is “” (Gal. 2:20).

3)    At least all believers have to know that God is the “Father” the supplier of all the needs of the children of God (see 2Cor. 6:18).

 

1John. 2:14 “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.”

YLT: “I did write to you fathers because ye have known him who from the beginning; I did write to you young men because ye are strong and the word of God in you doth remain and ye have overcome the evil.”

Meaning of Words: strong”: powerful; abide”: dwell live;

Literal Meaning: I have written to you fathers Because you have known Him who is from the beginning” this is the second repeat of the above-mentioned message (see v.13).

I have written to you young men Because you are strong “strong”: be strong in faith and have steadfast in spiritual war (see 1Pet. 5:9).

“And the word of God abides in you And you have overcome the wicked one” “abides”: the word of God dwells in you lively; “have overcome the wicked one”: have the experience of overcoming the devil (see v.13);

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     The word of God is the food for the growth of life as well as the equipment for spiritual war.

2)     We believers have to seize the time to equip us with the word of God so that we are enabled to resist the devil if necessary.

 

1John. 2:15 “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.”

YLT: “Love not ye the world nor the things in the world; if any one doth love the world the love of the Father is not in him ”

Meaning of Words: love”: agapao; “world”: orderly arrangement; 

Literal Meaning: “do not love the world or the things in the world” “world” the word has three aspects of meanings in the original: a) people in the world (John 3:16); b) the material world (Acts 17:24); c) the world ruled by the wicked one (see John 12:31). Here the world refers to the third one namely the evil system that can occupy man’ heart.

  “Things in the world”: the lusts of the world; the detailed explanations will be given in verse 16.

  “The love of the Father is not in him” “the love of the Father” believers love God and men with this divine love (see v.5; 4:19-21); is not in him” if believers love the world the divine love will be shut in them.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     The love of the world and the love of the Father cannot be together for the friendship with the world is enmity with God (James. 4:4).

2)     No one can serve two masters for either he will hate the one and will love the other or he will hold to the one and despise the other (Matt. 6:24).

 

1John. 2:16 “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.”

YLT: “because all that in the world -- the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the ostentation of the life -- is not of the Father but of the world ”

Meaning of Words: lust”: desire lust concupiscence; eyes”: sight;life”: the present state of existence livelihood;pride”: boasting self-confidence;

Literal Meaning: “for all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh “for…” the following words are the explanations why man cannot love both the world and God (see v.15). “The lust of the flesh”: the desires caused by our carnal needs especially the passions and lusts beyond the normal need.

“The lust of the eyes and the pride of life—” “the lust of the eyes” refers to the lust caused by sight especially the evil lust beyond the limitation; and the pride of life”: vain glory of the world including the pursuit and boasting of reputation fame riches etc. ---- the boasting of self-performance;

“Is not of the Father but is of the world” “is not of the Father” it shows that the above-mentioned three kinds of lusts are not normal lusts of a man. For example the normal appetite and desire of sleep for the purpose of living as well as the appreciation of good things by eyes are desires gifted by the Father. However if they go beyond the normal limit they will become abnormal desires which are not the will of the Father. “Is not of the Father” all the abnormal desires and covetousness and ambitions are products of the king of the world the devil by ruling the world and enticing men’s hearts. Therefore all the evil lusts are of the world.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     The historical fact of man’s falling (Gen. 3:6) shows that man’s sin is caused by the covetousness for such three lusts: a) goof food ---- the lust of the flesh; b) delight to the eyes ---- the lust of the eyes; c) make men wise ---- the pride of life.

2)     The Lord Jesus overcomes the temptations of the devil (Luke 4:1-12) which shows that His life enables us to overcome the world: a) refuse to turn the stone to food ---- overcome the lust of the flesh b) refuse the glory of all the kingdoms of the world ---- overcome the lust of the eyes c) refuse to cast himself down from the edge of the temple ---- overcome the pride of life.

 

1John. 2:17 “And the world is passing away and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

YLT: “and the world doth pass away and the desire of it and he who is doing the will of God he doth remain -- to the age.”

Meaning of Words: but”: only; “will”: desire pleasure; “abide”: dwell;

Literal Meaning: “and the world is passing away and the lust of it “is passing away” things in the world exist transiently and are soon cut off (see Ps. 90:10) so let us not love the world and things in the world (see v.15).

“But he who does the will of God abides forever” “does the will of God”: keep the will of God always; “abides forever” it means that all things and people that keep the will of God have the everlasting value.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     Let believers not spend much energy or power or time on things that are passing away but choose things of eternal value and be diligent so as not be in vain (see 1Cor. 15:58; Rev. 14:13).

2)     We can know from this verse that the world and the lusts in the world are opposite to the will of God. Therefore let us be content with sustenance and covering (1Tim. 6:8) and escape from the pursuit of things of the world (see 1Tim. 6:11).

 

1John. 2:18 “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.”

YLT: “Little youths it is the last hour; and even as ye heard that the antichrist doth come even now antichrists have become many -- whence we know that it is the last hour;”

Meaning of Words: Antichrist”: opponent of the Messiah; many”: abundant plenteous; come”: exist become;  

Literal Meaning: “little children it is the last hour” “the last hour”: in the New Testament the period before the second coming of Christ is often described as “the last day” or “the last hour” (see Matt. 24:14; John12:48). Here “the last hour” seems to emphasize the immediacy of time.

“And as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming the Antichrist” it is a particular character that will appear in the last day (see 2Thess. 2:3-10) who opposes against the Lord Jesus.

“Even now many antichrists have come many antichrists”: false prophets and false teachers that are taken advantage of by Satan. Their teachings especially deny the deity of Christ and deny Jesus is Christ and that He is the Son of God (see v.22).

“By which we know that it is the last hour” before Christ’s coming one of signs is that there shall arise false Christs (see Matt. 24:24) and the Antichrist (see 2Thess. 2:1-4). Note that Christ is different from the Antichrist. The false Christ is that one disguises himself as Christ with deceitfulness but the Antichrist opposes against Christ and denies the deity of Christ. When we see the lawless things we will know the Lord’s coming is near.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    All those who are of the Lord have a common desire ---- (see Rev. 21:20). Therefore to us we have to have the sense of “the last hour” at every moment and prepare to see Him at any time (Amos 4:12).

2)    Though the particular person “the Antichrist” (or the man of sin or the beast) has not appeared many people that have the spirit opposing against Christ emerge in endlessly and everywhere and attract many followers. We have to watch and take heed to it.  .

 

1John. 2:19 “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.”

YLT: “out of us they went forth but they were not of us for if they had been of us they would have remained with us; but -- that they might be manifested that they are not all of us.”

Meaning of Words: out from”: out of;continue”: abide dwell;manifest”: reveal show;

Literal Meaning: “they went out from us but they were not of us “went out from us”: their apparent condition is changed; “were not of us”: the inner nature is different. The heretical teachers call themselves believers but actually they have problems in the preliminary stage of faith. It is stated in the Scriptures that they were brought in surreptitiously (see Gal. 2:4; Jude v.4). Apparently they are in us but actually they are not of us.

“For if they had been of us they would have continued with us they would have continued with us” it means that even though they are not physically in the same place they still have the same fellowship in spirit (see Col. 2:5).

“But they went out that they might be made manifest that none of them were of us” “went out” it contains the meaning of division; “manifest”: show the fact by the external actions; “that none of them were of us” they were not real believers.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The nature of a man may often be manifested in his external actions.

2)    All that have not really believed Christ are not of the body of Christ. The real fact will be given away sooner or later (see Luke 12:2).

3)    The faith of a real Christian has the persistent nature. Whatever difficulties he meets his faith will become ever steadfast.

 

1John. 2:20 “But you have an anointing from the Holy One and you know all things.”

YLT: “And ye have an anointing from the Holy One and have known all things;”

Meaning of Words: Holy one”: the sacred;anointing”: unction; know”: see perceive;

Literal Meaning: “but you have an anointing from the Holy One the Holy One” refers to the Lord Jesus (see John 6:69; Acts 3:14). “Anointing” (see John 14:16-17; 16:13). “Have an anointing” the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

“And you know all things” “you know” all true believers should know that all those who have born again have the indwelling-Spirit who teach believers in everything so that they will know the Trinity and the truth.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    God the Father sent the Spirit in believers to be the Comforter because of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (see John 14:26). This is the fact that all Christians have to know.

2)    The Spirit we have received is like the anointing by nature. By the anointing we will be enabled to know the Father (see v.13) and the truth (see v.21).

3)    Every believer is able to receive spiritual knowledge no matter how long he has been in the Lord or whatever his life condition is (see 8:11).

4)    The Spirit is the best teacher who not only teaches us the truth but also leads us into the truth (John 16:13 the original) and teaches us both objective knowledge as well as the subjective knowledge.

 

1John. 2:21 “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.”

YLT: “I did not write to you because ye have not known the truth but because ye have known it and because no lie is of the truth.”

Meaning of Words: know”: see perceive; truth”: reality;lie”: falsehood;

Literal Meaning: “I have not written to you because you do not know the truth “truth” does not refer to all the truth in the Scriptures but the truth one has to know for their being saved especially the basic knowledge of the Trinity and salvation namely the truth through which we are saved.

“But because you know it and that no lie is of the truth” “you know”: all those who have been saved know the basic truth of salvation; “lie” the devil is the father of the liar (John 8:44). Therefore falsehood is one of the characteristics of sin. The purpose of all the lies of the heretical teachings is to gain the hearts of men. “That no lie is of the truth” since falsehood and truth are completely opposite by nature just as darkness and light falsehood cannot be out of the truth.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     Truth and falsehood cannot exist together. True faith has no communion with heresy.

2)     Heretical teaching is deception by nature which is the poison hidden in sugar. Believers cannot receive the truth that seems to be in agreement with the Scriptures without any differentiation.

 

1John. 2:22 “Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.”

YLT: “Who is the liar except he who is denying that Jesus is the Christ? this one is the antichrist who is denying the Father and the Son;”

Meaning of Words: liar”: he who lies; deny”: reject forsake;antichrist”: he who opposes Christ;

Literal Meaning: “who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? “He who denies that Jesus is the Christ” one of the heresies at that time emphasized Jesus is Jesus and Christ is Christ and Jesus is only a good man and Christ is the Son of God and both of them are irrelevant. Thus the heretics denied the redemption of the cross.

He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son” “denies the Father and the Son” because he who denies the Son does not have the Father either (see v.23). Therefore all those who deny that Jesus is the only begotten Son in the bosom of the Father (John 1:18) deny the Father and the Son.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     Today the liberal theology confesses the noble morality and teachings of Jesus only and denies Jesus is the Son of God. Therefore they do not confess all the miracles done by Jesus. They oppose against Christ.

2)     The true faith of Christianity cannot be separated Jesus and Christ nor the Father and the Son. Even though it is different between Jesus and Christ and Father and the Son concerning theological knowledge they are the same basically.

3)     Even though some Christians confess Jesus is the Lord by mouth they do not fear the Lord Jesus much. Such mind is the same as the mind of the antichrist. We have to be confident that the Lord Jesus we have believed is the living and true God (see 1Thess. 1:9).

 

1John. 2:23 “Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.”

YLT: “every one who is denying the Son neither hath he the Father ”

Meaning of Words: deny”: reject forsake; acknowledge”: confess profess;

Literal Meaning: “whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either” the Son and the Father are one (John 10:30; see Is. 9:6). Therefore he who denies the Son does not have the Father.  

“He who acknowledges the Son has the Father also” the Son is the declaration of the Father (see John 1:18). Therefore he who confesses the Son had the Father.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     Even though some religions or religious sects that confess “the concept of one God” confess the only true God ---- e.g. Muslim Christian Science Jehovah’s Witnesses Mormon the Liberal Theological Sect and even some Judaists ---- they do not confess Jesus the Son of God or regard them as the second God. Therefore they do not have God the Father.

2)     The Lord Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. No one comes unto the Father but by me (see John 14:6). Believers of the belief that “every way is to the true God” must be miserable in the end.

 

1John. 2:24 “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.”

YLT: “Ye then that which ye heard from the beginning in you let it remain; if in you may remain that which from the beginning ye did hear ye also in the Son and in the Father shall remain ”

Meaning of Words: abide”: dwell live;

Literal Meaning: “therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning” “which you heard from the beginning”: the truth of the gospel namely the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude v.3). We have obtained the eternal life by faith (see 1:1-2). “Abide in you” we shall not forsake the faith from the beginning but let the word of life abide in us.

If what you heard from the beginning abides in you let the word of life be rooted and grow and bear fruit in the good land of us (see Matt. 13:8 23)

“You also will abide in the Son and in the Father” the sound word of life will bring intimate fellowship with God the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (see 1:3).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     Believers shall keep the good truth of the gospel with diligence but not let the “new doctrine” or “liberal theology” distort the truth from the beginning.

2)     Paul said no matter who preaches the gospel to us what we have announced as glad tidings to us let him be accused (see Gal. 1:8).

 

1John. 2:25 “And this is the promise that He has promised us--eternal life.”

YLT: “and this is the promise that He did promise us -- the life the age-during.”

Meaning of Words: promise”: announce profess; eternal life”: everlasting life;

Literal Meaning:and this is the promise that He has promised us--eternal life it suggests that the Son and the Father are one (see v.24). The promises that both the Lord and God have promised us are both the promise of eternal life (see 3:16; 6:40; 17:3).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     For all the promises of God in Him are Yes and in Him Amen to the glory of God through us (2Cor. 1:20).

2)     The eternal life that the Lord has promised to us is for our present enjoyment (see 5:13) not for the future merely.

3)     Eternal life is the chief source of all spiritual blessings. And all spiritual blessings are substantiated in this eternal life. If there is no the eternal life all the best graciousness and blessings will be in vain.

 

1John. 2:26 “These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you.”

YLT: “These things I did write to you concerning those leading you astray;”

Meaning of Words: concerning”: as to; “deceive”: entice lead astray;

Literal Meaning: “these things” refer to the words from verse 18 to 25. “Those who try to deceive you”: false teachers of the heresies. The heretics deny the Son so they have no Father (see v.23). Their promises to men are all lies (see v.21-22). And the teachings of the truth are the words from the beginning so that man may have both the Father and the Son (see v.23) and have the promise of eternal life (see v.25).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The core of the problems is: what have we obtained from the teachings we have heard? Vain teachings? Or God Himself and His eternal life?

2)    Christians need no other teaching beside the word of God to be the truth of God. Even though the heretical teachings are sounded superior and attractive they are vain and flattering and unable to bring real life to men.

 

1John. 2:27 “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.”

YLT: “and you the anointing that ye did receive from him in you it doth remain and ye have no need that any one may teach you but as the same anointing doth teach you concerning all and is true and is not a lie and even as was taught you ye shall remain in him.”

Meaning of Words: anointing”: the anointing of oil; “teach”: instruct; “lie”: falsehood; “just as”: according as like;

Literal Meaning: “but the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you the anointing which you have received from Him” refers to the Spirit (see v.20).

“And you do not need that anyone teach you” it does not mean that believers do not need the teaching of the teachers for there is also a gift of teaching (see Eph. 4:11) but means that there is the anointing of the Spirit in real believers writing the law of life into our hearts (2Cor. 3:3) so that we are enabled to know the Lord (Heb. 8:10-11).

“But as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things “all things”: all things such as the daily life of believers spiritual fellowship ministry etc.; “teaches you” the Spirit in believers works according to the anointing so that believers shall know the will of God.

“And is true and is not a lie” this verse is a contrast between the teaching of the anointing and the teaching of men. The teaching of the anointing are true and the teaching of men are false. The difference between them is whether it has “the eternal life” (see v.25).

“And just as it has taught you you will abide in Him” “just as it has taught”: do not quench the Spirit (1Thess. 5:17) nor grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30); “abides in Him”: dwell in the Lord;

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     True believers have two treasures with them: a) the word of God received from the apostle from the beginning (see v.24); b) the anointing received from the Holy One (see v.20) namely the indwelling Spirit. Both of them enable us to lead a normal Christian life.

2)     The word of God without the anointing will become letter and rules (see 2Cor. 3:6). If the anointing is not according to the word of God the unchanging truth will be replaced by personal experience and thus errors will be caused without realization. Partiality shall not be given to either aspect or else errors will be caused.

3)     The anointing makes normal relationship of men with the Lord (see v.20) and brings men to abide in the Lord (see v.24). And abiding in the Lord has strengthened the teaching of the anointing. Both of them influence one another.

 

1John. 2:28 “And now little children abide in Him that when He appears we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.”

YLT: “And now little children remain in him that when he may be manifested we may have boldness and may not be ashamed before him in his presence;”

Meaning of Words: appear”: manifest reveal declare; confidence”: frankness bluntness assurance; ashamed”: feel shame; 

Literal Meaning: “and now little children abide in Him little children” refers to all believers (see v.1 12) without any distinction of age and life condition. “Abide in Him” from 2:28 to 3:24 it raises another paragraph with the theme of the difference between “the children of God” (see 3:1-2) and “the children of the devil” (see 3:10). And the secret of the victory of God’s children is “abiding in the Lord” (see v.28; 3:6 24).

“That when He appears we may have confidence “when He appears”: the Lord’s second coming; “have confidence”: be fearless before the judgment seat of Christ (see 2Cor. 5:10) because one is able to given an account of himself;

“And not be ashamed before Him at His coming” “at His coming”: at the Lord’s second coming (see Heb. 9:28); “not be ashamed”: not be punished by the Lord but judged to go away from the countenance of the Lord and not reign with Him in the kingdom of one thousand years (see Rev. 20:4 6) and be cast out into the outer darkness weeping and gnashing of teeth (see Matt. 25:30) until the bride has been adorned for her husband (see Rev. 21:2).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     Believers “who abide in the Lord” bear more fruit now (see John 15:4-5) and will be rewarded before the Lord in future.

2)     He who “abides in the Lord” has intimate fellowship with Him and beholds His countenance will have confidence and not be ashamed before Him when He comes.

 

1John. 2:29 “If you know that He is righteous you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.”

YLT: “if ye know that he is righteous know ye that every one doing the righteousness of him hath been begotten.”

Meaning of Words: know” (the first one): be aware of be conscious of (eido); “know” (the second one): be confident ();

Literal Meaning: “if you know that He is righteous He is righteous the Lord is both “the Holy One” (see v.20) and “the Righteous One” (see v.1; Acts 3:14). He is utterly righteous and He will judge according to righteousness when He comes again (see 1Tim. 4:8; 1Pet. 2:23).

“You know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him” “everyone who practices righteousness” in a broad sense it refers to all believers that are saved; in a narrow sense it refers to overcomers; “practice”: the habitual and natural action; is born of Him” the children of God have the eternal life (see 5:11-13) and are partakers of the divine nature (2Pet. 1:4). Therefore their works are worthy of righteousness.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     As He is so are we in this world (see 4:17). Since He is righteous we who are begotten by Him shall also be righteous.

2)     The secret of believers’ practicing righteousness is still “abiding in the Lord and walking according to His walking” (see v.6).

3)     The normal conversation of Christians is the manifestation of the inner life. If we are able to let the righteous life manifest in us we have practiced the righteousness.

4)     Our objective knowledge of the truth will bring us into deeper subjective knowledge. And such knowledge will yield practical activities.

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

Secrets of Keeping the Fellowship

A.  The passive aspect:

1.  To deal with “the sin” (v.1-2);

2.  To deal with “the evil one” (v.13-14);

3.  To deal with “the world” and “the flesh”(v.15-16);

4.  To deal with the teachings of “the antichrist”(v.18-23);

B.  The positive aspect:

1.  Keep His commandments the word of the Lord and His walking (v.3-6);

2.  Love brother and abide in light (v.7-11);

3.  Know God and love God and the word of God and keep the will of God (v.13-17);

4.  Abide in the Lord (v.24-28);

 

Three Aspects of Obedience

A.  Keep His commandments (v.3) ---- obey His teachings;

B.  Keep the word of the Lord (v.5) ---- obey His words;

C.  Walk as the Lord walked (v.6) ---- obey His examples;

 

Combination of Knowing and Doing

A.  Know: know Him ---- do: keep His commandments (v.3-4);

B.  Know: know of being in the Lord ---- do: keep the word of the Lord (v.5);

C.  Know: know of abiding in the Lord ---- do: walk as the Lord walked (v.6);

 

Three Stages of Life

A.  Little children (v.13) ---- who are young ---- know the Father;

B.  Young men (v.13-14) ---- who are strong ---- overcome the evil one;

C.  Fathers (v.13-14) ---- who are experienced ---- know Him who is from the beginning;

 

Reasons Why Believers Shall not Love the World

A.  Because if anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him (v.15);

B.  Because the lust of the world is not of the Father (v.16);

C.  Because the world and the lust of it are not the will of God and are passing away (v.17);

 

Characteristics of the Antichrist in the Last Hour

A.  They call them they are of us but get away from the normal fellowship (v.19);

B.  They claim they know the truth but their conversation goes against the truth (v.22a);

C.  They call them Christians but deny Jesus is Christ (v.22b) and do not magnify the Lord;

D.  They call them teachers but entice men away from the truth (v.26);

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Mary Zhou