1 John 2

1 John 2:1

MY little children] He sheweth the abundance of his love, by using this word eight times, at least, in this epistle. Hereby he intimates, that the counsell given them is such as comes from a paternall affection, seeking their good. The lesse the children are, the more delight parents take in them, and pitie them the more, because they are the lesse able to help themselves. Now he might call them, Little children, not onely in regard of conversion, as Galatians 4:19. but also in regard of his own age. So 2 Joh. 1. He may call himself elder in that respect, Philem. v. 9.

that ye sin not] Lest any man should say, If God will forgive, let us sin the more; he addes, I write this, that ye may not sin, Romans 6:1.

and if any man sin] Or, yet if any man sin. So the same particle is used, Luke 3:20. If any man offend out of infirmity, or being overcome by some strong temptation, who intended not to sin, Romans 7:15; Romans 7:19. Galatians 6:1.

we have an Advocate] He pronounceth it certainly, to take away all doubt. And we need not look for him to come, or seek him with great costs; for we have him already. It is a great comfort, to a man accused; to have a good advocate. We have an excellent one.

with the Father] Hebrews 9:24. Romans 8:34. We shall speed well, for God is the Father of our Advocate, and our Father in him.

Jesus Christ] See on Matthew 1:1. He names him, that the sick souls might not be distracted, not knowing what physitian to go to, Acts 4:10-12.

the righteous] One that needed not to die for his own sins, nor plead for the remission of them; and therefore died and pleads for us, Hebrews 7:26-27. 1 Peter 3:18. Acts 3:14. and Acts 22:14.

1 John 2:2

And he] Or, For he; As the word is used, Luke 6:32. He died for our sins, therefore he will plead for us, Romans 8:34. else should he lose the fruit of his death, if we should perish.

the propitiation] The propitiatory-sacrifice, Romans 3:25.

for our sins] He doth not profit himself onely (in the exaltation of his humane nature, by his obedience to the death, Philippians 2:8-9.) as other men may do, Job 35:8. Ezekiel 14:16. but saves us from our sins, Matthew 1:21.

and not for ours onely] Who believe already; or, who are alive now: or, of us Jews, who were Gods peculiar people before.

for the sins of the whole world] Of all believers in all nations, Acts 10:35. Galatians 3:28. Colossians 3:11.

1 John 2:3

Hereby we know that we know him] That we have acquaintance with him, chap. 1. 7. or, have the true and sound knowledge of him, John 1:18. and John 17:3. Or, we acknowledge him really for our Saviour, Psalms 1:6. Matthew 25:12.

if we keep his commandments] Many boast that they know Christ to be a propitiation for their sins, and therefore they need not forbear sin, or obey Gods law: but such know not Christ to their comfort. By keeping, is meant, a sedulous studie, and serious endeavour of walking in an holy course of life, according to all the commandments of God, and a conscionable care of observing each one, as well as any other, Luke 1:6. James 2:8-10. Psalms 119:6.

1 John 2:4

and the truth is not in him] See on chap. 1. 8.

1 John 2:5

the love of God perfected] See on chap. 4. 12.

1 John 2:6

even as he walked] Then, like a servant, he shall wear his masters livery, 1 Corinthians 11:1. Eph. 5. 1, 2.

1 John 2:7

which ye had from the beginning] Taught by Christ and his apostles, at the beginning of the preaching of the Gospel. So that this is not the first time of the publishing of it. Or, taught from the beginning of the world, and recorded in the old testament.

1 John 2:8

a new commandment] John 13:34. Whereas it might seem, by disuse, to be out of date, and buried in legall ceremonies; or abrogated, as some other things used in the old testament were; it is renewed in the new testament, and explained more fully. Or, it is called new, because we have daily new occasions of exercising our charity. Or, new, in regard of the manner of propounding (though old, for matter and substance) as being propounded formerly in our own example, Leviticus 19:18. now in the example of Christ, John 13:34.

which thing is true in him and in you] It is truely found in both. In him, who exercised love to us in the highest degree, in dying for us, John 15:13. In you, who must use charity towards others.

because] Or, that.

the darknesse is past] Shadows, igures, Colossians 2:17. or state of ignorance and sin, wherein formerly ye lived, Romans 13:12. Ephesians 5:8. 2 Peter 1:19.

the true light now shineth] Christ, who is the light it self. not enlightned by others, but enlightning others, John 1:8-9. shineth in the Gospel, or in your hearts, 2 Corinthians 4:6. Or, ye have right knowledge and true holinesse within you.

1 John 2:9

He that saith] See on chap. 1. 6, 8.

1 John 2:10

no occasion of stumbling] Gr. no scandal.

1 John 2:11

is in darknesse] Remains in his naturall condition, ignorant and wicked.

and walketh in darknesse] Liveth foolishly and ungodlily.

1 John 2:12

Little children] See on v. 1.

because your sins are forgiven you] Because ye are reconciled to God, though ye be not so wise and strong as other Christians of longer standing, and further growth, 1 Corinthians 3:1. This is added, for the comfort of weak Christians, lest they should think the sins of strong ones onely to be forgiven, and not theirs.

for his Names sake] Acts 4:12. and Acts 10:43.

1 John 2:13

Ye have known him that was from the beginning] Christ, John 1:1. 1 John 1:1. Ye are not onely experienced in worldly things, but (which is a greater honour to you) ye have attained to the knowledge of Christ in a greater measure then other Christians.

because ye have overcome the wicked one] The devil, Matthew 6:13. Romans 16:20. As old men are noted for wisedom, so young men for strength, and ability to conquer. Strong Christians get more victories over Satan then weak ones. The devil lays most snares for young men, as for them that are most prone to sin, and may serve him longest. But these young men have overcome him.

because ye have known the Father] Nothing is more needfull for children, then to have a father, whom they may repair to in their wants, and that may take care for them. These had found out God for their father.

1 John 2:14

And the word of God abideth in you] 2 Joh. v. 2. Hence is your power to overcome Satan, Ephesians 6:17. not from bodily strength, or naturall boldnesse.

1 John 2:15

the world] The things that are pleasing in it to mans corrupt nature, and so far forth as they are such.

the love of the father is not in him] He loveth not God, James 4:4.

1 John 2:16

all that is in the world] In price or account with worldly-minded men, as 1 Corinthians 1:28.

the lust of the flesh] Desire of pleasures, or wantonnesse.

the lust of the eyes] Desire of riches, or covetousnesse, Ecclesiastes 5:11.

the pride of life] Longing for worldly honours, which are most regarded in this life, John 12:42-43. and it shews it self in our life; for pride cannot be kept in. Or, pride of the things or goods of this life: and so the same word is translated, chap. 3. 17. for riches puff men up, Psal. 73. 5, 6, &c. 1 Timothy 6:17.

1 John 2:17

the world passeth away] Men would always abide in places they love, and enjoy pleasures there; but that they cannot in this world: therefore love it not, 1 Cor. 7. 29, &c.

the lust thereof] Those things in the world that are lusted after; as v. 16. So hope is put for the thing hoped for, Romans 8:24. Colossians 1:5. And faith, for the thing believed, Jude v. 3.

1 John 2:18

Little children] See v. 1.

it is the last time] Gr. hour. The beginning of the last age of the world, Hebrews 1:2. therefore love not the world, because ye can enjoy it but a while, Luke 12:20. 1 Corinthians 7:29. This argument is good, whether it be understood of the neernesse of the end of the world, or of our leaving of the world by death; or, as others think, of the destruction of Jerusalem, before which false christs came, and at which time the Jews were deprived of their pleasures, wealth and honours. It may also signifie, that no new doctrine is to be expected; as Hebrews 1:2.

as ye have heard that antichrist shall come] Ye have heard of a noted antichrist, 2 Thessalonians 2:3. &c. He is not yet come, but there are divers forerunners of him come into the world, Acts 20:29-30. 1 Timothy 4:1. &c.

there are many antichrists] Many false or pretended christs, such as in likelihood Judas and Theudas were, Acts 5:36-37. And afterward, Bar Cohaba, or Bar-Cozba, and others. Or, heretikes also, as Simon Magus, Ebion, Cerinthus, and the like.

whereby we know it is the last time] Because our Saviour foretold, that, towards the later end of times, many such should come, Matth. 24. 11, 24.

1 John 2:19

They] Those antichrists, v. 18. Jude v. 19.

went out from us] Either from the body of Gods people, the Jews; or from the societie of professed Christians.

but they were not of us] Of us true believers, who cannot fall away, Matthew 24:24. John 6:37. and 10. 28, 29. Romans 8:28-29; Romans 8:38-39. 2 Timothy 2:9. Marvel not, nor be not troubled, that many forsake Gods Church. If they had been sound memers, they would never have done so. They were in the Church in body onely, not in spirit; and the Church loseth nothing by their departure, as corn loseth nothing when the chaff is gone (but is the purer) nor the body, when bad humours are worn away.

that they might be made manifest] 1 Corinthians 11:19.

that they were not all of us] That none of them were of us.

An Hebrew phrase, as Psalms 143:2. Chap. 3. 15. Or, that it might be made manifest in them, that all were not of us, that seemed to be so by their conversing with us.

1 John 2:20

But ye have an unction] Ye need not fear seducing: Gods Word and Spirit will safeguard you from false teachers. The Spirit of God, that anointed Christ for a king and a priest, hath also anointed you to be such, spiritually, Revelation 1:6. that ye may be able to guide and defend your selves against false teachers. Oil was used in consecration, Exodus 30:25. Thereby are signified the gifts of the holy Ghost, bestowed on believers, whereby they are consecrated to God, Psalms 45:7. Hebrews 1:9.

from the holy One] From Christ, in whom the graces of Gods Spirit are, as in a spring, to be communicated to us, Daniel 9:24. Luke 1:35. John 1:16. and John 3:34. Psalms 133:2. Isaiah 61:1.

ye know all things] That are needfull for you to know, to preserve you from being seduced by these false teachers, Matthew 24:24. or, that are necessary to guide you to heaven. See the like phrase, Colossians 3:20. For no man knows all things simply; that is Gods prerogative, John 21:17. nor any thing, so perfectly as they shall do in heaven, 1 Corinthians 13:9-10; 1 Corinthians 13:12.

1 John 2:21

I have not written unto you, because ye know not the truth] I write not unto you to acquaint you with any new doctrine, v. 7. but to confirm you further in the truth formerly taught you, and already known by you, 2 Peter 1:12.

no lye is of the truth] And that ye may be the better able thereby to discover the false doctrines of these seducers, considering how they swerve from it.

1 John 2:22

Who is a lyer, but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ?]

What untruth can be more palpable, or more pernicious then this, that opposeth a truth that hath so pregnant and so plentifull evidences, and is the main scope of the whole Gospel, John 20:31.

He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son] The very word, antichrist, doth signifie a direct opposition to Christ, and that as he is the Son of God, Father: whereupon it followeth, by just consequence, that the deniall of the Son, is the deniall of the Father: and this is a just character of antichrist.

1 John 2:23

Whosoever denieth the Son, &c.] The Jews thought it a wrong to God, to confesse that he had a Son. False teachers arose then, who taught, that it was injurious to God to make Christ equall to him. Both thought it sufficient to acknowledge the Father onely to be God. John shews, that it is an injury to the Father to deny equall honour to his Son, John 5:23.

1 John 2:24

which ye have heard from the beginning] See on vers. 7. When once we doubt of things taught in the Scripture, we soon are seduced.

ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father] What greater honour can we have, to encourage us to the constant profession of the truth?

1 John 2:25

And this is the promise] What greater profit is there to set before us, then eternall life?

1 John 2:26

These things have I written, &c.] I have done my part to warn you of these seducers: if ye be drawn away by them, it is your fault, Ezekiel 33:9. Acts 20. 26, 27, 29.

1 John 2:27

But the anointing] See on v. 20.

abideth in you] Remaineth with you, to teach you on all occasions, though other teachers should fail.

ye need not that any man teach you] The true grounds of religion. Ye need onely to persevere in the profession of them. Or, that I should take much pains to inform you in the truth, as v. 21.

of all things] See on v. 20.

ye shall abide] Or, ye will abide. I am so perswaded of you.

in him] In Christ, the holy One, v. 20. by faith and imitation. Or, in it. In that which this anointing hath taught you.

1 John 2:28

when he shall appear] In judgement, Col. 3. 4.

1 John 2:29

that he is righteous] Christ, of whom he spake last: or, God the Father, of whom we are new born.

ye know] Or, know ye.

doth righteousnesse] Liveth righteously, 1 John 3:7.

is born of him] Sheweth the truth of his regeneration according to Gods image, by his godly life, Ephesians 4:24. 1 John 3:7.