1 John 2

1. The Apostle declares that he hath propounded the promise of the forgiveness of sins, not to abuse it unto sin, but for the comfort of sinners. 3. And exhorts those that know Christ to the keeping of Christ’s commandments. 7. Teaching that in divers respects, this is a new and an old commandment. 9. Afterward to the love of our neighbor. 13. And applies this exhortation to Fathers, young men, and children. 15. Teacheth that Christians must not love the world, and that which is therein. 18. And take heed of the seduction of false teachers and antichrists. 20. Showeth them that the anointing of the Holy Ghost which they have, shall keep them both from the lusts of the world, and from the seduction of Antichrists, 22. Whom he describes. 25. Sets before them the promise of eternal life. 27. And describes the power of the anointing of the holy Ghost, which they had received. 28. And exhorts them to continue steadfastly in the doctrine of Christ that they may stand boldly in his appearing. 29. And to exercise righteousness to show that they are regenerated.

1. My little children [This word he useth to show his kindness towards them; as Christ doth, John 13:33. And calleth believers by this name, not only because he had as it were begotten many of them by the preaching of Gospel, 1 Cor. 4. 15. Phil. Ver. 10. But also because of his great age] I write these things unto you, that ye may not sin: [that is, not that ye should abuse this doctrine; thereupon to sin the more freely] and, [or, but] if any one have sinned, we have [that is, that ye might know, and therewith comfort your selves, that we have, & c.] an Advocate [Gr. Paracleton, which title properly signifieth an Advocate or Pleader, who defends and carries on any one’s cause in judgement: and it is here ascribed to Christ, because intercedes for us with Father, Romans 8:34.] with the Father, [namely, whom we have provoked with our sins] Jesus Christ the righteous. [so he is surnamed, Isaiah 53:11. Zach. 9. 9. Acts 7:52. Because he was without any sin. See chapter 3. 5. And therefore fit to be our Advocate, Hebrews 7:26. 1 Pet. 3. 18.]

2. And he is a propitiation [Gr. Hilasmos, propitiation, i.e. propitiator: even as in the same sense Paul calls him hilasterion. i.e. propitiatory, Romans 3:25. See the note there. And he is here called the propitiation itself, because he offered up himself for a propitiation, John 17:19. Hebrews 10:14. And because he only and perfectly hath reconciled us to God, Hebrews 9:28.] for our sins, [namely, because he bearing punishment for the same in our stead, and thereby satisfying the justice of God, pacifieth the wrath of God, and so reconciles God to men, 2 Cor. 5. 21.] and not only of ours [namely, the Apostles and other believers who now live] but also for (the sins) of the whole world. [that is, of all men in the whole world out of all Nations, who shall yet believe in him, John 11:52. Revelation 5:9. For that he doth not reconcile all and every man in the whole world unto God, appears both by experience, and also this, that he prayed not to the Father for all and every one, John 17:9. But only for them who shall believe in him, John 17:20.]

3. And hereby know we that we have known [Namely, so that we have acknowledged him for our Saviour, love him, put our trust in him, and obey him. For this word here, as also oftentimes elsewhere, signifies more than a bare knowledge. See Psal. 1. 6. Matthew 7:23. 2 Tim. 2. 19.] him [namely, Jesus Christ] if we keep his commandments. [that is, observe them, namely, with true diligence and zeal: although this be not done altogether perfectly in this life. See 1 John 1:8.]

4. He that saith I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, he is a liar, and in him the truth is not: [This expounds the former by way of opposition, which this Apostle useth oftentimes.]

5. But who so keepeth his word, in him the love of God [Namely, whereby we love God] is truly made perfect, [or, fulfilled, i.e. becomes a sincere and true love, which hath all its parts. See chapter 4. Ver. 12. 18. For that neither our faith nor our love is perfect in this life in all degrees Paul teacheth, 1 Cor. 13. 9. And John 1:8.] hereby [Gr. Herein. Namely, by the keeping of God’s word, and when our love is made perfect] we know that we are in him. [that is, have communion with him and with his benefits.]

6. He that saith that he abideth in him [that is, is and will abide in communion with him. See John 6:56.] he must himself also so walk, even as he walked. [that is, holily according to the example of his life, although we cannot in all things perfectly follow the same, 1 John 1:8.]

7. Brethren I write no new commandment unto you, [Namely, while by this my writing I propound and earnestly imprint into you the commandment of loving our neighbor, which is not new, seeing the same is not only propounded in the Old Testament, Leviticus 19:17, 18. But also was always pressed strongly from the beginning of the preaching of the Gospel, Matth. 5. 44. John 15:12. Romans 12:10. And chapter 15. 7, 8.] but an old commandment which ye have had from the beginning. [that is, since ye were called to the knowledge of Christ] This old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

8. Again [Or. Contrariwise] I write unto you a new commandment: [that is, which is propounded and pressed in a new manner by Christ and his Apostles, is confirmed by his own example and special love, and is written in the hearts of believers by the spirit of God, according to the promises of the new Covenant, Jeremiah 31:33. See the annotate. John 13:34] that which is true in him, [that is, the love which is truly in Christ towards us, lest it be truly in you. See John 13:34.] let it also be [or is] (truly) in you: For [or that the darkness etc.] the darkness passeth by [namely, of ignorance and ungodliness, which was formerly in the world before the Gospel was preached. See the like, Romans 13:12. 1 Thes. 5. 4. 1 Pet. 2. 9.] and the true light [namely, of the saving knowledge of God, and of his promises and commandments, Ephesians 5:8. 1 John 1:7. And chapt. 2. 9.] now shineth. [namely, in the doctrine of the gospel which we publish.]

9. He that saith that he is in the light, [That is, knoweth and embraceth the doctrine of the Gospel] and hateth the brother, he is in darkness until now. [that is, he sticks still in the former ignorance and blindness; and for this cause is no true Christian.]

10. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and no offence is in him. [Or stumbling. Gr. Scandalon, which signifieth a stone, or somewhat like, which lieth in the way, whereat men stumble, and whereby they are made to fall, which is easily done when men walk in darkness: But he that walketh in the light can easily avoid a stumbling-block, if he look well before him, which the Apostle here saith that true believers do. See the like, Psalms 119:165. John 11:9. 10.]

11. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth? [Namely, whether he go the right way or not. Or knoweth not that he goeth unto his own destruction] For darkness hath blinded his eyes.

12. I write unto you little children, [As before ver. 1. Here beginneth not yet the division according to their age: But in the following verse] for your sins are forgiven [or, that your sins are forgiven. So are also ver. 13. 14.] for his name sake. [that is, for Jesus Christ’s sake. See Acts 4:12. And 10. 43. And the annotate there.]

13. I write unto you Fathers, [That is, ancient persons, who by your years have gotten great knowledge] for ye have known (him) [namely, Jesus Christ] who is from the beginning. [namely of the world, i.e. from eternity. See chapter 1. 1.] I write unto you young men, [namely, who are in the best and strongest of your life, and fit for striving] for ye have overcome the wicked one. [that is, the Devil, Matth. 6. 13. And 13. 19.] I write unto you children, [namely, who are yet young in years, whose duty and honour is rightly to know, reverence, and love their parents] for ye have known the Father. [namely, of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is also become our Father for Christ’s sake, John 20:17.]

14. I have written unto you Fathers, for ye have known (him) that is from the beginning. I have written unto you young men, for ye are strong, [that is, even as young men are commonly strong body, so must they also be strong in faith to fight against the Devil, 1 Pet. 5. 9.] and the word of God [namely, which is the spiritual sword, wherewith ye must fight against the Devil, Ephesians 6:17.] abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

15. Love not the world, [That is, the things beside the true knowledge and service of God in this world, which are greatly esteemed, desired, and sought after by the worldly men; which are exprest in the following verse. See James 4:4.] not that which is in the world: If any man love the world, the love of the Father [namely, wherewith we love God the Father] is not in him. [namely, forasmuch as these two loves extend themselves to things which are contrary one to another, cannot consist together, and one love expels the other. See Matthew 6:24.]

16. For all that is in the world, [That is, all that worldly men love and seek after, contained in these three sorts, which here expressed] (namely) the lust of the flesh, [that is, pleasure. See Romans 13:14.] and the lust of the eyes, [that is, covetousness, and desire of riches, which is here called of the eyes, because the beholding of these goods stirs up the desire of the same, and because the eyes of the covetous persons, are never satisfied therewith, but will have all that they see. See Proverbs 27:20. Eccles. 4. 8.] and the haughtiness of life [or stoutness, i.e. the ambition or pride which worldly men show every way in their State and life, in great costliness, pomp and lifting up above their neighbor. The Apostle describing these sins, calls them by the name of lust, forasmuch as they proceed from natural corruption, Jam. 1. V. 15. So to pluck them up by the root] is not of the Father, [that is, is not implanted in the hearts of men by God, neither pleaseth God] But is of the world. [that is, out of the corrupt nature of worldly men.]

17. And the world [That is, worldly men] passeth away, and its lust: [that is, all the goods and pleasures, whereunto the lust of the same extends itself] but he that doth the will of God [namely, in fleeing from these lusts and sins] abideth for ever. [that is, shall have eternal life.]

18. Little children, it is the last hour; [That is, we live now in the last time of the world, of which it was foretold that Antichrist should come in the same, and many false Teachers shall arise. See Matthew 24:5. 1 Cor. 10. 11. 2 Thes. 2. 3. 1 Tim. 4. 1. 2 Tim. 3. 1. 2 Pet. 3. 3.] and as ye have heard that the Antichrist [Gr. Ho Antichristos, which word signifieth in general, any one that under the name of being a Christian, sets himself against the doctrine of Christ’s person and office: And in particular one among them of especial eminency, succeeding one another in one state, or coming in one another’s room, as by the Emperor that gorvens, but also all those who succeed one after another in the Empire. Here the Apostle speaketh of the AntiChrist by way of eminency, as the Greek particle ho giveth to understand, who is described 2 Thess. 2. 3, etc. and is, shall come, or is at it were on the way to come. See 2 Thes. 2. 7.] (even so) now also there are come up many Antichrists: [that is, many false Teachers amongst Christians, who were forerunners of the great Antichrist, and acted by one spirit, for here that word is taken general, and at large] whereby we know that it is the lust hour. [namely, according to the predictions of Christ and the Apostles noted before.]

19. They [Namely, these Antichrists and false Teachers] went forth [that is, came forth, arose, and separated themselves from amongst us.] out of us, [namely, Christians, or Christian assemblies] but they were not of us, [that is, of the true and upright Christians, nor of the upright and sound Teachers] for if they had been of us, they would have remained [namely, in the unity of the faith, and in the truth] with us: [namely, sincere Christians and Teachers] but (this is come to pass that they might be manifest, that they are not all [namely, who call themselves Christians, and clothe their doctrine with the name of Christ. See Matthew 7:21.] of us.

20. But [Gr. And the Apostle now shows believers the right means to escape the seductions of the Antichrists, namely, that they remain firm in the doctrine which they have once learned and received by the illumination of the Holy Ghost] ye have the anointing operation of the Holy Ghost, whereby they were regenerated, and enlightened, and strengthened with saving knowledge of Christ, which is compared to the pouring out of a costly ointment. See Psal. 45. 8. And 133. 2. 2 Cor. 1. 21.] from the holy one, [that is, from Christ Jesus, who is so called, Psal. 16. 10. Daniel 9:24. Acts 2:27. See the annotate there; and the reason, Hebrews 7:26. From him all believers have this gift, Joel 2:28. John 1:16. And 14. 26.] and ye know all things. [namely, which are necessary for you to know to salvation, and whereof I write unto you.]

21. I have not written unto you, because ye know not the truth, [Namely, of the doctrine of the Gospel] but because ye know it, [that is, to refresh the remembrance of that which ye know, and thereby to strengthen you more and more in the truth against seductions] and because no lie is of the truth. [Gr. Every lie is not of the truth, i.e. because no lie, i.e. no false doctrine is of the truth, i.e. of the doctrine of the Gospel which we preach.]

22. Who is the liar, [Namely, the chief false Teachers] but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? [Gr. Is not, i.e. the Messias, the anointed, the promised Saviour. See John 20:31.] this is the Antichrist, that denieth the Father, [how the father is denied is further declared in the following verse] and the Son. [The Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ is denied, not only in respect of his true Human nature, or the like, but also in respect of his office, when men deny that he is the Saviour, or that he is the only and perfect Saviour; and when besides him men make yet other Mediators for salvation, etc.]

23. Whosoever denieth the Son, hath not the Father neither ; [That is, denieth the father also sufficiently, forasmuch as the Father without his son can neither be, nor be rightly known. See John 8:19. And chapter 10. 30. In some Greek Copies, these words are aided more, he that confesseth the Son, hath the Father also.]

24. That therefore which ye have heard from the beginning, [Namely, of the pure doctrine of the Gospel, which was preached unto you by Christ and the Apostles from the very first] let that remain in you: [that is, persevere ye in the same constantly] if that remain in you which ye have heard from the beginning, ye shall also remain in the Son, and in the Father. [That is, in the true and saving doctrine, of the Father, and the Son. Or , in the communion of the Father and of the son, chapter 13.]

25. And this is the promise [that is, that which Christ hath promised us in the Gospel] which he hath promised us (namely,) eternal life. [See Matth. 19. 29. And 25. 46. John 3:15, 16. And chapter 5. 24. And 6. 33, 54. And 10. 10. And 17. 2. And very where in the Gospel.]

26. This have I written unto you, concerning those that seduce you. [Namely, that ye might so much the better, and the more carefully take heed of their seducing.]

27. And the anointing which ye have received of him, [That is, the same grace of the holy Ghost which Christ hath given you, to enlighten you with the knowledge of the truth, as verse 20.] abideth in you, and ye have no need that any one teach you, [namely, these things, seeing ye know them already; or the grounds of Christian doctrine, which ye have already laid] but even as the same anointing teacheth you all things, [that is, of all these things, or of all that is necessary for you to know to salvation. See verse 20.] it is true also [namely, the anointing] and is no lie; and even as it hath taught you, so shall ye abide [that is, so abide in him. An Hebrew phrase, or he speaketh so, to show the good confidence that he had of their steadfastness] in him. [Namely, Christ, as appears from the following and the 24. Ver. Foregoing.]

28. And now little Children abide in him, [Namely, Christ, i.e. in his communion and doctrine, holding it fast by faith] that when he shall be revealed, [namely, in his coming to judgement, as the following words declare. See also chapter 3. 2.] we may have boldness, [namely, to stand in his judgement before him, trusting that he will not condemn, but absolve us] and may not be made ashamed [namely, as it shall fare with all unbelievers and ungodly persons] by him, [or be not ashamed before him] in his coming.

29. If ye know that he is righteous, [Namely, God the Father, or Christ, of whom he spoke in the foregoing words] ye know that every one that doth righteousness, [that is, who liveth piously] is born of him. [that is, is spiritually born again by him. See 1 John 3:9.]