1 John 2

1 John 2:1-6

Here the apostle encourages against sins of infirmity, ver. 1, 2. Shows the true knowledge and love of God, ver. 3—6. Renews the precept of fraternal love, ver. 7—11. Addresses Christians of several ages, ver. 12—14. Wants against worldly love, ver. 15—17. Against seducers, ver. 18, 19. Shows the security of true Christians, ver. 20—27. And advises to abide in Christ, ver. 28, 29.

1. 2. Rom. viii.

2. MY little children, these things I write unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 3. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4. He that faith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a

lyar, and the truth is not in him. 5. But who keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6. He that faith be abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

We have here,

1. The design which the apostle chiefly aimed at in what he had written. My little children, whom I regard with the rendered sensations of paternal love, these things require I unto you, that ye sin not; watchful against every surprise and temptation, and never allowing yourselves in the practice of it. And if any man, through the infirmity of his nature, be drawn aside from the way of God’s commandments, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, who shall still plead our cause, when we with shame and sorrow return to him, whose everlasting righteousness shall stand us in stead before the throne of God. And he is the abiding propitiation for our sins, having made the full atonement, and obtained eternal redemption for us, paying that ransom which is available not only for all just, but for all future transgressions to our lives and: and not for our sin; only, who were once, as Jews, his peculiar and covenant people; but for the sins of the whole world, of Gentile believers also, who are admitted to the participation of the same privileges, and become the children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Note, (1.) The advocacy of Jesus is founded upon his everlasting righteousness, and perfect atonement, and therefore is ever available: no cause put into his hand can miscarry. (2.) Whilst with holy jealousy we war against sin, we must not, if at any time cast down, sink into despair: we have one before the throne, who ever liveth to make intercession for us; and God for his sake will abundantly pardon. (3.) Christ’s salvation is universal to sinners of all ranks and nations, who come to God by him: none shall be in any wise cast out.

2. The rule of judgment concerning our real knowledge of Christ. And hereby we do know that we know him, and have the fullest demonstration of our real acquaintance with him, and of our genuine faith and love, if we keep his commandments, and unreservedly yield up ourselves to be guided by his holy word and will He that faith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, living in the allowed and habitual practice of iniquity, or a lyar, and the truth is not in him, however confident his boasts may be, and however high his pretensions. But whose keepeth his word, in doctrine and practice, faithfully desiring to correspond therewith in all things, in him verily is the love of God perfected; its prevailing influence, and unfeigned sincerity is hereby manifested; and by this know we that we are in him; vitally united to the living head, eternally interceded in all the privileges of his gospel, in which the hypocrisy hath neither part nor lot. He that faith be abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked; copying the divine pattern, and, though as an humble distance, following the footsteps of the holy Jesus. Note, The profession of Christianity, without the practice of true godliness, is but an empty name. They who are truly Christ’s, will prove it not only in their lips, but by their lives.

3. Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning: the old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. 8. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. 9. He that faith he is in the light, and hareth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 10. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 11. But he that hareth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

1 John 2:7-11

The apostle, as the most distinguishing character of true discipleship, and the great command of the divine Master, earnestly inculcates the great duty of brotherly love.

Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but remind you of an old commandment which ye had from the beginning: written upon the heart of man in innocence, and enforced in that revelation which God from the first made unto men. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning, wherein love is enjoined as the fulfilling of the law. Again a new commandment I write unto you, the same indeed in substance, but enforced by new motives, encouragements, affilances, and examples; which thing is true in him and in you; manifested most strikingly in that divine pattern of love which he set before you, and which you have in a gracious measure humbly imitated. Because the darkness of the former dispensation is past, and the true light now shineth, the Sun of righteousness is within, and the shadows are tied, the glorious gospel bringing us forth as it were into the meridian light of truth, and demanding from us a conversation suitable to the peculiar advantages which we enjoy.

He that faith be is in the light, and prophecies faith in Jesus, the light of the world, and hath his brother, is in darkness; even until now, a stranger to the godlike spirit of charity which the gospel breaches, and covered with the black night of sin and error. He that doubt his brother, as a fellow-member of Christ’s mythical body, and because he is the child of the same heavenly Father, abideeth in the light of truth, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him; he will carefully avoid whatever would offend or weaken his brother’s soul. But he that hath his brother, and harbours an uncharitable, envious, proud, and untempered disposition, is in darkness, under the evident dominion of Satan and sin; and uneth in darkness, all his ways being perverse before God; and demons not whether he goeth, nor is aware of the dreadful issue of his ways, because that the darkness of his fallen heart hath blinded his eyes to all the dire consequences of sin. Note, (1.) Charity is the distinguishing characteristic of the Christian. (2.) If there be a creature living, against whom we harbour all loved envy, malice, or revenge, in whose misery we should delight, or whose good we desire not to promote, we brand ourselves the children of darkness.

12. I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake. 13. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. 14. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideeth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. 16. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doth the will of God abideeth for ever.

1 John 2:12-17

The great duty of love is equally the concern of all ranks and degrees of Christians, whatever their several attainments may be in the divine life.

1. He adoreseth himself to Christians in every stage of their profession.

I write unto you, little children, and as a powerful incentive to the exercise of charity, urge this duty upon you, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake; and having much forgiven, you should love much. Note, The lowest in the Christian life hath received the free and full pardon of all their sins, this being the soft great privilege of the gospel, of which every babe in Christ is immediately a partaker.

I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning, and by long acquaintance with his grace and love, are peculiarly called and engaged to show the same divine charity to others; and none are to far advanced, as less to need the word of exhortation.

I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one, and have been made more than conquerors over sin, and Satan, and the world, through him that loved you. And to impress more deeply my exhortation, I repeat my words.

I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father; and, young as you are in the Christian life, have talked of the goodness and love of your heavenly Father. I have written unto you, fathers, grown old in the happy experience of the good ways of Christ, because ye have known him that is from the beginning, and entered deep into the mysteries of his everlasting grace, and his transcendent excellence. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong in faith and knowledge, and the exercise of every heavenly temper; and the word of God abideeth in you, Christ being formed in your hearts, and his gospel dwelling in you richly, and influencing all your conversation; and ye have overcome the wicked one, and hitherto effectually defeated all his efforts against your souls, and will, I trust, go on this conquering and to conquer; and blessed are they who are thus strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

2. He solemnly warns them all, whatever their several attainments may be, to beware of this present evil world. Love not the world, let not your afflictions thereon; neither inordinately seek, nor be immoderately delighted with, the things that are in the world. If any man supremely love the world, and let his heart upon it, as his home and his happiness, the love of the Father is not in him; it is evident that such an one is not the object of his choice and regard; hath never experienced a sense of his love, nor felt any real heart-attachment to God in Christ, as his portion and exceeding great joy. For all that is in the world, to engage and seduce the heart from God, the lust of the flesh, whatever ministers to the lawless gratification of appetite, and leads to excels, doth, intemperance, luxury, drunkenness, re-

velling, and every kind of impunity; and the lust of the eyes, the gain, possessions, wealth, and glittering riches which the covenants eye gazes upon with such rapture, and eager desire after them; and the pride of life, the pomp and splendor of titles, chew, equipage, humoury, magnificence, which gratify the vanity, and inflame the ambition of the fallen mind; of all and either of these we must say, that it is not of the Father; worldly things were not given to be thus abused, nor are these the objects on which God’s children place their affections; but we know, that each of these things is of the world; they are the flattering baits which the god of this world, the devil, spreads to enslave the sensual and earthly hearts of fallen men, and to seduce them from their true Lord and Master. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; great and desirable as the things of it appear in the eye of those, they are poor, perishing, unsatisfactory in the enjoyment, and transitory; often in time flying our grasp, and certainly at death must fail us: but he that doth the will of God abideeth for ever; hath a more enduring substance; his fidelity to death shall be covered with immortal life and glory; his pleasures in eternity shall be infirmely, suppose to all the delights of sense; and his inheritance above incorruptible, undefeed, and which fadeeth not away. Oh! that thou mayest be wise, reader, and learn to weigh time and eternity, this world and the next, in the balances of the sanctuary!

18. Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that ‘antichrist shall come,’ even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19. They went out from us, but they were not of us: for ‘if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 20. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 21. I have not written unto you, because ye know not the truth: but because ye know it, and that no lye is of the truth. 22. Who is a lyer but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? he is antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son. 23. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledged the Son, hath the Father also. 24. Let that therefore abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son and in the Father. 25. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. 26. The things have written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideeth in you; and ye need not that any man teach you: but, as the same anointing ’teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lye: and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

1 John 2:18-27

As the mystery of iniquity had begun already to work, the apostle,

1. Reminds them, that the Jewish dispensation was now ready to expire utterly with the destruction of their temple, city, and nation. Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come, even now are there many Antichrists; either those who among the Jewish people let up themselves for the Messiah; or rather, who under the Christian profession opposed and denied the person, officer, and gospel of Christ; broaching their berecical terms, and perverting many from the truth. They went out from us, from our communion and society; but they were not of us, not had ever truly been renewed by grace: for if they had been of us, and partakers of the like precious faith with us, they would no doubt have continued with us, and perfected in the principles and practices of the gospel: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us, but from the beginning were false-hearted professors, who never called of the grace of God in truth. Note, They who fall away finally, we may assuredly conclude, never were truly converted, whatever (pecious professors) they might have made.

2. He encourages them to trust, and not be afraid, since no seducers should ever be able to move them from their sleddeness. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, from the Spirit of grace and truth, which through the exalted Saviour hath been bestowed upon you; and ye know all things necessary to preserve you from the wiles of deceivers, and to bring you to everlasting salvation. I have not written unto you, because ye know not the truth; but because ye know it, and are established in the principles of the gospel, and the fundamental doctrines of Christ; and know that no lye is of the truth, but the very sweet, and proven the hypocrisy and apolysory of those who by fraud and error would support their berecical doctrines. Note, They who are truly taught of God shall be preserved from every fatal delusion.

3. He

4. He particularly points out these feduers, by their tenets. Who is a jour, and to be deemed an impeller, but he that dreads that ‘Jefus is the Chrift, rejecting him as the true Messiah? He is antichrist, and bears the brand of this hateful name, that deneth the Father and the Son, either confounding the persons in the Godhead, or dividing the substance; or denying that flood of evidence, wherewith God the Father hath borne witness to the mission and incarnation of his dear Son. Whoever deneth the Son, his personality and essential Deity, or the office he bears as Mediator, the same hath not the Father, holds not the true doctrine of the persons in the undivided Godhead, and of the relation which God the Father bears to God the Son; and thereto denies all that revelation which he hath made of pardon and reconciliation, through the substitution of the incarnate Redeemer: but he that acknowledge the Son, hath the Father also; he that recovers the Lord Jefus by faith as the only Saviour, and confesses him to be the eternal Son of God, he hath the true knowledge of God the Father, and an interest in his favour and love.

[The last clause of this text is wanting in many editions, but appears in others, of great authority, and is admitted into our version, though marked with Italics, as a supplement which elucidates the foregoing part of the verse.]

4. He exhorts them to cleave to the old truth, for novelty of doctrine is the sure proof of error. Let that therefore abide in you which he have heard from the beginning, when the gospel was first preached unto you. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye only shall continue in the Son and in the Father, and holding the profession of your faith unwavering, shall enjoy the most happy communion with the Father through the Son, until you came to his kingdom in glory. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life, which he will infallibly fulfil to those who abide in him, and will bring them to the beatific vision and enjoyment of his blessed self for ever and ever.

5. He mentions one great purpose of this epistle. They they have a written unto you concerning them that labour to seduce and pervert you from the simplicity which is in Christ. But the amazing which ye have received of him abideth in you, the Spirit which he hath given you shall continue to teach, direct, and lead you aright; and ye need not that any man teach you; cannot want the help of these pretended wise men to instruct you above what is written: but, as the same amusing teacheth you of all things, and hath opened your eyes to see in the revealed world all things that pertain unto life and godliness, and is truth, and is no fee, but directly contrary to the Spirit of error which advances these feduers: and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him, your living head, and continue under the blessed influence and guidance of his truth and grace unto the end.

1 Chap. iii. 2 Chap. iv. 4 Affe. xiii. 6 Chap. iii. 7, 10.

28. And now, little children, abide in him; that ‘when he shall appear we may have confidence,’ and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 29. ‘If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that ’every one that doth righteousness is born of him.

v. 28, 29. From what he had said, the apostle closes with this affectionate exhortation to them:

And now, little children, abide in him, maintaining the closest communion with Jesus, and walking in the lively exercise of faith and hope, and love towards him, unmoved from the doctrines of his gospel by the wiles of deceivers; that when he shall appear on the throne of judgment at the last day, we may have confidence and boldness to appear in his presence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming, when we your ministers shall not be disappointed of our hopes, but meet you as our joy and crown, and, together with you, stand forth without fault, and blameless, acknowledged by him as his people, and admitted into the joy of our Lord. If, or since, ye know that he is righteous, perfectly righteous himself, the lover and author of all righteousness in his redeemed, ye know that every one that doth righteousness is born of him, and thereby gives a demonstration that he is a partake of a divine nature, and hath the possession of spiritual life, which is the pledge of that which will be eternal. Note, (1.) They only will have boldness in a day of judgment who are found in Christ, and perseveringly cleave to him. (2.) Everlasting shame and contempt will cover those, who ungratefully, unfaithfully, and pervertely have departed from the truth, and shall be disowned of Jesus in the day of his appearing and glory. (3.) The evidence of a divine nature must be manifested in a good concretation; for whatever conceits men may entertain of themselves, it is by their fruits they must be known.