John Bengel Commentary - 1 John 2:18 - 2:18

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John Bengel Commentary - 1 John 2:18 - 2:18


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1Jn 2:18. Παιδία, little children) See on 1Jn 2:12. The doctrine respecting antichrist is not beyond the capacity of a more tender age: 2Jn 1:7, note. Whence also the eleventh Catechesis, or Lecture to beginners, of Cyril treats of antichrist.-ἐσχάτη, the last) not with respect to all times of the world, but in the antithesis of children to fathers and to young men.[4]-καὶ καθὼς, and even as) and it is so, even as ye have heard, namely, that antichrist comes; and, indeed, already there are many, etc. There is a similar ellipsis, 1Jn 2:27, note.-ἠκούσατε, ye have heard) ch. 1Jn 4:3.-ὅτι, that) The particle is not redundant. The language is more distinct by the use of ὅτι, that, appended to it.-ὁ ἀντίχριστος, antichrist) The Spirit had predicted the falling away of many from the truth of Christ Jesus the Son of God; but John does not use the word antichrist in the singular number except in the 1st Epistle, 1Jn 2:18; 1Jn 2:22, 1Jn 4:3, in the 2d Epistle 1Jn 2:7 : he does not introduce it at all in the 3d Epistle, in his Gospel, or in the Apocalypse; nor does any other writer of the New Testament use it. Whether the phraseology of the apostles or the language of the faithful led to the introduction of that word, John, about to cut off [guard against] the errors which might arise, wishes mention to be made not only of antichrist, but also of antichrists: and when he speaks of antichrist, or the spirit of antichrist, or a deceiver and antichrist, though he speaks in the singular number, he designs to point out all who are deceivers and enemies of the truth. The faithful had heard that the spirit of antichrist, and antichrist himself, should come. John acknowledges that, and adds, that the spirit of antichrist is now already in the world, that now there had arisen many antichrists. And as Christ is sometimes spoken of for Christianity, so antichrist is spoken of for antichristianity, or the doctrine and multitude of men opposed to Christ. There is in particular one remarkable adversary, who is called the Horn speaking great things, Dan 7:8; Dan 7:20; the man of sin, etc., 2Th 2:3-4; a beast ascending out of the bottomless pit, Rev 11:7; Rev 17:8; but he indeed appears to be called by the same name of antichrist, rather in accordance with ecclesiastical usage, ancient and modern, than in accordance with the sense of the apostle. Comp. H. More’s Synopsis of Prophecy, Book 1st, Ch. i. 4. John so admits that antichrist even then was come, as to teach, that not one only, but many antichrists had come; a matter which he considers of greater consequence and more disastrous. The whole class of those, who have any good or evil disposition, is often expressed in the singular number with the article. Ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, the good man [every man that is good], etc. Mat 12:35; Mat 18:17; 1Pe 4:18; Tit 2:8; Joh 10:10; Joh 10:12; and so everywhere, especially in Proverbs, also 1Jn 4:2-3; 1Jn 4:6. Thus ὁ ψεύστης, ὁ πλάνος, ὁ ἀντίχριστος, the liar, the deceiver, antichrist, ch. 1Jn 2:22; 2Jn 1:7. Therefore antichrist, or antichristianity, has propagated itself from the close of John’s life through the whole course of ages, and still remains until that great adversary arises.-ἔρχεται) comes, from another place. The antithesis is, “Many antichrists have arisen,” viz. from us, 1Jn 2:19. Comp. Act 20:29-30.-καὶ νῦν) καὶ, and: νῦν, Lat. hodie, to-day, Germ, würklich, actually. This is opposed to mere previous hearing [of antichrists].-ὅθεν-ἐστὶν, whence-it is) Hence the necessity of the admonition follows.

[4] There were three hours or seasons in all, of which the one both began after the other, and conjointly with continuous career inclined towards the end. The hour of the fathers and also of the youths was immediately completed. Hence it is to the little children that John says, “It is the last hour.” In this the last hour we all even still live.-V. g.