Second Condition: To Keep the Commandments, Especially That of Love
1Jn_2:3-11
1Jn_2:3-6
1Jn_2:3-6
1Jn_2:3-11
The New Commandment
Love for One Another
The New Command
1Jn_2:7-14
1Jn_2:7-11
1Jn_2:7-8
Their Spiritual State
True Relationship to God in Christ
1Jn_2:9-11
Third Condition: Detachment from the World
1Jn_2:12-14
1Jn_2:12-14
1Jn_2:12-13
1Jn_2:12-17
Do Not Love the World
True Appraisal of the World
1Jn_2:14
1Jn_2:15-17
1Jn_2:15-17
1Jn_2:15-17
1Jn_2:15-17
The Antichrist
Deceptions of the Last Hour
Loyalty to the True Faith
The Enemy of Christ
Fourth Condition: To Be on Guard Against Antichrists
1Jn_2:18-25
1Jn_2:18-23
1Jn_2:18-25
1Jn_2:18-19
1Jn_2:18-28
1Jn_2:20-21
Let Truth Abide in You
1Jn_2:22-23
1Jn_2:24-27
1Jn_2:24-25
1Jn_2:26-27
1Jn_2:26-27
1Jn_2:26-27
READING CYCLE THREE
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five modern translations. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO 1Jn_2:3-27
A. It is very difficult to outline 1 John because of its recurrent themes. However, most commentators agree that chapter 2 continues the themes of chapter 1, which are the characteristics of fellowship with God, both positive and negative.
B. There is a structural parallel between chapters 1 and 2. John presents the message in contrast to the false assertions of the Gnostics.
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
1. if we say. . . (1Jn_2:6-7)
2. if we say. . . (1Jn_2:8-9)
3. if we say. . . (1Jn_2:10)
1. The one saying. . . (1Jn_2:4-5)
2. The one saying. . . (1Jn_2:6)
3. The one saying. . . (1Jn_2:8-11)
C. This context lists several tests or evidences which reveal a true believer (1Jn_2:3-25)
1. Willingness to confess sin (initially and continually) (1Jn_1:8)
2. Lifestyle obedience (1Jn_2:3-6)
3. Lifestyle love (1Jn_2:7-11)
4. Victory over the evil (1Jn_2:12-14)
5. Forsaking the world (1Jn_2:15-17)
6. Perseverance (1Jn_2:19)
7. Correct doctrine (1Jn_2:20-24; 1Jn_4:1-3)
D. Special Theological Concepts (in 1Jn_2:18-19)
1. "the last hour" (1Jn_2:18)
a. This phrase and similar phrases, such as "the last days," refer to the period of time from Jesus' birth in Bethlehem to the Second Coming. The kingdom has come, but is not yet fully consummated.
b. The people of Israel during the interbiblical period began to believe in two ages, the current evil age and the age of righteousness ushered in by the Spirit, which was still future. What the OT did not clearly reveal was the two comings of the Messiah, the first as Savior and the second as Consummator. These two ages overlap. See Special Topic at 1Jn_2:17.
c. This is the metaphorical use of the term "hour" (kairos) as an unspecified period of time (cf. Joh_4:21; Joh_4:23; Joh_5:25; Joh_5:28; Joh_16:2).
2. "the antichrist" (1Jn_2:18)
Only John uses the term "antichrist" (cf. 1Jn_2:18; 1Jn_2:22; 1Jn_4:3; 2Jn_1:7). Notice in 1Jn_2:18 it is both plural and singular (cf. 2Jn_1:7).
a. There are references to the same end-time person in other biblical writers.
1) Daniel - "Fourth Beast" (cf. Dan_7:7-8; Dan_7:23-26; Dan_9:24-27
2) Jesus - "Abomination of Desolation" (cf. Mark 13; Matthew 24
3) John - "Beast coming out of the sea" (cf. Revelation 13)
4) Paul - "Man of Sin" (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2)
b. John also makes a distinction between the eschatological person and the recurring spirit or attitude always present in the world (cf. 1Jn_2:18; 1Jn_4:3; 2Jn_1:7; Mar_13:6; Mar_13:22; Mat_24:5; Mat_24:24).
c. The preposition anti in Greek can mean (1) against or (2) instead of. This is as significant as the use of both the singular and plural in 1Jn_2:18. History is replete with those who have opposed God and His Christ
1) Antiochus IV Epiphanes (little horn of Daniel 8; Dan_11:36-45)
2) Nero and Domitian (claimed deity but not Messiahship)
3) Atheistic Communism
4) Secular Humanism
But also this is matched by those who are not against Christ, but claim to be the Christ (use #2).
1) the false teachers of Mar_13:6; Mar_13:22 and Mat_24:5; Mat_24:24
2) modern cult leaders
3) the Antichrist (Dan_7:8; Dan_7:23-26; Dan_9:24-27; 2Th_2:3; and Revelation 13)
d. Christians in every age will experience both false teachers who deny Christ and false Messiahs who claim to be Christ. However, one day, the last day, one special incarnation of evil (i.e., the Antichrist) will do both!
3. "Abides in You" (1Jn_2:19; 1Jn_2:24; 1Jn_2:27-28)
a. Most modern evangelicals stress the need for a personal initial decision to trust/faith/believe in Christ, and this is surely true. However, the Bible's emphasis is not on decisions, but on discipleship (cf. Mat_28:19-20).
b. The doctrine of the Security of the Believer must be inseparably linked to the doctrine of Perseverance. See hyperlink at Joh_8:31. It is not an either/or option, but a both/and biblical reality. In reality "abiding" is a biblical warning (cf. John 15)!
c. Other passages on abiding are Mat_10:22; Mat_13:1-9; Mat_13:18-23; Mar_13:13; Joh_8:31; Joh_15:1-27; 1Co_15:2; Gal_6:1; Rev_2:2; Rev_2:7; Rev_2:11; Rev_2:17; Rev_2:26; Rev_3:5; Rev_3:12; Rev_3:21; Rev_21:7. See Special Topic: "Abiding" at 1Jn_2:10.
WORD AND PHRASE STUDY
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. Describe the false teachers' beliefs.
2. Give the evidence by which we can know that we are truly redeemed.
3. Explain the relationship between habitual sin and isolated acts of sin.
4. Explain the relationship between the perseverance of the saint and the security of the believer.
