1 John 2:1-29 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 John 2:1-2

These verses relate to the concluding subject of the foregoing chapter, in which the apostle proceeds upon the supposition of the real Christian's sin. And here he gives them both dissuasion and support. 1. Dissuasion. He would leave no room for sin: ?My little children, these things write I unto you, that you sin not, 1 John 2:1. The design or purport of this letter, the design of what I have just said concerning communion with God and the overthrow of it by an irreligious course, is to... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 John 2:3-6

These verses may seem to relate to the 1 John 1:7; between which and these verses there occurred an incidental discourse concerning the believer's duty and relief in case of sin, occasioned by the mention of one of the believer's privileges?his being cleansed from sin by the Mediator's blood. In that verse the apostle asserts the beneficial consequence of walking in the light: ?We have then fellowship with one another, such divine fellowship and communion as are the prerogative of the church... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 John 2:7-11

The seventh verse may be supposed either to look backward to what immediately preceded (and then it is walking as Christ walked that is here represented as no new, but an old commandment; it is that which the apostles would certainly inculcate wherever they brought Christ's gospel), or to look forward to what the apostle is now going to recommend, and that is the law of fraternal love; this is the message heard from the beginning (1 John 3:11), and the old commandment, 2 John 1:5. Now, while... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 John 2:12-17

This new command of holy love, with the incentives thereto, may possibly be directed to the several ranks of disciples that are here accosted. The several graduates in the Christian university, the catholic church, must be sure to preserve the bond of sacred love. Or, there being an important dehortation and dissuasion to follow, without the observance of which vital religion in the love of God and love of the brethren cannot subsist, the apostle may justly seem to preface it with a solemn... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 John 2:18-19

Here is, I. A moral prognostication of the time; the end is coming: Little children, it is the last time, 1 John 2:18. Some may suppose that the apostle here addresses the first rank of Christians again; the juniors are most apt to be seduced, and therefore, ?Little children, you that are young in religion, take heed to yourselves that you be not corrupted.? But it may be, as elsewhere, a universal appellation, introductive of an alarm to all Christians: ?Little children, it is the last time;... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 John 2:20-27

Here, I. The apostle encourages the disciples (to whom he writes) in these dangerous times, in this hour of seducers; he encourages them in the assurance of their stability in this day of apostasy: But you have an unction from the Holy One, and you know all things. We see, 1. The blessing wherewith they were enriched?an unguent from heaven: You have an unction. True Christians are anointed ones, their name intimates as much. They are anointed with the oil of grace, with gifts and spiritual... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 John 2:28-29

From the blessing of the sacred unction the apostle proceeds in his advice and exhortation to constancy in and with Christ: And now, little children, abide in him, 1 John 2:28. The apostle repeats his kind appellation, little children, which I suppose does not so much denote their diminutiveness as his affection, and therefore, I judge, may be rendered dear children. He would persuade by love, and prevail by endearment as well as by reason. ?Not only the love of Christ, but the love of you,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 John 2:1-2

2:1-2 My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. But, if anyone does sin, we have one who will plead our cause to the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. For he is the propitiating sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. The first thing to note in this passage is the sheer affection in it. John begins with the address, "My little children." Both in Latin and in Greek diminutives carry a special affection. They are words... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 John 2:1-2

It will take us some considerable time to deal with these two verses for there are hardly any other two in the New Testament which so succinctly set out the work of Christ. Let us first set out the problem. It is clear that Christianity is an ethical religion; that is what John is concerned to stress. But it is also clear that man is so often an ethical failure. Confronted with the demands of God, he admits them and accepts them--and then fails to keep them. Here, then, there is a barrier... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 John 2:1-2

John goes on to say that Jesus is the propitiation for our sins. The word is hilasmos ( Greek #2434 ). This is a more difficult picture for us fully to grasp. The picture of the advocate is universal for all men have experience of a friend coming to their aid; but the picture in propitiation is from sacrifice and is more natural to the Jewish mind than to ours. To understand it we must get at the basic ideas behind it. The great aim of all religion is fellowship with God, to know him as... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 John 2:1-2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 John 2:3-6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 John 2:7-11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 John 2:12-17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 John 2:18-19

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 John 2:20-27

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 John 2:28-29

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 John 2:1-2

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 John 2:1-2

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 John 2:1-2

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