Verse 2
for the truth' s sake which abideth in us, and it shall be with us for ever:
Which abideth in us ... It is the truth resident in the holy apostles which is indicated by this, as indicated by John's certainty that it would abide forever. The "truth" as used in both these shorter epistles has "almost a technical meaning, implying not only the eternal principle, but also the organization which embodied it."[11]
Shall abide with us for ever ... Note the prophecy in this. John could see the approaching storms of persecution and hatred of the truth into which he and the others had been guided by the Holy Spirit, but he was supremely confident that nothing would ever be able to destroy it. It has proved to be gloriously true. All of the enmity and hatred against the New Testament has not succeeded in removing any of it, or diminishing the confidence that Christians have in it.
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