1 John 2:2

Jesus Christ did not just make satisfaction for our sins, as a priest, though He did that. He is the satisfaction Himself, as a sacrifice (cf. Romans 3:25). The Septuagint translators used the same Greek word translated "propitiation" here (hilasmos, satisfaction, cf. 1 John 4:10) to translate the "mercy seat" on the ark of the covenant. Jesus’ body was the site where God placated His wrath against sin. 1 John 2:1-5; 1 John 2:2 all have Old Testament tabernacle connotations. Jesus’ death not only expiated (cancelled, dismissed, waived) sins, but it provided cleansing from their defilement and satisfied God’s wrath against sin with an acceptable offering. [Note: See Leon Morris, The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross, pp. 125-85; W. Hall Harris, "A Theology of John’s Writings," in A Biblical Theology of the New Testament, p. 215; and Yarbrough, pp. 77-.]

This verse provides strong support for the fact that Jesus Christ died for all people (unlimited atonement). In His death the Lord Jesus provided salvation that is sufficient for all, though it is efficient only for those who trust in Him (2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Hebrews 2:9; Revelation 22:17). In other words, Christ’s death made eternal life available for all, but not automatic for all. "Our" refers to the sins of all believers, and the "whole world" means all humankind, not just the elect (cf. John 1:12; John 3:16). Those who hold to "particular redemption" (i.e., that Jesus died only for the elect) limit the meaning of the "whole world" to the world of the elect.

"Johannine thought and terminology leave absolutely no room for any such concept as ’the world of the elect.’" [Note: Hodges, The Epistles . . ., p. 71. See also Yarbrough, p. 80.]

John reminded his readers in this section (1 John 1:8 to 1 John 2:2) that fellowship with God is possible only when we deal with sin in our lives. This is true of believers (1 John 1:5 to 1 John 2:1) as well as unbelievers (1 John 2:2). John articulated four fundamental principles that underlie fellowship with God to facilitate his readers’ experience of that fellowship. One must renounce sin (1 John 1:8 to 1 John 2:2), obey God (1 John 2:3-11), reject worldliness (1 John 2:12-17), and keep the faith (1 John 2:18-29) to live in the light of God’s presence.