I write no new commandment; that is, in the principle which he had been inculcating above, namely, that a conformity to the will of God in heart and life, is the only test of the honesty of religious professions.

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Verse 8

Verse 8

A new commandment; the precept enjoining brotherly love, enforced in the 1 John 2:8-11. John designates it as a new commandment, in imitation of the language used by the Savior in John 13:34.--Is true in him; is exemplified in him.

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Verse 12

Verse 12

Many conjectures have been offered in regard to the distinctions intended by the writer in the several classes of persons addressed in this passage (1 John 2:12-14,) and in the nature and appropriateness of the reasons assigned in each case. But it is not certain that any accurate logical distinctions were intended. We are probably to regard the changes in the forms of expression as only designed to give variety to the mode of presenting the considerations by which the various classes of Christians should feel impelled to give most serious and earnest attention to the instructions which they received.

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Verse 13

Verse 13

Him that is from the beginning; the Redeemer. (1 John 1:1.)

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Verse 18

Verse 18

Antichrists; false teachers; whose doctrines and characters are more particularly described in verses which follow.--Whereby we know, &c. The Savior had predicted the appearance of false Christs and false prophets, as a sign of the approach of great changes, the nature of which was only obscurely intimated. (Mark 13:22-30.) It is probable that John here refers to that prediction. In precisely what sense, however, he uses the expression the last time, is somewhat uncertain.

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Verse 20

Verse 20

An unction; an anointing, considered as the ceremony or induction to office. The idea is, that they had been admitted to the station and privileges of the children of God by the Holy One himself, and would not prove apostate, like those mentioned in the 1 John 2:19.

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Verse 21

Verse 21

No lie is of the truth; no false doctrine can come from true piety.

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Verse 22

Verse 22

Antichrist, that denieth, &c.; that is, by denying that Jesus is the Christ, he denies both the Father and the Son, as is shown in the 1 John 2:23.

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Verse 23

Verse 23

The latter part of this verse is so printed in all copies of the common English version, on account of a doubt by the translators, whether the words which represent it properly belong in the original, They are found in some manuscripts, and are wanting in others.

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Verse 24

Verse 24

Let that therefore; that belief.

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Verse 26

Verse 26

Them that seduce you; the false teachers.

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Verse 27

Verse 27

The anointing; the unction referred to in 1 John 2:20.

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Bibliographical Information
Abbott, John S. C. & Abbott, Jacob. "Commentary on 1 John 2". "Abbott's Illustrated New Testament". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/ain/1-john-2.html. 1878.

Bible Commentaries
1 John 2

Abbott's Illustrated New TestamentAbbott's NT

Verse 1

Verse 2

Verse 5

Verse 6

Verse 7

Verse 8

Verse 12

Verse 13

Verse 18

Verse 20

Verse 21

Verse 22

Verse 23

Verse 24

Verse 26

Verse 27

Bible Commentaries1 John 2

Abbott's Illustrated New TestamentAbbott's NT

Bible Commentaries
1 John 2