Bible Commentaries
1 John 2

Verses 1-29

Affirming that the purpose of his writing is that we sin not, the writer declared that even if we sin, provision is made by which it may be put away. The tests whereby we may know our relation to light are stated with regard to God, and with regard to our fellow men. The proof that we know God is that we keep His commandments. It is possible to know a great deal about God intellectually and still live in rebellion against Him. God is known in His Son. To be joined to Him and to abide in Him is to be transformed to His likeness. The supreme commandment, then, is to love. Love of the brethren proves a walk in light. Hatred of the brethren demonstrates darkness.

In dealing with the perils of darkness John made the groundwork of his appeal their experience in Christ. That appeal was made to 'little children," "young men." "fathers." These are warned against worldliness, which is described as "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the vainglory of life." Fellowship with God means the love of the Father, which makes Him the supreme consciousness of the soul. Having that love, the things of the world pass away.

The second peril to fellowship is the Antichrist. The spirit of Antichrist is to deny that Jesus is the Christ, which involves the denial of the Father and the Son. Any system of teaching which makes Jesus anything less than He is set forth to be in the Gospel writings is the expression of Antichrist. The Church of God needs ever to be on the watch against such tendencies and such teachings. To be influenced by purely human philosophy and wisdom will ever bring the Church into bondage to Antichrist. Therefore, let the 'little children abide in Him," that so at His Coming there may be boldness and not shame.