1John 2 Study
Author: Steve Amato
Description: What are characteristics of those who have been born of God?
Keywords: bible study,Perseverance of the saints, obedience, love, overcome, holiness, lifestyle, commands

# 1John 2:1-17 Study

2:1My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.
But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—
Jesus Christ, the Righteous One

2:2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,
and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
{"atoning sacrifice" is from the Greek "hilasmos," an appeasing, propitiating, or the means of appeasement or propitiation - the sacrifice that turns away God's wrath because of our sin.}

## Evidence from Walking in Obedience

## Overview

2:3 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.
2:4 The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar,
and the truth is not in him.

2:5 But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him.

This is how we know we are in him:
2:6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

## The Command to Love

7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one,
which you have had since the beginning.
This old command is the message you have heard.
8 Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you,
because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.
10 Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.
11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness;
he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.

## Interlude

12 I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
13 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father.
14 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men, because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.

## The Command for Holiness

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world.
If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For everything in the world—

the cravings of sinful man,
the lust of his eyes and
the boasting of what he has and does—

comes not from the Father but from the world.

17 The world and its desires pass away,
but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

We have an Advocate

1Jn 2:1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense— Jesus Christ, the Righteous One

Notice that John changes from using "We" in chapter 1 to "I" in chapter 2, and "we" now refers to himself and his listeners.

There are a few places in 1John where John says why he wrote this letter. But here we note that John wanted them not to sin. And so what did he do to help them not sin? He wrote them a letter. So as we examine 1John, keep in mind the question as to how the content in this letter helps us to not sin.

Jesus is our defense attorney such that we need not be concerned of speaking in our own defense on the judgement day as others must. Jesus speaks on our behalf. So in answer to the question as to how you should respond if God were to ask you on the judgement day, "Why should I let you into my kingdom?", you only need answer, "You'll have to talk to my attorney. He's sitting at your right hand side."

Another thing from this verse is the fact that though are sins are forgiven, this does not imply we have a license to sin. Much to the contrary, for Jesus "gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2;14 But at the same time, realize that those born of God might sin from time to time. The verse "does sin" is in the Aorist tense. It is not referring to one's lifestyle, but to events which occur from time to time uncharacteristic of one's lifestyle.

Questions:
What is it about what John writes that helps us not to sin?
Ex: Response to "Sex and Sanctification"
In view of this verse how might you respond to the question as to how you would answer God when he asks you why he should let you into his kingdom?

Appeasing God's wrath

1Jn 2:2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Nothing else appeases God's wrath on sin but Jesus' death on the cross. For "it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand." Is 53:10 And Jesus said, "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. John 12:32,33

God our Savior "wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1Tim 2:4 Jesus died for the sins of the whole world. In preaching to non-Christians we should not say, "Maybe Jesus died for your sins and maybe he didn't. I don't know." We should not say, "Maybe God loves you or maybe he doesn't. Maybe he hates you so much he predestined you for eternal damnation and there's nothing you can do about it!" Rather we should say, "God loves you and wants you to be saved. Jesus died for your sins and he declares that if you come to faith in him, your sins will be forgiven." "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 Of course we'd want to elaborate upon what constitutes "faith in him.", but the point is that Jesus died for the sins of everyone around us - regardless of whether they ultimately end up in heaven or hell.

Questions:
Did Jesus die for all men, or only for the elect?
Is it correct to say to non-Christians that "Jesus died for your sins. And if you believe in him your sins will be forgiven and you'll have eternal life." Or to say, ""Maybe Jesus died for your sins and maybe he didn't. I don't know." or, "Maybe God loves you or maybe he doesn't. Maybe he hates you so much he predestined you for eternal damnation and there's nothing you can do about it!"

Evidence from Obedience

1Jn 2:3,4 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

This is one of the external evidences that one has come to know Christ. Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." Mt 7:21 In fact referring to Jesus as Lord is not supposed to be simply an acknowledgement of his Diety, but rather it's supposed to imply one's intention of doing what he says. Thus Jesus asks the rhetorical question, "Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?" Luke 6:46

A person has not come to know Christ, let alone believe in him, if they have simply prayed a prayer to be saved without any actual intention of obeying him. That is not the kind of faith the qualifies one for salvation.

Also, observe throughout 1John how John refers to the "saved".

Questions:
What are the limited ways in which today we speak of a person's salvation status?
Notice the different ways in which John speaks of a person having eternal life.
In this he speaks of knowing God. Why this expression?
What is the basis of a person's assurance of salvation from these verses?

Walking as Jesus did

1Jn 2:5,6 But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

It is not that obedience indicates that our love is made complete, but rather that God's love for us drives us to obedience, so that the person who realizes God's love for the world will naturally obey God's commands. What kind of a lifestyle would be characteristic of such a person? A lifestyle which emulates Christ as he lived in the gospels. Not that we are called to wear robes and sandals, but rather there are allegorical links between Jesus's ministry and that which is the appropriate lifestyle for believers today.

xref: Love Complete - 1John 4:12,17

For example in John 17 Jesus said of his followers, "they are not of the world any more than I am of the world." John 17:14 As Jesus was set apart for a mission in this world, we are also called to be on a mission, "to go and make disciples of all nations." Mt 28:19 We are called to serve. We are called to be holy. We can expect to be hated by the world as Jesus was. For he said, "If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." There are many aspects of Jesus' attitude, mission, the events in his life, etc., find application in the Christian life.

Questions:
What does it mean for God's love to be made complete in him?
How does John refer to the person's salvation status here?

The Old New Commandment

1Jn 2:7-8 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

The commandment he is alluding to is of course John 13:34 where Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." Those who love fellow believers show themselves to be enlightened.

As for the "true light", John speaks of that elsewhere in John 1:9 saying, "The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world." He's referring to Jesus. And Paul writes, "God, who said, Let light shine out of darkness, made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." 2Cor 4:6

But this new commandment is really a truism. It is characteristically true of Jesus and his followers to love one another.

Loving/Hating your brother

1Jn 2:9-11 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.

One of the most fundamental evidences distinguishing children of God from children of the devil which John speaks of throughout his letter is the evidence as to how one treats fellow Christians. There are false brethren in the Christian community who distinguish themselves by their unjustified hatred for legitimate Christians. Though they claim to be enlightened, and though they even claim to love fellow Christians, such people are lying if their lifestyle is inconsistent with their claims.

The reasons why they hate legitimate Christians is much the same as to why the world hated Christ. For example Jesus said to his unblieving brothers, "The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil." John 7:7 The most fundamental reason why false brethren hate legitimate Christians is because of sin. "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed." John 3:19,20

Therefore, "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. ... But everything exposed by the light becomes visible" Eph 5:11,13 And by doing so you might just be able to distinguish genuine brethren from false brethen in your midst.

Questions:
How does John express one's salvation status in these verses?
Observation: Notice how John previously correlated "being in him" and "walking or living in him". Here he correlates "being in the light" with "walking or living in the light". Status is correlated with lifestyle.
You cannot "be in .." without "walking in ..."
What is the basis of one's assurance of salvation from this verse?
Can a person be a "brother" in the Lord and yet characteristically hate other Christians? (1John3:15)
What constitutes hating one's brother?

vs 11 Blindness occurred at some point in time.
When do you suppose it occurred. Examples of blindness (Mat 15:14; 23:16-26)
What hope does the blind man have? (Lk 4:18)
Considering Matt 24:9, why do people hate Christians? (John 3:20; 7:7; 15:25)
What are examples today of those who are called Chistians hating others who are called Christians?
What affect does this have on the world's perspective of Christianity?

To Whom I'm Writing

1Jn 2:12-14 I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

John is about to speak to them about their relationship with the world. But before doing so he clarifies here to whom he will be addressing his instructions. These are those of whom God is their Father, and who have known the true God, and whose sins have been forgiven and thus are in a right relationship with God, and who live by the Word of God and overcome the influences of the devil. May such be characteristic of all of us!

Questions:
How does John characterize the saved here regardless of one's level of spiritual maturity?

Do Not Love the World

1John 2:15,16 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world— the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does— comes not from the Father but from the world.

We are not to love worldiness. We are not to conform our desires and goals to the sinful society in which we live, though the society rewards those who do so. The passions of the flesh and the praise of men, these are not what are to control the children of God. Rather we are to find our greatest satisfaction in doing the will of God. We are to seek the things which are eternal, as Moses did:

"By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward."Heb 11:24-26

Questions:
How does John refer to one's salvation status here?
What may be subsets of the three categories of sin John mentions here?
What are measure of "loving the world"?

Passing Away

1John 2:17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

"The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness." 2Pet 3:10-13

In view of these facts, how then shall we live? What should be our priorities in life?

"The time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away." 1Cor 7:29-31

Everything else is secondary to seeking His Kingdom and His righteousness.

Questions:
What is it about the perspective John advocates in this verse which keeps us from sinning? What is the common New Testament term which this is alluding to?

# Paraphrase

We know that we have eternal life if we obey his commands; particularly to love other Christians. In which case, our sins are forgiven, we know God, and experience victory over evil because the Word of God lives in us. In contrast, real Christians do not make it a way of life to set their desires on material things or worldly ambitions which are being phased out, because God's love dwells in them.

# Rap

1:1 That which was from the start, which we have surely heard We saw and touched, and now proclaim, to you that very Word 2 The life appeared we've seen it, and testify to you He once was with the Father, but then became a Jew 3 We know we've come to know him, if we do what he says 4 The man who says "I know him", does not Christ possess Unless to his commands, he also does comply Else his claim of knowing him, is nothing but a lie. 5 But if one obeys his word, (such faith is really concrete) in him God's love shows its affect, and is thus made complete. This how we know our faith, is not merely talk, 6 Whoever claims to live in him, must just as Jesus walk. 7 The command of which I write, is not new but old, Even from the beginning, of this you were told. 8 Yet the truth of this command, seems really new As the darkness is passing away, and light shining through you. 9 Those who claim, to be in the light But hates his brother, is walking at night 10 Whoever loves his brother, dwells in the light humble, And there is nothing is him, which would make him stumble 11 Whoever hates his brother, is walking in the dark; He knows not where he's going, not seeing Christ's footmark 12 I write to you my children, cause your sins have been forgiven 13 You fathers also know him, who was from the beginnen. I write to you young men, cause you've overcome The evil one the devil, and have come to know the Son. You children also I must say, have come to know the Father 14 And I say this once again, if it's not a bother He who from the start, you fathers have come to know. Young men God's word dwells in you, you're above the status quo You are also strong in Christ, that is what you've become Not hurt by the devil, but rather him you've overcome 15 Love not the world, nor the things that are therein If any love the world, God's love is not in him. 16 For all that's in the world, the lust of the eyes The passions of the flesh, and the pride some do prize Are not from the Father, but from the world come. And if you disagree, then you're just being dumb. 17 The world and its desires, will pass away some day But those who do the will of God, will forever stay.

# I John 2:18-29

## Evidence from Walking in the Truth

## False Christians may Fall Away

18 Dear children, this is the last hour;
and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming,
even now many antichrists have come.
This is how we know it is the last hour.

19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us.
For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us;
but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.
21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth,
but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth.

22 Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ.
Such a man is the antichrist— he denies the Father and the Son.
23 No one who denies the Son has the Father;
whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

## Dwelling in the Word of God

24 See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you.
If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.
25 And this is what he promised us— even eternal life.
26 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.
27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you,
and you do not need anyone to teach you.
But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real,
not counterfeit— just as it has taught you, remain in him.

## Evidence from Righteous Behavior

## Evidence of the Hope of Future Sanctification

28 And now, dear children, continue in him,
so that when he appears we may be confident
and unashamed before him at his coming.
29 If you know that he is righteous,
you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.

# Discussion Questions

How would you describe the manner in which the Holy Spirit teaches you personally?

# Comments

AntiChrists

1John 2:18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.

John's readers were apparently informed concerning the antichrist and end times events, so he doesn't elaborate upon such things here. There is a specific person who is prophecied to come just a few years prior to Christ's return. Paul writes of this man in 2Thess 2:3-10. In the book of Revelation he is referred to as "the beast." But there are also antichrists who act as forerunners, being present throughout the history of the church.

By "the last hour" I think John is referring to the church age. It is the last epic - the last dispensation - prior to the Millenial Kingdom.

Questions:
What is John referring to as "last hour"? (2Peter 3:3; 2Tim 3:1)

The Perseverance of the Saints

1John 2:19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

This is another characteristic distinguishing children of God from children of the devil. Who is John referring to as "They"? From verse 18 John is writing of antichrists. And according to verse 22,23 antichrists deny Jesus Christ the Son of God. So these people left the Christians community in the sense that they became apostates, denying the most fundamental aspect of the Christian faith - namely that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

Fundamental Principle:
The Perseverance of the Saints

> if they had belonged to us,
> they would have remained with us

Once a person is a genuine Christian, they will inevitably continue to remain so.

This is not simply saying "Once saved, Always saved", though that can be logically inferred. This is saying, "Once saved, it is inevitable that such a person will remain in the faith identifying with the Christian community". (And as such, once saved, always saved, seeing as the saved never depart from the faith)

How did John know that "they did not really belong to us."? Because they left the Christian community. Thus if a person departs from the faith, such is indicative that they had never really been of the faith to begin with.

John Gill's comment:
"in the doctrine of the apostles, and in the fellowship of the church, as true believers do: if their hearts had been right with God, they would have remained steadfast to him, his Gospel, truths, and ordinances, and faithful with his saints; for such who are truly regenerate are born of an incorruptible seed, and those that have received the anointing which makes them truly Christians, that abides, as does every true grace, faith, hope, and love; and such who are truly God’s elect cannot possibly fall into such errors and heresies as these did, and be finally deceived, as they were:"

Questions:
The interpretation hinges upon that middle phrase.
In what sense did John mean by "belong" or "of us"?
Notice that NASB and NIV insert "really" to give the sense. What is the converse of the word "really"?
How does John refer to "real" Christians here?
What would have happened if they had belonged to them?
From this verse, what is evidence that one is a "real" Christian or not?
What does the verse imply about the concept of Eternal Security?
Is there an example of this verse from Jesus own ministry?

You Have an Anointing

1John 2:20,21 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

Everyone born of God has been anointed with the Holy Spirit. In fact "if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ." Rom 8:9 That's why John can make such a general statement. John elaborates upon this in verse 27. One work of the Holy Spirit is guidance into the truth. Jesus said, "When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth." John 16:13

Questions:
What is the anointing he is referring to? (Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38; John 16:13)
If we know the truth, then why is he writing us?
(Because our spirit is activated when we hear the truth. Then the truth becomes actualized)

Denying the Son

1John 2:22,23 Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist— he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

Likewise Jesus said, "He who hates me hates my Father as well." John 15:23 and, "When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me." John 12:44,45 and "whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven." Mt 10:33 This is yet another another characteristic distinguishing the children of God from the children of the devil. There are many people of various religions such as Islam and modern Judaism who claim allegience to God, but in fact by their denial of the Son of God they show themselves to be self-deceived.

Example of Islam

"Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) an apostle of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a Spirit proceeding from Him: So believe in Allah and His apostles. Say not "Trinity": desist: It will be better for you: For Allah is One God: Glory be to Him: (Far Exalted is He) above having a son." [4.171]

the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away! [9.30]

Questions:
How does John refer to "true" Christians here?
What evidence does John speak of here which would distinguish those who have the Father and those who don't?
In what ways might people deny Jesus?

Remaining in the Son

1John 2:24,25 See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us— even eternal life.

I think John is contrasting these verses with those concerning antichrists who reveal themselves by leaving the faith. In particular what John is referring to as "what you heard from the beginning" is the fact that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

In his second letter John writes a parallel passage concerning these same ideas saying, "Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son." 2John 1:7-9

The promise of eternal life is only to those who remain in the faith, and in particular in the truths of the faith revealed in the Word of God. Thus Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples." John 8:31Else we are not really disciples of Christ. He warns, "If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned." John 15:6

Questions:
What does he expect them to remain or abide in them?
What does it mean to abide or remain? (meno)
What is scary about this verse?
And how is this not advocating salvation by works?

Listening to the Spirit

1John 2:26,27 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit— just as it has taught you, remain in him.

Jesus said, "When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth." John 16:13 and furthermore promised, "The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:26 Thus when those born of God hear the truth, the Spirit confirms it in our conscience. We embrace truth as a sheep listens to the voice of its shepherd, as Jesus said, "My sheep listen to my voice." John 10:27

So I have confidence that those who are of a like Spirit will listen and understand, and cease listening to those who would lead you astray concerning these matters.

Questions:
From what John has written so far, what can we infer about the way in which some were trying to lead them astray?
Notice also that he considers such deception INTENTIONAL.

Confident Faith

1John 2:28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

To shrink back in shame at his coming indicates one is not saved, as it says in Heb 10:37-39 "For in just a very little while, 'He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.' (Hab 2:4 LXX) But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved."

Jesus said, "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels." Mr 8:38

Furthermore the Greek word for "confident" indicates "freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech", much as Jesus said, "whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven." Mt 10:32,33

Thus what constitutes legitimate faith in Christ is not the "secret" faith of the rulers of John 12:42 who "believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue" Rather, saving faith confidently confesses Christ.

2Pe 3:14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

Questions:
Are there times when you thought "gee I hope Jesus doesn't come back right now!"
What is the converse of being confident and unashamed?
What are the consequeces of being unconfident and ashamed at his appearing?

The Right Birth Mark

1John 2:29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.

While there is a positional righteousness we receive from Christ, which is namely the forgiveness of sins, yet there is also a righteous behavior characteristic of children of God. What is righteous behavior but simply doing what is right in the eyes of God. True that most people do what they consider right in their own eyes, as Proverbs says, "All a man’s ways seem right to him." Pr 21:2 But to do what is right in the eyes of God is another matter. For "the way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice."Pr 21:15 How do we determine what is right in God's eyes? In cooperation with the Spirit of God through the Word of God in fellowship with the people of God.

Questions:
Is it just talking about positional righteousness here? Or actually doing righteous things?
How can you use this verse to identify those who have been born of God?

## ANALYSIS OF 1JOHN 2:19

This is a very strong verse for the doctrine of "eternal security" (the idea of once saved, always saved). The key phrase is "if they were being from among us" (once saved), "they would have remained with us" (always saved). The word "remain" is that common greek word "meno" (see word study on meno - also Jn 15:5) Used 18 times in 1Jn alone. The verb "remained" is in the very rare pluperfect tense which indicates an event viewed as having been once and for all accomplished in past time!

## Kenneth Wuest on 1John 2:19

> "They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us." (NIV)

> "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us." (AV)

The words "out from" and "of" in this verse are the translation of the preposition ek which is followed by the ablative case. There are two classifications of the ablative here, ablative of separation and ablative of source. In the statement, "They went out from use," we have the ablative of separation. These false teachers (antichrists) went out from the true believers in the sense that they departed doctrinally from the position of the Church as to the Person of the Lord Jesus, a position which they had held only in an intellectual way. It was a mental assent to the doctrines concerning, not a heart acceptance of, the Person of Christ.

In the words, "They were not of us," we have the ablative of source. That is, the antichrists did not have their source in the Mystical Body of Christ composed only of true believers. They were merely members of the visible, organized church on earth. They did not partake of the divine life animating the members of the Body of Christ, made up of true believers. All of which means that an apostate is an unsaved person who has mentally subscribed to the doctrines of the Christian faith and who then rejects those doctrines while still remaining within the organization of the visible church and posing as a Christian.

John argues that had these antichrists belonged to the Body of Christ, thus possessing the divine life in company with true believers, they would in that case have remained with these true believers in matters of doctrine. But, he says, they departed from the doctrinal position of the Church so that it could be shown that they did not belong to the company of the saints. The words of the A.V. are misleading, "that they were not all of us," the implication being left with the reader that some of these antichrists had belonged to the company of the saints. The translation should read, "All were not of us." In the Greek text, the verb separates not from all. In such cases, accordign to New Testament usage, the negation is universal. The A.V. not all makes it partial.

## WORD STUDY of MENO in 1 JOHN

("meno" translated: abide, dwell, live in, continue, remain) Definition: To dwell in a state. In contrast to living in a place, such as a hotel on one's travels, "meno" is more the idea of dwelling at one's home, where one has set up residence. It is upon this basis that it is often translated "continue", or "remain".

With so many different translations, it becomes impossible to study the english and recognize and correlate the verses where "meno" shows up. The following are where it shows up in 1Jn where I've consistently translated it "dwell".

VERSE PARAPHRASE
2:6 if Walking as Christ then dwells in Christ
2:10 if you love Christians then you dwell in the light
2:17 if you do God's will then you will dwell forever
2:19 if you are really a Christian then you will always dwell as a Christian
2:24 if The word dwells in you then you dwell in the Son and Father
2:27 The anointing dwells in you -> to instruct
2:28 if you dwell in him then you will not be ashamed when he comes
3:6 if you dwell in him then doesn't live a lifestyle of sin
3:9 if God's seed dwells in him (= born of God) then does not sin because cannot sin
3:14 if not love Christians then you dwell in death
3:15 if hate other Christians then eternal life doesn't dwell in you
3:17 if not meet basic needs of Christians then God's love doesn't dwell in you
3:24 if you keep his commandments then you dwell in him
3:24 we know he dwells in us by his Spirit
4:12 if we love on another then God dwells in us
4:13 we know that we dwell in him and he in us by his Spirit
4:15 if we profess that Jesus in the Son of God then God dwells in him and he in God
4:15 if we dwell in love then we dwell in God and God in him.

##

## PERSONAL ANALYSIS OF MENO IN 1 JOHN

### OBSERVATION:

There is a correlation between the meno's. For example:

If we dwell in him, then we will not be ashamed at his coming
But if we profess that Jesus is the Son of God, then we dwell in him.

Therefore

if we profess Jesus as the Son of God,
then we will not be ashamed at his coming

Many such correlations can be made. Which leads us to the following conclusion:

### CONCLUSION #1:

If you meet any of the following conditions:

- you walk as Christ did
- you love other Christians in practical ways
- you do God's will
- you are a real Christian
- the word dwells in you
- you dwell in him
- you are born of God
- you keep his commandments
- you profess that Jesus is the Son of God

Then all of the following will be true for you:

- you dwell in the light
- you dwell forever
- you dwell in the Father and Son
- you won't live a lifestyle of sin
- God dwells in you
- you will always be a Christian
- you will not be ashamed when he comes

How else can you know you dwell in him? By the Spirit of God

These also imply the following:

### CONCLUSION #2:

"Dwelling in Christ" cannot be interpreted as a sort of analog quality of eternal life, whereby one can increase or decrease the amount of dwelling he's doing, or the idea that one person may be dwelling better than another person. Rather "Dwelling in Christ" is the distinct fact of having or not having eternal life.

# Paraphrase

As there isn't much time left, many who are against Christianity are rising up. In fact some false teachers have arisen from the ranks of the Christians. But they were never real Christians because those who had been saved would have never left the flock. But you know this stuff. I'm just helping you to think it through. Those who deny that Jesus is the Christ, don't belong to God.

If you accept the truth of the gospel, you can be assured that you will have eternal life, which is contrary to what those false teachers are teaching you. Listen to the Holy Spirit who dwells in you. He will convince you of this.

# Rap

2:18 It is the time of the end, and the antiChrist will come But even now many do, of whom you've overcome. 19 Consider those who went out from us, they were not of us For if they were they would remain, but were revealed thus 20 But you are anointed from the Holy One, and the truth all of you know 21 I don't write cause you don't know, but to apply it to your foe. 22 The man who denies Jesus as Christ, such a man is a liar AntiChrists deny the Father and the Son, and are headed for the fire 23 No one who denies the Son, has the Father. True! Whoever does acknowledge, the Son has the Father too 24 Let that dwell in you, what you've heard from the start If it does you'll abide with God, if you keep it in your heart. 25 And this is what he promised us, - even life eternal 26 But I write of those who try and lead you, to a place infernal 27 But the anointing you received from him, continues to dwell in you It teaches you to discerned, between the false and true. And just as it has taught you and, continues as your guide So you shall continue to walk, and in him to abide. 28 And now continue to dwell, in him so that when he appears You'll be unashamed when he comes, free from any fears 29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that this is true You know that all who do what's right have been born of him too.