1My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not commit sin. But if someone does commit a sin, we have an advocate2356 with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous. 2He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the whole world.
Christ’s commandments
3This is how we have come to recognize2357 that we know him: if we keep his commandments. 4The one who says, “I know him,” and yet does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in such a person. 5But if someone keeps God’s word, God’s love has most certainly been perfected in him. This is how we know that we are in him: 6whoever claims to abide2358 in him should also live2359 just as he lived.
7Brethren, I am not writing a new commandment to you. This is an old commandment which you have had since the beginning. This old commandment is the message2360 which you have heard from the beginning. 8Yet in another way, it is a new commandment that I write to you; it is true in him and in you because the darkness is passing away and the true light already shines! 9Anyone who claims to be in the light and hates his brother [or sister2361] is still in the darkness. 10Anyone who loves his brother [or sister] remains in the light, and there is no occasion for stumbling in such a person. 11But whoever hates a brother [or sister] is in the darkness and lives2362 in the darkness; such a person does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
To the members of the Church
12I write to you, children, because your sins are forgiven through his Name. 13I write to you, fathers, because you know the one who has existed from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.
14I have written to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.2363 I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God remains in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
Those who love the world
15Do not love the world or the things that are in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world, 16because everything that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but from the world. 17The world is passing away with its lusts, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.
The Antichrist—Many antichrists
18Children, this is the last hour! As you have heard, the Antichrist is coming and even now many antichrists have arisen. This is how we know that it is the final hour. 19They went out from us, but they did not belong to us! If they had belonged to us, they would have continued with us. But [in fact] they left, so that it might be revealed that none of them belonged to us! 20You have an anointing from the Holy One2364 and you perceive all things.2365 21I have not written to you because you do not perceive the truth, but because you perceive it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22Who is the liar? Is it not anyone who denies that Jesus is the Christ?2366 This is the Antichrist: the one who denies the Father and the Son. 23Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father.2367
The anointing remains
24Therefore, what you have heard since the beginning should remain in you. If what you have heard since the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25This is the promise which he promised us: eternal life. 26I have written to you these things concerning those who would lead you astray. 27As for you, the anointing which you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as the same anointing teaches you about all things, [his anointing] is true, not a lie. You will remain in him, just as the anointing has taught you. 28Now, little children, remain in him so that when he2368 appears, we may have boldness and not be ashamed before him when he comes. 29If you understand that he is righteous, you also understand that everyone who practices righteousness is born of him.
God’s children—We will be like him
- Greek para,klhton (parakleton): Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, and Comforter (see John 14:16 where the EOB uses Counselor).
- Or “know”
- Or “remain”
- The Greek expression is “walk just as he walked”
- Or “word”
- The Greek for “brother” throughout 1 John (adelfo.n) can mean sibling, or someone in a close spiritual relationship, male or female.
- Or “walks”
- Greek avrch/j as in John 1:1
- Either a reference to Christ or to God the Father
- Or, “know what is true.” Or, “know all things (TR/MT),” “you all know” (CT)
- Or “Anointed”
- TR and CT add “but whoever confesses the Son also has the Father”
- Almost certainly a reference to Christ
Text: The Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible, New Testament (EOB). Used with permission.
