In this chapter the Apostle John is writing to all the children of God (those who have received Christ as their Savior and have been born again; see John 1:12-13). We will break the chapter down into 4 sections.

Verse 1: The ADVOCACY OF CHRIST. In verse 1 John writes, “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And IF anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” The believer need not sin but IF he does, Jesus will “come along side of us” (which is what an “advocate” does) to convict us of our sin and bring us to confess that sin which will restore our fellowship with the Father (see 1:9).

Verses 3-11: MARKS OF THE CHILD OF GOD. There are two things that mark the believer in Christ: OBEDIENCE & LOVE. Verse 3 bears witness to our obedience: “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS.” Verses 5 & 9 bear witness to our love: “But whoever keeps His word, truly the LOVE OF GOD is perfected in him…He who LOVES HIS BROTHER abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.”

Verses 12-14: STAGES OF GROWTH. John starts with these words, “I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake” (verse 12). The words “little children” are literally “born-again ones.” But then he divides them into 3 classes in verse 13 according to their spiritual growth: Fathers, Young Men, and Little Children (the words “little children:” here speak of “newborn BABES in Christ”). In verse 14 John brings out their characteristics: Fathers “have known Him who is from the beginning.” Young Men “have overcome the wicked one…because you are strong and the word of God abides in you.” Little Children “have known the Father.”

Verses 15-28: TWO DANGERS TO THE CHILD OF GOD: THE WORLD and FALSE TEACHERS. To the Young Men John says, “DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world” (verses 15-16). Though the “young men” are gaining victories over Satan, they are still in danger of being “attracted to the things of the world.” To help prevent this John reminds them in verse 17, “And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” To the Babes in Christ John says, “Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour…Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son…Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father…These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you” (verses 18, 22, 24, 26). Unlike the “young men,” the “babes in Christ” are not yet established in the word of God and thus they are vulnerable to the FALSE TEACHINGS of those who deny Christ. Yet John encourages them in verses 20 & 27, “But you have an ANOINTING from the Holy One, and you know all things…the ANOINTING which you have received from Him abides in you…the same ANOINTING teaches you concerning all things.” The “anointing” is the Holy Spirit who is in every believer (see Ephesians 1:13; Romans 8:9-11; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22). If we allow the Holy Spirit to teach us (see 1 Corinthians 2:10-13), we won’t be deceived; we will grow into “young men” and eventually into “fathers.” John ends his word to the babes by saying, “And now, little children, ABIDE IN HIM, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming” (verse 28).  (DO)  (658.1)