Chapter 2:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 2 Peter 2 John
1 John 2
Concise Complete
The apostle directs to the atonement of Christ for help
against sinful infirmities. (1,2) The effects of saving knowledge in producing
obedience, and love to the brethren. (3-11) Christians addressed as little
children, young men, and fathers. (12-14) All are cautioned against the love of
this world, and against errors. (15-23) They are encouraged to stand fast in
faith and holiness. (24-29)
Verses 1-2 When
have an Advocate with the Father; one who has undertaken, and is fully able, to
plead in behalf of every one who applies for pardon and salvation in his name,
depending on his pleading for them. He is "Jesus," the Saviour, and "Christ,"
the Messiah, the Anointed. He alone is "the Righteous One," who received his
nature pure from sin, and as our Surety perfectly obeyed the law of God, and so
fulfilled all righteousness. All men, in every land, and through successive
generations, are invited to come to God through this all-sufficient atonement,
and by this new and living way. The gospel, when rightly understood and
received, sets the heart against all sin, and stops the allowed practice of it;
at the same time it gives blessed relief to the wounded consciences of those who
have sinned.
Verses 3-11 What
knowledge of Christ can that be, which sees not that he is most worthy of our
entire obedience? And a disobedient life shows there is neither religion nor
honesty in the professor. The love of God is perfected in him that keeps his
commandments. God's grace in him attains its true mark, and produces its
sovereign effect as far as may be in this world, and this is man's regeneration;
though never absolutely perfect here. Yet this observing Christ's commands, has
holiness and excellency which, if universal, would make the earth resemble
heaven itself. The command to love one another had been in force from the
beginning of the world; but it might be called a new command as given to
Christians. It was new in them, as their situation was new in respect of its
motives, rules, and obligations. And those who walk in hatred and enmity to
believers, remain in a dark state. Christian love teaches us to value our
brother's soul, and to dread every thing hurtful to his purity and peace. Where
spiritual darkness dwells, in mind, the judgment, and the conscience will be
darkened, and will mistake the way to heavenly life. These things demand serious
self-examination; and earnest prayer, that God would show us what we are, and
whither we are going.
Verses 12-14 As
Christians have their peculiar states, so they have peculiar duties; but there
are precepts and obedience common to all, particularly mutual love, and contempt
of the world. The youngest sincere disciple is pardoned: the communion of saints
is attended with the forgiveness of sins. Those of the longest standing in
Christ's school need further advice and instruction. Even fathers must be
written unto, and preached unto; none are too old to learn. But especially young
men in Christ Jesus, though they are arrived at strength of spirit and sound
sense, and have successfully resisted first trials and temptations, breaking off
bad habits and connexions, and entered in at the strait gate of true conversion.
The different descriptions of Christians are again addressed. Children in Christ
know that God is their Father; it is wisdom. Those advanced believers, who know
Him that was from the beginning, before this world was made, may well be led
thereby to give up this world. It will be the glory of young persons to be
strong in Christ, and his grace. By the word of God they overcome the wicked
one.
Verses 15-17 The
things of the world may be desired and possessed for the uses and purposes which
God intended, and they are to be used by his grace, and to his glory; but
believers must not seek or value them for those purposes to which sin abuses
them. The world draws the heart from God; and the more the love of the world
prevails, the more the love of God decays. The things of the world are classed
according to the three ruling inclinations of depraved nature. 1. The lust of
the flesh, of the body: wrong desires of the heart, the appetite of indulging
all things that excite and inflame sensual pleasures. 2. The lust of the eyes:
the eyes are delighted with riches and rich possessions; this is the lust of
covetousness. 3. The pride of life: a vain man craves the grandeur and pomp of a
vain-glorious life; this includes thirst after honour and applause. The things
of the world quickly fade and die away; desire itself will ere long fail and
cease, but holy affection is not like the lust that passes away. The love of God
shall never fail. Many vain efforts have been made to evade the force of this
passage by limitations, distinctions, or exceptions. Many have tried to show how
far we may be carnally-minded, and love the world; but the plain meaning of
these verses cannot easily be mistaken. Unless this victory over the world is
begun in the heart, a man has no root in himself, but will fall away, or at most
remain an unfruitful professor. Yet these vanities are so alluring to the
corruption in our hearts, that without constant watching and prayer, we cannot
escape the world, or obtain victory over the god and prince of it.
Verses 18-23
Every man is an antichrist, who denies the Person, or any of the offices of
Christ; and in denying the Son, he denies the Father also, and has no part in
his favour while he rejects his great salvation. Let this prophecy that seducers
would rise in the Christian world, keep us from being seduced. The church knows
not well who are its true members, and who are not, but thus true Christians
were proved, and rendered more watchful and humble. True Christians are anointed
ones; their names expresses this: they are anointed with grace, with gifts and
spiritual privileges, by the Holy Spirit of grace. The great and most hurtful
lies that the father of lies spreads in the world, usually are falsehoods and
errors relating to the person of Christ. The unction from the Holy One, alone
can keep us from delusions. While we judge favourably of all who trust in Christ
as the Divine Saviour, and obey his word, and seek to live in union with them,
let us pity and pray for those who deny the Godhead of Christ, or his atonement,
and the new-creating work of the Holy Ghost. Let us protest against such
antichristian doctrine, and keep from them as much as we may.
Verses 24-29 The
truth of Christ, abiding in us, is a means to sever from sin, and unites us to
the Son of God,
john
15:3,4 . What value should we put upon gospel truth! Thereby the promise of
eternal life is made sure. The promise God makes, is suitable to his own
greatness, power, and goodness; it is eternal life. The Spirit of truth will not
lie; and he teaches all things in the present dispensation, all things necessary
to our knowledge of God in Christ, and their glory in the gospel. The apostle
repeats the kind words, "little children;" which denotes his affection. He would
persuade by love. Gospel privileges oblige to gospel duties; and those anointed
by the Lord Jesus abide with him. The new spiritual nature is from the Lord
Christ. He that is constant to the practice of religion in trying times, shows
that he is born from above, from the Lord Christ. Then, let us beware of holding
the truth in unrighteousness, remembering that those only are born of God, who
bear his holy image, and walk in his most righteous ways.
Chapter 2:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 2 Peter 2 John
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
