1 John 2:1-6

The Believer’s Sin (Vs. 1a)

John starts by providing an affectionate reason why for writing.

John is affectionate is his exposition of the believer’s sin, by indicating that his writing ought to keep them away from sin. Sin is divided into three aspects

The Pistic: Ultimately, sin that deals with unbelief in the revelation of God and eternal life through the works of Christ. Thus, being protected from the evil teachings of heretics.

The Ethics: Sin that deals with disobedience

The Agapic: Sin that deals with not loving God or others

Believers ought not to take these sin lightly, but with fear and trembling.

The Helper (Vs. 1b)

After John affectionately exclaims the gravity of sin, he introduces the provision for sin as Christ, the advocate (paraklētos).

The advocate is one who serves as an helper in a legal sense. The Greek translation means “to come alongside” or to assist.

Christ is before the Father pleading our cause against the accuser when we sin. Rev 12:10

Revelation 12:10 ESV

And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.

Hence, it is required that a righteous one does, the pleading, to a Father who is also faithful, righteous, and Holy to forgive sins. Heb 7:25-26

Hebrews 7:25–26 ESV

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

The Propitiation (Vs. 2).

Also, John points here that Jesus is not only the advocate, but the propitiation or expiation for the believer’s sin. Hilasmos (Expiation or propitiation) signifies Christ’s atoning work where by God’s wrath meant for human sin is taken away/propitiated because Christ took on the wrath/punishment.

Therefore, believers can now have fellowship with God.

Jesus is the propitiation, the offering, the sacrifice, the one and for all sacrifice that settles God’s wrath. God himself had to take upon his own wrath for sin.

Therefore, his propitiation is not only for believers but “offered” to the world. John is not stating that these propitiation leads to automatic regeneration of one who has not believed and coffessed Christ as saviour. John is declaring that Christ is the “only” propiation (not a propitiator) offered the world. There is no other way for sins to be atoned except through Christ’s death.

All in all, Christ’s identification of righteous, advocate, propitiation works hand in had to make provision for the sin of man. Christ’s purity makes him the perfect high priest and lamb who atones for sin, and stands in for the believer when they sin.

Knowing You Know Him (Vs. 3-5a).

Since John has exposed the character of God and Christ, so that believers do not sin, he goes further to elaborate how a believer can know that they have a knowledge of the character of Christ.

The secessionist or the gnostic claimed special or mystical revelation of who God is. However, John confronts their heresy by stating that authentic knowledge of God is deals with personal acquaintance, intimacy, and interest, that comes with keeping God’s commandment.

Knowing God is not a feeling, a vision, a sensation, but only evolves through obedience to God’s commandment.

Hence, the goal of any claim to the knowledge of the person of God should be evident in fellowship with God and others. This fellowship displayed in the obedience to love God and others. 1 John 3:21-23

1 John 3:21–23 ESV

Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.

The one who claims to know God, who is light, just, faithful, propitiation, advocate, and righteous, but does not obey God’s command is deceived without truth. John is not claiming tthat the believer will always obey, but that the believer life will not be characterized by disobedience.

The one who claims to know God, who is light, just, faithful, propitiation, advocate, and righteous, but does not obey God’s command is deceived without truth. John is not claiming that the believer will always obey, but that the believer life will not be characterized by disobedience.

However, when believers keep God command, their love for God is being perfected(τετελείωται) or made complete. When we obey God commandment to love one another and to love Him, our love for God made complete. Thus, we can claim a knowledge to the revelation of God’s love through Christ.

Knowing You Abide in Him (Vs. 5b-6)

Many Gnostics would claim special inhabitation of God’s presence.

However, John response is that the believer can only claim to abide or remain in Christ if only they imitate the person of Christ.

If one is hidden in Christ, they have to walk in the ways of christ.

Ephesians 5:1–2 ESV

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

READ Ephesians 5:8-20