1 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.
2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
My little children (v.1) — expressive of endearment, not immaturity. This indicates that John was now writing to believers.
The word rendered “little children” in vs.1, 12, and 28 is different from that so rendered in vs. 13 and 18. The latter represents the young converts, and is set in contrast to the fathers and young men. In the former the address is not to one branch of the family of God but all the readers, i.e., to believers in general. — Vine, page 19.
these things (v.1) — the remainder of the letter
may not sin (v.1) — This refers to what he has just been saying [1 John 1:8-10]. His insistence on the facts of sinfulness and sins, and the remedy provided, is not to be taken as conveying any intimation of the inevitableness of sin. On the contrary, his teaching is to be preventative against sinning. — Vine, page 20.
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if anyone sins, we (v.1) — The Apostle does not say “If any man sin, he has an Advocate,” but “we have,” putting himself on the same level with his readers, all alike being in need. — Vine, page 21.
Advocate (v.1) — Lit. “one who pleads another’s cause, an intercessor,” with the idea of consoling or supporting.
In English advocate means lawyer or counselor, and Christ is the One Who intercedes before the Father to represent us before His holiness. God’s Word has given us the knowledge to prevent sin, and His Spirit enables us to do His will. But when we do sin and the enemy accuses, Jesus Christ the Righteous steps in to defend God’s children, pleading the merits of the cross. He has never lost a case. See Romans 8:26-27 and 34 for the glorious truth of the intercession of Christ and the Spirit. — Grace, page 2218.
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with the Father (v.1) — The preposition “with” is the same as in 1 John 1:2, and signifies one who not only is in the Father’s presence but whose attitude is directed towards Him on our behalf. — Vine, page 21.
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Jesus Christ the righteous (v.1) — The order of the titles suggest that the one Who came to us through His death (Jesus) is in the presence of the Father as the Anointed One (Christ) in all the efficacy of His finished work and in the perfection of His character. The efficacy of His ministry is guaranteed by the righteousness of His Person. His righteousness is set in contrast to our sin. — Vine, page 21.
propitiation (v.2) = the means of appeasing God’s wrath.
This very important biblical word “propitiation” denotes the price which must be paid to avoid the divine punishment upon sin. It is, therefore, the “fine” we must pay in court to avoid going to jail. In the Bible, there are other synonyms for this concept of the “fine,” such as the “atonement” or “ransom” or “sin offering.” Here, Christ is not only the Righteous Lawyer who is on very familiar terms with the Father (Judge), but he pays our “fine,” or, more properly, according to the text, He is the “fine” or “atonement” for our sins. — KJV Commentary, pages 1755-1756.
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Propitiation … denotes the ground upon which God shows mercy to the guilty. Christ Himself, and He alone, is this, through His death, in the shedding of His blood in sacrifice. Two things are therefore indicated (1) the finished work of the Cross, (2) the value of the Living Person. Not only was He the Propitiator by offering Himself, He is in His own Person the Propitiation. … That He is the propitiation is what gives perfect effect to His advocacy. — Vine, page 21.
our/ours (v.2) — the Jews
for the whole world (v.2) — The provision made by the sacrifice of Christ extends to the whole world, yet the actual effect is not universal. The whole world lies within the scope of the propitiation, no one being necessarily excluded from its benefits. The only exclusion is on the part of those who will not avail themselves of it. — Vine, page 22.
Now by this we know that we know him (v.3) — In other words, “hereby we constantly have the experience of knowing that we have come to know Him. Know = know by experience. Specifically, know Him in a saving way
These commandments (v.3) would include (1) Confessing faith in Christ; (2) Loving one another; (3) Obeying/following Christ’s instructions; an d(4) Enduring steadfast/faithful unto the end. Believers under the Dispensation of Grace should also fulfill all of these but often fall far short and yet are recognized as genuine believers. — Grace, page 2219.
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