1 John 2:1-6 Series

1 John 2:1-6

1.1 ~ My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.

The apostle John starts off here in chapter 2 with this warm and very personal recognition of the relationship that he feels he has with these Christians in Ephesus.

Now there could be a dual meaning in this statement so we will look at both of them but I would say these dual meanings are both appropriate. John in his relationship with these Christians, is one like a father over his children. Being an apostle John as well as the other apostles discipled these Christians since they were brand new baby Christians. The apostles fed them with the word and saw to there spiritual needs as they matured. This is the first meaning.

The second meaning is one of authority. Remember this letter is a corrective letter from John and he wants to make perfectly clear to them that his understanding of Christ and as well his authority within the church over these Christians, is much like a fathers knowledge and authority over his children.

You see John knows their souls are on the line here, that this is a cross roads for them. He knows it is a matter of heaven or hell for these Christians and it is his responsibility to do everything that God has equipped him to do to insure their progression continues to heaven.

This is the same responsibility of every pastor and teacher and unfortunately far to many of them today are failing badly.

1.2 ~ But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

The advocate John is talking about here is not the same person this church believes in unfortunately. John is trying to get them to understand this.

The “we” John is talking about is the advocate of those who are in fellowship with him and the other Christians. John has already stated that these Christians are not in fellowship with him or the others in the last chapter.

2.1 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

Propitiation ~ In the Bible, propitiation is the act of turning away God's wrath by offering a sacrifice, particularly the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is a way of appeasing God and avoiding divine retribution.

The word “our” here does not include these Christians, because by the biblical definition of propitiation it includes the payment for sins or in other words salvation. John is using the word “our” to signify Christians who are in fellowship with him.

Are you with me so far?

This verse then says “2.2 and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world”. If John is trying to bring this church back into fellowship because Jesus' propitiation does not include them because they are worshiping a false Jesus – how can the propitiation of Jesus gain unbelievers forgiveness and salvation? It can't.

Based upon scripture then, John is talking about all the Christians in the whole world.

Another view of this would be that Jesus' propitiation is capable of covering the entire world if every single person came to faith. But the application of the propitiation of Jesus is only for the saved.

God only sends people to hell if their sins are not covered by the propitiation of Jesus. God does not send people to hell once they are covered by the blood of Jesus or God would be an unjust God.

3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.

Now John just got through saying that if we (Christians) do sin then we have an advocate in Jesus. Jesus is not the advocate of unbelievers but rather only believers.

So when we look at this verse we also need to look back to what we read last week in chapter 1:8-9.

1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Then also in chapter 1:7 about “walking in darkness”, that if we walk in darkness it means we have completely walked away from the faith and are living a life in sin without Christ.

Keeping the commandments is not perfection but is a life of being in Christ and living a life of faith, repentance and sanctification.