1 John 2:1

CHAPTER II.

He exhorts them not to sin; yet encourages those who may have

fallen, by the hope of mercy through Christ, who is a

propitiation for the sins of the whole world, 1, 2.

He who knows God keeps his commandments; and he who professes

to abide in Christ ought to walk as Christ walked, 3-6.

The old and new commandment, that we should walk in the light,

and love the brethren, 7-11.

The apostle's description of the different states in the family

of God; little children, young men, and fathers; and directions

to each, 12-15.

A statement of what prevails in the world, 16, 17.

Cautions against antichrists, 18-23.

Exhortations to persevere in what they had received, and to

continue to follow that anointing of the Divine Spirit, by

which they could discern all men, and know all things necessary

to their salvation, and proper to prepare them for eternal

glory, 24-29.

NOTES ON CHAP. II

Verse 1 John 2:1. My little children] τεκνιαμου. My beloved children; the address of an affectionate father to children whom he tenderly loves. The term also refers to the apostle's authority as their spiritual father, and their obligation to obey as his spiritual children.

That ye sin not.] This is the language of the whole Scripture; of every dispensation, ordinance, institution, doctrine, and word of God. Sin not-do not run into ruin; live not so as to promote your own misery; be happy, for it is the will of God that ye should be so; therefore he wills that ye should be holy: holiness and happiness are inseparable; sin and misery are equally so.

And if any man sin] If, through ignorance, inexperience, the violence of temptation, unwatchfulness, c., ye have fallen into sin, and grieved the Spirit of God, do not continue in the sin, nor under the guilt do not despair of being again restored to the favour of God; your case, it is true, is deeply deplorable, but not desperate; there is still hope, for--

We have an advocate with the Father] We still have him before the throne who died for our offences, and rose again for our justification; and there he makes intercession for us. He is the righteous; he who suffered, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God. Do not, therefore, despair, but have immediate recourse to God through him.