I am writing to you, young men,

because you have overcome the evil one

I write to you, young men,

because you are strong,

and the word of God lives in you,

and you have overcome the evil one.

“Victory is assured, resistance is required.”

But it is at this point that a helpful word can be given, using this particular issue as example, to guide those who wish to avoid those “exegetical fallacies.” The difference of these translations in the mind of the first-century reader might not have even been noticed. So fine a distinction would scarcely have been considered. Care should be taken and caution applied so that we do not see in a text what is really not there.

2:12 The first and most fundamental word of encouragement that John can give to all members of the church is that in the past they were forgiven of their sins and that this forgiveness remains effective in their lives.

The knowledge they have is indicative of a deep, ongoing spiritual relationship (“have known” is in the perfect tense) that is grounded in the historical death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, not in intellectual speculation that perverts the true picture of who Jesus is, the eternal Son of God. That he overtly draws attention to the Father in the latter part of this verse further supports the Christological understanding here.

Schnackenburg asserts: “Just as Christ reveals the truth of God and champions God’s cause in the struggle for the hearts and minds of people in this world, so is the evil one the representative of all that is opposed to God (5:18f.). He is an active aggressor, who, however, can never harm those who are born of God (5:18c).” This security comes from the fact that “the evil one” has been defeated by Jesus Christ by victory over death and sin.237 As a result, when someone is born of God, Jesus Christ secures victory over death for that person.

This passage again shows the deep continuity that exists between the Old and New Testaments. Those who are members of the new covenant community have the law of God written on their hearts, and they are taught by the Holy Spirit, who dwells within them.

To know the Father is to be like the Father. Spiritual maturity moves us into a deeper and fuller knowledge of our God with the result being familial resemblance. Children should resemble their Father. John believes they will.

It is highly likely that John refers to the Old Testament and to the account of the life of Jesus in his Gospel. The believer’s source of strength has not changed. The believer may still overcome (last of the perfect tense forms in vv. 12–14) the evil one through faith in Jesus Christ and careful study of and abiding in the Word of God.

When people love the world, they are misapplying this human emotion in a way that will lead to their demise. In a sense love is neutral. The object of one’s love or affection is decisive. One must be careful that this love is going in the right direction and that it acts in a manner consistent with Christian confession. John charges us to love neither the world in general nor the things of the world in particular. The command is comprehensive. Our allegiance must not be divided. Our affection must be focused and specific.

The correct application of love springs from the fact that the believer has a singular loyalty and commitment to the Father. This verse states clearly that one cannot love the world and love God at the same time. The absolute nature of this statement is striking and compels careful and serious reflection. The stakes are high. Because the Father’s kingdom is at war with the kingdom of this world, the two will never coexist peacefully. To pledge allegiance to one side is to declare opposition to the other.

John would include anything and any way in which humans improperly fulfill fleshly desires (overeating, drunkenness, etc.).

Dodd notes that the desire of the eyes can be understood as “the tendency to be captivated by the outward show of things, without enquiring into their real values.” This insight cuts to the heart of the issue in that all of these temptations of the world focus on enjoyment in the present without an analysis or understanding of the future ramifications. How an action, or its value, compares with the worth of the eternal things that come from God must always be factored into the equations of life.

This pride that results from and in worldly possession is an affront to God, for it leads to a glorification of the self and a failure to realize the dependence of humanity upon God, the Creator, for existence. In this area of temptation, individuals make idols of their livelihood, social standing, and any other status symbol that the world determines is important but that matters little to God. Pride, prestige, power, and position count for nothing in the kingdom of God. The value system of this world is turned on its head when God provides the evaluation.

“Victory is assured, resistance is required.”

It takes wisdom and perception to understand which theological issues are open to discussion and honest disagreement and which ones are so clearly essential that schism must be preferred to compromise. John examines the problem and rightly concludes that the proper understanding of the person and work of Jesus Christ is fundamental to Christianity and cannot be compromised.

The rise of antichrists should not cause the believer to be dismayed or disheartened but should be an encouragement because it is a sign that the return of Jesus Christ is imminent. This antichrist activity is indicative of the reality that the real Christ has come and believers are living in a period of time when the kingdom of God has been inaugurated and awaits its final consummation.

28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming

28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming

This relationship in which the Christian remains in God is vital, intimate, and constant. The order of the Son and the Father places the emphasis on the person of Jesus Christ, through whom the believer has access to the Father. Smalley notes, “If this good news be allowed to direct the theological thought and moral practice of the individual disciple, the outcome is a deep fellowship with both the Son of God and God himself.”

Spiritual illumination of the received traditions was the pattern they should follow.

Abiding in him prepares believers for his appearing: abiding is our confidence; his appearing is our motivation.