RSV ~ 1 John 2 Notes

1 Jn 2:1-6 | ISB Notes

John recognizes that sin can be a nagging problem in the lives of believers. It is not a problem without a solution, however, since Jesus Christ is our advocate (2:1), our sin-offering (2:2), and our moral example (2:6).

1 Jn 2:1 | ISB Notes

advocate: Refers to an “attorney” or “defense lawyer” in contemporary Greek literature. Jesus spoke of himself (Jn 14:16) and of the Spirit in this way (Jn 14:26; 15:26). Advocacy is needed before the Father when our sins prompt the devil to bring accusations against us (Rev 12:10) (CCC 519).

See word study: Counselor at Jn 14:16.

1 Jn 2:2 | ISB Notes

sins of the whole world: The redeeming work of Christ embraces all times, all places, and all peoples (Jn 1:29). Not a single individual has lived or will live for whom Christ did not die (2 Cor 5:15; CCC 605). See note on 1 Tim 2:4.

• One makes satisfaction for an offense when he offers the person offended something of equal or greater value. Christ, by suffering in a spirit of love and obedience, offered to God more than the recompense required for all the offenses of the human race. His Passion was not only sufficient but superabundant satisfaction for the world’s sins (St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, III, 48, 2).

1 Jn 2:3 | ISB Notes

keep his commandments: The Father gives guidance to his children (3:1) for living and growing in maturity. Obedience to his commandments gives us the moral certitude that we are living as true sons and daughters. In essence, this amounts to imitating Christ (2:6), who showed us how to follow the Father’s commandments without exception or fault (Jn 15:10).

1 Jn 2:6 | ISB Notes

the same way . . .he walked: Assumes readers are familiar with the life and ministry of Jesus, probably from the Gospel of John (CCC 2470).

1 Jn 2:7 | ISB Notes

no new commandment: John’s teaching is not a recent innovation unfamiliar to his readers. It is, rather, the commandment to love one another (2:10) that they received with the gospel and that ultimately goes back to Jesus (Jn 13:34). The point is that John’s catechesis is an authentic expression of apostolic doctrine (CCC 2822). See note on Jn 13:34.

1 Jn 2:8 | ISB Notes

the true light: Refers to the gospel in general and to Jesus Christ in particular (Jn 1:9).

1 Jn 2:9 | ISB Notes

He who says … and hates: A believer’s conduct must agree with his confession for his fellowship with God to be genuine. Faith without faithfulness is not a saving faith at all (Jas 2:14-17). .

1 Jn 2:12-14 | ISB Notes

Readers are assured that Christ’s blessings have come upon them: their sins are forgiven (2:12), they know the living God (2:13-14), and they are victorious over the Evil One (2:13-14). It is possible that John’s address to children, fathers, and young men refers, not to various age groups, but to three levels of spiritual maturity (1 Cor 3:1; Heb 5:12-14).

1 Jn 2:15-17 | ISB Notes

John urges readers to let go of the world and embrace the Father (4:4). Although God made (Gen 1:1) and loves the world (Jn 3:16), the human family turned against him and surrendered itself to the devil (1 Jn 5:19). Since then, the propensity of fallen man is to love the world in selfish and disordered ways—feeding his flesh with its pleasures, his eyes with its possessions, and his spirit with its pride. Christians are called to renounce the world, not as something evil or detestable, but as something that threatens to consume our attention and turn our affections away from God. The ascetical disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are venerated in Jewish and Christian tradition as practical ways to express our love for God and lessen our love for the world (Tob 12:8-10; Mt 6:2-18) (CCC 377, 2514). For different meanings of the term “world” in the writings of John, see note on Jn 1:10.

1 Jn 2:18 | ISB Notes

the last hour: The final phase of salvation history set in motion by Christ. Paul refers to this last epoch as “the end of the ages” (1 Cor 10:11), just as Peter calls it “the end of the times” (1 Pet 1:20). These and s

imilar expressions underscore the need for Christians to remain vigilant as they wait in joyful hope for the Lord’s return in glory (CCC 670). antichrist: Or, “anti-messiah”. Here the title applies to anyone who denies that Jesus is the anointed “Christ” or “Messiah” of Jewish expectation (1 Jn 2:22; 4:3; 2 Jn 7). In a restricted sense, the “Antichrist” is a blasphemous figure expected to appear at the end of days. His coming will thrust the Church into a time of persecution and set off an explosion of evil and deception in the world at large (CCC 675-77). For a description of this eschatological villain, see 2 Thess 2:3-11.

1 Jn 2:19 | ISB Notes

They went out: i.e., the heretical secessionists, who broke away from the Church in order to follow their corrupt ways. For John, their departure is a sure sign of their deviation from the apostolic faith. The comment at 2:26 suggests the apostates were not content simply to leave, but were making active attempts to carry others astray with them.

1 Jn 2:20 | ISB Notes

anointed: Refers to a special grace of the Holy Spirit, which instructs believers in the truth and alerts them to false teaching (2:26-27). There is a close relationship between confessing Jesus as the Messiah (Gk. Christos, 2:22) and receiving his anointing (Gk chrisma, 2:27), for the same Spirit who anointed Jesus (Acts 10:38) dwells in the hearts of all who are baptized in his name (Acts 2:38) (CCC 695).

• Isaiah foresaw the anointing of the Messiah, not with oil, like the prophets, priests, and kings of Israel, but with the Spirit of Yahweh (Is 61:1). The descending Spirit brings many gifts with him, including wisdom, understanding, and knowledge (Is 11:2).

• Vatican II teaches that all the faithful, clergy and laity alike, are anointed with a supernatural insight into the gospel (known in Latin as the sensus fidei). Graced in this way, the Church as a whole, guided by the teaching aut

hority of the pope and bishops, will always give universal consent to the truth about Christian faith and life (Lumen Gentium 12) (CCC 91-93). the Holy One: Probably refers to Jesus (Mk 1:24; Jn 6:69), though the Father bears this title, as well (Job 6:10; Is 1:4).

1 Jn 2:28 | ISB Notes

confidence: Faithfulness to Christ shelters us from condemnation both now (Rom 8:1) and when he comes again to judge the world (Acts 10:42). Although individuals cannot have absolut

e assurance of their final salvation, they can be certain that perseverance in faith and active charity will be approved by God (Mt 25:31-46). See word study: Confidence at 1 Jn 4:17.