ACC ~ 1 John 5 v21

AVOID IMAGES. TERTULLIAN: John did not tell us to keep away from worship, but from idols, that is, from their very likeness. For it is wrong for you, who are created in the image of the living God, to become the image of an idol and a dead man. ON THE CROWN 5.10.

MANY FORMER IDOLATERS IN THE CHURCH. DIDYMUS THE BLIND: Why is it that after everything else which he has said to his hearers during the course of his letter, John should keep this warning about idols to the very end? In my opinion it is because here he is addressing the church in general. There must have been many in that assembly who were former idolaters, and he adds this caution for their benefit. CATENA.

WORSHIP THE ONE TRUE GOD. HILARY OF ARLES: The letter ends as it began, with an admonition to worship the one true God alone. Everything else that John says is contained in this one golden rule. INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 1 JOHN.

KEEP AWAY FROM FALSE TEACHERS. BEDE: You who know the true God, in whom you have eternal life, must keep yourselves away from the teachings of the heretics which lead only to eternal death. In the manner of those who made idols in the place of God, the heretics have corrupted the glory of the incorruptible God by their wicked doctrines which bear the stamp of corruptible things. ON 1 JOHN.

THE SECOND EPISTLE OF JOHN