1Little children, these things I write to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father — Jesus Christ the righteous. [2:2] And he himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. [2:3] And by this we know that we have come to know him: if we keep his commandments. [2:4] The one who says 'I have come to know him' but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. [2:5] But whoever keeps his word, in that person truly the love of God has been made complete. By this we know that we are in him. [2:6] The one who says he abides in him ought himself also to walk just as that one walked.
1JN 2:1-6
Jesus Our Advocate
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Greco-Roman world, the term (paraklētos) carried legal connotations, referring to an advocate or intercessor who would speak on behalf of someone in a court setting. This role was crucial in a society where patronage and advocacy were central to navigating legal and social systems. The author’s use of (hilasmos) evokes Jewish sacrificial practices, where offerings were made to atone for sin and restore relationship with God. This imagery would resonate deeply with Jewish listeners familiar with Temple rituals, while Gentile readers would understand it within the broader context of appeasing divine wrath. The diminutive (teknia) reflects a familial, paternal tone, common in philosophical and religious instruction, emphasizing intimacy and care. The assertion that Jesus’ atonement extends to 'all the world' challenges exclusivist Jewish and Greco-Roman religious boundaries, suggesting a universal scope. The emphasis on keeping commandments aligns with Jewish covenantal ethics, while the experiential knowledge reflects Stoic and Hellenistic ideals of lived wisdom.
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How other translations render this
1JN 2:1
- KJV
- My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
- BSB
- My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
- Koinōnos
- Little children, these things I write to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father — Jesus Christ the righteous.
1JN 2:2
- KJV
- And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
- BSB
- He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
- Koinōnos
- And he himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
1JN 2:3
- KJV
- And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
- BSB
- By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments.
- Koinōnos
- And by this we know that we have come to know him: if we keep his commandments.
1JN 2:4
- KJV
- He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
- BSB
- If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
- Koinōnos
- The one who says 'I have come to know him' but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.
1JN 2:5
- KJV
- But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
- BSB
- But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him:
- Koinōnos
- But whoever keeps his word, in that person truly the love of God has been made complete. By this we know that we are in him.
1JN 2:6
- KJV
- He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
- BSB
- Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.
- Koinōnos
- The one who says he abides in him ought himself also to walk just as that one walked.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
1JN 2:1
- Little children:The term translated 'Little children' is an affectionate diminutive, emphasizing a tender, parental relationship rather than literal age.
- an advocate:The word translated 'an advocate' refers to someone called alongside to help, particularly in a legal sense as a defense attorney or intercessor.
1JN 2:2
- [the] propitiation:The word translated 'propitiation' refers to a means of appeasing wrath or making atonement, often involving a sacrifice that turns away divine anger.
1JN 2:3
- we have come to know:The phrase 'we have come to know' uses a word that implies experiential knowledge, a deep, personal acquaintance, not just intellectual understanding.