15Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in that person. [2:16] Because all that is in the world — the desire of the flesh, and the desire of the eyes, and the vaunting of life — is not from the Father but is from the world. [2:17] And the world is passing away, and its desire as well. But the one who does the will of God abides unto the age.
1JN 2:15-17
Do Not Love the World
In the world it was spoken into
In the first century, 'the world' carried a dual meaning: it referred to the physical creation but also to the systems and values opposed to God. For Jewish and early Christian audiences, 'the world' often symbolized the corrupting influence of Roman imperial culture, pagan idolatry, and the pursuit of wealth and status. The 'desire of the flesh' and 'desire of the eyes' would evoke the pervasive Greco-Roman emphasis on sensual indulgence and material acquisition, while 'the vaunting of life' pointed to the boastful display of social status common in Roman honor-shame culture. The assertion that 'the world is passing away' underscored the transient nature of these pursuits, contrasting them with the eternal will of God. This critique would resonate with early Christians navigating the tension between their faith and the dominant cultural norms.
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How other translations render this
1JN 2:15
- KJV
- Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
- BSB
- Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
- Koinōnos
- Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in that person.
1JN 2:16
- KJV
- For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
- BSB
- For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.
- Koinōnos
- Because all that is in the world — the desire of the flesh, and the desire of the eyes, and the vaunting of life — is not from the Father but is from the world.
1JN 2:17
- KJV
- And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
- BSB
- The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.
- Koinōnos
- And the world is passing away, and its desire as well. But the one who does the will of God abides unto the age.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
1JN 2:15
- world:The word translated 'world' here refers not to the physical creation, but to the fallen, human-centered system of values and desires that stands in opposition to God.
1JN 2:16
- desire:The term translated 'desire' can refer to any strong longing, good or bad, but in this context, it specifically points to cravings that are self-serving and contrary to God's will.
- vaunting:The word translated 'vaunting' describes an arrogant, boastful display of one's possessions or status, often with an element of deceit or false pretense.
1JN 2:17
- is passing away:The phrase 'is passing away' conveys a sense of continuous, ongoing movement towards an end, emphasizing the transient and temporary nature of the world's system.