24As for you, let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. [2:25] And this is the promise that he himself promised us: eternal life. [2:26] These things I wrote to you concerning those who are leading you astray. [2:27] And as for you, the anointing you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things — and is true and is not a lie — and just as it has taught you, abide in him. [2:28] And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he is made manifest we may have boldness and not be ashamed before him at his coming. [2:29] If you know that he is righteous, know also that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.
1JN 2:24-29
Remain in Christ
In the world it was spoken into
In the first-century Greco-Roman world, the concept of 'abiding' carried strong cultural and relational connotations. It evoked the stability and loyalty expected in patron-client relationships, familial bonds, and communal ties. For Jewish listeners, 'abiding' would resonate with covenantal faithfulness, recalling God's enduring presence with Israel. The 'anointing' mentioned here would evoke Jewish rituals of consecration for priests, kings, and prophets, but in this context, it signifies the transformative and empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, a distinctively Christian understanding. The promise of 'eternal life' contrasted sharply with the transient nature of Roman imperial promises and Stoic resignation to fate, offering a hope rooted in divine assurance. The warning against 'those leading astray' reflects the early Christian struggle with false teachers and competing interpretations of the faith, a common concern in nascent communities. The emphasis on the anointing teaching 'all things' underscores the sufficiency of the Spirit's guidance, countering reliance on external authorities or philosophical schools.
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How other translations render this
1JN 2:24
- KJV
- Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
- BSB
- As for you, let what you have heard from the beginning remain in you. If it does, you will also remain in the Son and in the Father.
- Koinōnos
- As for you, let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.
1JN 2:25
- KJV
- And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
- BSB
- And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life.
- Koinōnos
- And this is the promise that he himself promised us: eternal life.
1JN 2:26
- KJV
- These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
- BSB
- I have written these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.
- Koinōnos
- These things I wrote to you concerning those who are leading you astray.
1JN 2:27
- KJV
- But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
- BSB
- And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught.
- Koinōnos
- And as for you, the anointing you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things — and is true and is not a lie — and just as it has taught you, abide in him.
1JN 2:28
- KJV
- And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
- BSB
- And now, little children, remain in Christ, so that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.
- Koinōnos
- And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he is made manifest we may have boldness and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
1JN 2:29
- KJV
- If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
- BSB
- If you know that He is righteous, you also know that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him.
- Koinōnos
- If you know that he is righteous, know also that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
1JN 2:24
- you:The word translated 'you' here is plural, indicating that the instruction is directed to the entire community of believers, not just an individual.
1JN 2:27
- anointing:The term 'anointing' refers to a consecration or setting apart, often associated with the Holy Spirit, signifying a special endowment or divine appointment.
1JN 2:28
- boldness:The word translated 'boldness' implies freedom of speech and confidence, particularly in the presence of superiors or in public, without fear or hesitation.
- may be ashamed:The phrase 'may be ashamed' carries the sense of being put to shame or disgraced, particularly in a public or judicial context, rather than merely feeling personal embarrassment.