God’s Commands
3This is how we know2:3 Jn 13:35; 1Jn 2:5; 3:19,24; 4:2,6,13; 5:2 that we know him: if we keep his commands.2:3 Jn 14:15; 15:10
4The one who says, “I have come to know him,” and yet doesn’t keep his commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
7Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command2:7 Mk 7:8; Jn 13:34; 2Jn 5 but an old command that you have had from the beginning. The old command is the word2:7 Lk 6:47; Jn 1:1 you have heard.
8Yet I am writing you a new command, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away2:8 Rm 13:12; 1Co 7:31; 1Jn 2:17 and the true light2:8 Jn 1:9; 3:19–21; 8:12; 12:46 is already shining.2:8 Jn 1:5; 12:35–36; Rv 22:5
9The one who says he is in the light but hates his brother or sister2:9 1Jn 2:11; 3:15; 4:20 is in the darkness until now.
Reasons for Writing
12I am writing to you, little children,
since your sins have been forgiven
13I am writing to you, fathers,
because you have come to know
the one who is from the beginning.2:13 1Jn 1:1
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have conquered the evil one.2:13 Jn 16:33; 17:15; Eph 6:10; 1Jn 2:14; 4:4; 5:4–5; Rv 2:7
14I have written to you, children,
because you have come to know the Father.
I have written to you, fathers,
because you have come to know
the one who is from the beginning.
I have written to you, young men,
because you are strong,
God’s word2:14 1Jn 1:10 remains in you,
and you have conquered the evil one.
A Warning about the World
15Do not love the world2:15 Jn 15:19; 17:16; Rm 12:2; Jms 1:27; 4:4 or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
The Last Hour
18Children, it is the last hour.2:18 Jn 2:4; 1Pt 4:7 And as you have heard that antichrist2:18 Mt 24:5,24; 1Jn 2:22; 4:3; 2Jn 7 is coming, even now many antichrists have come. By this we know that it is the last hour.
19They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. However, they went out so that it might be made clear that none of them belongs to us.
20But you have an anointing2:20 2Co 1:21 from the Holy One,2:20 Ps 89:18; Mk 1:24; Ac 10:38 and all of you know the truth.2:20 Other mss read and you know all things
21I have not written to you because you don’t know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie comes from the truth.
Remaining with God
26I have written these things to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you.
27As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you don’t need anyone to teach you. Instead, his anointing teaches you about all things2:27 Jn 14:26 and is true and is not a lie; just as it has taught you,2:27 Or as he has taught you remain in him.2:27 Jn 15:4–7; 1Jn 2:6; 3:6,24; 4:13,15–16
God’s Children
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