1 John 2:9-17
Summary for 1John 2:9-11: 2:9-11 a Another indication of truly knowing Christ is one’s treatment of other Christians. John is again pointing to those who claim to be spiritually enlightened but separate themselves from other Christians with an attitude of superiority. John defines such an attitude as hatred. 2:9 b a fellow believer: Literally his brother. The Greek word adelphos (also in 2:11 c) is a generic term often used to refer to both male and female members of the same family.2:10 d To cause others to stumble can also mean to ensnare or entrap them. The Greek word skandalon means a trap or a block in someone’s path. The Gnostics, who taught falsehood about Christ, were hindering people by ensnaring them in error and darkness.
• living in the light: A godly life will help, not hinder, the faith of other Christians.
Summary for 1John 2:12-14: 2:12-14 e John gives three classes of believers at various stages of spiritual maturity: God’s children, the young in the faith (literally young people), and the mature in the faith (literally fathers).
Summary for 1John 2:15-17: 2:15-17 f The world is a morally evil system that is under the influence of Satan and is opposed to God and to Christ’s Kingdom on this earth (2:16 g; 3:1 h; 4:4 i; 5:19 j; John 12:31 k; 15:18 l; Eph 6:11-12 m; Jas 4:4 n). The world appeals to people’s fleshly desires and thereby diverts them from God. Those who are from this world need God to redeem them from it.
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