1 John

1 John 2 – Skeptic's Annotated Bible answered

A response and reply to the notes on 1 John 2 in the Skeptic's Annotated Bible (SAB).

King James Version

SAB comment

My comment

1 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:

2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

"He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world."
Does hell exist?

If I understand the author of the SAB correctly, he understands the phrase “Christ is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world” as “Christ has forgiven the sins of everyone.” That is an incorrect understanding. The meaning is that Christ is not only a propitiation for the Jews, but for Gentiles as well. John uses the phrase whole world invariable in a restricted sense, never meaning everyone in the world. And of course that meaning would be weird, else would he be saying that Christ was the propitiation for all those living in the world at that time? Not for those that lived before, or those that would live after?
So Christ is the propitiation means that in Him is forgiveness of sins to be found for those that seek it, be they Jew or Gentile.
And for those who have received it, he is propitiation for sins, and those the apostle John consoles with this thought. Because what consolation can be derived from this for those who do not desire that their sins would be forgiven them?

3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

(2:6) "He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."
Christians should follow the example and teachings of Christ (at least when in his better moods).

7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.

9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

Those who love others are "in the light"; those who hate are "in darkness".

10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.

13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

(2:13-14) "I write unto you, fathers"
John writes to the men (fathers) only. Women (mothers?) are not important enough to address.
Is it OK to call someone father?

On if it is OK to call someone father, see Matthew 23:9.
On if women are not important enough to be addressed: John writes a whole letter to them (2 John 1:1).

14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

15 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.

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world."
But according to John 3:16, God loves the world. If he does, then shouldn't we?

Even a casual comparison of these two verses already indicates that any hint of contradiction is utter nonsense. In John 3:16 God gives his Son to save the world. So clearly, this indicates there is something wrong with the world, and that it must be saved from it. This verse says we shouldn't love the world, i.e. become like it in its unsaved state. This is further explained in the next verse (verse 16) where the definition of what is wrong with the world is given: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride. God gave his Son to save people in the world from that, not for the saved to swallow in what the world has to offer. The apostle Peter addresses exactly the same subject, see 2 Pet. 1:8-9

16 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.

BOM: Alma 39:9

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

"It is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time."
It is the last time. Even now there are many antichrists. (That's how you can be sure it's the last time.)
What the Bible says about the end of the world

The phrase the last times means the time between Christ's first and second coming. And we should live, as Christ already told his disciples, as if expecting him any moment, see Matthew 24:44.

19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

"Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son."
Non-Christians are liars and antichrists. (There are about four billion antichrists now living.)

This verse is not about unbelievers, but about those who call themselves Christians, but deny that Jesus is the Christ.

23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

24 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.

25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

27 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.

28 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.

"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."
John warns his followers to get ready because Jesus is coming soon.

See verse 18.

29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.