1
My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father-Jesus Christ the righteous One.
2
He Himself is the propitiation[a] for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.
God's Commands
3 This is how we are sure that we have come to know Him: by keeping His commands.
4
The one who says, "I have come to know Him," without keeping His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5
But whoever keeps His word, truly in him the love of God is perfected.[b] This is how we know we are in Him:
6
the one who says he remains in Him should walk just as He walked.
7
Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command, but an old command that you have had from the beginning. The old command is the message you have heard.
[a].
The word propitiation has to do with the removal of divine wrath. Jesus' death is the means that turns God's wrath from the sinner; see 2 Co 5:21.