1 John 2 Footnotes

2:1-2 Jesus Christ is both our advocate and our atonement. The words “atoning sacrifice” can also be translated “propitiation.” Propitiation is the Greek word hilasmos, and it occurs only here and in 4:10. But a related Greek term occurs in Rm 3:25 and Heb 2:17. Some interpreters prefer the term “expiation” (meaning “remove”), rejecting any idea of God’s wrath against sinful persons as pagan and unbecoming of the Christian God of love. Nonetheless, it must be pointed out that: (1) propitiation (or satisfaction) is the most basic meaning of the word, and (2) it is God who propitiates himself. God’s justice demands satisfaction. God’s love provided that.

2:8 This world or age of darkness is already “passing away” (v. 17), having been dealt a deathblow by the death and resurrection of Jesus. And thus: (1) those who live in the realm of light love others (v. 10), (2) know forgiveness (v. 12), and (3) have overcome Satan (vv. 13-14).

2:18 The “last hour” is an eschatological term referring to the time that began when the Son of God entered this world. The end of this hour will commence with the coming of the antichrist (v. 22; 4:3; 2Jn 7). In the meantime, “many antichrists” are seeking to subvert the message of Christ.

2:19 There are those who may seem to be Christians for a time, but their ultimate departure from the faith reveals they never knew Jesus (Mt 13:18-23).

2:20 John used “anointing” to refer to the work of the Holy Spirit in conversion.

2:22-23 Those who do the work of antichrists are always wrong in their Christology. They will deny the reality of the incarnation and Jesus as the God-man, and they will attack his work of atonement on the cross. The exclusive nature of salvation in Jesus could not be more clear (see Jn 14:6; Ac 4:12; 1Tm 2:5).