1 John 2:18–27

2:18 The use of “children” once again highlights the familial setting and paternal affection of John, as he turns to address more directly the painful circumstance that has occasioned this letter. With his typical manner of interweaving repetition, John states that the appearance of “many antichrists” proves that the “last hour” has come. John’s reference to “antichrist” is the earliest preserved use of this term in Christian writing. Paul refers to a later-day figure who opposes God and his people (“the man of lawlessness”; 2 Thess. 2:3), and John may refer to the same figure here. John’s audience has already been taught that such a one will appear. The concern at the moment, however, is that many opponents of Christ—those who by teaching wrongly about the person of Christ are therefore anti-Christ—are currently on the scene. John’s concern is pastoral and present, not merely predictive.

Warnings that false teachers would come is standard apostolic teaching (Paul: Acts 20:29–30; Peter: 2 Pet. 2:1–3), especially with regard to these teachers’ arrival in the “last days” (2 Tim. 3:1; 2 Pet. 3:3). However, readers often misunderstand these references to the “last days” or “last hour.” In NT terms the world entered the “last days” or “last hour” after the resurrection and ascension of Christ (Acts 2:17; Heb. 1:2; cf. also 1 Cor. 10:11; Heb. 9:26; 1 Pet. 4:7). John’s point is that his readers knew these false teachers were coming. This is nothing surprising, even if the impact (some of their number turning away) has shaken them.

2:19 Some who were members of this fellowship (whether false teachers or those influenced by them) “went out from us.” In order to follow the new, aberrant teaching, these people abandoned the Christian community, which held fast to the apostolic teaching. In a theologically loaded and pastorally crucial comment, John says that the abandoning of the church by these individuals proves that they were never truly a part of it. That is, while they had joined the congregation and engaged with it, they were never truly converted. In traditional theological terms, they joined the “visible church” but were never part of the “invisible church.”

How does John know this? Because if they had truly been “of us,” truly converted, they would have “continued with us.” True converts persevere in the faith and remain in vital connection with the faithful church. The departure of these people, John says, makes clear that they were never truly converted.

2:20 Having stated the awful truth that these individuals—known and no doubt loved by those hearing this letter—are outside the faith and thus under the wrath of God, John then reassures the faithful. He encourages them by stating that they “have been anointed” and have “knowledge.” Anointing in the OT was a mark of being chosen by God and set apart for a task. Here John means ultimately that they have been converted, that God has marked them off for himself. More directly, it may refer to the apostolic teaching they have received or to the Holy Spirit’s regenerating them prior to conversion. Such apostolic teaching has been in view throughout this letter, and it is this teaching that gives them “knowledge.” While the Holy Spirit has not been explicitly mentioned, he is often associated with anointing (1 Sam. 16:13; Isa. 61:1; Acts 10:38)¹ and in John’s Gospel is specifically the one who will lead believers into all truth (John 16:13). As Calvin said, “Men are not rightly made wise by the acumen of their own minds, but by the illumination of the Spirit.”² In any case, Spirit and truth are joined closely throughout Scripture.

This anointing comes from “the Holy One,” meaning God (whether specifically Father or Son is not made explicit). The use of this phrase connects to John’s earlier teaching regarding holiness. In contrast to those who have turned away and abandoned holiness, the faithful are marked by the Holy One “in such a way that the departure of some need not demoralize those who are still standing fast.”³

Because of this anointing, believers “all”—every one of us—“have knowledge.” In contrast to those who have turned away, true believers know the truth, the apostolic teaching, the gospel.

2:21 John is encouraging his hearers who have been shaken by the apostasy of those they had considered brothers. So he tells them he is not writing because they failed to know or remember the truth. Rather, he is writing because they have faithfully maintained the truth amid difficulty. This truth, which they know and have held to, has no place for lies.

2:22 John expounds the “lie” he had in mind in verse 21: it is the claim that Jesus is not the Christ. John goes on to describe this denial as a denial of the Son, and thus of the Father. John thus connects the messiahship of Jesus with his status as divine Son of God. The true identity of Jesus is a central part of the truth believers know, and to deny this truth is to lie. To assert this lie is to be “antichrist,” since to do so is a denial of Christ. As Yarbrough aptly states, this is the anticonfession of the antichrist.⁴ Contrary to postmodern sensibilities, John asserts that this religious idea is no mere personal opinion. It is true for all people at all times.

2:23 If one does not accept the Son, then, despite claims otherwise, he does not know the Father, since the Father and the Son are one. Positively, then, if one confesses the Son, he will have the Father also. There is no way to know Yahweh apart from Jesus.

2:24 In light of the seriousness of what is at stake, John urges his readers to remain in the apostolic teaching they have heard rather than moving on to something new, like the apostates have done (cf. similar language in 2:14). Abiding or remaining in this truth ensures that they will remain in God, Father and Son. The key to perseverance here is holding fast to proper doctrine.

2:25 Though not explicitly stated, the point of this verse is that God has promised eternal life to those who abide in the Son and in the Father (cf. v. 24). As John has made clear previously, what is at stake is the eternal destiny of those who have turned away.⁵

2:26 John restates that his warnings and instructions are given because of those who are seeking to lead his readers away to error. As a good pastor, John exposes error and urges perseverance in order to defend his flock from deception.

2:27 John returns to the “anointing” he first mentioned in 2:20. As noted in the comment on that verse, this could refer to the apostolic teaching or to the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the two are closely related (the apostolic teaching is inspired by and confirmed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit). This anointing abides in John’s readers and teaches them, just as John has been urging them to let what they have heard abide in them (v. 24). This gospel truth will continue to instruct and guide them, calling them to abide in God and not to chase after error.

Much mischief has been made with John’s statement that his readers “have no need” for anyone to teach them. He is not rejecting any place for human teachers; to do so would be to undercut the very letter he is writing! Furthermore, this would fly in the face of consistent biblical witness concerning the need for teachers. Rather, he is saying that they do not need anyone to lay again the basic foundation of their faith. They have that foundation in the teaching with which John instructed them, and that truth will guide them. In a direct pastoral appeal, John assures them that they are not without knowledge (cf. 2:20), so they need not let someone come in and tell them to “start all over again.” Rather, they certainly have enough truth to discern the error of these false teachers and to recognize their need to abide in God—Father and Son.