1 John 2:1

1 John 2:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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:
• New International Version (NIV)My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
• English Standard Version (ESV)My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
• New King James Version (NKJV)My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

Context of 1 John 2:1

My little children (believers, dear ones), I am writing you these things so that you will not sin and violate God’s law. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate [who will intercede for us] with the Father: Jesus Christ the righteous [the upright, the just One, who conforms to the Father’s will in every way—purpose, thought, and action]. 2And He [that same Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins [the atoning sacrifice that holds back the wrath of God that would otherwise be directed at us because of our sinful nature—our worldliness, our lifestyle]; and not for ours alone, but also for [the sins of all believers throughout] the whole world. 3And this is how we know [daily, by experience] that we have come to know Him [to understand Him and be more deeply acquainted with Him]: if we habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings).

1 John 2:1 word by word

Τεκνία μου, ταῦτα γράφω ὑμῖν ἵνα μὴ ἁμάρτητε· καὶ ἐάν τις ἁμάρτῃ, παράκλητον ἔχομεν πρὸς τὸν πατέρα, Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν δίκαιον,Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Myἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• little childrenτεκνίονteknion · childrenG5040
• these thingsοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• write Iγράφωgraphō · to writeG1125
• unto youσύsu · youG4771
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• ye sinἁμαρτάνωhamartanō · to sinG264
• notμήmē · notG3361
• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• ifἐάνean · ifG1437
• any manτιςtis · oneG5100
• we haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• an advocateπαράκλητοςparaklētos · counsellorG3875
• withπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• the Fatherὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the Fatherπατήρpatēr · fatherG3962
• JesusἸησοῦςIēsous · JesusG2424
• ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
• the righteousδίκαιοςdikaios · justG1342

Cross-references for 1 John 2:1

• 1 John 2:12I am writing to you, little children (believers, dear ones), because your sins have been forgiven for His name’s sake [you have been pardoned and released from spiritual debt through His name because you have confessed His name, believing in Him as Savior].
• 1 John 3:7Little children (believers, dear ones), do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who practices righteousness [the one who strives to live a consistently honorable life—in private as well as in public—and to conform to God’s precepts] is righteous, just as He is righteous.
• 1 John 4:4Little children (believers, dear ones), you are of God and you belong to Him and have [already] overcome them [the agents of the antichrist]; because He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world [of sinful mankind].
• 1 John 5:21Little children (believers, dear ones), guard yourselves from idols—[false teachings, moral compromises, and anything that would take God’s place in your heart].
• John 13:33Little children, I am with you [only] a little longer. You will look for Me and, as I told the Jews, so I tell you now, ‘Where I am going, you are not able to come.’
• John 21:5So Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish [to eat along with your bread]?” They answered, “No.”
• 1 Corinthians 4:14I do not write these things to shame you, but to warn and advise you as my beloved children.
• Galatians 4:19My little children, for whom I am again in [the pains of] labor until Christ is [completely and permanently] formed within you—
• 1 John 1:3what we have seen and heard we also proclaim to you, so that you too may have fellowship [as partners] with us. And indeed our fellowship [which is a distinguishing mark of born-again believers] is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
• 1 Timothy 3:14I hope to come to you before long, but I am writing these instructions to you
• Psalms 4:4Tremble [with anger or fear], and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed and be still [reflect on your sin and repent of your rebellion]. Selah.
• Ezekiel 3:21However, if you have warned the righteous man not to sin and he does not sin, he will surely live because he took warning; also you have freed yourself [from responsibility].”
• John 5:14Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”
• John 8:11She answered, “No one, Lord!” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go. From now on sin no more.”]
• Romans 6:1What shall we say [to all this]? Should we continue in sin and practice sin as a habit so that [God’s gift of] grace may increase and overflow?
• 1 Corinthians 15:34Be sober-minded [be sensible, wake up from your spiritual stupor] as you ought, and stop sinning; for some [of you] have no knowledge of God [you are disgracefully ignorant of Him, and ignore His truths]. I say this to your shame.

Commentaries on 1 John 2:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1My little children - · My beloved children; the address of an affectionate father to children whom he tenderly loves. The term also refers to the apostle's authority as their spiritual father, and their obligation to obey as his spiritual children. That ye sin not - This is the language of the whole Scripture; of every dispensation, ordinance, institution, doctrine, and word of God. Sin not - do not run into ruin; live not so as to promote your own…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1My little children - ͂ Teknia mouThis is such language as an aged apostle would be likely to use when addressing a church, and its use in this Epistle may be regarded as one evidence that John had reached an advanced period of life when he wrote the Epistle. These things write I unto you - To wit, the things stated in 1 John 1:1. That ye sin not - To keep you from sin, or to induce you to lead a holy life. And if any man sin - As all are liable, with…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1Chapter Outline The apostle directs to the atonement of Christ for help against sinful infirmities. (1-2) The effects of saving knowledge in producing obedience, and love to the brethren. (3-11) Christians addressed as little children, young men, and fathers. (12-14) All are cautioned against the love of this world, and against errors. (15-23) They are encouraged to stand fast in faith and holiness. (24-29) Verses 1-2 When have an Advocate with the…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1In order to "walk in the light," a person must confess sin to God and stop sinning (1:5–7; 9). John emphasizes sin in chapter 1 to encourage Christians to reject and avoid it. if anyone does sin: Christians should reject sin, but they should not fear confessing sins to God. advocate: The Greek word paraklētos means “one who is called to our side.” It can mean helper, comforter, or advocate (a person who speaks for us in a court). Christ is our advocate…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-291Jo 2:1-29. The Advocacy of Christ Is Our Antidote to Sin While Walking in the Light; for to Know God, We Must Keep His Commandments and Love the Brethren, and Not Love the World, Nor Give Heed to Antichrists, against Whom Our Safety Is through the Inward Anointing of God to Abide in God: So at Christ's Coming We Shall Not Be Ashamed. 1. (1Jo 5:18.) My little children--The diminutive expresses the tender affection of an aged pastor and spiritual father…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 John 2:1

• Advocate
• God
• Holiness
• Jesus Continued
• Sin

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• Jesus
• Christ, Messiah
• Jesus, Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus
• Jesus Christ
• Acknowledge
• Advocate
• Comforter
• Intercession of Christ
• Lie

Commentaries on 1 John 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings