1 John 2:24-29 (Let Truth Abide in You)

Chapter 2

Verses 24-29:

"Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him."

In verse 24 John begins by telling them if what they have "heard from the beginning," the true gospel of Christ, continues to "abide" in them then they "also will abide in the Son and in the Father." John points out to them the fruit they would receive from obedience.

Verse 25, and if we "abide in the Son and in the Father," then what follows is the promise that many professors seem to forget, "This is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life." As though this life now were of better value than of the one to come. It almost seems as though glorification and eternal life are lost subjects to some, to many it is the pursuit of cars, clothes, popularity and selfish gains, rather than a pursuit of Christ and the life to come to fellowship eternally with Him.

In verse 26, I like what John Calvin writes on a part of this in his commentary:

"When we hear that he wrote concerning seducers, we ought always to bear in mind, that it is the duty of a good and diligent pastor not only to gather a flock, but also to drive away wolves: for what will it avail to proclaim the pure gospel, if we connive at the impostures of Satan? No one, then, can faithfully teach the Church, except he is diligent in banishing errors whenever he finds them spread by seducers." (Commentary on 1 John, pg. 199)

Verse 27, "you do not need that anyone teach you." Of course like many scripture passage when completely taken on its own, this one liner right here could have many/ and did have many false prophets saying that there is no need to minister to anyone. But in context of the Bible it is that believers have an illumination from God through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. "It is no contradiction that we should listen receptively to other believers, especially when they admonish and instruct us. The also have the Spirit..." (Reformation Study Bible v.27). So then believers here are not being taught something that they didn't already know, because in order for them to be believers they had to have come to a knowledge of the truth. It is a call to an examination of the Spirit, who is the only correcteor and approver of doctrine, "...the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie..."

Verse 28, is almost self-explanatory, if we "abide in Him," by continuing to trust in the gospel message, then those who do "abide in Him," will have no fear of codemnation when Christ comes at the end of the age, and will "have confidence and not be ashamed before Him."

Then the last verse of chapter 2, verse 29, "If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practice righteousness is born of Him." Once again the apostle links faith to obedience, they are inseperable, in that faith will bring about obedience to the Christ that you say you love and cherish. And so to conclude the chapter, it brings us back to the point of the beginning of the chapter, verses 3-4, "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."