1
Τεκνία μου, ταῦτα γράφω ὑμῖν ἵνα μὴ ἁμάρτητε. καὶ ἐάν τις ἁμάρτῃ, παράκλητον ἔχομεν πρὸς τὸν πατέρα, Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν δίκαιον·
My little children, these things I am writing to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
Purpose of writing / provision for sinasyndetonThe pastoral aim is stated (that they not sin), then immediately balanced by gospel provision: should sin occur, believers have an Advocate before the Father — Jesus Christ the righteous one.
Τεκνίαlittle childrenVocativevocative of addressτεκνίον: diminutive of τέκνον, 'little child'; John's affectionate term for his readers, recurring through the letter.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativedirect object (forward-pointing)οὗτος: 'these things'; refers to what John is writing — the purpose follows.
γράφωI am writingPres Act Indic 1 Sg · γράφωmain verb→ progressive presentγράφω: 'write'; the present marks the act of composing this very letter.
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of recipient
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose, + subjunctive)ἵνα: introduces the purpose of the writing.
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ subjunctive)
ἁμάρτητεyou may sinAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ἁμαρτάνωverb of ἵνα clause→ ingressive/constative aorist (the act of sin)ἁμαρτάνω: 'sin, miss the mark'; the aorist subjunctive eyes the discrete act of sinning, which the letter aims to prevent.
καὶbutcoordinating conjunction (mild adversative)
ἐάνifconjunction (conditional, + subjunctive)
τιςanyoneNominativesubject of protasisτις: indefinite 'anyone'; the realistic concession — sin remains a possibility for believers.
ἁμάρτῃsinsAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἁμαρτάνωverb of protasis→ constative aorist (a particular act)ἁμαρτάνω: here of a specific lapse, not a settled life of sin (contrast 3:6, 9).
παράκλητονAdvocateAccusativedirect objectπαράκλητος: 'one called alongside,' advocate/helper; in the Gospel of the Spirit (Jn 14:16), here of the exalted Christ pleading the believer's cause.
ἔχομενwe havePres Act Indic 1 Pl · ἔχωmain verb (apodosis)→ stative present (ongoing possession)ἔχω: 'have, possess'; the present assures a standing provision — John includes himself ('we').
πρὸςwithpreposition + accusative (relation/before)πρός: here 'in the presence of, before' — the Advocate stands facing the Father.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
πατέραFatherAccusativeobject of πρόςπατήρ: 'Father'; the one before whom Christ advocates — the same who is offended by sin and yet is Father.
ἸησοῦνJesusAccusativeapposition to παράκλητον
ΧριστὸνChristAccusativeapposition
δίκαιονthe righteousAccusativeattributive/appositional adjectiveδίκαιος: 'righteous, just'; Christ's righteousness qualifies him to advocate — the just one pleads for the unjust (cf. 2:29; 3:7).
2
καὶ αὐτὸς ἱλασμός ἐστιν περὶ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν, οὐ περὶ τῶν ἡμετέρων δὲ μόνον ἀλλὰ καὶ περὶ ὅλου τοῦ κόσμου.
and he himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for those of the whole world.
Ground of the advocacyκαὶThe basis on which Christ advocates: he is himself the ἱλασμός — the atoning sacrifice that turns away wrath / wipes away sin — and that not for believers alone but for the whole world.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
αὐτὸςhe himselfNominativeintensive subject (emphatic)αὐτός: emphatic 'he himself' — the same Advocate is in person the propitiation.
ἱλασμόςpropitiationNominativepredicate nominativeἱλασμός: 'means of atonement, propitiation/expiation' (cf. 4:10; LXX of the sin offering); both the appeasing of wrath and the wiping-away of sin are in view — Christ is the sacrifice in person.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative presentεἰμί: 'is'; the abiding identity of Christ as the atonement.
περὶforpreposition + genitive (concerning/on behalf of)περί: 'concerning, with reference to'; here the atonement's reference — 'for our sins.'
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἁμαρτιῶνsinsGenitiveobject of περίἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the object the propitiation addresses.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
οὐnotnegative particle
περὶforpreposition + genitive
τῶνthoseGenitivearticle (substantizes possessive)
ἡμετέρωνoursGenitivesubstantival possessive adjectiveἡμέτερος: 'our (own)'; 'our sins' — emphatic possessive.
δὲbutadversative conjunction (postpositive, w/ μόνον)
μόνονonlyadverbial accusative (limiting)μόνος: 'only, alone'; here adverbial — 'not only.'
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunction
καὶalsoadjunctive (ascensive) conjunction
περὶforpreposition + genitive
ὅλουwholeGenitiveattributive adjectiveὅλος: 'whole, entire'; the universal scope of the atonement's sufficiency.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
κόσμουworldGenitiveobject of περίκόσμος: 'world'; the whole order of humanity — the atonement's reach extends beyond the community (cf. Jn 1:29).
3
Καὶ ἐν τούτῳ γινώσκομεν ὅτι ἐγνώκαμεν αὐτόν, ἐὰν τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ τηρῶμεν.
And by this we know that we have come to know him: if we keep his commandments.
Test of true knowledge (epistemic marker)ΚαὶThe first of the letter's 'by this we know' tests: assurance that we have come to know God is verified by obedience — keeping his commandments.
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction (transitional)
ἐνbypreposition + dative (means/basis)ἐν τούτῳ: 'by this' — John's recurring epistemic formula, here pointing forward to the ἐάν clause.
τούτῳthisDativeobject of ἐν (forward-pointing)
γινώσκομενwe knowPres Act Indic 1 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb→ progressive present (ongoing recognition)γινώσκω: 'know, perceive'; the present marks present assurance based on present obedience.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of knowing)
ἐγνώκαμενwe have come to knowPerf Act Indic 1 Pl · γινώσκωverb of ὅτι clause→ intensive perfect (settled, abiding knowledge)γινώσκω: the perfect denotes a state of established acquaintance with God — relational, covenantal knowing.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect objectαὐτός: 'him' — God (or Christ); the antecedent is deliberately fluid in John's theology.
ἐὰνifconjunction (conditional, + subjunctive)
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
ἐντολὰςcommandmentsAccusativedirect object of τηρῶμενἐντολή: 'commandment'; what God enjoins — for John, summed in faith and love (3:23).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of source/possession
τηρῶμενwe keepPres Act Subj 1 Pl · τηρέωverb of protasis→ customary/durative present (habitual keeping)τηρέω: 'keep, observe, guard'; the present subjunctive marks ongoing, characteristic obedience, not flawless performance.
4
ὁ λέγων ὅτι Ἔγνωκα αὐτόν, καὶ τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ μὴ τηρῶν, ψεύστης ἐστίν, καὶ ἐν τούτῳ ἡ ἀλήθεια οὐκ ἔστιν·
The one who says, "I have come to know him," and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;
Negative counter-caseasyndetonThe converse of v.3: a profession of knowing God unaccompanied by obedience is exposed as a lie; the truth has no dwelling in such a person.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
λέγωνwho saysPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λέγωsubstantival participle (subject)→ customary presentλέγω: 'say, claim'; introduces a professed claim John will test (a recurring 'the one who says' figure).
ὅτιthatconjunction (recitative, introduces quotation)
ἜγνωκαI have come to knowPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · γινώσκωverb of quoted claim→ intensive perfect (claimed settled knowledge)γινώσκω: the perfect claims an abiding acquaintance with God — the very claim under scrutiny.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (concessive force)
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
ἐντολὰςcommandmentsAccusativedirect object of ptc.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of source/possession
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ participle)
τηρῶνkeepingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · τηρέωsubstantival participle (coordinate w/ λέγων)→ customary presentτηρέω: 'keep'; the negated participle marks the disqualifying lack of obedience.
ψεύστηςa liarNominativepredicate nominativeψεύστης: 'liar'; the claim and the life contradict — a strong Johannine verdict (cf. 1:6, 8).
ἐστίνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τούτῳhimDativeobject of ἐν (resumptive of ὁ λέγων)
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἀλήθειαtruthNominativesubjectἀλήθεια: 'truth'; for John not merely correctness but the reality of God lived out — absent where obedience is absent.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίexistential copula→ stative present
5
ὃς δ' ἂν τηρῇ αὐτοῦ τὸν λόγον, ἀληθῶς ἐν τούτῳ ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ θεοῦ τετελείωται. ἐν τούτῳ γινώσκομεν ὅτι ἐν αὐτῷ ἐσμεν·
but whoever keeps his word, truly in him the love of God has been perfected. By this we know that we are in him:
Positive counter-case / consequenceδ'Over against the liar: in the one who keeps God's word, the love of God reaches its goal (τετελείωται). This obedience is itself the ground for assurance of being 'in him.'
ὃςwhoeverNominativeindefinite relative pronoun (subject)ὅς ... ἄν: 'whoever' — generalizing relative with ἄν and subjunctive.
δ'butadversative conjunction (postpositive, elided)
ἂν-evermodal particle (w/ subjunctive)
τηρῇkeepsPres Act Subj 3 Sg · τηρέωverb of indefinite rel. clause→ customary/durative presentτηρέω: 'keep'; habitual keeping of the word characterizes the genuine.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (fronted, emphatic)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
λόγονwordAccusativedirect objectλόγος: 'word'; God's revealed message/command, varying with the plural 'commandments' (v.4).
ἀληθῶςtrulyadverb (manner/emphasis)ἀληθῶς: 'truly, really'; affirms the genuineness — answering the false 'truth' of v.4.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τούτῳhimDativeobject of ἐν (resumptive)
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἀγάπηloveNominativesubjectἀγάπη: 'love'; the genitive that follows may be 'love for God' (objective), 'God's love' (subjective), or the love that is God's nature — likely the love that derives from and answers to God.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive (subjective/objective, debated)θεός: God; the genitive's force is the crux — God's own love coming to its goal in the obedient.
τετελείωταιhas been perfectedPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · τελειόωmain verb→ intensive perfect (completed, abiding result)τελειόω: 'bring to completion, perfect'; love reaches its intended goal/maturity in the obedient — the perfect marks the settled result.
ἐνbypreposition + dative (means/basis)
τούτῳthisDativeobject of ἐν (epistemic marker)ἐν τούτῳ: 'by this' — again the test of assurance.
γινώσκομενwe knowPres Act Indic 1 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb→ progressive presentγινώσκω: 'know'; present assurance.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of knowing)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union)
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐν (mutual indwelling)
ἐσμενwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίcopula→ stative presentεἰμί: 'are'; abiding union with God ('in him') — the Johannine μένειν motif anticipated.
6
ὁ λέγων ἐν αὐτῷ μένειν ὀφείλει καθὼς ἐκεῖνος περιεπάτησεν καὶ αὐτὸς οὕτως περιπατεῖν.
The one who says he abides in him ought himself also to walk just as that one walked.
Claim-and-obligationasyndetonClosing the obedience test: to claim abiding in him entails the obligation to walk as Christ walked — profession must be matched by Christlike conduct.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
λέγωνwho saysPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λέγωsubstantival participle (subject)→ customary presentλέγω: 'claim'; again the professing figure put to the test.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union)
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐν
μένεινto abidePres Act Inf · μένωinfinitive (content of the claim)→ durative present (continuous abiding)μένω: 'remain, abide, dwell'; the key Johannine verb for continuance in union with God.
ὀφείλειoughtPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀφείλωmain verb→ stative present (standing obligation)ὀφείλω: 'owe, be obligated, ought'; the claim carries a moral debt.
καθὼςjust ascomparative conjunctionκαθώς: 'just as'; introduces Christ as the pattern.
ἐκεῖνοςthat oneNominativesubject of comparisonἐκεῖνος: 'that one'; John's habitual way of referring to Christ (cf. 3:3, 5, 7, 16).
περιεπάτησενwalkedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · περιπατέωverb of comparative clause→ constative aorist (Christ's earthly life as a whole)περιπατέω: 'walk about,' Hebraic idiom for conduct of life; the aorist sums up Christ's earthly walk as the model.
καὶalsoadjunctive conjunction
αὐτὸςhimselfNominativeintensive subject
οὕτωςsoadverb (manner, correlative w/ καθώς)οὕτως: 'thus, so'; matching the believer's walk to Christ's.
περιπατεῖνto walkPres Act Inf · περιπατέωcomplementary infinitive (w/ ὀφείλει)→ customary present (continuous manner of life)περιπατέω: the present infinitive depicts the believer's ongoing manner of life, conformed to Christ's pattern.
7
Ἀγαπητοί, οὐκ ἐντολὴν καινὴν γράφω ὑμῖν, ἀλλ' ἐντολὴν παλαιὰν ἣν εἴχετε ἀπ' ἀρχῆς· ἡ ἐντολὴ ἡ παλαιά ἐστιν ὁ λόγος ὃν ἠκούσατε.
Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment that you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word that you heard.
Commandment introduced (old)asyndetonJohn introduces the love-command as not novel but original — possessed 'from the beginning,' identical with the word/gospel they first heard.
ἈγαπητοίbelovedVocativevocative of addressἀγαπητός: 'beloved'; the love-address fittingly opens the love-command section.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐντολὴνcommandmentAccusativedirect objectἐντολή: 'commandment'; here specifically the command to love (vv.9–11).
καινὴνnewAccusativeattributive adjectiveκαινός: 'new' (in kind/quality); paradoxically affirmed in v.8 — old yet new.
γράφωI am writingPres Act Indic 1 Sg · γράφωmain verb→ progressive presentγράφω: 'write'; the act of this letter.
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of recipient
ἀλλ'butstrong adversative conjunction (elided)
ἐντολὴνcommandmentAccusativedirect object (parallel)ἐντολή: repeated for contrast — the same command, now called 'old.'
παλαιὰνoldAccusativeattributive adjectiveπαλαιός: 'old, ancient'; not novel — they have had it from the start.
ἣνthatAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εἴχετε)
εἴχετεyou have hadImperf Act Indic 2 Pl · ἔχωverb of rel. clause→ durative imperfect (continuous past possession)ἔχω: 'have'; the imperfect marks possession reaching back through their Christian life.
ἀπ'frompreposition + genitive (temporal origin, elided)
ἀρχῆςthe beginningGenitiveobject of ἀπόἀρχή: 'beginning'; here the start of their Christian hearing — when the gospel first reached them.
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἐντολὴcommandmentNominativesubjectἐντολή: 'commandment'; resumed as subject of the equating clause.
ἡtheNominativearticle (second attributive)
παλαιάoldNominativeattributive adjective
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
ὁtheNominativearticle
λόγοςwordNominativepredicate nominativeλόγος: 'word, message'; the commandment is identified with the gospel-word they heard.
ὃνthatAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἠκούσατε)
ἠκούσατεyou heardAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀκούωverb of rel. clause→ constative aorist (the initial hearing)ἀκούω: 'hear'; the aorist points to their original reception of the message.
8
πάλιν ἐντολὴν καινὴν γράφω ὑμῖν, ὅ ἐστιν ἀληθὲς ἐν αὐτῷ καὶ ἐν ὑμῖν, ὅτι ἡ σκοτία παράγεται καὶ τὸ φῶς τὸ ἀληθινὸν ἤδη φαίνει.
Again, a new commandment I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light already shines.
Commandment renewed (new)πάλινThe same command is also 'new' — newly realized in Christ and in them — because the eschatological turn has come: the darkness recedes and the true light already shines.
πάλινagainadverb (resumptive)πάλιν: 'again'; turns the same command to its other aspect — newness.
ἐντολὴνcommandmentAccusativedirect object
καινὴνnewAccusativeattributive adjectiveκαινός: 'new'; new in eschatological realization, not in content.
γράφωI am writingPres Act Indic 1 Sg · γράφωmain verb→ progressive present
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of recipient
ὅwhich (thing)Nominativerelative pronoun (subject; neuter, the whole matter)ὅς: the neuter generalizes — 'which fact/reality.'
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
ἀληθὲςtrueNominativepredicate adjectiveἀληθής: 'true, real'; the new-commandment reality is realized truth in Christ and in them.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐναὐτός: 'him' — Christ, in whom the command was first made true.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because'; grounds the newness in the dawning of the new age.
ἡtheNominativearticle
σκοτίαdarknessNominativesubjectσκοτία: 'darkness'; the old order of sin and ignorance, now receding.
παράγεταιis passing awayPres Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · παράγωmain verb→ progressive present (process underway)παράγω: 'pass away, be passing'; the present marks the darkness as already in retreat (cf. v.17, the world 'passing away').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheNominativearticle
φῶςlightNominativesubjectφῶς: 'light'; the saving revelation in Christ.
τὸtheNominativearticle (attributive)
ἀληθινὸνtrueNominativeattributive adjectiveἀληθινός: 'true, genuine, real'; the authentic light, as opposed to counterfeit (cf. Jn 1:9).
ἤδηalreadyadverb (temporal)ἤδη: 'already'; the realized-eschatology note — the new age has dawned.
φαίνειshinesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · φαίνωmain verb→ progressive present (ongoing shining)φαίνω: 'shine, give light'; the present asserts the light's present, ongoing radiance.
9
ὁ λέγων ἐν τῷ φωτὶ εἶναι καὶ τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ μισῶν ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ ἐστὶν ἕως ἄρτι.
The one who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness still.
Test of light: love vs. hateasyndetonApplying the light/darkness motif morally: a claim to be in the light is falsified by hatred of one's brother — such a one remains in darkness even now.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
λέγωνwho saysPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λέγωsubstantival participle (subject)→ customary presentλέγω: 'claim'; the professing figure again.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῷtheDativearticle
φωτὶlightDativeobject of ἐνφῶς: 'light'; the realm of God and fellowship (cf. 1:7).
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive (content of the claim)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the claimed location 'in the light.'
καὶand (yet)coordinating conjunction (concessive)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἀδελφὸνbrotherAccusativedirect object of μισῶνἀδελφός: 'brother'; a fellow believer — the immediate object of the love-command.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
μισῶνhatingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · μισέωsubstantival participle (coordinate w/ λέγων)→ customary presentμισέω: 'hate'; for John there is no neutral ground — failure to love is hatred (cf. 3:15; 4:20).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῇtheDativearticle
σκοτίᾳdarknessDativeobject of ἐνσκοτία: 'darkness'; the moral verdict on the hating professor.
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
ἕωςuntilpreposition + adverb (extent of time)
ἄρτιnowadverb (temporal)ἕως ἄρτι: 'until now, still'; despite the light's dawning (v.8), the hater remains in the old darkness.
10
ὁ ἀγαπῶν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ φωτὶ μένει, καὶ σκάνδαλον ἐν αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔστιν·
The one who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in him;
Positive counterpart: the one who lovesasyndetonThe converse: love of the brother marks abiding in the light, and in such a person there is no stumbling-block (whether causing his own fall or another's).
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἀγαπῶνwho lovesPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀγαπάωsubstantival participle (subject)→ customary presentἀγαπάω: 'love'; habitual love of the brother marks the one in the light.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἀδελφὸνbrotherAccusativedirect objectἀδελφός: 'brother'; fellow believer.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῷtheDativearticle
φωτὶlightDativeobject of ἐνφῶς: 'light.'
μένειabidesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · μένωmain verb→ durative present (continuous abiding)μένω: 'abide, remain'; love is the proof of settled dwelling in the light.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
σκάνδαλονcause of stumblingNominativesubjectσκάνδαλον: 'trap-trigger, stumbling-block, cause of sin'; either nothing in him makes him stumble, or he sets no snare for others — the Greek allows both.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐν
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίexistential copula→ stative present
11
ὁ δὲ μισῶν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ ἐστὶν καὶ ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ περιπατεῖ, καὶ οὐκ οἶδεν ποῦ ὑπάγει, ὅτι ἡ σκοτία ἐτύφλωσεν τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ.
But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
Negative counterpart elaboratedδὲThe hater not only is in darkness but walks in it, disoriented — for the darkness has blinded his eyes; sustained moral blindness is the fruit of hatred.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δὲbutadversative conjunction (postpositive)
μισῶνwho hatesPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · μισέωsubstantival participle (subject)→ customary presentμισέω: 'hate'; the contrasting figure to v.10.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἀδελφὸνbrotherAccusativedirect objectἀδελφός: 'brother.'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῇtheDativearticle
σκοτίᾳdarknessDativeobject of ἐνσκοτία: 'darkness.'
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῇtheDativearticle
σκοτίᾳdarknessDativeobject of ἐν
περιπατεῖwalksPres Act Indic 3 Sg · περιπατέωmain verb→ customary present (manner of life)περιπατέω: 'walk'; his whole conduct is carried on in darkness.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐκnotnegative particle
οἶδενknowsPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · οἶδαmain verb→ perfect with present sense (state of not-knowing)οἶδα: 'know'; the perfect form functions as a present — he has no perception of his direction.
ποῦwhereinterrogative adverb (indirect question)
ὑπάγειhe is goingPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ὑπάγωverb of indirect question→ progressive presentὑπάγω: 'go, go away'; the disoriented walk has no known destination.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
σκοτίαdarknessNominativesubjectσκοτία: 'darkness'; here personified as the blinding agent.
ἐτύφλωσενhas blindedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · τυφλόωmain verb→ constative aorist (with resultant state)τυφλόω: 'make blind'; the aorist with present-felt result — the darkness has darkened his sight.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ὀφθαλμοὺςeyesAccusativedirect objectὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; moral/spiritual perception, now darkened.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
12
Γράφω ὑμῖν, τεκνία, ὅτι ἀφέωνται ὑμῖν αἱ ἁμαρτίαι διὰ τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ.
I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for the sake of his name.
Staircase address (children · forgiveness)asyndetonThe first rung of the threefold address: John writes to 'little children' because their sins stand forgiven for the sake of Christ's name — the ground of all that follows.
ΓράφωI am writingPres Act Indic 1 Sg · γράφωmain verb→ progressive presentγράφω: 'write'; opens the present-tense triad (vv.12–13a) before the aorist triad (vv.13b–14).
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of recipient
τεκνίαlittle childrenVocativevocative of addressτεκνίον: 'little child'; the all-embracing address — the whole family, not an age-group.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because' (so taken throughout vv.12–14, giving the ground of the writing) — though it may be 'that' (content).
ἀφέωνταιhave been forgivenPerf Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἀφίημιmain verb (causal clause)→ intensive perfect (settled state of forgiveness)ἀφίημι: 'release, forgive'; the perfect marks an accomplished, standing forgiveness.
ὑμῖνyouDativedat. of advantage
αἱtheNominativearticle
ἁμαρτίαιsinsNominativesubjectἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the sins that the propitiation of v.2 has dealt with.
διὰfor the sake ofpreposition + accusative (cause/ground)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ὄνομαnameAccusativeobject of διάὄνομα: 'name'; the person and work of Christ — forgiveness rests on his name, not their merit.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
13
γράφω ὑμῖν, πατέρες, ὅτι ἐγνώκατε τὸν ἀπ' ἀρχῆς. γράφω ὑμῖν, νεανίσκοι, ὅτι νενικήκατε τὸν πονηρόν.
I am writing to you, fathers, because you have come to know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have conquered the evil one.
Staircase address (fathers · young men)asyndetonThe address widens: fathers, marked by mature knowledge of the eternal Christ; young men, marked by victory over the evil one. Maturity is knowing; vigor is overcoming.
γράφωI am writingPres Act Indic 1 Sg · γράφωmain verb→ progressive present
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of recipient
πατέρεςfathersVocativevocative of addressπατήρ: 'father'; the spiritually mature — fittingly known by deep knowledge of Christ.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
ἐγνώκατεyou have come to knowPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb (causal clause)→ intensive perfect (abiding knowledge)γινώσκω: the perfect denotes settled, mature acquaintance with the eternal Christ.
τὸνhim who isAccusativearticle (substantizing)ὁ ἀπ' ἀρχῆς: 'the one from the beginning' — Christ in his eternal preexistence (cf. 1:1).
ἀπ'frompreposition + genitive (origin, elided)
ἀρχῆςthe beginningGenitiveobject of ἀπόἀρχή: 'beginning'; here the eternal origin — Christ's preexistence.
γράφωI am writingPres Act Indic 1 Sg · γράφωmain verb→ progressive present
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of recipient
νεανίσκοιyoung menVocativevocative of addressνεανίσκος: 'young man'; the vigorous — known by their conquest in the spiritual struggle.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
νενικήκατεyou have conqueredPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · νικάωmain verb (causal clause)→ intensive perfect (victory with abiding result)νικάω: 'conquer, overcome'; the perfect marks a decisive, standing victory over Satan (cf. 4:4; 5:4).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
πονηρόνevil oneAccusativedirect object (substantival adj.)πονηρός: 'evil'; ὁ πονηρός, 'the evil one' — Satan (cf. 5:18–19).
14
ἔγραψα ὑμῖν, παιδία, ὅτι ἐγνώκατε τὸν πατέρα. ἔγραψα ὑμῖν, πατέρες, ὅτι ἐγνώκατε τὸν ἀπ' ἀρχῆς. ἔγραψα ὑμῖν, νεανίσκοι, ὅτι ἰσχυροί ἐστε καὶ ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν ὑμῖν μένει καὶ νενικήκατε τὸν πονηρόν.
I have written to you, children, because you have come to know the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you have come to know him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have conquered the evil one.
Staircase address restated (aorist triad)asyndetonThe triple address is restated in the aorist 'I wrote,' deepening each note: the children know the Father; the fathers know the Eternal; the young men are strong, the word abiding in them, victors over the evil one.
ἔγραψαI have writtenAor Act Indic 1 Sg · γράφωmain verb→ epistolary aorist (the writing viewed as complete)γράφω: the aorist 'I wrote' is most likely epistolary, viewing the letter from the readers' standpoint.
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of recipient
παιδίαchildrenVocativevocative of addressπαιδίον: 'child'; varies τεκνία (v.12) — again the whole family, marked by knowing the Father.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
ἐγνώκατεyou have come to knowPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb (causal clause)→ intensive perfectγινώσκω: settled knowledge of the Father.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
πατέραFatherAccusativedirect objectπατήρ: 'Father'; the children's distinctive — relational knowledge of God as Father.
ἔγραψαI have writtenAor Act Indic 1 Sg · γράφωmain verb→ epistolary aorist
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of recipient
πατέρεςfathersVocativevocative of address
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
ἐγνώκατεyou have come to knowPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb (causal clause)→ intensive perfect
τὸνhim who isAccusativearticle (substantizing)ὁ ἀπ' ἀρχῆς: 'the one from the beginning' — the eternal Christ.
ἀπ'frompreposition + genitive (origin, elided)
ἀρχῆςthe beginningGenitiveobject of ἀπό
ἔγραψαI have writtenAor Act Indic 1 Sg · γράφωmain verb→ epistolary aorist
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of recipient
νεανίσκοιyoung menVocativevocative of address
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
ἰσχυροίstrongNominativepredicate adjectiveἰσχυρός: 'strong, mighty'; the source of the young men's victory.
ἐστεyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὁtheNominativearticle
λόγοςwordNominativesubjectλόγος: 'word'; God's word indwelling them is the secret of their strength.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of sourceθεός: God; whose word abides in them.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν
μένειabidesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · μένωmain verb→ durative present (continuous indwelling)μένω: 'abide, remain'; the word's permanent indwelling — the Johannine abiding again.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
νενικήκατεyou have conqueredPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · νικάωmain verb→ intensive perfect (abiding victory)νικάω: 'conquer'; the standing victory restated.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
πονηρόνevil oneAccusativedirect object (substantival adj.)πονηρός: 'the evil one,' Satan.
15
Μὴ ἀγαπᾶτε τὸν κόσμον μηδὲ τὰ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ. ἐάν τις ἀγαπᾷ τὸν κόσμον, οὐκ ἔστιν ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ πατρὸς ἐν αὐτῷ·
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him;
Prohibition: do not love the worldasyndetonA sharp prohibition opens a new movement: love of the world (the God-opposed order) excludes love for the Father — the two allegiances cannot coexist.
Μὴnotnegative particle (w/ imperative)
ἀγαπᾶτεlovePres Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀγαπάωprohibitive imperative→ present imperative (cease/do not make a practice of)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; the present prohibition forbids an ongoing love of the world.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
κόσμονworldAccusativedirect objectκόσμος: 'world'; here the order of human life organized against God — not the created order or humanity as object of God's love (cf. v.2).
μηδὲornegative conjunctionμηδέ: 'nor, and not'; extends the prohibition.
τὰthe thingsAccusativesubstantival articleτά: 'the things' — what the world contains and offers.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τῷtheDativearticle
κόσμῳworldDativeobject of ἐν
ἐάνifconjunction (conditional, + subjunctive)
τιςanyoneNominativesubject of protasis
ἀγαπᾷlovesPres Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀγαπάωverb of protasis→ customary present (settled love)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; habitual love of the world.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
κόσμονworldAccusativedirect object
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίexistential copula→ stative present
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἀγάπηloveNominativesubjectἀγάπη: 'love'; the genitive that follows is likely objective ('love for the Father'), perhaps subjective ('the Father's love') — the two loves are mutually exclusive.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
πατρὸςFatherGenitiveobjective/subjective genitiveπατήρ: 'Father'; whose love is forfeited by love of the world.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐν
16
ὅτι πᾶν τὸ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, ἡ ἐπιθυμία τῆς σαρκὸς καὶ ἡ ἐπιθυμία τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν καὶ ἡ ἀλαζονεία τοῦ βίου, οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τοῦ πατρὸς ἀλλὰ ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου ἐστίν.
because all that is in the world — the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the pride of life — is not from the Father but is from the world.
Ground: the world's content analyzedὅτιThe reason the two loves cannot mix: everything the world holds — sensual craving, covetous looking, and boastful self-display — does not originate from the Father but from the world.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
πᾶνallNominativesubject (substantival adj.)πᾶς: 'all, everything'; the totality of the world's offerings.
τὸthat whichNominativearticle (substantizing)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τῷtheDativearticle
κόσμῳworldDativeobject of ἐν
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἐπιθυμίαdesireNominativeapposition to πᾶνἐπιθυμία: 'desire, craving, lust'; here the sinful craving rooted in the flesh.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
σαρκὸςfleshGenitivesubjective/source genitiveσάρξ: 'flesh'; fallen human nature as the seat of craving — the genitive may be subjective ('the flesh's craving') or descriptive.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἐπιθυμίαdesireNominativeapposition to πᾶνἐπιθυμία: here the covetous craving aroused through what is seen.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ὀφθαλμῶνeyesGenitivesubjective/source genitiveὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the avenue of covetous desire.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἀλαζονείαprideNominativeapposition to πᾶνἀλαζονεία: 'boastfulness, pretension, ostentation'; arrogant self-display in one's possessions and circumstances.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
βίουlifeGenitivegenitive of referenceβίος: 'life' as means/possessions and manner of living (distinct from ζωή); the boastful pride over one's livelihood.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source/origin)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
πατρὸςFatherGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)πατήρ: 'Father'; not the source of these cravings.
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunction
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source/origin)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
κόσμουworldGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)κόσμος: 'world'; the true origin of the world's cravings.
ἐστίνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
17
καὶ ὁ κόσμος παράγεται καὶ ἡ ἐπιθυμία αὐτοῦ, ὁ δὲ ποιῶν τὸ θέλημα τοῦ θεοῦ μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.
And the world is passing away, and its desire; but the one who does the will of God abides forever.
Motive: transience vs. permanenceκαὶThe decisive motive against loving the world: the world and its craving are passing away, while the one who does God's will abides forever — permanence belongs only to obedience.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὁtheNominativearticle
κόσμοςworldNominativesubjectκόσμος: 'world'; the God-opposed order, doomed to pass.
παράγεταιis passing awayPres Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · παράγωmain verb→ progressive present (process underway)παράγω: 'pass away'; the present marks the world as even now in dissolution (cf. v.8).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἐπιθυμίαdesireNominativesubject (coordinate)ἐπιθυμία: 'desire'; the world's craving shares the world's transience.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δὲbutadversative conjunction (postpositive)
ποιῶνwho doesPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ποιέωsubstantival participle (subject)→ customary presentποιέω: 'do, perform'; habitually doing God's will marks the one who endures.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
θέλημαwillAccusativedirect objectθέλημα: 'will'; what God desires — set against the world's ἐπιθυμία.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive/subjective genitiveθεός: God; whose will is done.
μένειabidesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · μένωmain verb→ durative/gnomic presentμένω: 'abide, remain'; permanence — the opposite of the world's παράγεται.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (extent of time)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
αἰῶναeverAccusativeobject of εἰςαἰών: 'age'; εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, 'forever' — eternal permanence for the obedient.
18
Παιδία, ἐσχάτη ὥρα ἐστίν, καὶ καθὼς ἠκούσατε ὅτι ἀντίχριστος ἔρχεται, καὶ νῦν ἀντίχριστοι πολλοὶ γεγόνασιν· ὅθεν γινώσκομεν ὅτι ἐσχάτη ὥρα ἐστίν.
Children, it is the last hour, and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen; from this we know that it is the last hour.
The last hour / antichrists (new movement)asyndetonA new section opens with an eschatological alarm: it is the last hour. The expected single 'antichrist' is matched by many antichrists already present — itself the sign that the last hour has come.
ΠαιδίαchildrenVocativevocative of addressπαιδίον: 'child'; the whole family addressed at this urgent turn.
ἐσχάτηlastNominativepredicate adjective (anarthrous)ἔσχατος: 'last, final'; 'a last hour' — the final epoch before the end, marked by the antichrists' appearing.
ὥραhourNominativesubjectὥρα: 'hour, time'; the decisive eschatological 'hour.'
ἐστίνit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
καθὼςjust ascomparative conjunction
ἠκούσατεyou heardAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀκούωverb of comparative clause→ constative aorist (their earlier instruction)ἀκούω: 'hear'; what they were taught — that antichrist would come.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of hearing)
ἀντίχριστοςantichristNominativesubjectἀντίχριστος: 'antichrist' (a Johannine coinage); the eschatological opponent/counterfeit of Christ — here anarthrous, as a figure-type.
ἔρχεταιis comingPres Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (futuristic)→ futuristic presentἔρχομαι: 'come'; the present expresses the expected future arrival.
καὶevenascensive conjunction
νῦνnowadverb (temporal)νῦν: 'now'; the already-present reality answering the expectation.
ἀντίχριστοιantichristsNominativesubject (predicate-fronted)ἀντίχριστος: the plural — many embodiments of the antichrist-spirit, the secessionist false teachers.
πολλοὶmanyNominativeattributive adjective
γεγόνασινhave arisenPerf Act Indic 3 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb→ intensive perfect (have come to be, with present result)γίνομαι: 'become, come to be'; the perfect marks their having appeared and now being present.
ὅθενfrom thisinferential adverb/conjunctionὅθεν: 'whence, from which'; drawing the inference.
γινώσκομενwe knowPres Act Indic 1 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb→ progressive presentγινώσκω: 'know'; the antichrists' presence is the evidence.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of knowing)
ἐσχάτηlastNominativepredicate adjective
ὥραhourNominativesubject
ἐστίνit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
19
ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐξῆλθαν, ἀλλ' οὐκ ἦσαν ἐξ ἡμῶν· εἰ γὰρ ἐξ ἡμῶν ἦσαν, μεμενήκεισαν ἂν μεθ' ἡμῶν· ἀλλ' ἵνα φανερωθῶσιν ὅτι οὐκ εἰσὶν πάντες ἐξ ἡμῶν.
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, that it might be made plain that none of them are of us.
The secession explainedasyndetonThe antichrists' secession is interpreted: their departure proves they never truly belonged; had they been 'of us' they would have abided. Their leaving exposed the truth — they were never genuinely part of the community.
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source/separation)
ἡμῶνusGenitiveobject of ἐκ
ἐξῆλθανthey went outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb→ constative aorist (the departure)ἐξέρχομαι: 'go out, depart'; the historical secession from the community.
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunction (elided)
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἦσανthey wereImperf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίcopula→ durative imperfect (past state)εἰμί: 'be'; they never truly belonged ('of us').
ἐξofpreposition + genitive (origin/belonging)
ἡμῶνusGenitiveobject of ἐκ
εἰifconjunction (contrary-to-fact protasis)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction (postpositive)
ἐξofpreposition + genitive
ἡμῶνusGenitiveobject of ἐκ
ἦσανthey had beenImperf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίverb of protasis (contrary-to-fact)→ imperfect (unreal condition)εἰμί: 'be'; the imperfect in the unreal condition — 'if they were [which they were not].'
μεμενήκεισανthey would have remainedPluperf Act Indic 3 Pl · μένωverb of apodosis (w/ ἄν)→ pluperfect (unreal result)μένω: 'remain, abide'; the pluperfect with ἄν — genuine belonging would have shown itself in abiding.
ἂνwouldmodal particle (contrary-to-fact apodosis)
μεθ'withpreposition + genitive (association, elided)
ἡμῶνusGenitiveobject of μετά
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunction (elided)
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose, + subjunctive)ἵνα: 'that'; elliptical — '[they went out] in order that it be revealed.'
φανερωθῶσινthey might be made plainAor Pass Subj 3 Pl · φανερόωverb of ἵνα clause→ constative aoristφανερόω: 'make manifest, reveal'; their departure unmasked their true character.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content)
οὐκnotnegative particle
εἰσὶνthey arePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
πάντεςall/noneNominativesubject (w/ negative: 'not all' = none)πᾶς: 'all'; οὐκ ... πάντες, a Semitic idiom — 'none of them' belong to us.
ἐξofpreposition + genitive
ἡμῶνusGenitiveobject of ἐκ
20
καὶ ὑμεῖς χρῖσμα ἔχετε ἀπὸ τοῦ ἁγίου, καὶ οἴδατε πάντες.
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know.
Contrast: the readers' anointingκαὶAgainst the seceders stands the believers' security: they possess an anointing from the Holy One — and so 'you all know.' The Spirit-given anointing safeguards them in the truth.
καὶbutcoordinating conjunction (contrastive)
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic, contrastive)σύ (pl.): emphatic 'you' — set over against the antichrists.
χρῖσμαanointingAccusativedirect objectχρῖσμα: 'anointing, that which is smeared on'; the anointing — most likely the Holy Spirit (or the Spirit-borne word/gospel) given to believers.
ἔχετεyou havePres Act Indic 2 Pl · ἔχωmain verb→ stative present (ongoing possession)ἔχω: 'have, possess.'
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (substantizes adj.)
ἁγίουHoly OneGenitiveobject of ἀπό (substantival adj.)ἅγιος: 'holy one'; ὁ ἅγιος — Christ (cf. Jn 6:69) or God; the source of the anointing.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οἴδατεyou knowPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · οἶδαmain verb→ perfect with present sense (state of knowing)οἶδα: 'know'; the perfect functions as a present — settled knowledge from the anointing.
πάντεςallNominativenominative in apposition to subjectπᾶς: 'all'; the printed text reads πάντες ('you all know'), against the variant πάντα ('you know all things') — see the text-note.
21
οὐκ ἔγραψα ὑμῖν ὅτι οὐκ οἴδατε τὴν ἀλήθειαν, ἀλλ' ὅτι οἴδατε αὐτήν, καὶ ὅτι πᾶν ψεῦδος ἐκ τῆς ἀληθείας οὐκ ἔστιν.
I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth.
Purpose of writing clarifiedasyndetonJohn clarifies his motive: he writes not to inform the ignorant but to confirm those who already know the truth — and to underscore that no lie can derive from the truth, thus exposing the antichrists' falsehood.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔγραψαI have writtenAor Act Indic 1 Sg · γράφωmain verb→ epistolary aoristγράφω: 'write'; epistolary aorist of this letter.
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of recipient
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
οὐκnotnegative particle
οἴδατεyou knowPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · οἶδαmain verb (causal clause)→ perfect with present senseοἶδα: 'know.'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀλήθειανtruthAccusativedirect objectἀλήθεια: 'truth'; the gospel reality they possess.
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunction (elided)
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
οἴδατεyou knowPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · οἶδαmain verb (causal clause)→ perfect with present sense
αὐτήνitAccusativedirect object
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
πᾶνnoNominativesubject (w/ negative: 'every ... not' = no)πᾶς: 'every'; πᾶν ... οὐκ, Semitic idiom — 'no lie at all.'
ψεῦδοςlieNominativesubjectψεῦδος: 'lie, falsehood'; the antichrists' teaching, which cannot spring from the truth.
ἐκofpreposition + genitive (source/origin)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἀληθείαςtruthGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)ἀλήθεια: 'truth'; the lie has no origin in it.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
22
Τίς ἐστιν ὁ ψεύστης εἰ μὴ ὁ ἀρνούμενος ὅτι Ἰησοῦς οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ Χριστός; οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ ἀντίχριστος, ὁ ἀρνούμενος τὸν πατέρα καὶ τὸν υἱόν.
Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son.
The lie identified christologicallyasyndetonThe lie is given content: denial that Jesus is the Christ. Such a denier is the antichrist, for to deny the Son is to deny the Father also — Christology is the dividing line.
ΤίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject)
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
ὁtheNominativearticle
ψεύστηςliarNominativepredicate nominativeψεύστης: 'liar'; the archetypal liar, now identified.
εἰifconjunction (w/ μή, exceptive)
μὴnotnegative particleεἰ μή: 'except, but' — the exceptive idiom.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἀρνούμενοςwho deniesPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀρνέομαιsubstantival participle (predicate)→ customary presentἀρνέομαι: 'deny, disown'; the settled denial that marks the heretic.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of denial)
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: 'Jesus'; the man whom the deniers refuse to confess as Messiah.
οὐκnotnegative particle (within the denied content)
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
ὁtheNominativearticle
ΧριστόςChristNominativepredicate nominativeΧριστός: 'Christ, Messiah'; the confession at stake — Jesus is the Christ, the incarnate Son.
οὗτόςthis oneNominativesubject (demonstrative)οὗτος: 'this one'; resumes the denier.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
ὁtheNominativearticle
ἀντίχριστοςantichristNominativepredicate nominativeἀντίχριστος: 'antichrist'; now with the article — the very embodiment of the antichrist-spirit.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἀρνούμενοςwho deniesPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀρνέομαιsubstantival participle (apposition)→ customary presentἀρνέομαι: 'deny'; the denial of the Son entails denial of the Father.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
πατέραFatherAccusativedirect objectπατήρ: 'Father'; inseparable from the Son in John's theology.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
υἱόνSonAccusativedirect objectυἱός: 'Son'; to reject the Son is to forfeit the Father (v.23).
23
πᾶς ὁ ἀρνούμενος τὸν υἱὸν οὐδὲ τὸν πατέρα ἔχει· ὁ ὁμολογῶν τὸν υἱὸν καὶ τὸν πατέρα ἔχει.
Everyone who denies the Son does not have the Father either; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also.
The Father-Son nexus statedasyndetonThe principle is made explicit and reciprocal: denying the Son forfeits the Father; confessing the Son secures the Father. One cannot have God apart from his Son.
πᾶςeveryoneNominativesubstantival adjective (subject)πᾶς: 'everyone, all'; πᾶς ὁ + ptc., a Johannine construction — 'everyone who...'
ὁwhoNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἀρνούμενοςdeniesPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀρνέομαιsubstantival participle (subject)→ customary presentἀρνέομαι: 'deny, disown.'
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
υἱὸνSonAccusativedirect objectυἱός: 'Son.'
οὐδὲnot ... eithernegative conjunction (correlative)οὐδέ: 'not even, neither'; reinforces — losing the Son means losing the Father too.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
πατέραFatherAccusativedirect objectπατήρ: 'Father.'
ἔχειhasPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔχωmain verb→ stative present (ongoing possession)ἔχω: 'have'; to 'have' the Father = to enjoy relationship/fellowship with him.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ὁμολογῶνwho confessesPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ὁμολογέωsubstantival participle (subject)→ customary presentὁμολογέω: 'confess, acknowledge'; the open confession of the Son, opposite of denial.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
υἱὸνSonAccusativedirect object
καὶalsoadjunctive conjunction
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
πατέραFatherAccusativedirect object
ἔχειhasPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔχωmain verb→ stative presentἔχω: 'have'; confessing the Son secures the Father.
24
ὑμεῖς ὃ ἠκούσατε ἀπ' ἀρχῆς, ἐν ὑμῖν μενέτω. ἐὰν ἐν ὑμῖν μείνῃ ὃ ἀπ' ἀρχῆς ἠκούσατε, καὶ ὑμεῖς ἐν τῷ υἱῷ καὶ ἐν τῷ πατρὶ μενεῖτε.
As for you, let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.
Exhortation to abide in the original messageasyndetonThe remedy against the antichrists' novelty: let the original message abide in them. If it does, they will abide in the Son and the Father — abiding in the word secures abiding in God.
ὑμεῖςas for youNominativesubject (emphatic, pendent nominative)σύ (pl.): emphatic 'you' — set over against the deniers; a hanging nominative resumed by the clause.
ὃwhatAccusativerelative pronoun (object, fronted)
ἠκούσατεyou heardAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀκούωverb of rel. clause→ constative aorist (the original hearing)ἀκούω: 'hear'; the gospel they received at first.
ἀπ'frompreposition + genitive (origin, elided)
ἀρχῆςthe beginningGenitiveobject of ἀπόἀρχή: 'beginning'; the start of their Christian life — the apostolic message.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν
μενέτωlet it abidePres Act Impv 3 Sg · μένωimperative→ durative present imperative (continuous abiding)μένω: 'abide, remain'; the third-person imperative — let the message keep its place in them.
ἐὰνifconjunction (conditional, + subjunctive)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν
μείνῃabidesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · μένωverb of protasis→ constative aorist (settled continuance)μένω: 'abide'; the aorist subjunctive views the abiding as an established fact.
ὃwhatAccusativerelative pronoun (object, fronted)
ἀπ'frompreposition + genitive (origin, elided)
ἀρχῆςthe beginningGenitiveobject of ἀπό
ἠκούσατεyou heardAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀκούωverb of rel. clause→ constative aorist
καὶalsoadjunctive conjunction
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union)
τῷtheDativearticle
υἱῷSonDativeobject of ἐνυἱός: 'Son'; abiding in the word means abiding in the Son.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union)
τῷtheDativearticle
πατρὶFatherDativeobject of ἐνπατήρ: 'Father'; and so also in the Father — the mutual indwelling.
μενεῖτεyou will abideFut Act Indic 2 Pl · μένωmain verb (apodosis)→ predictive futureμένω: 'abide'; the promised result of letting the message abide.
25
καὶ αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ ἐπαγγελία ἣν αὐτὸς ἐπηγγείλατο ἡμῖν, τὴν ζωὴν τὴν αἰώνιον.
And this is the promise that he himself promised us: eternal life.
The promise attachedκαὶThe abiding of v.24 is crowned with the promise Christ himself made: eternal life — the very life the antichrists' denial would forfeit.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
αὕτηthisNominativesubject (demonstrative, forward-pointing)οὗτος: 'this'; points ahead to the promise named at the end.
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἐπαγγελίαpromiseNominativepredicate nominativeἐπαγγελία: 'promise'; the divine pledge attached to abiding.
ἣνthatAccusativerelative pronoun (object)
αὐτὸςhe himselfNominativeintensive subjectαὐτός: emphatic 'he himself' — Christ, the promiser.
ἐπηγγείλατοpromisedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐπαγγέλλομαιverb of rel. clause→ constative aoristἐπαγγέλλομαι: 'promise'; cognate with ἐπαγγελία — Christ's own pledge.
ἡμῖνusDativedat. of recipient
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (apposition to ἣν)
ζωὴνlifeAccusativeaccusative in apposition to ἣνζωή: 'life'; the content of the promise (the case follows the relative ἣν).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (attributive)
αἰώνιονeternalAccusativeattributive adjectiveαἰώνιος: 'eternal, of the age to come'; the life of the new age, already given and abiding.
26
Ταῦτα ἔγραψα ὑμῖν περὶ τῶν πλανώντων ὑμᾶς.
These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to lead you astray.
Purpose statement (the deceivers)asyndetonJohn states the immediate occasion of this section: he has written concerning those who seek to deceive them — the secessionist teachers.
Ταῦταthese thingsAccusativedirect objectοὗτος: 'these things' — the warnings of vv.18–25.
ἔγραψαI have writtenAor Act Indic 1 Sg · γράφωmain verb→ epistolary aoristγράφω: 'write'; epistolary aorist.
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of recipient
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference)
τῶνthose whoGenitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
πλανώντωνare trying to lead astrayPres Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · πλανάωsubstantival participle (object of περί)→ conative/customary present (attempted leading-astray)πλανάω: 'lead astray, deceive'; the present is conative — they attempt to deceive (cf. v.27, the readers need no such teachers).
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object of ptc.
27
καὶ ὑμεῖς τὸ χρῖσμα ὃ ἐλάβετε ἀπ' αὐτοῦ μένει ἐν ὑμῖν, καὶ οὐ χρείαν ἔχετε ἵνα τις διδάσκῃ ὑμᾶς· ἀλλ' ὡς τὸ αὐτοῦ χρῖσμα διδάσκει ὑμᾶς περὶ πάντων, καὶ ἀληθές ἐστιν καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ψεῦδος, καὶ καθὼς ἐδίδαξεν ὑμᾶς, μένετε ἐν αὐτῷ.
But as for you, the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone teach you; but as his anointing teaches you concerning all things — and is true and is not a lie, and just as it taught you — abide in him.
The anointing teaches; abideκαὶThe believers' security against the deceivers is the abiding anointing, which itself teaches them all things truly; they need no rival teachers. As it has taught, so they are to abide in him.
καὶbutcoordinating conjunction (contrastive)
ὑμεῖςas for youNominativesubject (emphatic, pendent)σύ (pl.): emphatic 'you' — over against the deceivers.
τὸtheNominativearticle
χρῖσμαanointingNominativesubjectχρῖσμα: 'anointing'; the Spirit-given endowment (cf. v.20), the inner teacher.
ὃthatAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐλάβετε)
ἐλάβετεyou receivedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · λαμβάνωverb of rel. clause→ constative aorist (the receiving)λαμβάνω: 'receive, take'; the anointing was given them (at conversion/baptism in the Spirit).
ἀπ'frompreposition + genitive (source, elided)
αὐτοῦhimGenitiveobject of ἀπόαὐτός: 'him' — Christ/the Holy One, the source of the anointing.
μένειabidesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · μένωmain verb→ durative present (continuous abiding)μένω: 'abide, remain'; the anointing's permanent indwelling.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐnotnegative particle
χρείανneedAccusativedirect objectχρεία: 'need'; χρείαν ἔχω, 'to have need.'
ἔχετεyou havePres Act Indic 2 Pl · ἔχωmain verb→ stative present
ἵναthatconjunction (content/epexegetical, + subjunctive)ἵνα: here epexegetical — 'need that...'
τιςanyoneNominativesubject of ἵνα clause
διδάσκῃteachPres Act Subj 3 Sg · διδάσκωverb of ἵνα clause→ customary presentδιδάσκω: 'teach'; they need no human teacher to supply what the anointing supplies — not a denial of all teaching but of the deceivers' rival 'instruction.'
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunction (elided)
ὡςascomparative conjunction
τὸtheNominativearticle
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of source (fronted, emphatic)
χρῖσμαanointingNominativesubjectχρῖσμα: 'anointing'; repeated — the abiding teacher.
διδάσκειteachesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · διδάσκωmain verb→ customary/durative presentδιδάσκω: 'teach'; the anointing's ongoing instruction.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference)
πάντωνall thingsGenitiveobject of περί (substantival adj.)πᾶς: 'all things'; the comprehensive scope of the anointing's teaching.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀληθέςtrueNominativepredicate adjectiveἀληθής: 'true'; the anointing's teaching is reliable.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
ψεῦδοςa lieNominativepredicate nominativeψεῦδος: 'lie, falsehood'; the anointing is no lie — unlike the deceivers (v.21).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
καθὼςjust ascomparative conjunction
ἐδίδαξενit taughtAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διδάσκωverb of comparative clause→ constative aoristδιδάσκω: 'teach'; what the anointing has already taught them.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
μένετεabidePres Act Impv 2 Pl · μένωimperative (main clause)→ durative present imperative (keep abiding)μένω: 'abide, remain'; the climactic charge — keep abiding in him (or it may be read as indicative, 'you abide').
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union)
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐναὐτός: 'him' — Christ, in whom they are to abide.
28
Καὶ νῦν, τεκνία, μένετε ἐν αὐτῷ, ἵνα ἐὰν φανερωθῇ σχῶμεν παρρησίαν καὶ μὴ αἰσχυνθῶμεν ἀπ' αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ αὐτοῦ.
And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame before him at his coming.
Charge to abide / eschatological motiveΚαὶThe exhortation to abide is renewed with an eschatological motive: that at Christ's appearing they may have confidence and not shrink in shame before him at his coming.
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction (transitional)
νῦνnowadverb (transitional/temporal)νῦν: 'now'; marks the turn to the closing charge.
τεκνίαlittle childrenVocativevocative of addressτεκνίον: 'little child'; the affectionate address resumes.
μένετεabidePres Act Impv 2 Pl · μένωimperative→ durative present imperative (keep abiding)μένω: 'abide, remain'; the repeated central charge of the section.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union)
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐν
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose, + subjunctive)
ἐὰνwhenconjunction (conditional-temporal, + subjunctive)ἐάν: here near-temporal — 'whenever/when' he appears (the appearing is certain, its time not).
φανερωθῇhe appearsAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · φανερόωverb of conditional clause→ constative aoristφανερόω: 'be manifested, appear'; Christ's eschatological manifestation (so taken; the subject may be impersonal, 'it is revealed').
σχῶμενwe may haveAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ἔχωverb of ἵνα clause→ ingressive aorist (come to have)ἔχω: 'have'; the ingressive aorist — to gain/possess confidence at that moment.
παρρησίανconfidenceAccusativedirect objectπαρρησία: 'boldness, confidence, freedom of speech'; assurance before the Judge, the opposite of cringing shame (cf. 3:21; 4:17).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ subjunctive)
αἰσχυνθῶμενwe may be put to shameAor Pass Subj 1 Pl · αἰσχύνωverb of ἵνα clause→ constative aoristαἰσχύνω: 'shame, disgrace'; passive 'be ashamed, shrink in shame' — to be turned away in disgrace at his coming.
ἀπ'beforepreposition + genitive (separation/source, elided)ἀπ' αὐτοῦ: 'from him' — shrinking away from him in shame.
αὐτοῦhimGenitiveobject of ἀπό
ἐνatpreposition + dative (time)
τῇtheDativearticle
παρουσίᾳcomingDativedat. of timeπαρουσία: 'presence, arrival, coming'; the technical term for Christ's second advent (its only occurrence in the Johannine epistles).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
29
ἐὰν εἰδῆτε ὅτι δίκαιός ἐστιν, γινώσκετε ὅτι καὶ πᾶς ὁ ποιῶν τὴν δικαιοσύνην ἐξ αὐτοῦ γεγέννηται.
If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone also who does righteousness has been born of him.
Birth from God shown by righteousnessasyndetonA concluding inference that bridges to ch. 3: since he is righteous, everyone who practices righteousness shares his nature — born of him. Likeness in conduct reveals the new birth.
ἐὰνifconjunction (conditional, + subjunctive)
εἰδῆτεyou knowPerf Act Subj 2 Pl · οἶδαverb of protasis→ perfect subjunctive with present senseοἶδα: 'know'; the perfect subjunctive functions as a present — 'if you know.'
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of knowing)
δίκαιόςrighteousNominativepredicate adjectiveδίκαιος: 'righteous, just'; the character of God/Christ (cf. v.1) — the standard of the new birth's evidence.
ἐστινhe isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
γινώσκετεyou knowPres Act Indic 2 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb (apodosis)→ progressive present (or imperative, 'know')γινώσκω: 'know, recognize'; may be indicative ('you know') or imperative ('recognize') — the inference drawn from God's righteousness.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of knowing)
καὶalsoadjunctive conjunction
πᾶςeveryoneNominativesubstantival adjective (subject)πᾶς: 'everyone'; πᾶς ὁ + ptc. — the Johannine universal.
ὁwhoNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ποιῶνdoesPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ποιέωsubstantival participle (subject)→ customary present (habitual practice)ποιέω: 'do, practice'; ποιεῖν τὴν δικαιοσύνην, 'to practise righteousness' — the settled doing that evidences birth from God.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
δικαιοσύνηνrighteousnessAccusativedirect objectδικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness'; right conduct conformed to God's own righteousness (v.29a).
ἐξofpreposition + genitive (source/origin)
αὐτοῦhimGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)αὐτός: 'him'; born ἐξ αὐτοῦ — God as the source of the new birth (the antecedent shifts from Christ toward God).
γεγέννηταιhas been bornPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · γεννάωmain verb→ intensive perfect (abiding state of begottenness)γεννάω: 'beget, give birth to'; the perfect passive marks the settled state of being God-begotten — the theme expanded in 3:9; 5:1.