DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD: PART II - 1 JOHN 2:16-17

Verses 16-17: For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

John continues his train of thought from verse 15, simply put, that those who love the world do not have a personal love for God the Father because they have been distracted by “the things in the world”—the details of life. Now John itemizes the specific patterns of sinfulness: lusts of the flesh and eyes and the boastful pride of life. This is what energizes the believer’s love for “the things in the world.” John states as an absolute fact that these patterns of sinfulness do not have their origin “from the Father.” For James proclaimed that God is holy and “does not tempt anyone” (James 1:13b), and then he correctly holds exactly who is responsible for sin:

But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. (James 1:14)

Lust of the Flesh

At the outset, let us not be confused with the word ‘lust.’ Dr. Kenneth Wuest observes that “the present day usage confines its meaning to an immoral desire.”1 But the Greek expresses the word in a broader sense than the English, suggesting a strong desire or craving that could be for something good or evil. Here John uses it to refer to evil desires and appetites where “the thought of satisfaction gives pleasure and that of non-satisfaction gives pain.”2

John defines lusts in two categories: flesh and eyes. They are interrelated and indicative of inordinate desires and cravings. The “lusts of the flesh” are descriptive of external sins acted out; while the “lusts of the eyes” are internal sins responding to cravings of what is seen. Both have their origin from the believer’s old sin nature which the Apostle Paul defines as the “old self” (Romans 6:6; Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:9). Dr. Ryrie explains what the old self is:

All that a person is before salvation, which is made “old” by reason of the presence of the new life in Christ. Though separated from its power, its presence has not been eradicated; therefore, we are exhorted to lay it aside (Ephesians 4:22).3

The fact that the old self is never eradicated causes spiritual tension for the believer. Paul explains this as the believer’s inner struggle to do good or to practice evil (Romans 7:14-25). Believers should carefully study the Apostle Paul’s list of the deeds of the flesh in Galatians 5:16-21 to avoid involvement in these activities and to avail themselves of His grace provision to “equip you in every good thing to do His will” (Hebrews 13:21a). The equipping must be sound Biblical teaching in order to overcome the inner struggle of the flesh.

Lust of the Eyes

R.C.H. Lenski describes the lust of the eyes to include “the lust that reaches out beyond what a person can actually get a hold of in his sinning. The lustful eyes rove afar for sinful pleasure.”4 There are two examples of this from the Old Testament regarding Eve and King David. Eve saw with her eyes that the forbidden tree was good, a delight to the eyes and desirable (Genesis 3:6) and proceeded to sin. King David saw with his eyes, Bathsheba, a very beautiful woman bathing and he pursued her for his sexual gratification. He eventually had her husband killed in battle hoping to conceal his sin (2 Samuel 11:2ff). During Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount, He discussed how the eyes are the gateway to the sin of adultery:

 “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28)

Do we take pleasure in viewing things that are immoral? In our age of technology we are overwhelmed with rampant pornography and provocatively dressed entertainers.  As believers, we should be mindful of what our eyes are looking at and ask ourselves if this is “from the Father”?  The Psalmist offers us some sound advice for what we should pray:

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. (Psalm 119:37ESV)

Boastful Pride of Life

This phrase, the boastful pride of life, is descriptive of the arrogant person who brags about what he possesses and does. The word “life” here refers to the details of life namely food, shelter, clothing, entertainment, travel, etc. Again, we must honestly ask ourselves if we are guilty of being a braggart of life’s good fortune. To needlessly boast about the details of life which we have been blessed with and then add “Isn’t God wonderful?” This is phony and it would be better to say nothing at all.

However, Scripture outlines what we should boast about: 

Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 9:23–24)

Additionally, the Apostle Paul stated:

 Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. (Romans 15:17)

But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Galatians 6:14)

We need to imitate Paul and only boast in “things pertaining to God” for that we can be assured is “from the Father.”

It’s All Passing Away

John instructs us of the fact that the lusts he has pointed out are passing away, just as the world is passing away by the will of the Father. John knows this from having heard Our Lord state this on two occasions: the Sermon on the Mount and the Olivet Discourse.

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35; cf. 5:18)

He also recorded in the book of Revelation:

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. (Revelation 21:1)

The Apostle Peter described this event in vivid detail: “the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.” (2 Peter 3:10)

Since the world is passing away, according to Peter we ought to be the sort of people that live holy and godly lives (2 Peter 3:11b). For John regards those who live this type of life are those who are doing the will of God, and they will live forever. So, what this essentially means is that doing the will of God is the exact opposite of loving the world5 and being preoccupied with things—the details of life.

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[1] Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 13.127.

[2] Büchsel, F. (1964–). ἐπιθυμία. In Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (G. Kittel, G. W. Bromiley, & G. Friedrich, Eds.). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 3.171.

[3] Ryrie, C. C. (1995). Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard Bible, 1995 update. Chicago: Moody Press, p. 1799 note.

[4] Lenski, R.C.H. (2001). Commentary on the New Testament, Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 11.426.

[5] Ryrie, p. 1994 note.

 

© 2024 David M. Rossi
 

DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD: PART I - 1 JOHN 2:15

Verse 15: Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Verses 15-17 comprise John’s appeal to believers to separate from their affection for the present world. But first, it is necessary to understand what Scripture describes as the world concerning its character, the ruler, the occupants and its future.

The reason this particular study is so vitally important for believers is stated concisely by Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer:

It is this, the specific study of what is one of the greatest doctrines of the New Testament, which many worthy men have failed to pursue; and, because this body of truth is so little apprehended, the great company of believers are unaware of the enmity which the world system sustains towards God and His people.1

So what is this world we are not supposed to love?

World Defined

In the New Testament, the predominantly used Greek word cosmos [κόσμος] is translated 186 times in our English for ‘world’. Bishop Trench explains the classical usage of this word:

‘Ornament,’ and obtaining this meaning only once in the New Testament (1 Peter 3:3), where we render it ‘adorning’…from this it passed to that of order, or arrangement.2

Biblical language scholars appear to agree with this analysis that Scripture employs the word cosmos to describe an orderly arrangement and specifically that it indicates an order in opposition to God:

The world, and everything that belongs to it, appears as that which is hostile to God, i.e. lost in sin, wholly at odds with anything divine, ruined and depraved.3

The New Testament writers clearly portray that the world is at odds with anything Divine, and that we are commanded to avoid being stained by the world (James 1:27), becoming friends with it (James 4:4) and embracing its lusts (1 John 2:16).

Who Rules?

The significance of cosmos is descriptive of the culture in which we live; that there is one who rules, wielding unscrupulous control over a cleverly structured order. While most people believe the world is the sum of all its parts, all the varying ideas and personalities, all of the different races and sexes, the Scriptures state otherwise. They reveal the ruler of this world (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11), and that “the whole world lies in the power of” this ruler, described as “the evil one” (1 John 5:19). This evil one is a real person, Satan, “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2) and identified as “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Satan boldly asserted his controlling powers over the world when he tempted Our Lord in the wilderness:

  “I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.” (Luke 4:6)

Dr. Alva McClain observes:

It is significant that Christ did not challenge Satan’s right to make the offer to surrender these Kingdoms. He viewed them as in Satan’s domain, so that Satan had the right to do with them as he willed.4

Our Lord proclaimed that Satan’s rule is only temporary and will eventually be cast out (John 12:31) and was eternally doomed (Revelation 20:10). However, we are assured by the Apostle Paul that Jesus Christ “is the head over all rule and authority” (Colossians 2:10).

The Wisdom of the World

It should be observed that for someone to rule they must have a plan of action, a philosophy that moves their plan forward. Scripture identifies that Satan’s wisdom is designed to oppose God’s wisdom. Paul asserted that “the world through its wisdom did not come to know God” (1 Corinthians 1:21a), and warned believers about this Satanic wisdom:

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. (Colossians 2:8; cf. Galatians 4:3)

The ‘elementary principles of the world’ is descriptive of cosmic thinking that comprises all the opinions, values, aspirations, norms and standards of Satan’s world system that are indifferent to the Word of God. Against which Paul commands believers:

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing [renovating] of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

The Occupants

There are only two categories of people that occupy the world according to God’s Word: (1) those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and (2) those under the controlling influence of Satan. There is no third possibility. Mankind, including believers, will either follow the wisdom of the Creator contained in the Word of God or they will embrace knowingly or obliviously the ‘elementary principles’ of Satan’s world system.

For most of those who have believed in Jesus Christ as their Savior, their eyes have been opened “so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God” (Acts 26:18). While, those who have rejected Jesus Christ go about their lives unaware of Satan’s reign since he has blinded their eyes so that the light of the truth of Jesus Christ is obscured (2 Corinthians 4:4).

The Scripture makes it apparent that regrettably many believers are captivated by Satan’s world system and embrace his wisdom. Otherwise, the warnings to believers to “not love the world” would be unnecessary.

Conclusion

Believer’s today need to realize that our culture is ensnared by this Satan controlled world. It is considered ‘normal’ only based upon what the satanically influenced majority deem to be normal. It is a very foul place because of its ruler who blinds the eyes of mankind and has also been doing a rather nice job of blinding the eyes of God’s people. Satan does not work alone. He has his children of wrath and his demons—the “spiritual forces of wickedness” (Ephesians 6:12), indulging themselves with “the desires of the flesh and of the mind” (Ephesians 2:2-3). With Satan, they “unite as the ‘world’ to oppose the course of the believer.”5 But just as he is not alone in his efforts, we too are not alone. For John writes:

You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he [Satan] who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

The hope and assurance of the Church is that Jesus Christ controls history (Revelation 1:8, 17b; 22:13), “despite the existence of opposition and evil in the world.”6 Therefore, we can overcome the corruption of this satanic world system. But we must become unified in our efforts to confront the ‘world’ according to Divine directives which have been given to us in God’s Word on how to live in this world even though we “are not of this world” (John 15:19).

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[1] Chafer, (1976). Systematic Theology, Dallas, TX: Dallas Seminary Press, 6.180.

[2] Trench, Richard C., (1975). Synonyms of the New Testament, Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., p.214.

[3] Arndt, W.F., Gingrich, F.W., (1957). A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, p.446.

[4] McClain, Alva J. (2009). The Greatness of the Kingdom. Winona Lake, IN: BMH Books, p. 432.

 [5] Barnhouse, Donald Grey, (1965). The Invisible War, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, p. 81.

[6] Thieme, R.B., Jr. (2022). Thieme’s Bible Doctrine Dictionary, Houston, TX: R.B. Thieme, Jr., Bible Ministries, p. 146.

© 2024 David M. Rossi
 

JOHN'S HIGH PRAISE - 1 JOHN 2:13b -14

Verses 13b-14: I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

As mentioned in the previous post, verse divisions are not in the original Greek manuscripts. Therefore, verses 12-14 present a bit of confusion of what John’s original intent was in addressing the three groups of recipients to his epistle: children, fathers and young men. These are meant to be inclusive of all his readers, male and female alike, regardless of their ages, but distinguishing their various levels of spiritual maturity. This seems obvious given that children and young men could imply physical ages, yet fathers does not necessarily imply an age, for even a young man could be a father. Additionally, John’s affectionate address of ‘little children’ (v.12) is reminiscent of the same name Our Lord called His disciples in John 13:33 and they were adult men—their ages were not that of children.

“I Have Written”

He addresses each group twice, as discussed in the previous post, the first with the phrase “I am writing” (little children, v.12; fathers, young men, v.13).

The present post will examine John’s intention of his second phrase “I have written” (children, v.13; fathers, young men, v.14). The difference in the tenses of ‘am writing’ and ‘have written’ can be explained in this manner: “I am writing” is from John’s perspective, while “I have written” anticipates his readers’ perspective when they received the letter.1

When John changes to “I have written” in the last part of verse 13, he uses a different Greek word for children than in verse 12, a more informal term for those who are new believers, implying their level of spiritual maturity. He only uses this word twice in this epistle—here and in 2:18. This is also inclusive of both males and females, without contemplating their ages. John commends them for what is the very first step on the path to spiritual maturity: they know the Father intimately. The Father is the person of the Godhead Who devised the plan of salvation, inferring that they ‘keep His commandments’ (2:3). To know the Father one must know Jesus Christ (John 14:7), for He alone is the way to the Father (John 14:6). Our Lord affirmed this:

“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)

In verse 14, John repeats the exact same commendation to the fathers as in the previous verse. They continuously know the eternal Son of God in an intimate manner. John is assured that the endurance of this relationship at the present time will continue at the same intensity beyond their reading of this epistle. This is an important point, for these fathers who have advanced in spiritual maturity are an integral part of the Body of Christ. They are the ones who will assist the others in their spiritual advancement by their example and by sharing the doctrinal truths which they have learned of “Him who has been from the beginning.”

It should be remembered that the fathers most probably include those with the special gift of pastor-teacher, which the Apostle Paul mentions were designated to assist all believers in their endeavors to reach spiritual maturity:

And He gave some...as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; “until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11–13)

Finally, John mentions again the young men, who “have overcome the evil one.” But now he explains how they have overcome the devil. John points out two factors attributing to this achievement: “because you are strong and the word of God abides in you.” First, they are absolutely strong spiritually. The Greek word for strong implies “the powers both of body and mind, physical and moral.”2 But Dr. Zodhiates asserts that here “‘strong’ means firm in faith.”3 This is corroborated by the second point that the “word of God abides;” that it continues to thrive in them. We should understand that the strength they possess is not their own strength, but God’s Word is “the source of all true knowledge and power.”4 For this is exactly what the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy:

You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:14–15)

The Word of God is an essential part of the believer’s armor against the “spiritual forces of wickedness” (Ephesians 6:12-17)—the evil one. All the articles of armor are defensive except for only one offensive weapon: it is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

 John may well be implying that the young men have this weapon because the fathers have been consistent in the instruction of God’s Word and by their tremendous example.

Our Challenge

Which level of spiritual maturity are we at today—children, fathers, young men?

Since it is a fact that we are in Christ, the Apostle Paul presents us with this two-fold command to test and examine ourselves to determine if we are in the faith— maintaining “a believing attitude toward Christ.”5

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? (2 Corinthians 13:5)

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[1] MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2010). The MacArthur Study Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, p.1916, note.

[2] Zodhiates, S. (2000). In The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, G2478.

[3] Zodhiates, G2478.

[4] Lenski, R.C.H. (2001). Commentary on the New Testament, Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 11.422.

[5] Vincent, Marvin R. (n/d). Word Studies in the New Testament. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson 3.360.

© 2024 David M. Rossi