1 John 2:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

NIV: For everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--comes not from the Father but from the world.

NASB: 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.

CSB: For everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one's possessions--is not from the Father, but is from the world.

NLT: For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

KJV: For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

NKJV: For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

John here describes what he means by "the world," identifying two "desires" and a form of pride.

First are desires—or lusts—of "the flesh," referring to what the body desires. This generally means anything craved excessively or inappropriately, from food to sexual impurity. In this context, it's not about normal or necessary physical desires. Second are desires of "the eyes," again a general term. In this case, it not only refers to those things we literally see, but those we imagine or put our "mental" eyes on. Third is the "pride of life," meaning sinful desires which bring attention to self. This also refers to our habit of bragging about ourselves. Jesus called boastful pride a sin (Mark 7:22), and endured similar temptations from the Devil (Matthew 4:1–11).

These desires and pride are not given to us by God—they are temptations from the godless world. This is why a person marked by love for the world (1 John 2:15) does not have the love of God in him. In verse 17, John will make the larger point that though these shallow desires pass away, the will of God—and those who do it—will live forever.

First John 2:15–17 is a warning from John about un-Christian attitudes. Other portions of this chapter discuss how behavior provides evidence of fellowship with God. Here, John explains that thoughts and desires do the same thing. Since these are temptations, it is possible for a true Christian to stumble into them. However, habitually displaying these is a cause for concern. Loving “the world” is defined here as physical lusts, lusts in one’s thoughts, and arrogant pride.

Chapter 2 explains the fellowship Christians have with God. Christ is our advocate, even when we sin. Christians are not to love things of the world, or to love the world. Instead, we are to live, love, and act like Christ. False teachers, and those who deny Jesus are called ''liars.'' Those who demonstrate a Christ-like behavior are ''born of'' God.

Chapter 1 introduced the primary themes of John’s letter. Chapters 2 and 3 lay out a detailed description of how Christian conduct is meant to be marked by obedience to the truth. Christians are called to live like Christ. Therefore, those who do not (live that way) do not have ''the truth'' in them. Later chapters of this letter will fill in how Christian love and conduct give us confidence in our daily lives.

First John seems to assume that the reader is familiar with the gospel. Rather than re-state these facts, John is concerned with building confidence in Christian believers. At the same time, his words encourage believers to examine their own lives for signs of their relationship with Christ. This letter also challenges false teachers and their incorrect claims about Jesus. Many themes are shared with the Gospel of John.