1 John 5:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

NIV: Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.

NASB: Little children, guard yourselves from idols.

CSB: Little children, guard yourselves from idols.

NLT: Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.

KJV: Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

NKJV: Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

This final verse appears odd, as a blunt and sudden conclusion. However, a closer look reveals these words as a fitting ending to John's letter. Once again, John uses the phrase "Little children," for the seventh time in this letter. John cared for his readers as his own spiritual children.

This mention of idols could refer to both physical idols people worshiped or to anything that came as higher priority than Christ. When writing to Gentile believers, Paul wrote, "For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God" (1 Thessalonians 1:9). Most Gentile believers of that day had previously served idols.

This final warning to stay away from idols is a reminder that only Christ was to be served. The false teachings they battled ultimately led back to the very gods they had left to follow Jesus. They were to keep themselves "from idols" and remain focused on Jesus as the Son of God.

First John 5:13–21 closes out the letter by focusing on assurance of salvation. The goal of John's letter is to provide believers with a means to know, for sure, that they have eternal life. Those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ can be absolutely sure that they are saved. Despite our failures and sins, God is forgiving. And, through Christ, we have the power to overcome the world's temptations to sin.

Chapter 5 concludes the book of 1 John, once again emphasizing the supremacy of love in the Christian experience. Those who put their faith in Christ can know, for sure, that they have eternal life. This assurance comes by trusting what we know of the life of Jesus Christ, as well as the evidence of the Holy Spirit within us. Following God's commands, particularly love, results in confidence of our salvation, as well as strength against the temptations of the world.

First John 5 completes the letter by summarizing how Christians can know that they have eternal life. Prior chapters have explained the various signs of ''abiding'' with God, but the key measurement is love. In this final passage, love is once again used as the supreme measurement. In light of the rest of the letter, love for God and love for others is shown to be both a source of confidence and a sign of faith.

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.

Accessed 5/6/2024 10:39:53 PM