We have come to the end of 1 John! Congratulations for those who made it through. There were times when I had trouble pushing through. Now, to make sure the later verses are solid, we need to continue practicing reciting for another ten days. During these next days I will go back and fill in the commentary on earlier verses that I didn’t get to do because of schedule.

After the ten days, I will start Ephesians. Sundays will be set aside for continuing to review 1 John just to continue keeping it in practice to help solidify it even more.

Verses to review today: 1 John 1:1-5:19
New Verse: 1 John 5:20-21

20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. (ESV)

20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. (KJV)

Greek: 20 οἴδαμεν δὲ ὅτι ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ ἥκει καὶ δέδωκεν ἡμῖν διάνοιαν ἵνα γινώσκωμεν τὸν ἀληθινόν, καὶ ἐσμὲν ἐν τῷ ἀληθινῷ, ἐν τῷ υἱῷ αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ. οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ ἀληθινὸς θεὸς καὶ ζωὴ αἰώνιος. 21 Τεκνία, φυλάξατε ἑαυτὰ ἀπὸ τῶν εἰδώλων.

Transliterated Greek: 20 oidamen de hoti ho huios tou theou hēkei kai dedōken hēmin dianoian hina ginōskōmen ton alēthinon, kai esmen en tō alēthinō, en tō huiō autou Iēsou Christō. houtos estin ho alēthinos theos kai zōē aiōnios. 21 Teknia, phylaxate heauta apo tōn eidōlōn.

Literal Word for Word Translation: 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding in order that we may know the one who is true, and we are in the one who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This one is the true God and life eternal. 21 Little children, guard yourselves from idols.

Vocab:

Commentary: The Gnostics denied the Jesus came in the flesh. The testimony here is that believers know that He has come and given understanging through His Spirit, which testifies to the truth.

Our allegiance is to Jesus, thus we are to refrain from turning to idols which have no power to save us from anything. The Gnostics had a false gospel, an idol propped up as the real savior. In final note to close the letter, John exhorts them to stay away from such!