1John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 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. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides for ever.
‘Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world’ two things not we cannot love: the world [Greek: kosmos, the order, behaviour, fashion, and government of this world system (Matt. 4:8; 13:22; Eph. 2:1-3; Jas. 4:4; 2Pet. 1:4; 2:20)], and the things that make up the world system of evil and rebellion against God.
‘If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him’ this is the reason men must not love the world or the things in it. Love of God and love of these things are not compatible.
‘For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes …’ there are three classes of things in the world mentioned here: The lust of the flesh (Eph. 5:19-21). The lust of the eyes: (1) lust for women (Matt. 5:28; Job 31:1); (2) eyes full of adultery – even men with men and women with women (2Pet. 2:14; Rom. 1:18-28); (3) covetousness (Ps. 10:8; Luke 12:15); (4) all things desired (Eccl. 2:10); (5) idolatry (Ezek. 6:9; 18:6-15); (6) all kinds of evil (Matt. 6:23; 7:22). The pride of life: (1) self-righteousness; (Job 32:1); (2) positions (Gen. 3:5; Ezek. 28:11-17; 1Tim. 3:6; 3Jn. 1:9); (3) power (Lev. 26:19); (4) riches (Ps. 39:6; Ezek. 28:5); (5) beauty (Ezek. 28:11, 17); (6) strength to war (2Chron. 26:16); (7) constant boasting of one’s self; glorying in sexual activity; pleasures, and all the vanity of life (1Jn. 2:15; Ps. 24:4; 36:2; Isa. 3:16)
‘Pride of life’ the Greek word alazoneia which means vain-boastings.
‘The world passes away, and the lust thereof; but he that does the will of God abide for ever’ this is the 1st New Testament prophecy in 1 John unfulfilled. The kosmos [Greek] social system will be changed, not annihilated (Eph. 2:2; 2Pet. 3:10).
‘World’ the world system passes away, but the man who does not conform to it abides forever.
‘Passes away’ this does not mean annihilation, but a change, passing out of operation, or away from man’s realm.
‘Does the will of God abides for ever’ the blessings of those who do the will of God are: Entrance into the kingdom (Matt. 7:21); being kept from falling (Matt. 7:24-29); confirmation that one’s deeds are of God (John 3:21); answers to prayer (John 9:31); being blessed (Jas. 1:22-25); never moved (Ps. 15:1-5); to abide forever (1Jn. 2:17); the new birth (1Jn. 2:29); righteousness like Christ (1Jn. 3:7) and confirmation of sonship (3Jn. 1:11).
Living the Word 