1 John 2:1-2

[JonC]

1My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

This is an interesting and often misused verse.

The hang up some have recently is the "whole world" part. They change the meaning to something akin to "elect of all people groups".

what is interesting is this has not always been the case. John Calvin, for example, ttook"whole world" to be imclusive of all mankind without exception.

Why? Because of the language. The "whole world" part meaning every person that has, is, or will live has no bearing on the people group that experiences their sins propiated.

The verse identifies Jesus as the Propitiation for sin. Period. There is no other. Those who are not saved, who do not excape the wrath to come through Christ (this Propitiation) have no other way of escaping the wrath.

Jesus Himself is the Propitiation for the sins of the world.

 

[JonC]

A more interesting aspect, however, when it comes to theological positions, is the first verse.

John tells us not to sin, but if we sin we have an Advocate in Jesus who is Himself the Propitiation.

We have an Advocate or Mediator with the Father.

 

[Paleouss]

The hang up some have recently is the "whole world" part. They change the meaning to something akin to "elect of all people groups".

Greetings JohnC. Many thanks for your contribution to this site and keeping it running.

1John 2:2 is a good example of a reference to the multiple intentions of Christ, imo. It seems to be clearly speaking about what Christ did for those that believe AND clearly refers to all mankind without limit when it uses the word "world".

A more interesting aspect, however, when it comes to theological positions, is the first verse.

It seems to me that the flow of the conversation is (1) John is writing to the church and those that believe, (2) He is writing so they do not sin, (3) If they do sin, they have an advocate with the Father (those that believe have an advocate), (4) He is the propitiation of our sins, meaning for those that believe...

... but then he shifts and says not only for ours (meaning for those that believe)...

...(5) but for he whole world.

Of course you are familiar with how I reconcile this, that is, through the understanding that the I.D.R had multiple intentions. One being the Cosmic Triumph. Jesus Christ, in His Cosmic Triumph, did something that was to the benefit of all mankind. Through this Cosmic Triumph, Jesus Christ is the Savior of all mankind (1Tim 4:10) from the powers of darkness and shows that God is not a lier when the scriptures say "who desires all men to be saved" (1Tim 2:4).


Peace to you brother