1Jo 2:28, 3:5 | JFB | e4.org | 28. little children — Greek, "little sons," as in ; believers of every stage and age. abide in him —Christ. John repeats his monition with a loving appellation, as a father addressing dear children. when —literally, "if"; the uncertainty is not as to the fact, but the time. appear — Greek, "be manifested." we —both writer and readers. ashamed before him —literally, " from Him"; shrink back from Him ashamed. Contrast "boldness in the day of judgment," ; compare . In the Apocalypse (written, therefore, BENGEL thinks, subsequently), Christ's coming is represented as put off to a greater distance.

‏ 1 John 2:28

28. little children—Greek, "little sons," as in 1Jo 2:12; believers of every stage and age.

abide in him—Christ. John repeats his monition with a loving appellation, as a father addressing dear children.

when—literally, "if"; the uncertainty is not as to the fact, but the time.

appear—Greek, "be manifested."

we—both writer and readers.

ashamed before him—literally, "from Him"; shrink back from Him ashamed. Contrast "boldness in the day of judgment," 1Jo 4:17; compare 1Jo 3:21; 5:14. In the Apocalypse (written, therefore, BENGEL thinks, subsequently), Christ's coming is represented as put off to a greater distance.

‏ 1 John 3:5

5. Additional proof of the incompatibility of sin and sonship; the very object of Christ's manifestation in the flesh was to take away (by one act, and entirely, aorist) all sins, as the scapegoat did typically.

and—another proof of the same.

in him is no sin—not "was," but "is," as in 1Jo 3:7, "He is righteous," and 1Jo 3:3, "He is pure." Therefore we are to be so.