1st John: Chapter 2

Bible Study w/ Abouna Zakaria
Notes Written by Servant Serving in Mexico

Chapter 2 common love and God is good
1John 2:1-2 the love of Christ to us or accept the Lord is to admit that you sin
Jesus is our advocate
In Spanish the word advocate is the same as the word lawyer “avocato”
We are all on trial and Jesus is our defense lawyer
Romans 8:33-4
He is not only our defense lawyer but also our judge!
Propitiation in Hebrew is “cover”
Like parents take the blame for their children’s actions God took our punishment
1John 2:3-11our love to him and heed his best conservation concentrated in brotherly love
God is like the motor inside you- you stop it from working by cutting off the fuel source
Love of God never stops
Vs.8 sin→no power and new commandment=Jesus
We are reminded of this through communion
Vs.6 God in the middle of us
Vs.12-14 children of our loving God
4 things that children of God receive
Vs.12- sins forgiven
Vs.13- knoing Christ “from the beginning” like in John chapter 1
How did Jesus Christ always exist?- was just not in the flesh ( aka incarnated) so we did not see Him. However, like the wavelegnths that create the picture on a tv screen He was always there and we just couldn’t see Him. When he wanted us to see Him he took a form we could see and understand like turning on a tv in order to see a picture.
Vs.13- knowing the Father
So all in all you are in company with the Holy Spirit

The Trinity is not a line it is a triangle
If this triangle is gold the three corners are all gold but they are not the same
In the same way the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all God but they are not all the same
St. Athanasius compared it to water
1) water=Father
2) water=Son
3) water moving= Holy Spirit
vs.14 “I have written to you”- he had not literally written to them before but rather written to them through his life
When you know God you are the written word of God. Your life is God’s book.
St. John is saying the word is in you and this book is simply to remind you.
Ex: Genesis 39:9 There was no written law for Joseph but he knew because he had the word of God in his heart
The image of God is already in every person but when we sin it is like putting plastic over a picture, it becomes harder to see. When Jesus died for us He removed all that and allowed us to see Him clearly.
Vs.15-17 to reject the love of the world
The church puts these verses after every reading of the catholicon to remind us
Things of the world=vs.16
Vs.18-23to reject the dissident sects on God and His church
The Antichrist=Many people. Have come and are here now and will still come in the future. Antichrist is everyone who denies the son
Vs.20=Holy Mayroon
Vs.27=Holy Spirit
Vs.18-23 Children of God reject things that are not of the church vs.19
Don’t complain about the church but rather light a candle in the dark and if you see something wrong do the right.
Whether directly or indirectly always preach the word of God.
Vs.24-27
We are like branches on a tree. The Holy Spirit is like the tree trunk in our lives. When we cut off the influence of the Holy Spirit we are killing ourselves
We are partners with the Holy Spirit and must work as such
Vs.28-29 Lovers of God and waiting for His coming and lovers of God and Make best