The world is passing away
This phrase emphasizes the transient nature of the physical world and its systems. In biblical context, "the world" often refers to the secular, fallen world system that is in opposition to God. This aligns with passages like 1 Corinthians 7:31, which also speaks of the world passing away. Historically, this reflects the early Christian understanding that the current age is temporary and will be replaced by God's eternal kingdom. The idea of the world passing away is a reminder of the impermanence of earthly things, encouraging believers to focus on eternal values.

along with its desires
The desires of the world refer to the lusts and cravings that are contrary to God's will. This includes materialism, pride, and sinful pleasures. James 4:4 warns against friendship with the world, which is enmity with God. The desires of the world are fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying, contrasting with the eternal satisfaction found in God. This phrase calls believers to reject worldly temptations and pursue spiritual fulfillment.

but whoever does the will of God
Doing the will of God involves obedience to His commandments and living a life that reflects His character. This is a central theme in the teachings of Jesus, as seen in Matthew 7:21, where He states that only those who do the will of the Father will enter the kingdom of heaven. The will of God is revealed through Scripture and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This phrase highlights the importance of aligning one's life with God's purposes.

remains forever
This promise of eternal life is a cornerstone of Christian hope. It contrasts the temporary nature of the world with the permanence of life in Christ. John 3:16 affirms that whoever believes in Jesus will have eternal life. The concept of remaining forever is rooted in the assurance of salvation and the eternal nature of God's kingdom. This phrase encourages believers to persevere in faith, knowing that their ultimate destiny is secure in God.

1. John the Apostle
The author of the epistle, John was one of Jesus' closest disciples and is traditionally understood to have written this letter to encourage and instruct early Christians.

2. The World
In this context, "the world" refers to the secular, sinful system that is opposed to God and His righteousness. It encompasses worldly desires and pursuits that are temporary and fleeting.

3. Believers
The recipients of John's letter, who are encouraged to live according to God's will and not be swayed by worldly desires.

4. God
The eternal being whose will is contrasted with the temporary nature of the world. Those who align with His will are promised eternal life.

5. Eternal Life
The promise of remaining forever with God, a central theme in John's writings, emphasizing the eternal nature of God's kingdom versus the temporal nature of the world.The Temporary Nature of the World
Recognize that worldly desires and pursuits are fleeting. As believers, we should focus on what is eternal and align our lives with God's will.

The Importance of God's Will
Doing the will of God is the pathway to eternal life. We should seek to understand and follow God's will through prayer, scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Living with an Eternal Perspective
Cultivate an eternal perspective by prioritizing spiritual growth and heavenly treasures over temporary worldly gains.

Guarding Against Worldly Desires
Be vigilant against the allure of worldly desires that can distract us from our spiritual journey. Regular self-examination and accountability can help maintain focus on God's will.

Encouragement in Perseverance
Take heart in the promise of eternal life. Despite the challenges and temptations of the world, perseverance in faith and obedience to God leads to eternal reward.Verse 17. - Seeing, then, that the love of the world and the love of the Father are absolutely incompatible, which must we choose? Not the former, for its object is already passing away; while not only does the Father abide for ever, but he who loves him and does his will abides for ever also. The antithesis, as usual, is a progress; it carries us beyond the limits of the original statement. The world is passing away like a dissolving view. It has its sentence of death in itself; its decay has begun. And even if it were not passing away, our capacity for enjoying it would none the less certainly come to an end. "The sensualist does not know what the delights of sense are; he is out of temper when he is denied them; he is out of temper when he possesses them" (Maurice). To love the world is to lose everything, including the thing loved. To love God is to gain him and his kingdom. Some men would have it that the external world is the one thing that is certain and permanent, while religion is based on a mere hypothesis, and is ever changing its form. St. John assures us that the very reverse is the case. The world is waning: it is God alone and his faithful servants who abide. As St. Augustine says, "What can the world promise? Let it promise what you will, it makes the promise, perhaps, to one who tomorrow will die." The will of God is the exact antithesis of "all that is in the world." The one is the good power "that makes for righteousness;" the other is the sum of the evil powers which make for sin. Abideth for ever is literally, abideth unto the age (μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα). The notion of endlessness is, perhaps, not distinctly included; for that we should rather have had εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν, αἰώνων (Revelation 1:18; Revelation 11:15; Revelation 22:5). The contrast is not between "passing away" and "lasting forever," but between "passing away" and abiding till "the age" comes. But as "the age" is the age of eternity as distinguished from this age of time, the rendering "abideth for ever" is justified. The Jews used" this age" and" the age to come" to distinguish the periods before and after the coming of the Messiah. Christians adopted the same phrases to indicate the periods before and after Christ's second coming; e.g., ὁ αἰὼν οῦτος (Luke 16:8; Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 1:20), ὁ νῦν αἰών (1 Timothy 6:17; 2 Timothy 4:10; Titus 2:12), as opposed to ὁ αἰὼν ἐκεῖνος, (Luke 20:35), ὁ αἰὼν ὁ ἐρχόμενος (Luke 18:30), ὁ μέλλων (Ephesians 1:21), and very frequently, as here and throughout St. John's Gospel and Epistles, simply ὁ αἰών. In Revelation the invariable expression is εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων, the τῶν being omitted in Revelation 14:11. The exact meaning here, therefore, is "abideth unto the age," i.e., the coming of Christ's eternal kingdom.

Parallel Commentaries ...


The
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

world
κόσμος (kosmos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2889: Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).

is passing away
παράγεται (paragetai)
Verb - Present Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3855: To pass by, depart, pass away. From para and ago; to lead near, i.e. to go along or away.

[along with]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

its
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

desires,
ἐπιθυμία (epithymia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1939: Desire, eagerness for, inordinate desire, lust. From epithumeo; a longing.

but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

whoever
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

does
ποιῶν (poiōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

will
θέλημα (thelēma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2307: An act of will, will; plur: wishes, desires. From the prolonged form of ethelo; a determination, i.e. choice or inclination.

of God
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

remains
μένει (menei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3306: To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.

forever.
αἰῶνα (aiōna)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 165: From the same as aei; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity; by implication, the world; specially a Messianic period.


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NT Letters: 1 John 2:17 The world is passing away with its (1J iJ 1Jn i jn 1 jo)