1 John 2:28

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

Complete Jewish Bible:

And now, children, remain united with him; so that when he appears, we may have confidence and not shrink back from him in shame at his coming.

Berean Standard Bible:

And now, little children, remain in Christ, so that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.

American Standard Version:

And now, my little children, abide in him; that, if he shall be manifested, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} now^{G3568}, little children^{G5040}, abide^{G3306} in^{G1722} him^{G846}; that^{G2443}, when^{G3752} he shall appear^{G5319}, we may have^{G2192} confidence^{G3954}, and^{G2532} not^{G3361} be ashamed^{G153} before^{G575} him^{G846} at^{G1722} his^{G846} coming^{G3952}.

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Commentary for 1 John 2:28

1 John 2:28 is part of the First Epistle of John, a letter traditionally attributed to the Apostle John, one of Jesus' original disciples. The epistle is believed to have been written in the late first century to early second century AD, addressing various Christian communities that were facing confusion and division, particularly concerning the nature of Christ and how to live out the Christian faith.

The verse itself, "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming," encapsulates several key themes:

1. **Relationship with Christ**: The call to "abide in him" suggests a continuous, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. This abiding is akin to a branch remaining connected to the vine, a metaphor Jesus used to describe the necessity of staying connected to him in order to bear spiritual fruit (John 15:4-5).

2. **Future Hope**: The verse looks forward to the "appearing" or "coming" (parousia) of Christ, a common New Testament theme referring to the second coming of Jesus. This event is anticipated with hope and expectation, and believers are encouraged to live in a way that will allow them to face this moment with confidence rather than shame.

3. **Moral Living**: The anticipation of Christ's return naturally leads to a discussion of moral behavior. The confidence mentioned is not merely intellectual assent to Christian doctrine but is also tied to how one lives. The exhortation implies that a life lived in fellowship with Christ will produce conduct that aligns with his teachings, thus preparing the believer to meet him without shame.

4. **Assurance of Salvation**: The verse also touches on the assurance of salvation. By abiding in Christ, believers are assured of their standing with God, which gives them boldness on the day of judgment. This assurance is not a license to sin but rather a motivation to live righteously.

5. **Pastoral Concern**: The tender address "little children" reflects the pastoral heart of the author, showing his care for his audience. It also indicates the close familial relationship within the early Christian community, where members were seen as part of a spiritual family.

In summary, 1 John 2:28 is a call to perseverance in faith and holiness in anticipation of Christ's return. It emphasizes the importance of a living, active relationship with Jesus, the moral implications of that relationship, and the assurance it brings regarding the believer's eternal destiny. This verse serves as both a comfort and a challenge to believers: to remain steadfast in their commitment to Christ so that they might stand confidently before him when he returns.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3568
   There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: νῦν
   Transliteration: nŷn
   Pronunciation: noon
   Description: a primary particle of present time; "now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate:--henceforth, + hereafter, of late, soon, present, this (time). See also τανῦν, νυνί.
   
3. Strong's Number: G5040
   There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τεκνίον
   Transliteration: tekníon
   Pronunciation: tek-nee'-on
   Description: diminutive of τέκνον; an infant, i.e. (plural figuratively) darlings (Christian converts):--little children.
   
4. Strong's Number: G3306
   There are 105 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μένω
   Transliteration: ménō
   Pronunciation: men'-o
   Description: a primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy):--abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), X thine own.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
6. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2443
   There are 535 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἵνα
   Transliteration: hína
   Pronunciation: hin'-ah
   Description: probably from the same as the former part of ἑαυτοῦ (through the demonstrative idea; compare ὁ); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result):--albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to. Compare ἵνα μή.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3752
   There are 118 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅταν
   Transliteration: hótan
   Pronunciation: hot'-an
   Description: from ὅτε and ἄν; whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as:--as long (soon) as, that, + till, when(-soever), while.
   
9. Strong's Number: G5319
   There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: φανερόω
   Transliteration: phaneróō
   Pronunciation: fan-er-o'-o
   Description: from φανερός; to render apparent (literally or figuratively):--appear, manifestly declare, (make) manifest (forth), shew (self).
   
10. Strong's Number: G2192
    There are 628 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἔχω
    Transliteration: échō
    Pronunciation: skheh'-o
    Description: a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.
    
11. Strong's Number: G3954
    There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: παῤῥησία
    Transliteration: parrhēsía
    Pronunciation: par-rhay-see'-ah
    Description: from πᾶς and a derivative of ῥέω; all out-spokenness, i.e. frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance:--bold (X -ly, -ness, -ness of speech), confidence, X freely, X openly, X plainly(-ness).
    
12. Strong's Number: G3361
    There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μή
    Transliteration: mḗ
    Pronunciation: may
    Description: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas οὐ expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas οὐ expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also ἐὰν μή, ἵνα μή, οὐ μή, μῆκος, μηκύνω, μήν, μὴ οὐκ.
    
13. Strong's Number: G153
    There are 970 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αἰσχύνομαι
    Transliteration: aischýnomai
    Pronunciation: ahee-skhoo'-nom-ahee
    Description: from (disfigurement, i.e. disgrace); to feel shame (for oneself):--be ashamed.
    
14. Strong's Number: G575
    There are 1465 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀπό
    Transliteration: apó
    Pronunciation: apo'
    Description: a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
    
15. Strong's Number: G3952
    There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: παρουσία
    Transliteration: parousía
    Pronunciation: par-oo-see'-ah
    Description: from the present participle of πάρειμι; a being near, i.e. advent (often, return; specially, of Christ to punish Jerusalem, or finally the wicked); (by implication) physically, aspect:--coming, presence.