¶ 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.
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}.
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.
And now, little children, remain in Christ, so that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.
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.
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1 John 4:17
¶ Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. -
Mark 8:38
Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. -
1 John 3:2
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. -
1 John 3:21
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, [then] have we confidence toward God. -
Colossians 3:4
When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. -
1 John 2:1
¶ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: -
1 Thessalonians 3:13
To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
1 John 2:28 (KJV)
"¶ 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."
Commentary
This verse serves as a direct pastoral exhortation from the Apostle John to his readers, whom he affectionately calls "little children" (teknia), a term emphasizing his spiritual fatherhood and tender care for them.
The central command is to "abide in him" (menete en auto). This phrase is a cornerstone of John's theology, especially in his Gospel and Epistles (John 15:4). It means to remain in a living, intimate union with Christ, drawing life, strength, and guidance from Him through faith, obedience, and prayer. It implies a continuous state of dependence and fellowship.
The motivation for this abiding is given: "that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming." John points to the future return of Jesus Christ (His "appearing" or "coming," parousia). Living in close communion with Christ now prepares believers for that day. "Confidence" (parrēsia) here means boldness, freedom of speech, or assurance. Those who have faithfully abided in Him will stand before Him with boldness and assurance, not with the shame that comes from unfaithfulness or spiritual distance.
The key themes are the importance of ongoing spiritual relationship with Christ, the certainty of His return, and the resulting assurance or potential shame at His coming based on one's faithfulness. Abiding in Christ is not merely a good suggestion but a necessary condition for facing the Lord's return with joy and confidence rather than regret.