unfoldingWord_en_tn/en_tn_63-1JN.tsv

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21JNfrontintronl270# Introduction to 1 John<br><br>## Part 1: General Introduction<br><br>### Outline of the book of 1 John<br><br>This is a letter that the apostle John wrote to challenge and correct false teachings that were leading followers of Jesus to believe wrong things and live in wrong ways. At that time, the letter form had distinct opening and closing sections. The main body of the letter came in between.<br>1. Opening of Letter (1:1-4)<br>1. Main Body of Letter (1:55:12)<br> * Genuine believers obey God and love one another (1:52:17)<br> * It is false teaching to deny that Jesus is the Messiah (2:182:27)<br> * Genuine children of God do not sin (2:283:10)<br> * Genuine believers help one another sacrificially (3:1118)<br> * Genuine believers have confidence in prayer (3:1924)<br> * It is false teaching to deny that Jesus became human (4:16)<br> * Genuine believers love one another as God has loved them (4:721)<br> * It is false teaching to deny that Jesus is the Son of God (5:112)<br>1. Closing of Letter (5:13-21)<br><br>### Who wrote the book of 1 John?<br><br>The author of this letter does not give his name. However, since early Christian times, the church has widely considered the apostle John to be the author. He wrote the Gospel of John, and there are many similarities between the content of that book and this letter. If John did write this letter, he probably did so near the end of his life.<br><br>### To whom was the book of 1 John written?<br><br>The author wrote this letter to people whom he addresses as “beloved” and, figuratively, as “my little children.” This probably refers to believers in various churches located in the area where John was then living.<br><br>### What is the book of 1 John about?<br><br>False teachers were encouraging followers of Jesus to believe wrong things and to live in wrong ways. John wanted to challenge and correct those false teachings so that the people who received his letter would continue to believe the truth that they had been taught and live in right ways. The false teachers were saying that these people were not saved; John wanted to assure them that they were saved.<br><br>### How should the title of this book be translated?<br><br>Translators may choose to call this book by its traditional title, “1 John” or “First John.” They may also choose a different title, such as “The First Letter from John” or “The First Letter John Wrote.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])<br><br>## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts<br><br>### Who were the people whom John spoke against?<br><br>The false teachers whom John was challenging seem to have held beliefs similar to what would later become known as Gnosticism. Those false teachers believed that the physical world was evil. They thought that God would not become human, since they considered the physical body to be evil, so they denied that Jesus was God come to earth in human form. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/evil]])<br><br>## Part 3: Important Translation Issues<br><br>### “sin”<br><br>In chapter 1, John says that we should not deny that we have sinned. Rather, if we confess our sin, God will forgive us. In chapter 2, John says that he is writing this letter so that the recipients will not sin, but he adds that if they do sin, Jesus will advocate on their behalf. But in chapter 3, John says that everyone who has been begotten from God and who remains in God does not commit sin and is not able to sin. And in chapter 5, John says that we should not pray for people who are sinning in certain ways, although we should pray for people who are sinning in other ways. This may seem confusing and contradictory.<br><br>However, the explanation is that the people whose teachings John challenged and corrected in this letter were saying that it did not matter what people did in their bodies. This was because they thought that physical matter was evil, and so they thought that God did not care about it. In effect, they were saying that there was no such thing as sin. So John needed to say, in chapter 1, that sin is real and that everyone has sinned. Some of the believers may have been deceived by the false teaching and committed sins, so John also needed to reassure them that if they repented and confessed their sins, God would forgive them. John says similar things in chapter 2. Then in chapter 3 he explains that the new nature that believers have as children of God is one that does not want to sin and that does not enjoy sinning. So they should recognize that those who excuse or condone sin are not truly children of God, and that as children of God themselves, they can become more and more obedient and free from sin. Finally, in chapter 5, John warns that if a person sins wantonly and continually, this likely means that they have rejected Jesus and are not influenced by the Holy Spirit. He says that in that case, it may not be effective to pray for them. But he then encourages his readers that if a person sins occasionally but feels remorse, he is influenced by the Spirit, and so the prayers of other believers will help him repent and live in a right way again. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/faith]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/forgive]])<br><br>### “remain”<br><br>In this letter, John often uses the word “remain” (which could also be translated as “reside” or “abide”) as a spatial metaphor. John speaks of a believer becoming more faithful to Jesus and knowing Jesus better as if the teaching of Jesus “remained” in the believer. He speaks of a person being spiritually joined to someone else as if that person “remained” in the other person: He writes that Christians “remain” in Christ and in God, and he says that the Father “remains” in the Son, the Son “remains” in the Father, the Son “remains” in believers, and the Holy Spirit “remains” in believers.<br><br>Translators may find it difficult to represent these ideas in their own languages if they try to use exactly the same words and expressions each time. For example, in [2:6](../02/06.md), when John speaks of a believer “remaining” in God, he intends to express the idea of that believer being spiritually unified with God. Accordingly, UST speaks of how the believer “shares life with God.” To give another example, for the statement in [2:14](../02/14.md) that “the word of God remains in you,” UST says, “you continue to obey what God commands.” This shows how other expressions can be found that accurately communicate the various ideas that John is expressing through the term “remain.”<br><br>### “appear”<br><br>In several places in this letter, John uses a term that ULT usually translates as “appear.” This is actually a passive verbal form in Greek, but as is often the case with such forms in that language, it can have an active meaning. When it has an active meaning, it is important to recognize that it does not simply mean “seemed to be there,” as the word “appeared” might suggest. Rather, it means “came to be there.” This is illustrated well by the use of the term in another New Testament book, 2 Corinthians, in which Paul writes in [5:10](../2co/05/10.md) that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” Clearly this does not mean that we must only seem to be present there. Rather, we must actually arrive there.<br><br>Throughout the epistle, it is a subtle matter of interpretation to decide whether John is using the term “appear” in an active sense or in a passive sense. For example, in [1:2](../01/02.md), John applies the term twice to the “Word of life,” that is, to Jesus. But it is not clear whether he is saying that Jesus himself “appeared,” that is, he came to earth, or that he “was made apparent” (made visible), with the emphasis on the idea that God revealed Jesus to the world and in the process revealed himself to the world through Jesus. At each place where John uses this term, notes will call attention to it and discuss what it likely means in that context.<br><br>### “the world”<br><br>John also uses the term “world” in a variety of senses in this letter. It can mean the earth, something material, the people who live in the world, the people who do not honor God, or the values of the people who do not honor God. Notes will address the meaning of the term “world” in each instance where John uses it.<br><br>### “to know”<br><br>The verb “to know” is used in two different ways in this letter. Sometimes it is used about knowing a fact, as in 3:2, 3:5, and 3:19. Sometimes it means to experience and understand someone or something, as in 3:1, 3:6, 3:16, and 3:20. Sometimes John uses it in two different senses in the same sentence, as in 2:3, “in this we know that we have known him.” Your language may have different words for these different meanings. If so, you must be careful to use the appropriate word in the right place in your translation.<br><br>### “We”<br><br>In most cases in this letter, the first-person plural pronouns (“we, our,” etc.) are inclusive, and so if your language marks that distinction, use the inclusive form in your translation. In those cases, John is speaking of what both he and the recipients know, or of things that are true of both him and the recipients. However, in a few cases, the first-person pronouns are exclusive, since John is telling the recipients what he and his fellow apostles saw and heard from Jesus. The notes will identify all such places, and in them you should use the exclusive forms, if your language marks that distinction. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])<br><br>### “You, your”<br><br>The words “you” and “your” in this letter are plural.<br><br>### Light and darkness<br><br>In 1:5-7 and 2:8-11 John uses an extended metaphor in which light represents what is good or holy and darkness represents what is evil. If this is not easily understood in your language, you may need to say explicitly that light represents goodness or that light is like goodness, or you may choose to talk about goodness without using the symbol of light. There will be a note explaining the metaphor in each place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exmetaphor]])<br><br>### Major textual issues in the text of the book of 1 John<br><br>When ancient manuscripts of the Bible differ, ULT puts the reading that scholars consider to be the most accurate in its text, but it puts other possibly accurate readings in footnotes. The introductions to each chapter will discuss places where the ancient manuscripts differ in significant ways, and notes will address those places again where they occur in the book. If a translation of the Bible already exists in your region, consider using the readings found in that version. If not, we recommend that you follow the readings in the ULT text. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]])
31JN1introab9v0# 1 John 1 General Notes<br><br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>1. Opening of the letter (1:1-4)<br>2. Genuine believers obey God and love one another (1:510, continues through 2:17)<br><br>## Important translation issues in this chapter<br><br>Like many Greek compositions of this time, for stylistic purposes this letter begins with a very long sentence. It goes from the beginning of [1:1](../01/01.md) to the middle of [1:3](../01/03.md). The parts of this sentence are not in the order that is customary in many languages. The direct object comes first, and it is very long, made up of many different clauses. The subject and verb do not come until near the end. And in the middle, there is a long digression. So it will be a challenge to translate.<br><br>One approach that might work well in your language would be to create a verse bridge that includes all of 1:13. You could break up this long sentence into several smaller sentences, repeating the subject and verb for clarity. This would allow you to present the parts of the sentence in an order that might be more customary in your language and that your readers might understand better. Here is an example of 1 John 1:1-3 rearranged into an order that might be clearer in your language:<br><br>“So that you will have fellowship with us, we are declaring to you what we have seen and heard. We are declaring to you what was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched. It has to do with the Word of life. Indeed, the life appeared, and we have seen it, and we are testifying to it. Yes, we are announcing to you the eternal life that was with the Father and that then came to us.”<br><br>If you take this approach, another way to translate the second sentence would be, “We are declaring to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and our hands have touched.”<br><br>Another approach that could also work well, and which would not require a verse bridge, would be to leave the phrases in their present order, but to divide the sentence into three parts at the verse divisions. If you do that, you could also put your translation of the phrase “regarding the Word of life” at the beginning rather than the end of [1:1](../01/01.md) and present it as a topical introduction to the letter. Otherwise, your readers might not get the sense that this is a letter until they reached [1:4](../01/04.md), where John formally states his purpose for writing.<br><br>The notes to [1:14](../01/01.md) provide further specific suggestions for how to translate this long opening sentence. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-versebridge]])<br><br>## Important textual issues in this chapter<br><br>In [1:4](../01/04.md), the most accurate ancient manuscripts read “so that our joy may be fulfilled.” ULT follows that reading. However, some other ancient manuscripts read “your joy” instead of “our joy.” If a translation of the Bible already exists in your region, consider using whichever reading is found in that version. If a translation does not already exist, we recommend that you follow the reading in the ULT text. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]])
41JN11honhchecking/headings0If you are using section headings, you could put one here before verse 1. Suggested heading: “The Word of Life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/checking/headings]])
51JN11j363writing-pronounsὃ ἦν ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς, ὃ ἀκηκόαμεν, ὃ ἑωράκαμεν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν, ὃ ἐθεασάμεθα, καὶ αἱ χεῖρες ἡμῶν ἐψηλάφησαν, περὶ τοῦ λόγου τῆς ζωῆς—1What was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touchedSee the discussion in the General Notes to this chapter for how to translate the long sentence in [1:13](../01/01.md). If you follow the suggestion to translate the phrase **regarding the Word of life** as a topical introduction to this letter, you will already have indicated that the four clauses in this verse refer to a person, Jesus. If you have pronouns in your language that refer to people, such as “he,” “who,” and “whom,” it would be appropriate to use them here. Alternate translation: “Regarding the Word of life—he is the one who has existed from all eternity, whom we heard speak, whom we saw with our own eyes, and whom we looked at and touched with our own hands” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
61JN11j364figs-idiomἀπ’ ἀρχῆς1from the beginningJohn uses the phrase **from the beginning** in various ways in this letter. Here it refers to the fact that Jesus has always existed. Alternate translation: “from all eternity” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
71JN11jd7pfigs-exclusiveἀκηκόαμεν…ἑωράκαμεν…ἡμῶν…ἐθεασάμεθα…ἡμῶν1we have heard … we have seen … our … we have looked at … ourHere the pronouns **we** and **our** are exclusive, since John is speaking on behalf of himself and the other eyewitnesses to the earthly life of Jesus, but the people to whom he is writing did not see Jesus. So use exclusive forms here, if your language marks that distinction. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])
81JN11ej5xfigs-explicitἀκηκόαμεν1we have heardThe implication is that what John and the other eyewitnesses **heard** was Jesus speaking. If it would be helpful in your language, you could include this information, as in the UST. Alternate translation: “we heard speak” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
91JN11rb73figs-parallelismὃ ἑωράκαμεν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν, ὃ ἐθεασάμεθα1which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked atThese two phrases mean the same thing. John is likely using the repetition for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases and show the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “whom we saw clearly ourselves” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
101JN11j001figs-explicitinfoἑωράκαμεν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν…καὶ αἱ χεῖρες ἡμῶν ἐψηλάφησαν1which we have seen with our eyes … and our hands have touchedIn your language, it might seem that these phrases express unnecessary extra information. If so, you could abbreviate them. However, your language may have its own way of using such extra information for emphasis, and you could also do that in your translation. Alternate translation: “we saw … and touched” or “we saw with our own eyes … and touched with our own hands” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo]])
111JN11j002figs-explicitἑωράκαμεν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν…αἱ χεῖρες ἡμῶν ἐψηλάφησαν1which we have seen with our eyes … and our hands have touchedThe false teachers were denying that Jesus was a real human being and saying that he was only a spirit. But the implications of what John is saying here are that Jesus was a real human being. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state that explicitly, as in the UST. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
121JN11j003περὶ τοῦ λόγου τῆς ζωῆς1regarding the Word of lifeAs the General Notes to this chapter suggest, you could put your translation of this phrase, **regarding the Word of life**, at the beginning of this verse and present it as a sentence of its own as a topical introduction to the letter, as UST does. Alternate translation: “We are writing to you about Jesus, the Word of life”
131JN11j004writing-pronounsπερὶ τοῦ λόγου τῆς ζωῆς1regarding the Word of lifeLetter writers of this time typically began by giving their own names. That is the case for most of the letters in the New Testament. This letter is an exception, but if it would be helpful to your readers, you could supply Johns name here, as UST does. As noted above, John uses the plural pronoun “we” because he is speaking on behalf of himself and the other eyewitnesses to Jesus earthly life. But it may be more natural in your language for him to refer to himself with a singular pronoun, and if so, you could do that in your translation. Alternate translation: “I, John, am writing to you about Jesus, the Word of life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
141JN11gt44figs-explicitτοῦ λόγου τῆς ζωῆς1the Word of lifeHere, **the Word of life** is implicitly a description of Jesus. As the General Introduction explains, there are many similarities between this letter and the Gospel of John. That gospel begins by saying about Jesus, “In the beginning was the Word.” So it is likely that when John speaks in this letter of **the Word of life** that “was from the beginning,” he is also speaking about Jesus. ULT indicates this by capitalizing **Word** to indicate that this is a title for Jesus. Alternate translation: “Jesus, the Word of God, who gives life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
151JN11j005figs-possessionτῆς ζωῆς1of lifeThis could be referring either to the **life** that Jesus has or to the life that Jesus gives. But since John is writing this letter to reassure believers, it seems more likely that this expression is referring to the **life** that “the Word” (Jesus) gives to those who believe. Alternate translation: “who gives life to everyone who believes in him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]])
161JN11i8b4figs-metaphorτῆς ζωῆς1of lifeIn this letter, John uses **life** in different ways, either to refer literally to physical life or figuratively to spiritual life. Here the reference is to spiritual life. Alternate translation: “of spiritual life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
171JN12la4afigs-activepassiveκαὶ ἡ ζωὴ ἐφανερώθη1indeed, the life appearedSee the discussion of the term “appear” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. Here the term could mean one of two things. (1) John could be emphasizing how Jesus came to this earth. (UST brings this out by saying “he came here to the earth.”) In that case, this would be a situation in which a Greek passive verbal form has an active meaning. As the General Notes to this chapter suggest, it may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “Indeed, the life came right here” (2) John could be emphasizing how God revealed Jesus to the world and thereby revealed himself to the world through Jesus. To bring out that emphasis, you could translate this with a passive verbal form or, if your language does not use passive forms, you can use an active form and say who did the action. Alternate translation: “Indeed, the life was made visible” or “Indeed, God made the life visible” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
181JN12j006figs-metonymyἡ ζωὴ1the lifeJohn is speaking figuratively of Jesus, whom he calls the “Word of life” in the previous verse, by referring to **the life** that is associated with him. In this case it seems to describe the **life** that Jesus embodies rather than the **life** that he gives. Alternate translation: “Jesus” or “Jesus, who is life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
191JN12j007figs-exclusiveἑωράκαμεν…μαρτυροῦμεν…ἀπαγγέλλομεν…ἡμῖν1we have seen … we are bearing witness … we are announcing … usJohn is speaking on behalf of himself and the other eyewitnesses to the earthly life of Jesus, so the pronouns **we** and **us** are exclusive in this verse. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])
201JN12j008figs-youὑμῖν1youAs the General Introduction explains, John is writing this letter to believers in various churches, and so the pronouns **you**, “your,” and “yourselves” are plural throughout the entire letter. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])
211JN12jp6swriting-pronounsἑωράκαμεν, καὶ μαρτυροῦμεν,1we have seen it, and we are testifying to itIf you decided to use personal pronouns in [1:1](../01/01.md), you could use them in these cases as well. Alternate translation: “we have seen him, and we are testifying that we saw him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
221JN12ih36figs-parallelismμαρτυροῦμεν, καὶ ἀπαγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν1we are testifying to it, yes, we are announcing to youThese two phrases mean similar things. John is likely using repetition for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases and express the emphasis in another way, as UST does. Alternate translation: “we are enthusiastically telling you about” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
231JN12lyt6figs-metonymyτὴν ζωὴν τὴν αἰώνιον1the eternal lifeAs earlier in the verse, John is speaking figuratively of Jesus by referring to the **life** that is associated with him. Alternate translation: “Jesus, who is eternal life” or “Jesus, who has always been alive” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
241JN12itv8guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτὸν Πατέρα1the FatherThe title **the Father** is an important title for God. Alternate translation: “God the Father” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
251JN12fru2figs-activepassiveκαὶ ἐφανερώθη ἡμῖν1and appeared to usSee how you translated **appeared** earlier in this verse. Alternate translation: “and came right to us” or “and was made visible to us” or “and whom God made visible to us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
261JN13j009grammar-connect-logic-resultὃ ἑωράκαμεν, καὶ ἀκηκόαμεν, ἀπαγγέλλομεν καὶ ὑμῖν, ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς κοινωνίαν ἔχητε μεθ’ ἡμῶν1what we have seen and heard, we declare also to you, so you also will have fellowship with usIf it would be helpful in your language, you could rearrange the parts of this section. You could move the clause beginning with **so you also** to the beginning of the verse, since that clause gives the reason for the action that the rest of the verse describes. For clarity, you could also place the direct-object clause **what we have seen and heard** after the subject and verb **we declare … to you**. In that case, you would not need to translate **also** after **declare**. As the General Notes to this chapter suggest, it may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “So that you also may have fellowship with us, we are declaring to you what we have seen and heard” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
271JN13vw2wfigs-explicitὃ ἑωράκαμεν, καὶ ἀκηκόαμεν1what we have seen and heardJohn is referring implicitly to the way that he and the other eyewitnesses had **seen and heard** Jesus when he was alive on earth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could include this information, as in the UST. Alternate translation: “what we saw and heard of Jesus when he was alive on earth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
281JN13j010figs-exclusiveἑωράκαμεν, καὶ ἀκηκόαμεν, ἀπαγγέλλομεν…ἡμῶν1we have seen and heard, we declare … usJohn is speaking on behalf of himself and the other eyewitnesses to the earthly life of Jesus, so the pronouns **we** and **us** are exclusive. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])
291JN13dw7lfigs-abstractnounsκαὶ ὑμεῖς κοινωνίαν ἔχητε μεθ’ ἡμῶν…ἡ κοινωνία…ἡ ἡμετέρα μετὰ τοῦ Πατρὸς, καὶ μετὰ τοῦ Υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ1you also will have fellowship with us … our fellowship is with the Father and with his SonIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **fellowship** with a concrete noun such as “friends” and an adjective such as “close.” Alternate translation: “so that you could be close friends with us … we are all close friends with God the Father and with his Son Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
301JN13tf4mfigs-exclusiveἡ κοινωνία…ἡ ἡμετέρα1our fellowship isThe word **our** here is likely inclusive, since John is writing to fellow believers. So if your language marks that distinction, you should translate the term as inclusive. Even if your language does not mark that distinction, you can indicate in your translation that the term applies both to John and to the people he is writing to. Alternate translation: “we are all close friends” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])
311JN13rxq7guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτοῦ Πατρὸς…τοῦ Υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ1the Father … his SonThese are important titles. Alternate translation: “God the Father … his Son” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
321JN14j011writing-pronounsταῦτα γράφομεν ἡμεῖς1we are writing these thingsAs the General Notes to this chapter explain, here John is formally stating his purpose for writing. If you decided in [1:1](../01/01.md) that it would be more natural in your language for him to refer to himself with a singular pronoun in such a context, you could do the same thing here. Alternate translation: “I, John, am writing these things” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
331JN14j012figs-exclusiveἡμεῖς…ἡμῶν1we … ourIf you use the plural pronoun **we** here, it would be exclusive, since John is speaking of himself and the other eyewitnesses on whose behalf he is writing. However, the term **our** in the second clause is likely inclusive, since John probably means that he wants both himself and his readers to have **joy** in the shared fellowship with one another and with the Father and the Son that he describes in the previous verse. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])
341JN14j013translate-textvariantsἡ χαρὰ ἡμῶν1so that our joy may be fulfilledSee the discussion of textual issues at the end of the General Notes to this chapter to decide whether to follow the reading of ULT and say **our joy** or to follow the reading of some other versions and say “your joy.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]])
351JN14j014figs-youἡ χαρὰ ἡμῶν1so that our joy may be fulfilledIf you follow the variant reading “your joy” here instead of **our joy**, the word “your” would be plural, as in the rest of this letter, since it would refer to a group of believers. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])
361JN14xn9dfigs-abstractnounsἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ἡμῶν ᾖ πεπληρωμένη1so that our joy may be fulfilledIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **joy** with an adjective such as “happy.” Alternate translation: “so that we will be completely happy” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
371JN14j015figs-activepassiveἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ἡμῶν ᾖ πεπληρωμένη1so that our joy may be fulfilledIf your language does not use this passive form, you can express this with an active form. Alternate translation: “so that we will be completely happy” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
381JN14j016figs-explicitἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ἡμῶν ᾖ πεπληρωμένη1so that our joy may be fulfilledThe implications are that John and his readers will be completely happy together if his readers recognize the truth of what he is writing to them about. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state that explicitly, as UST does. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
391JN15hdrvchecking/headings0If you are using section headings, you could put one here before verse 5. Suggested heading: “Sin Prevents Fellowship with God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/checking/headings]])
401JN15djn4figs-exclusiveἀκηκόαμεν1we have heardThe pronoun **we** is exclusive, since John is speaking on behalf of himself and the other eyewitnesses to the earthly life of Jesus. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])
411JN15j017writing-pronounsἀπ’ αὐτοῦ1from himThe pronoun **him** in this first instance in the verse refers to Jesus, since John is speaking of the message that he and the other eyewitnesses heard from Jesus. Alternate translation: “from Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
421JN15j018figs-parallelismὁ Θεὸς φῶς ἐστιν, καὶ σκοτία ἐν αὐτῷ, οὐκ ἔστιν οὐδεμία1God is light, and darkness is not in him at allThese two phrases mean similar things. John is likely using repetition for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases and express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “God is entirely light” or, if you represent these metaphors non-figuratively (see next two notes), “God is completely holy” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
431JN15cd6ffigs-metaphorὁ Θεὸς φῶς ἐστιν1God is lightJohn often uses **light** figuratively in this letter to mean what is holy, right, and good. Here, in reference to God, it indicates holiness. Alternate translation: “God is holy” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
441JN15e9m2figs-metaphorσκοτία ἐν αὐτῷ, οὐκ ἔστιν οὐδεμία1darkness is not in him at allJohn often uses the word **darkness** figuratively in this letter to mean what is evil. Alternate translation: “God is not evil at all” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
451JN15j019figs-doublenegativesσκοτία ἐν αὐτῷ, οὐκ ἔστιν οὐδεμία1darkness is not in him at allJohn is using a double negative in Greek for emphasis. In English it would come out as, “darkness is not in him not at all.” In Greek the second negative does not cancel the first negative to create a positive meaning. In English the meaning would inaccurately be positive, which is why ULT uses only one negative and says “darkness is not in him at all.” But if your language uses double negatives for emphasis that do not cancel one another, it would be appropriate to use that construction in your translation. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]])
461JN15j020writing-pronounsἐν αὐτῷ1in himIn this second instance in the verse, the pronoun **him** refers to God. Alternate translation: “in God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
471JN16j021figs-hypoἐὰν εἴπωμεν ὅτι κοινωνίαν ἔχομεν μετ’ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐν τῷ σκότει περιπατῶμεν, ψευδόμεθα καὶ οὐ ποιοῦμεν τὴν ἀλήθειαν1If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness, we are lying and are not doing the truthJohn is using a hypothetical situation to help his readers recognize the importance of consistency between their words and their actions. Alternate translation: “Suppose we say that we have fellowship with him, but we walk in darkness. Then we are lying and are not doing the truth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo]])
481JN16j022figs-abstractnounsἐὰν εἴπωμεν ὅτι κοινωνίαν ἔχομεν μετ’ αὐτοῦ1If we say that we have fellowship with himIf your language does not use abstract nouns, see how you expressed the idea behind the abstract noun **fellowship** in [1:3](../01/03.md). Alternate translation: “If we say that we are close friends with God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
491JN16j023writing-pronounsμετ’ αὐτοῦ1with himThe pronoun **him** here refers to God, the antecedent from the previous verse. Alternate translation: “with God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
501JN16j024grammar-connect-logic-contrastκαὶ1andJohn is using the word **and** here to introduce a contrast between what would be expected of a person who claims to have fellowship with God and what such a person might do instead. Alternate translation: “but” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
511JN16f958figs-metaphorἐν τῷ σκότει περιπατῶμεν1walk in darknessJohn is using the word **walk** figuratively to mean how a person lives and behaves. Alternate translation: “do what is evil” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
521JN16j025figs-metaphorἐν τῷ σκότει περιπατῶμεν1walk in darknessAs in [1:5](../01/05.md), John is using the word **darkness** figuratively to mean evil. Alternate translation: “do what is evil” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
531JN16j026figs-parallelismψευδόμεθα καὶ οὐ ποιοῦμεν τὴν ἀλήθειαν1we are lying and we are not doing the truthThese two phrases mean similar things. John is likely using repetition for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases and express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “we are really not truthful at all” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
541JN16j027figs-abstractnounsοὐ ποιοῦμεν τὴν ἀλήθειαν1we are not doing the truthIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **truth** with the concrete noun “message” from the previous verse, since that seems to be what John means by **the truth** in this case. Alternate translation: “we are not living according to Gods true message” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
551JN17j028figs-hypoἐὰν δὲ ἐν τῷ φωτὶ περιπατῶμεν, ὡς αὐτός ἐστιν ἐν τῷ φωτί, κοινωνίαν ἔχομεν μετ’ ἀλλήλων1But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one anotherJohn is using another hypothetical situation to help his readers recognize the value and benefits of living a life that is holy, as God is holy. Alternate translation: “But suppose we walk in the light as he is in the light. Then we have fellowship with one another” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo]])
561JN17lpr3figs-metaphorἐν τῷ φωτὶ περιπατῶμεν1we walk in the lightJohn is using the word **walk** figuratively to mean how a person lives and behaves. Alternate translation: “we do what is right” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
571JN17j029figs-metaphorἐν τῷ φωτὶ περιπατῶμεν1we walk in the lightAs in [1:5](../01/05.md), John is using the word **light** figuratively to mean what is holy, right, and good. Alternate translation: “we do what is holy” or “we do what is right” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
581JN17j030writing-pronounsὡς αὐτός ἐστιν ἐν τῷ φωτί1as he is in the lightHere the pronoun **he** refers to God. Alternate translation: “as God is in the light” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
591JN17j031figs-metaphorὡς αὐτός ἐστιν ἐν τῷ φωτί1as he is in the lightJohn is using the word **light** figuratively to mean what is holy. Alternate translation: “as God is holy” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
601JN17j032figs-abstractnounsκοινωνίαν ἔχομεν μετ’ ἀλλήλων1we have fellowship with one anotherIf your language does not use abstract nouns, see how you expressed the idea behind the abstract noun **fellowship** in [1:3](../01/03.md). Alternate translation: “then we are close friends with one another” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
611JN17d7d8figs-metonymyτὸ αἷμα Ἰησοῦ1the blood of JesusJohn is using the word **blood** figuratively here to refer to the sacrificial death of Jesus, by association with the **blood** that Jesus shed when he died for our sins. Alternate translation: “the death of Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
621JN17j033figs-metaphorκαθαρίζει ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης ἁμαρτίας1cleanses us from all sinJohn is speaking figuratively of **sin** as if it made a person dirty and of the **blood** of Jesus as if it made a person clean. Alternate translation: “takes away all of our sin” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
631JN17jb3eguidelines-sonofgodprinciplesἸησοῦ τοῦ Υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ1Jesus his Son**Son** is an important title for Jesus, the Son of God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
641JN18j034figs-hypoἐὰν εἴπωμεν ὅτι ἁμαρτίαν οὐκ ἔχομεν, ἑαυτοὺς πλανῶμεν καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἡμῖν1If we say that we have no sin, we are leading ourselves astray, and the truth is not in usJohn is using another hypothetical situation to help his readers recognize the importance of consistency between their words and their actions. Alternate translation: “Suppose we say that we have no sin. Then we are leading ourselves astray, and the truth is not in us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo]])
651JN18enu7ἁμαρτίαν οὐκ ἔχομεν1we have no sinAlternate translation: “we never sin”
661JN18m8hffigs-metaphorἑαυτοὺς πλανῶμεν1we are leading ourselves astrayJohn speaks figuratively of those who say this as if they were guides who were leading people—themselves, actually—in the wrong direction. Alternate translation: “we are deceiving ourselves” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
671JN18tt51figs-metaphorἡ ἀλήθεια οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἡμῖν1the truth is not in usJohn speaks figuratively of the **truth** as if it were an object that could be inside believers. Alternate translation: “we do not believe that what God says is true” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
681JN18j035figs-abstractnounsἡ ἀλήθεια οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἡμῖν1the truth is not in usIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **truth** with an adjective such as “true.” Alternate translation: “we do not believe that what God says is true” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
691JN19j036figs-hypoἐὰν ὁμολογῶμεν τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν, πιστός ἐστιν καὶ δίκαιος1If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteousJohn is using another hypothetical situation to help his readers recognize the value and benefits of living in holiness. Alternate translation: “Suppose we confess our sins. Then he is faithful and righteous” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo]])
701JN19agvefigs-explicitἐὰν ὁμολογῶμεν τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν1Part of confessing sin to God is rejecting them. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state that explicitly. Alternate translation: “If we confess our sins to God and turn away from them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
711JN19gb5lwriting-pronounsπιστός ἐστιν…ἵνα ἀφῇ1he is faithful … that he should forgiveThe pronoun **he** refers to God in both instances in this verse. Alternate translation: “God is faithful … and God will forgive” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
721JN19f68cfigs-parallelismἵνα ἀφῇ ἡμῖν τὰς ἁμαρτίας, καὶ καθαρίσῃ ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης ἀδικίας1that he should forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousnessThese two phrases mean basically the same thing. John is likely using them together for emphasis. If including both phrases would be confusing for your readers, you could combine them and express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “and he will completely forgive us of what we have done wrong” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
731JN19j038figs-metaphorκαθαρίσῃ ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης ἀδικίας1cleanse us from all unrighteousnessAs in [1:7](../01/07.md), John is speaking figuratively of **sins** as if they made a person dirty and of Gods forgiveness as if it made a person clean. Alternate translation: “not hold against us anything that we have done wrong” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
741JN19j039figs-abstractnounsπάσης ἀδικίας1all unrighteousnessIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **unrighteousness** with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “anything that we have done wrong” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
751JN110j040figs-hypoἐὰν εἴπωμεν ὅτι οὐχ ἡμαρτήκαμεν, ψεύστην ποιοῦμεν αὐτὸν1If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liarJohn is using another hypothetical situation to help his readers recognize the serious implications of not living in holiness. Alternate translation: “Suppose we say that we have not sinned. Then we are calling God a liar” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo]])
761JN110j041writing-pronounsαὐτὸν…αὐτοῦ1him … hisThe pronouns **him** and **his** refer to God in this verse. Alternate translation: “God … Gods” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
771JN110hii2figs-explicitψεύστην ποιοῦμεν αὐτὸν1we make him a liarBe sure that it is clear in your translation that God would not actually be a **liar** in this case. Rather, a person who claimed to be without sin would be calling God a liar, since God has said that everyone is a sinner. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state that explicitly. Alternate translation: “that is the same as calling God a liar, because God has said that we have all sinned” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
781JN110j042figs-metonymyὁ λόγος αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἡμῖν1his word is not in usJohn is using the term **word** figuratively to mean what God has said by using words. Alternate translation: “we do not believe what God has said” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
791JN110m3p1figs-metaphorὁ λόγος αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἡμῖν1his word is not in usAs he did about the “truth” in [1:8](../01/08.md), John is speaking figuratively of Gods **word** as if it were an object that could be inside believers. Alternate translation: “we do not believe what God has said” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
801JN2introzjj90# 1 John 2 General Notes<br><br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>1. Genuine believers obey God and love one another (2:117, continuing from 1:5)<br>2. It is false teaching to deny that Jesus is the Messiah (2:182:27)<br>3. Genuine children of God do not sin (2:2829, continues through 3:10)<br><br>In order to show that John is writing something like poetry in [2:1214](../02/12.md), some translations set the statements in those verses farther to the right than the rest of the text, and they begin a new line at the start of each statement.<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Antichrist<br><br>In [2:18](../02/18.md) and [2:22](../02/22.md), John writes both about a specific person called the Antichrist and about many people who will be “antichrists.” The word “antichrist” means “opposed to Christ.” The Antichrist is a person who will come just before the return of Jesus and imitate Jesus work, but he will do that for evil purposes. Before that person comes, there will be many other people who work against Christ. They too are called “antichrists,” but as a description rather than as a name. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/antichrist]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/lastday]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/evil]])<br><br>## Important textual issues in this chapter<br><br>In [2:20](../02/20.md), some ancient manuscripts read “you all know,” and that is the reading that ULT follows. However, other ancient manuscripts read “you know all things.” It seems more likely, based on everything else in the letter, that “you all know” is the correct original reading, since John is countering the claim of false teachers to know more than other believers. The reading “you know all things” seems to have arisen because copyists felt a need to have an object for the verb “know.” Nevertheless, if a translation of the Bible already exists in your region, consider using whichever reading is found in that version. If a translation does not already exist, we recommend that you follow the reading in the ULT text. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]])
811JN21j043τεκνία μου1My little childrenHere and in several other places in the book, John uses the diminutive form of the word **children** as an affectionate form of address. Alternate translation: “My dear children”
821JN21v57gfigs-metaphorτεκνία μου1My little childrenJohn is using the word **children** figuratively to describe the believers to whom he is writing. They are under his spiritual care, and so he regards them in that sense as if they were his own children. You could translate this in a non-figurative way, or you could represent the metaphor as a simile, as UST does. Alternate translation: “You dear believers who are under my care” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
831JN21p49eταῦτα γράφω1I am writing these thingsHere, **these things** refers generally to everything that John has written about in the letter so far. Alternate translation: “I am writing this letter”
841JN21j044grammar-connect-logic-contrastκαὶ1AndThe word **And** here introduces a contrast between what John hopes to achieve by writing, that these believers will not sin, and what might happen, that one of them might sin. Alternate translation: “But” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
851JN21bi4gfigs-hypoἐάν τις ἁμάρτῃ, Παράκλητον ἔχομεν πρὸς τὸν Πατέρα1if anyone should sin, we have an advocate with the FatherJohn is describing a hypothetical situation in order to reassure his readers. Alternate translation: “suppose someone does sin. Then we have an advocate with the Father” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo]])
861JN21stj2figs-explicitΠαράκλητον ἔχομεν πρὸς τὸν Πατέρα, Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν1we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus ChristJohn assumes that his readers will know that an **advocate** is someone who takes a persons side and pleads on his behalf. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Jesus Christ will take our side and ask God the Father to forgive us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
871JN21j045guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτὸν Πατέρα1the FatherThis is an important title for God. Alternate translation: “God the Father” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
881JN21j046figs-nominaladjδίκαιον1the righteousJohn is using the adjective **righteous** as a noun in order to indicate a specific type of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “the one who is righteous” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])
891JN22j047writing-pronounsαὐτὸς1heThe pronoun **he** here refers to Jesus, the antecedent in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
901JN22h8fgfigs-abstractnounsαὐτὸς ἱλασμός ἐστιν περὶ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν, οὐ περὶ τῶν ἡμετέρων δὲ μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ περὶ ὅλου τοῦ κόσμου1he is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole worldThe abstract noun **propitiation** refers to something that someone does for someone else or gives to someone else so that he will no longer be angry. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this term by translating it with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “because of Jesus, God is no longer angry about our sins, and not only about ours, but also about those of the whole world” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
911JN22j048figs-metonymyὅλου τοῦ κόσμου1the whole worldJohn uses **world** to mean various things in this letter. Here it figuratively refers to the people living in the world. Alternate translation: “everyone in the world” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
921JN22m14qfigs-ellipsisοὐ περὶ τῶν ἡμετέρων δὲ μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ περὶ ὅλου τοῦ κόσμου1John leaves out the word for “sins” in these clauses because it is understood from the previous clause. If it would be helpful in your language, you could include the missing word. Alternate translation: “and not only for our sins, but also for the sins of the whole world” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
931JN23j049grammar-connect-logic-resultἐν τούτῳ γινώσκομεν ὅτι ἐγνώκαμεν αὐτόν, ἐὰν τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ τηρῶμεν1in this we know that we have known him, if we keep his commandmentsIf it would be helpful in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: “if we obey what he has commanded, then we can be assured that we have a close relationship with him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
941JN23ubc9grammar-connect-condition-factἐν τούτῳ γινώσκομεν ὅτι ἐγνώκαμεν αὐτόν, ἐὰν τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ τηρῶμεν1If your language would not use a conditional statement with **if** for something that is true, you could express the same idea using a word like “by” or another way. Alternate translation: “there is a way to be sure that we truly know God. This is by obeying his commandments” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-fact]])
951JN23j050figs-idiomἐν τούτῳ γινώσκομεν ὅτι1in this we know thatThis is an idiomatic expression that John uses many times in this letter. Alternate translation: “this is how we know that” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
961JN23el7qγινώσκομεν ὅτι ἐγνώκαμεν αὐτόν1we know that we have known himJohn is using the word **know** in two different senses here. See the discussion of the word **know** in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. If your language has different words for these different senses, it would be appropriate to use them here. Alternate translation: “we can be assured that we have a close relationship with him”
971JN23j051writing-pronounsαὐτόν…αὐτοῦ1him … hisIn this verse, the pronouns **him** and **his** refer to God, the one who has given the commandments that people must obey. Alternate translation: “God … Gods” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
981JN23qn85figs-idiomἐὰν τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ τηρῶμεν1if we keep his commandmentsHere, **keep** is an idiom that means “obey.” Alternate translation: “if we obey what he has commanded” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
991JN24j052figs-hypoὁ λέγων, ὅτι ἔγνωκα αὐτὸν, καὶ τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ μὴ τηρῶν, ψεύστης ἐστίν1The one who says, “I know him,” and does not keep his commandments is a liarJohn is describing a hypothetical situation in order to challenge his readers. Alternate translation: “Suppose someone says, I have a close relationship with God, but he does not obey what God has commanded. Then that person is a liar” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo]])
1001JN24kmz5ὁ λέγων1The one who saysAlternate translation: “Anyone who says” or “The person who says”
1011JN24q665ἔγνωκα αὐτὸν1I know himAs in the second instance in [2:3](../02/03.md), John is using the word **know** in the sense of knowing someone by personal experience. Alternate translation: “I know God very well”
1021JN24j053writing-pronounsαὐτὸν…αὐτοῦ1him … hisIn this verse, the pronouns **him** and **his** refer to God, the one who has given the commandments that people must obey. Alternate translation: “God … Gods” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
1031JN24j054grammar-connect-logic-contrastκαὶ1andJohn is using the word **and** to introduce a contrast between what such a person might say and what his conduct actually indicates to be true. Alternate translation: “but” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
1041JN24qp1jfigs-idiomμὴ τηρῶν1does not keepIn this instance, the word **keep** is an idiom that means “obey.” Alternate translation: “does not obey” or “disobeys” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
1051JN24j055figs-parallelismψεύστης ἐστίν, καὶ ἐν τούτῳ ἡ ἀλήθεια οὐκ ἔστιν1is a liar, and the truth is not in this oneThese two phrases mean similar things. John is likely using repetition for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases and express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “is certainly not speaking the truth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
1061JN24cj84figs-metaphorκαὶ ἐν τούτῳ ἡ ἀλήθεια οὐκ ἔστιν1and the truth is not in this oneJohn is speaking figuratively of the **truth** as if it were an object that could be inside someone. See how you translated a similar expression in [1:8](../01/08.md). Alternate translation: “and such a person is not speaking the truth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1071JN24j056figs-abstractnounsκαὶ ἐν τούτῳ ἡ ἀλήθεια οὐκ ἔστιν1and the truth is not in this oneIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **truth** with an adjective such as “true.” Alternate translation: “and what such a person says is not true” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
1081JN25a3x8grammar-connect-logic-contrastδ’1This sentence makes a contrast by saying in a positive way what the previous sentence said in a negative way. Indicate this contrast in a natural way in your language. Alternate translation: “On the other hand,” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
1091JN25j057figs-hypoὃς δ’ ἂν τηρῇ αὐτοῦ τὸν λόγον, ἀληθῶς ἐν τούτῳ ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ τετελείωται1But whoever keeps his word, in this one truly the love of God has been perfectedJohn is suggesting another hypothetical situation in order to reassure his readers. Alternate translation: “But suppose someone keeps his word. Then the love of God truly has been perfected in that person.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo]])
1101JN25j058figs-metonymyτηρῇ αὐτοῦ τὸν λόγον1keeps his wordJohn is using the term **word** figuratively to mean what God has commanded by using words. Alternate translation: “obeys Gods commandments” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
1111JN25aqa4figs-idiomτηρῇ αὐτοῦ τὸν λόγον1keeps his wordIn this instance, the word **keep** is an idiom that means “obey.” Alternate translation: “obeys Gods commandments” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
1121JN25j059writing-pronounsαὐτοῦ…αὐτῷ1his … himThe pronouns **his** and **him** in this verse refer to God. Alternate translation: “Gods … God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
1131JN25x88pfigs-possessionἀληθῶς ἐν τούτῳ ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ τετελείωται1in this one truly the love of God has been perfectedThe phrase **the love of God** could mean one of two things. (1) It could refer to a person loving God. Alternate translation: “that person indeed loves God completely” (2) It could refer to God loving people. Alternate translation: “Gods love has completely achieved its purpose in that persons life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]])
1141JN25j060figs-activepassiveἀληθῶς ἐν τούτῳ ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ τετελείωται1in this one truly the love of God has been perfectedIf it would be helpful in your language, you could restate the passive verbal form **has been perfected** with an active verbal form in its place. The person or thing doing the action will depend on how you decide to translate the phrase **the love of God**. Alternate translation: “that person indeed loves God completely” or “Gods love has completely achieved its purpose in that persons life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
1151JN25jdzbfigs-metaphorἐν τούτῳ γινώσκομεν ὅτι ἐν αὐτῷ ἐσμεν1The word **this** could be referring to (1) what John is about to say in verse 6, or (2) what John has just said in verse 5, or (3) both. If your language allows it, you could choose option (3), since both verses are talking about completely obeying God, but most languages will need to choose one or the other. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1161JN25b688figs-metaphorἐν αὐτῷ ἐσμεν1we are in himJohn is speaking figuratively as if believers could be inside of God. This expression describes having a close relationship with God. Alternate translation: “we are living in fellowship with God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1171JN26u6lufigs-metaphorἐν αὐτῷ μένειν1he remains in himSee the discussion of the term “remain” in Part 3 of the Introduction to this book. Here to **remain in** God means very much the same thing as to have “fellowship with God” in [1:3](../01/03.md) and [1:6](../01/06.md) and to “be in” God in [2:5](../02/05.md). John is repeating the same idea in different ways. Alternate translation: “he has close fellowship with God” or “he shares life with God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1181JN26j061figs-metaphorἐν αὐτῷ μένειν1he remains in himJohn once again speaks figuratively as if believers could be inside of God. Alternate translation: “he is close friends with God” or “he shares life with God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1191JN26j062writing-pronounsἐν αὐτῷ1in himThe pronoun **him** refers to God. Alternate translation: “in God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
1201JN26x5n1figs-metaphorὀφείλει καθὼς ἐκεῖνος περιεπάτησεν, καὶ αὐτὸς περιπατεῖν1ought, just as that one walked, also to walk himselfAs in [1:6](../01/06.md) and [1:7](../01/07.md), John is using the word **walk** figuratively to mean how a person lives and behaves. Alternate translation: “must live as Jesus lived” or “must obey God just as Jesus did” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1211JN26lvw4figs-explicitὀφείλει καθὼς ἐκεῖνος περιεπάτησεν, καὶ αὐτὸς περιπατεῖν1John is referring specifically to the way that Jesus behaved when he lived on earth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state that explicitly. Alternate translation: “must walk in the same way as Jesus walked when he was living on earth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
1221JN26j063writing-pronounsἐκεῖνος1that oneJohn is using this demonstrative pronoun to refer to Jesus. Alternate translation: “Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
1231JN27py9gfigs-nominaladjἀγαπητοί1BelovedThis is another term of affection by which John addresses the believers to whom he is writing. It involves using the adjective **beloved** as a noun in order to indicate a specific group of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “You people whom I love” or “My dear friends” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])
1241JN27vz9wfigs-idiomἀπ’ ἀρχῆς1from the beginningJohn uses the phrase **from the beginning** in various ways in this letter. Here it refers to the time when the people to whom he is writing first believed in Jesus. Alternate translation: “ever since you first believed in Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
1251JN27eia9figs-metonymyὁ λόγος ὃν ἠκούσατε1the word that you heardJohn is using **word** figuratively to refer to the message that these believers heard, which was communicated through words. Alternate translation: “the message that you heard” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
1261JN27amu6figs-explicitὁ λόγος ὃν ἠκούσατε1the word that you heardThe implication is that the specific **word** or message that John is describing is the commandment Jesus gave to believers that they should love one another. See the Gospel of John [13:34](../jhn/13/34.md) and [15:12](../jhn/15/12.md). John indicates this explicitly in this letter in [3:23](../03/23.md) and [4:21](../04/21.md). If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state that explicitly at this point as well. Alternate translation: “the commandment Jesus gave that we should love one another” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
1271JN28j064figs-idiomπάλιν1AgainJohn is using the term **Again** idiomatically in the sense of “Looking at this again from another perspective.” Alternate translation: “On the other hand” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
1281JN28i1upfigs-explicitἐντολὴν καινὴν γράφω ὑμῖν1I am writing a new commandment to youJohn is referring to the same **commandment** as in [2:7](../02/07.md), the commandment that Jesus gave to love one another, which the believers have had all along. So he does not mean that he is now writing a **new** and different commandment, but rather that this same commandment, which he called “old” there, can also be considered **new** in a certain sense. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state explicitly what **commandment** John is referring to, and you could give the likely reason why it can be considered **new** as well as “old.” Alternate translation: “the commandment that I am writing to you, to love one another, is also, in a sense, a new commandment, because it is characteristic of a new way of life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
1291JN28j065grammar-connect-logic-resultὅ ἐστιν ἀληθὲς ἐν αὐτῷ καὶ ἐν ὑμῖν, ὅτι ἡ σκοτία παράγεται, καὶ τὸ φῶς τὸ ἀληθινὸν ἤδη φαίνει1which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is going away and the true light is already shiningIf it would be helpful in your language, you could reverse the order of these clauses, since the second clause gives the reason for the result that the first clause describes. It may also be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “Because the darkness is going away and the true light is already shining, this commandment is true in Jesus and in you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
1301JN28j066figs-explicitὅ ἐστιν ἀληθὲς ἐν αὐτῷ καὶ ἐν ὑμῖν1which is true in him and in youSince Jesus consistently obeyed the commandment to love, it is likely that John is emphasizing that believers are doing the same thing themselves. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could bring out this implicit emphasis in your translation. It may also be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “Jesus truly obeyed this commandment, and you are now truly obeying it as well” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
1311JN28c2fafigs-metaphorὅ ἐστιν ἀληθὲς ἐν αὐτῷ καὶ ἐν ὑμῖν1which is true in him and in youJohn is speaking figuratively as if this commandment were **true** inside of Jesus and these believers. Alternate translation: “Jesus truly obeyed this commandment, and you are now truly obeying it as well” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1321JN28j067writing-pronounsαὐτῷ1himThe pronoun **him** refers to Jesus. John is using him as the supreme example of loving others. Alternate translation: “Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
1331JN28i8grfigs-metaphorἡ σκοτία παράγεται, καὶ τὸ φῶς τὸ ἀληθινὸν ἤδη φαίνει1the darkness is going away and the true light is already shiningAs in [1:5](../01/05.md), John is using the word **darkness** figuratively to represent evil and the word **light** figuratively to represent what is holy, right, and good. The **shining** of the light figuratively represents its influence on people. Alternate translation: “what is evil is going away and people are able to see what is genuinely good more and more” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1341JN28j068figs-metonymyτὸ φῶς τὸ ἀληθινὸν1the true lightSince John calls God “the True One” in [5:20](../05/20.md), he may be referring to Gods goodness and holiness when he says **the true light**. Alternate translation: “the goodness of God” or “the holiness of God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
1351JN29a3jtfigs-hypoὁ λέγων ἐν τῷ φωτὶ εἶναι, καὶ τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ μισῶν, ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ ἐστὶν ἕως ἄρτι1The one who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness until nowJohn is suggesting a further hypothetical situation in order to challenge his readers. Alternate translation: “Suppose someone says that he is in the light, but he hates his brother. That person is actually still in the darkness.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo]])
1361JN29srl7figs-metaphorἐν τῷ φωτὶ εἶναι1he is in the lightAs in [1:5](../01/05.md) and [2:8](../02/08.md), John is using the word **light** figuratively to mean what is holy, right, and good. Alternate translation: “he does what is right” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1371JN29j069grammar-connect-logic-contrastκαὶ1andJohn is using the word **and** here to introduce a contrast between what such a person might say and what his conduct actually indicates to be true. Alternate translation: “but” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
1381JN29j4f7figs-metaphorτὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ1his brotherJohn is using the term **brother** figuratively to mean someone who shares the same faith. Alternate translation: “a fellow believer” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1391JN29j070figs-gendernotationsτὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ1his brotherAlthough the term **brother** is masculine, John is using the word in a generic sense that includes both men and women. Alternate translation: “a fellow believer” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]])
1401JN29mp9ffigs-metaphorἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ ἐστὶν1is in the darknessAs in [1:5](../01/05.md), John is using the word **darkness** figuratively to mean what is wrong or evil. Alternate translation: “is doing what is wrong” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1411JN29j071ἕως ἄρτι1until nowAlternate translation: “still”
1421JN210j072figs-hypoὁ ἀγαπῶν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ, ἐν τῷ φωτὶ μένει1The one who loves his brother remains in the lightJohn is suggesting a further hypothetical situation in order to reassure his readers. Alternate translation: “Suppose someone does love his fellow believers. Then he is genuinely doing what is right” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo]])
1431JN210j073figs-metaphorτὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ1his brotherSee how you translated this in [2:9](../02/09.md). Alternate translation: “each fellow believer” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1441JN210j074figs-genericnounτὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ1his brotherIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express this term by translating this in the plural, since John is speaking of loving all believers. Alternate translation: “each of his brothers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun]])
1451JN210j075figs-metaphorἐν τῷ φωτὶ μένει1remains in the lightJohn is using the word **light** figuratively to mean what is holy, right, and good. Alternate translation: “is genuinely doing what is right” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1461JN210j076figs-metaphorἐν τῷ φωτὶ μένει1remains in the lightSee the discussion of the term “remain” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. Here the word seems to describe behavior that is recognized to be genuine because it is consistent. Alternate translation: “is genuinely doing what is right” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1471JN210q2x1figs-metaphorσκάνδαλον ἐν αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔστιν1a stumbling-block is not in himJohn is using the term **stumbling-block**, which means something that a person would trip over, figuratively to mean something that would cause a person to sin. Alternate translation: “he has no reason to sin” or “nothing will cause him to sin” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1481JN210j077figs-explicitσκάνδαλον ἐν αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔστιν1a stumbling-block is not in himJohn speaks of this **stumbling-block** being **in** or inside a person because it represents the hatred for a fellow believer that he describes in [2:9](../02/09.md). If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this explicitly. Alternate translation: “he has no hatred inside of him that will cause him to sin” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
1491JN211j078figs-metaphorτὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ1his brotherSee how you translated this in [2:9](../02/09.md). Alternate translation: “a fellow believer” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1501JN211j079figs-parallelismἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ ἐστὶν, καὶ ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ περιπατεῖ1is in the darkness and walks in the darknessThese two phrases mean similar things. John is likely using repetition for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases and express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “is living in complete darkness” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
1511JN211w4r2figs-metaphorἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ ἐστὶν, καὶ ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ περιπατεῖ1is in the darknessAs in [1:5](../01/05.md), John is using the word **darkness** figuratively to mean what is wrong or evil. Alternate translation: “is living in a way that is wrong” or “does what is evil” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1521JN211u44xfigs-metaphorἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ περιπατεῖ1walks in the darknessJohn is using the word **walk** figuratively to mean how a person lives and behaves. Alternate translation: “conducts his life in wrong ways” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1531JN211j080grammar-connect-logic-resultοὐκ οἶδεν ποῦ ὑπάγει, ὅτι ἡ σκοτία ἐτύφλωσεν τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ1he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyesIf it would be helpful in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: “because the darkness has blinded his eyes, he does not know where he is going” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
1541JN211y5csfigs-metaphorοὐκ οἶδεν ποῦ ὑπάγει1he does not know where he is goingThis is a continuation of the metaphor of walking as a figurative description of how a person lives and behaves. Alternate translation: “he does not know the right way to live” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1551JN211j081figs-metaphorὅτι ἡ σκοτία ἐτύφλωσεν τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ1because the darkness has blinded his eyesJohn is using blindness figuratively to mean a loss of moral sense. Alternate translation: “because his evil thoughts are keeping him from knowing right and wrong” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1561JN212in8nfigs-metaphorτεκνία1little childrenThe term **little children** here could refer to: (1) all of the believers to whom John is writing. This is the way that he uses this term in [2:1](../02/01.md) and in several other places in this letter. See the explanation of it in two of the notes to [2:1](../02/01.md). If that is the sense, then John divides the believers into only two groups in verses 12-14, the older ones and the younger ones. See the UST. Or it could refer to: (2) only some of the believers. In that case, John is addressing the believers in three different groups in verses 12-14, and this group would figuratively represent new believers, that is, those who have very recently put their faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins. This would also apply to the similar term in [2:14](../02/14.md). Alternate translation: “new believers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1571JN212y00gὅτι1The word translated as **because** here could also be translated as “that.” In other words, what follows this word could be either: (1) the reason that John is writing or (2) the content that John wants to communicate. This also applies to the same phrase that is used several times in verses 13 and 14. Alternate translation: “that”
1581JN212ed41figs-activepassiveἀφέωνται ὑμῖν αἱ ἁμαρτίαι1your sins have been forgivenIf your language does not use this passive form, you can express this with an active form, and you can state who has done the action. Alternate translation: “God has forgiven your sins” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
1591JN212j082writing-pronounsδιὰ τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ1because of his nameThe pronoun **his** refers to Jesus. Alternate translation: “because of the name of Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
1601JN212yjy8figs-metonymyδιὰ τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ1because of his nameJohn is using the **name** of Jesus figuratively to represent who Jesus is and what he has done. Alternate translation: “on account of Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
1611JN213kue2figs-metaphorπατέρες1fathersThe term **fathers** here is likely a figurative description of one part of the believers. In that case, it could mean either: (1) “mature believers” or (2) “church leaders” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1621JN213y1vmἐγνώκατε1you knowAs in [2:4](../02/04.md), John is using the word **know** in a specific sense. See how you translated it there. Alternate translation: “you know very well”
1631JN213wmt8figs-idiomτὸν ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς1the one who is from the beginningJohn uses the phrase **from the beginning** in various ways in this letter. Here it refers to Jesus or possibly to God the Father. John refers to Jesus with these same words at the beginning of this letter and in a similar way in John 1:1-2. Alternate translation: “him who has always existed” or “Jesus, who has always existed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
1641JN213wg4vfigs-metaphorνεανίσκοι1young menThis is likely a figurative description of a part of the group of believers. It probably refers to people who have become strong in their faith, even if they are not yet as mature as those in the group of **fathers**, since **young men** are in the time of life when they are strong and vigorous. Alternate translation: “strong believers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1651JN213j083figs-gendernotationsνεανίσκοι1young menAlthough the term **men** is masculine, John is likely using the word figuratively in a generic sense that includes both men and women. Alternate translation: “strong believers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]])
1661JN213tfh1figs-metaphorνενικήκατε τὸν πονηρόν1you have overcome the evil oneJohn speaks figuratively of these strong believers refusing to do what the devil wants them to do as if they had defeated him in a struggle. Alternate translation: “you refuse to do what the devil wants you to do” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1671JN213j084figs-nominaladjτὸν πονηρόν1the evil oneJohn is using the adjective **evil** as a noun in order to indicate a specific being. ULT adds **one** to show this. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “the one who is evil” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])
1681JN213j085figs-metonymyτὸν πονηρόν1the evil oneJohn is speaking figuratively of the devil by association with his characteristic of being **evil**. Alternate translation: “the devil” or “Satan” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
1691JN214j086figs-parallelismἔγραψα ὑμῖν, παιδία, ὅτι ἐγνώκατε τὸν Πατέρα1I have written to you, young children, because you know the FatherThis sentence is similar to the sentence in [2:12](../02/12.md). The next two sentences in this verse mean basically the same thing as the two sentences in [2:13](../02/13.md). John is using these repetitions for emphasis and for poetic effect. For those reasons, it would be appropriate to translate all of these sentences separately and not combine them with the ones in the previous two verses, even if you combine parallel statements with similar meanings elsewhere in the book. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
1701JN214j087translate-textvariantsἔγραψα ὑμῖν, παιδία, ὅτι ἐγνώκατε τὸν Πατέρα1I have written to you, young children, because you know the FatherIn some Bibles, this sentence comes at the end of [2:13](../02/13.md) instead of at the beginning of this verse. The verse divisions were introduced to the Bible many centuries after its books were written, and their purpose is only to help readers find things easily. So the placement of this sentence, either at the start of this verse or at the end of the previous one, does not create any significant difference in meaning. If a translation of the Bible already exists in your region, consider using the placement in that version. If not, we recommend that you follow the placement in the ULT text. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]])
1711JN214j088figs-verbsἔγραψα ὑμῖν1I have written to youBy saying **I have written**, John is expressing himself slightly differently than in [2:1213](../02/12.md), where he says, “I am writing.” The difference is likely only for emphasis, as John looks back at what he has just said and indicates that he is saying it again. However, if your language distinguishes between the present and present perfect tenses, it would be appropriate to show the difference in your translation. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-verbs]])
1721JN214j089figs-metaphorπαιδία1young childrenWhile **young children** is a different term from “little children” in [2:12](../02/12.md), figuratively it means the same thing. See how you translated the similar term there. Alternate translation: “who are like my own children” or “new believers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1731JN214j090ἐγνώκατε1you knowAs in [2:4](../02/04.md), John is using the word **know** in a specific sense. See how you translated it there and in [2:13](../02/13.md). Alternate translation: “you are very close with”
1741JN214j091guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτὸν Πατέρα1the Father**The Father** is an important title for God. Alternate translation: “God the Father” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
1751JN214j092figs-metaphorπατέρες1fathersThe term **fathers** likely has the same figurative meaning as in [2:13](../02/13.md). See how you translated it there. Alternate translation: (1) “mature believers” or (2) “church leaders” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1761JN214j093ἐγνώκατε2you knowAs in [2:4](../02/04.md), [2:13](../02/13.md), and earlier in this verse, John is using the word **know** in a specific sense. See how you translated it there. Alternate translation: “you are very close with”
1771JN214j094figs-idiomτὸν ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς1the one who is from the beginningJohn uses the phrase **from the beginning** in various ways in this letter. Here it refers to Jesus or possibly to God the Father. John refers to Jesus with these same words at the beginning of this letter, in [2:13](../02/13.md), and in a similar way in John 1:1-2. Alternate translation: “him who has always existed” or “Jesus, who has always existed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
1781JN214j095figs-metaphorνεανίσκοι1young menThe term **young men** likely has the same figurative meaning here as in [2:13](../02/13.md). Alternate translation: “strong believers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1791JN214j096figs-gendernotationsνεανίσκοι1young menAlthough the term **men** is masculine, John is likely using the word figuratively in a generic sense that includes both men and women. Alternate translation: “strong believers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]])
1801JN214l74jfigs-metaphorἰσχυροί ἐστε1you are strongJohn is using the word **strong** not literally to describe believers physical strength, but figuratively to describe their faithfulness to Jesus. Alternate translation: “you are faithful to Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1811JN214u3n8figs-metaphorὁ λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐν ὑμῖν μένει1the word of God remains in youSee the discussion of the term “remain” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. Here the word seems to describe behavior that is recognized to be genuine because it is consistent. Alternate translation: “you genuinely obey what God has commanded” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1821JN214j097figs-metonymyὁ λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ1the word of GodJohn is using the term **word** figuratively to refer to what God has commanded using words. Alternate translation: “what God has commanded” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
1831JN214j098figs-metaphorνενικήκατε τὸν πονηρόν1you have overcome the evil oneJohn speaks figuratively of these strong believers refusing to do what the devil wants them to do as if they had defeated him in a struggle. Alternate translation: “you refuse to do what the devil wants you to do” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1841JN214j099figs-nominaladjτὸν πονηρόν1the evil oneJohn is using the adjective **evil** as a noun in order to indicate a specific being. ULT adds **one** to show this. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “the one who is evil” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])
1851JN214j100figs-metonymyτὸν πονηρόν1the evil oneJohn is speaking figuratively of the devil by association with his characteristic of being **evil**. Alternate translation: “the devil” or “Satan” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
1861JN215j101figs-ellipsisμὴ ἀγαπᾶτε τὸν κόσμον, μηδὲ τὰ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ1Do not love the world, nor the things that are in the worldIn the second phrase in this sentence, John leaves out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages in order to be complete. These words can be supplied from the first phrase. Alternate translation: “Do not love the world, and do not love any of the things that are in the world” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
1871JN215xig6figs-metonymyμὴ ἀγαπᾶτε τὸν κόσμον1Do not love the worldJohn uses **world** to mean various things in this letter. Here it figuratively refers to the system of values that people share who do not honor God. This system is necessarily contrary to the values that godly people have. Alternate translation: “Do not share the ungodly value system of the people who do not honor God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
1881JN215h2hmfigs-parallelismμηδὲ τὰ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ1nor the things that are in the worldThis phrase means essentially the same thing as the preceding one. John is likely using repetition for emphasis. However, since there is a slight difference in meaning, you may wish to translate these phrases separately rather than combining them. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “No, do not share any of the values that characterize the worldly system” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
1891JN215p56bfigs-hypoἐάν τις ἀγαπᾷ τὸν κόσμον, οὐκ ἔστιν ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ Πατρὸς ἐν αὐτῷ1If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in himJohn is describing a hypothetical situation in order to challenge his readers. Alternate translation: “Suppose someone loves the world. Then the love of the Father is not in him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo]])
1901JN215s48zfigs-possessionοὐκ ἔστιν ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ Πατρὸς ἐν αὐτῷ1the love of the Father is not in himThe phrase **the love of the Father** could mean: (1) the love that a person has for God the Father. Alternate translation: “that person does not really love God the Father” or (2) the love that God has for people. Alternate translation: “God the Fathers love is not genuinely at work in that person” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]])
1911JN215j102guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτοῦ Πατρὸς1of the Father**Father** is an important title for God. Alternate translation: “of God the Father” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
1921JN216j103translate-versebridgeὅτι1ForIn this verse, John is giving the reason why the previous sentence is true. If it would be helpful in your language, you could put this reason before that statement of result by combining this verse and the previous one into a verse bridge. In order to create a verse bridge, you could begin this verse with “since” instead of **for**; you could end it with a comma instead of a period; and you could make it the beginning of the second sentence in the previous verse, putting it before “if anyone loves the world.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-versebridge]])
1931JN216j104figs-metonymyπᾶν τὸ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ1everything that is in the worldSee how you translated the similar expression in [2:15](../02/15.md). Alternate translation: “everything that characterizes the ungodly value system of the people who do not honor God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
1941JN216pz3qfigs-metonymyἡ ἐπιθυμία τῆς σαρκὸς1the lust of the fleshJohn is using the term **flesh** figuratively to mean the physical human body, which is made of **flesh**. Alternate translation: “the strong desire to have sinful physical pleasure” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
1951JN216x124figs-metonymyἡ ἐπιθυμία τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν1the lust of the eyesJohn is using the term **eyes** figuratively to mean the ability to see. Alternate translation: “the strong desire to have the things that we see” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
1961JN216j105ἡ ἀλαζονία τοῦ βίου1the arrogance of lifeJohn is likely using the Greek term that ULT translates as **life** in one of its specific senses, to mean “possessions,” as in [3:17](../03/17.md). Alternate translation: “pride in ones possessions”
1971JN216c3xwfigs-metonymyοὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τοῦ Πατρός, ἀλλὰ ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου ἐστίν1is not from the Father, but is from the worldSee how you translated the term **world** in [2:15](../02/15.md). It has a similar meaning in this verse. Alternate translation: “does not represent how God the Father wants us to live, but instead comes from an ungodly value system” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
1981JN216j106guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτοῦ Πατρός1the Father**Father** is an important title for God. Alternate translation: “God the Father” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
1991JN217j107figs-metonymyὁ κόσμος1the worldSee how you translated the term **world** in [2:15](../02/15.md). It has a similar meaning in this verse. Alternate translation: “the ungodly value system of the people who do not honor God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
2001JN217ct43figs-metaphorὁ κόσμος παράγεται1the world is going awayJohn speaks figuratively of the **world** as if it were leaving. Alternate translation: “the world will not last very much longer” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2011JN217j108figs-ellipsisκαὶ ἡ ἐπιθυμία αὐτοῦ1and its desireJohn is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages in order to be complete. These words can be supplied from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “and its desire is also going away” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
2021JN217j109figs-possessionἡ ἐπιθυμία αὐτοῦ1its desireJohn is using the possessive form to show that the **world** is the source of this **desire** and gives it its character. Alternate translation: “the worldly desire” or “peoples desire for the world” or “the desire that this system of values creates in people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]])
2031JN217j110figs-genericnounἡ ἐπιθυμία αὐτοῦ1its desireIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express this term by translating this in the plural, since John is referring to all of the different types of **desire** associated with the **world** that he described in [2:16](../02/16.md). Alternate translation: “worldly desires” or “the desires that this system of values creates in people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun]])
2041JN217j111figs-metaphorμένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα1remains to the ageSee the discussion of the term “remain” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. Here the word refers to continuing existence. Alternate translation: “will live forever” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2051JN217j112figs-idiomεἰς τὸν αἰῶνα1to the ageThis is an idiom. Consider using an idiom in your language that has this meaning. Alternate translation: “forever” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
2061JN218t903checking/headings0If you are using section headings, you could put one here before verse 18. Suggested heading: “False Teaching and True Teaching” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/checking/headings]])
2071JN218c7tdfigs-metaphorπαιδία1Young childrenThis is the same term that John used figuratively in [2:14](../02/14.md) that seems to be a stylistic variation of the term that he uses in [2:1](../02/01.md) and [2:12](../02/012.md), as well as in several other places in the book, to address all of the believers to whom he is writing. See how you translated this in those places. Alternate translation: “My dear children” or “You dear believers who are under my care” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2081JN218esd9figs-idiomἐσχάτη ὥρα ἐστίν-1it is the last hour … that it is the last hourJohn is using the term **hour** figuratively to refer a specific time. The expression **the last hour** refers specifically to the time at the end of earthly history just before Jesus returns. Alternate translation: “Jesus will return soon … Jesus will return soon” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
2091JN218r2vqtranslate-unknownἀντίχριστος ἔρχεται, καὶ νῦν ἀντίχριστοι πολλοὶ γεγόνασιν1the Antichrist is coming, indeed now many antichrists have comeSee the discussion of the terms **antichrist** and **antichrists** in the General Notes to this chapter. Alternate translation: “someone is coming who will lead a great opposition to Jesus, already many people are opposing Jesus in that way now” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
2101JN219rmj7figs-metaphorἐξ ἡμῶν ἐξῆλθαν1They went out from usThese people formerly met with the group of believers to whom John is writing. While they physically left the places where the believers met, John is also using the expression **went out** figuratively to mean that these people stopped being part of the group. Alternate translation: “They left our group of believers in Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2111JN219ytb1figs-explicitἀλλ’ οὐκ ἦσαν ἐξ ἡμῶν…οὐκ εἰσὶν πάντες ἐξ ἡμῶν1but they were not from us … they are all not from usJohn is using the expression **from us** in a slightly different sense in these instances than in the first instance in the verse. In the first instance, it means that these people left the group. In this instance, it means that they were never genuinely part of the group. Alternate translation: “but they were never genuinely part of our group … none of them are genuinely part of our group” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
2121JN219j113figs-explicitοὐκ ἦσαν ἐξ ἡμῶν1they were not from usIf it would be helpful to your readers, you could state explicitly why John makes this claim. Alternate translation: “they were never genuinely part of our group, because they did not actually believe in Jesus in the first place” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
2131JN219j114grammar-connect-condition-contraryεἰ γὰρ ἐξ ἡμῶν ἦσαν, μεμενήκεισαν ἂν μεθ’ ἡμῶν1For if they had been from us, they would have remained with usJohn is presenting a situation that is not real to help his readers recognize why the claim that he is making is true. Alternate translation: “We know that they were not genuinely part of our group because they did not continue to participate in it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-contrary]])
2141JN219jin1figs-metaphorμεμενήκεισαν ἂν μεθ’ ἡμῶν1they would have remained with usSee the discussion of the term “remain” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. Here the word seems to refer to continuing participation in a group. Alternate translation: “they would have continued to participate in our group” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2151JN219j115figs-ellipsisἀλλ’ ἵνα φανερωθῶσιν ὅτι οὐκ εἰσὶν πάντες ἐξ ἡμῶν1but so that they would be made apparent, that they are all not from usJohn is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages in order to be complete. These words can be supplied from the previous sentence. Alternate translation: “but they left us so that their actions would reveal that all of them were not genuinely part of our group” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
2161JN219j116figs-activepassiveἵνα φανερωθῶσιν1so that they would be made apparentSee the discussion of the term “appear” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. Here, the people were revealed as unbelievers when they left the group. If your language does not use passive forms, you can express this with an active form, and you can state what is doing the action. Alternate translation: “they left so that their actions would reveal” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
2171JN219j117οὐκ εἰσὶν πάντες ἐξ ἡμῶν1they are all not from usThe word **all** refers to all the people who left the group. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make the subject negative and the verb positive. Alternate translation: “none of them are from us” or “none of them were genuinely part of our group”
2181JN220j118grammar-connect-logic-contrastκαὶ1AndJohn is using the word **and** to introduce a contrast between the people who left the group and the remaining believers to whom he is writing. Alternate translation: “However,” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
2191JN220i3m1figs-abstractnounsὑμεῖς χρῖσμα ἔχετε ἀπὸ τοῦ Ἁγίου1you have an anointing from the Holy OneIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **anointing** with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “the Holy One has anointed you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
2201JN220j119translate-unknownὑμεῖς χρῖσμα ἔχετε ἀπὸ τοῦ Ἁγίου1you have an anointing from the Holy OneThe word **anointing** refers to the practice, seen often in the Old Testament, of pouring oil on a person to set that person apart to serve God. If your readers would not be familiar with this practice, you could describe it specifically in your translation. Alternate translation: “the Holy One has poured oil on you to set you apart to serve him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
2211JN220j120figs-metaphorὑμεῖς χρῖσμα ἔχετε ἀπὸ τοῦ Ἁγίου1you have an anointing from the Holy OneHere John is using **anointing** figuratively to refer to the Holy Spirit. Just as people poured oil on kings and priests to set them apart for service to God, God gives the Holy Spirit to believers to set them apart and equip them to serve God. John says specifically in [3:24](../03/24.md) and [4:13](../04/13.md) that God has given the Spirit to believers in this way. Alternate translation: “the Holy One has given you his Spirit” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2221JN220gy16figs-nominaladjτοῦ Ἁγίου1the Holy OneJohn is using the adjective **Holy** as a noun in order to indicate a specific person. ULT adds **One** to show this. John is referring specifically to God, and so ULT capitalizes both of these words to show that they are describing a divine person. Your language may allow you to use this adjective as a noun. If not, you could translate this with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “God, the One who is holy” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])
2231JN220j121translate-textvariantsοἴδατε πάντες1you all knowSee the discussion of textual issues at the end of the General Notes to this chapter to decide whether to follow the reading of ULT and say **you all know** or to follow the reading of some other versions and say “you know all things.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]])
2241JN220j122figs-explicitοἴδατε πάντες1you all knowBased on what he says in the next verse, John likely means here that the believers to whom he is writing **all know** the truth. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state that explicitly. Alternate translation: “you all know the truth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
2251JN221j123figs-doublenegativesοὐκ ἔγραψα ὑμῖν ὅτι οὐκ οἴδατε τὴν ἀλήθειαν, ἀλλ’ ὅτι οἴδατε αὐτήν1I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know itIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express this double negative by translating it as a positive statement. Since John then repeats the statement in positive form in the next phrase, you could make the connection to that phrase as an affirmation rather than as a contrast. Alternate translation: “I have written to you because you know the truth, yes, because you do know it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]])
2261JN221w4fmgrammar-connect-exceptionsοὐκ ἔγραψα ὑμῖν ὅτι οὐκ οἴδατε τὴν ἀλήθειαν, ἀλλ’ ὅτι οἴδατε αὐτήν1If saying **I have not written to you** seems wrong or confusing in your language, you could move the negative to the next clause. Alternate translation: “I have written to you not because you do not know the truth, but because you do know the truth” or “I have written to you not to inform you of the truth, but I have written to you because you already know it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-exceptions]])
2271JN221r8yrfigs-abstractnounsτὴν ἀλήθειαν…ἐκ τῆς ἀληθείας1the truth … from the truthIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **truth** with an adjective such as “true.” Alternate translation: “what is true … from what is true” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
2281JN221j124figs-metonymyτὴν ἀλήθειαν…ἐκ τῆς ἀληθείας1the truth … from the truthJohn is likely referring figuratively to the teaching that believers have received from Jesus by association with the way that it is true. Alternate translation: “the true teaching that we received from Jesus … from this true teaching” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
2291JN221j125figs-ellipsisκαὶ ὅτι πᾶν ψεῦδος ἐκ τῆς ἀληθείας οὐκ ἔστιν1and that every lie is not from the truthJohn is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages in order to be complete. These words can be supplied from earlier in the sentence. Alternate translation: “and you know that every lie is not from the truth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
2301JN221j126πᾶν ψεῦδος ἐκ τῆς ἀληθείας οὐκ ἔστιν1every lie is not from the truthIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express this phrase by clarifying it by making the subject negative and the verb positive. Alternate translation: “no lie is from the truth”
2311JN221nruwἐκ τῆς ἀληθείας1This second occurrence of **the truth** could refer to: (1) The same as the first occurrence. Alternate translation: “part of Gods true message” (2) God, who is the source of all truth. Alternate translation: “from God, the One who is true”
2321JN222d71lfigs-rquestionτίς ἐστιν ὁ ψεύστης, εἰ μὴ ὁ ἀρνούμενος ὅτι Ἰησοῦς οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ Χριστός?1Who is the liar, if not the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ?John is using the question form for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question by translating his words as a statement or exclamation. Alternate translation: “Anyone who denies that Jesus is the Messiah is certainly a liar!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
2331JN222d4u7figs-doublenegativesὁ ἀρνούμενος ὅτι Ἰησοῦς οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ Χριστός1the one who denies that Jesus is the ChristFor emphasis, John is using a double negative in Greek, specifically, a negative verb (**denies**) with a negative particle, “not.” In English, it would come out as, “the one who denies that Jesus is not the Christ.” In Greek, the second negative does not cancel the first to create a positive meaning. But in English, the meaning would inaccurately be positive, which is why ULT uses only one negative. It leaves out “not” and says **the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ**. However, if your language uses double negatives for emphasis that do not cancel one another, it would be appropriate to use that construction in your translation. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]])
2341JN222j128figs-genericnounοὗτός ἐστιν ὁ ἀντίχριστος1This one is the antichristJohn is not referring here to the ultimate antichrist who will appear at the end of earthly history. John does not have a specific person in view here. Rather, he is speaking generally of all people who oppose Christ. See how you translated the term **antichrist** in [2:18](../02/18.md). Alternate translation: “Such a person is the enemy of Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun]])
2351JN222z4t1figs-explicitὁ ἀρνούμενος τὸν Πατέρα καὶ τὸν Υἱόν1the one who denies the Father and the SonIf it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate explicitly why John says this about these people. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “By denying that Jesus is the Messiah, he is denying both God the Father, who sent Jesus to be the Messiah, and Jesus his Son, whom he sent” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
2361JN222pth9guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτὸν Πατέρα καὶ τὸν Υἱόν1the Father and the Son**Father** and **Son** are important titles that describe the relationship between God and Jesus. Alternate translation: “God the Father and Jesus his Son” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
2371JN223j129figs-explicitπᾶς ὁ ἀρνούμενος τὸν Υἱὸν1Everyone who denies the SonIf it would be helpful to your readers, you could state explicitly what this means in light of what John says in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “Everyone who denies that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
2381JN223j130guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτὸν Υἱὸν-1the Son … the Son**Son** is an important title for Jesus. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
2391JN223k78ffigs-possessionοὐδὲ τὸν Πατέρα ἔχει…καὶ τὸν Πατέρα ἔχει1does not have the Father … has the FatherThe language of possession that John is using actually indicates that such a person does not or does belong to God, rather than that God does not or does belong to such a person. Alternate translation: “does not belong to the Father … belongs to the Father as well” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]])
2401JN223j131guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτὸν Πατέρα-1the Father … the Father**Father** is an important title for God. Alternate translation: “God the Father … God the Father” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
2411JN223u9epfigs-explicitὁ ὁμολογῶν τὸν Υἱὸν1The one who confesses the SonIf it would be helpful to your readers, you could state explicitly what this means in light of what John says in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “Everyone who truly believes and acknowledges publicly that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
2421JN224zl8yfigs-explicitὃ ἠκούσατε…ὃ…ἠκούσατε1what you have heard … what you have heardJohn is referring implicitly to the teaching about Jesus that these believers **have heard**. Alternate translation: “the teaching you have heard … the teaching you have heard” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
2431JN224dsl7figs-idiomἀπ’ ἀρχῆς-1from the beginning … from the beginningJohn uses the phrase **from the beginning** in various ways in this letter. Here it refers to the time when the people to whom he is writing first believed in Jesus. Alternate translation: “ever since you first believed in Jesus … ever since you first believed in Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
2441JN224rfz8figs-metaphorἐν ὑμῖν μενέτω…ἐν ὑμῖν μείνῃ1let it remain in you … remains in youSee the discussion of the term “remain” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. In these instances, in reference to the teaching about Jesus, the word seems to refer to continuing belief in that teaching. Alternate translation: “continue to believe it … you continue to believe” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2451JN224j132grammar-connect-condition-hypotheticalἐὰν ἐν ὑμῖν μείνῃ ὃ ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς ἠκούσατε, καὶ ὑμεῖς ἐν τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ ἐν τῷ Πατρὶ μενεῖτε1If what you have heard from the beginning remains in you, you will also remain in the Son and in the FatherJohn is describing a conditional situation in order to reassure his readers. Alternate translation: “As long as what you have heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will also remain in the Son and in the Father” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical]])
2461JN224ty7qfigs-metaphorκαὶ ὑμεῖς ἐν τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ ἐν τῷ Πατρὶ μενεῖτε1you will also remain in the Son and in the FatherSee the discussion of the term “remain” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. In this instance, it seems to mean the same thing as in [2:6](../02/06.md). See how you translated it there. Alternate translation: “you will also continue to have a close relationship with the Son and with the Father” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2471JN224j133guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτῷ Υἱῷ…τῷ Πατρὶ1the Son … the Father**Son** and **Father** are important titles for Jesus and God, respectively. Alternate translation: “Jesus the Son of God … God the Father” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
2481JN225llj2ἡ ἐπαγγελία ἣν αὐτὸς ἐπηγγείλατο ἡμῖν1the promise that he promised to usIf it is unnatural in your language to use both the noun **promise** and the verb **promised**, you could use just one form of the word in your translation. Alternate translation: “the promise that he made to us” or “what he promised us”
2491JN225j134writing-pronounsαὐτὸς1heThe pronoun **he** could refer in this context either to Jesus or to God the Father. However, it seems more likely that it refers to Jesus, since John has just talked in [2:2223](../02/22.md) about denying or confessing him, and it was Jesus who promised **eternal life** to everyone who believed in him. See, for example, the Gospel of John [3:36](../jhn/03/36.md) and [6:47](../jhn/06/47.md). Alternate translation: “Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
2501JN225id51figs-metaphorτὴν ζωὴν τὴν αἰώνιον1eternal lifeJohn means more than physical **life**. This expression can indicate living forever in the presence of God after death, a commonly recognized meaning, but it can also indicate receiving power from God in this life to live in a new way. Alternate translation: “that we would have power to live a new life now and that we would live with him forever after we die” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2511JN226fe44figs-metaphorτῶν πλανώντων ὑμᾶς1those who are leading you astrayJohn speaks figuratively of these people as if they were guides who were leading others in the wrong direction. This is a metaphor for their attempts to get the people to whom John is writing to believe things that are not true. Alternate translation: “those who are deceiving you” or “those who are trying to get you to believe things that are not true” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2521JN226d3f5figs-explicitτῶν πλανώντων ὑμᾶς1If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state explicitly in what way these people are leading others astray. Alternate translation: “the people who are leading you astray about Jesus” or “the people who are lying to you about Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
2531JN227cn2ffigs-metaphorτὸ χρῖσμα ὃ ἐλάβετε ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ1the anointing that you received from himSee how you translated the word **anointing** in [2:20](../02/20.md). Alternate translation: “the Spirit, whom Jesus has given you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2541JN227j135writing-pronounsἀπ’ αὐτοῦ…ἐν αὐτῷ1from him … his … in himLike the pronoun “he” in [2:25](../02/25.md), the words **him** and **his** in this verse likely refer to Jesus. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use the name instead of a pronoun. Alternate translation: “from Jesus … in Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
2551JN227j136figs-metaphorμένει ἐν ὑμῖν1remains in youSee the discussion of the term “remain” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. In this instance, it seems to refer to the continuing presence of the Spirit with a believer. Alternate translation: “lives inside of you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2561JN227j137grammar-connect-logic-resultκαὶ2andJohn is using the word **and** to introduce the results of what he says in the previous part of this sentence. Alternate translation: “and so” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
2571JN227j138figs-metaphorτὸ αὐτοῦ χρῖσμα1his anointingSee how you translated this earlier in this verse. Alternate translation: “his Spirit” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2581JN227tb5kfigs-hyperboleπερὶ πάντων1about all thingsThis is a generalization for emphasis. If this is confusing in your language, you can be more specific. Alternate translation: “about the things that you need to know” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
2591JN227j139ἀληθές ἐστιν καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ψεῦδος1is true and is not a lieAlternate translation: “tells the truth and does not lie”
2601JN227j140writing-pronounsἐδίδαξεν ὑμᾶς1it has taught youSince the Spirit is a person, if you translate **anointing** as “Spirit” in this verse, it may also be more appropriate in your language to use a personal pronoun in this clause. Alternate translation: “he has taught you” or “the Spirit has taught you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
2611JN227wr63figs-metaphorμένετε ἐν αὐτῷ1remain in himSee the discussion of the term “remain” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. In this instance, it seems to mean the same thing as in [2:6](../02/06.md). See how you translated it there. Alternate translation: “continue to have a close relationship with him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2621JN227j141figs-metaphorμένετε ἐν αὐτῷ1remain in himJohn is speaking figuratively as if believers could be inside of God. Alternate translation: “continue to have a close relationship with him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2631JN228co6gchecking/headings0If you are using section headings, you could put one here before verse 28. Suggested heading: “Children of God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/checking/headings]])
2641JN228tii1καὶ νῦν1And nowJohn uses this expression to introduce a new part of the letter, in which he will talk about being children of God and the return of Jesus. In your translation, you could use a word, phrase, or other method that is natural in your language for introducing a new topic.
2651JN228kjn9figs-metaphorτεκνία1little childrenJohn readdresses the recipients as he begins a new section of the letter. See how you translated this in [2:1](../02/01.md). Alternate translation: “you dear believers who are under my care” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2661JN228j142figs-metaphorμένετε ἐν αὐτῷ1remain in himSee the discussion of the term “remain” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. In this instance, John seems to be using the expression in the same way that he has just used it in [2:27](../02/27.md). See how you translated it there. Alternate translation: “continue to have a close relationship with him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2671JN228j143writing-pronounsαὐτῷ…ἐὰν φανερωθῇ…ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ…αὐτοῦ1him … when he appears … by him … hisThe pronouns **him**, **he**, and **his** likely refer to Jesus in this verse, since John speaks of his **coming** or return. Consider whether it might be helpful to your readers or more natural in your language to use the name “Jesus” in one or more of these instances. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
2681JN228zz4xfigs-activepassiveἐὰν φανερωθῇ1when he appearsSee the discussion of the term “appear” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. Here the term could have either an active or a passive meaning. In either case, John is not saying that Jesus will only appear to return. (1) If the meaning is active, John is speaking of the act of Jesus physically returning to earth. Alternate translation: “when Jesus returns” (2) If the meaning is passive, John is speaking of God revealing Jesus to the world as its true king. To bring out that meaning, you could translate this with a passive verbal form or, if your language does not use passive forms, you can use an active form and say who will do the action. Alternate translation: “when Jesus is revealed” or “when God reveals Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
2691JN228j144figs-parallelismσχῶμεν παρρησίαν, καὶ μὴ αἰσχυνθῶμεν ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ1we may have boldness and not be put to shame by himThese two phrases mean similar things. John is likely using the repetition for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases into an emphatic expression. Alternate translation: “we may be completely confident at his coming” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
2701JN228lnk2figs-abstractnounsσχῶμεν παρρησίαν1we may have boldnessIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **boldness** with an adjective. Alternate translation: “we may be bold” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
2711JN228d4qlfigs-synecdocheμὴ αἰσχυνθῶμεν ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ1may not be put to shame by himJohn is using the word **him**, meaning Jesus, figuratively to mean the presence of Jesus. Alternate translation: “we will not be ashamed to be in his presence” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
2721JN228j145figs-activepassiveμὴ αἰσχυνθῶμεν ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ1may not be put to shame by himIf your language does not use this passive form, you can express this with an active form. Alternate translation: “we will not be ashamed to be in his presence” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
2731JN228x7icἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ αὐτοῦ1at his comingAlternate translation: “when he returns to earth”
2741JN229j146grammar-connect-condition-factἐὰν εἰδῆτε ὅτι δίκαιός ἐστιν1If you know that he is righteousJohn is using the form of conditional possibility here, but he is stating something that is actually true. In Greek, this was a way of affirming that the part that follows this statement is also true. If your language does not state something as a condition if it is certain or true, and if your readers might misunderstand and think that what John is saying is not certain, then you can translate his words as an affirmative statement. Alternate translation: “Since you know that God is righteous” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-fact]])
2751JN229j147writing-pronounsἐστιν…αὐτοῦ1he is … himThe pronouns **he** and **him** likely refer to God the Father, since in the next two verses John says that believers are “children of God,” and he speaks in this verse of those who have **been begotten from him**. Alternate translation: “God is … God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
2761JN229j148figs-abstractnounsπᾶς ὁ ποιῶν τὴν δικαιοσύνην1everyone who does righteousnessIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **righteousness** with an adjective such as “right.” Alternate translation: “everyone who does what is right” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
2771JN229u6erfigs-activepassiveπᾶς ὁ ποιῶν τὴν δικαιοσύνην ἐξ αὐτοῦ γεγέννηται1everyone who does righteousness has been begotten from himIf your language does not use this passive form, you can express this with an active form. Alternate translation: “God is the father of everyone who does what is right” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
2781JN229j149figs-metaphorπᾶς ὁ ποιῶν τὴν δικαιοσύνην ἐξ αὐτοῦ γεγέννηται1everyone who does righteousness has been begotten from himSince believers have not literally **been begotten** by God, John means this figuratively. He says in [4:9](../04/09.md) that Jesus is the “only-begotten” of God, since God is the actual Father of Jesus in a way that he is not the actual father of believers. Alternate translation: “God is the spiritual father of everyone who does what is right” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2791JN3introd8r20# 1 John 3 General Notes<br><br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>1. Genuine children of God do not sin (3:110, continuing from 2:28)<br>2. Genuine believers help one another sacrificially (3:1118)<br>3. Genuine believers have confidence in prayer (3:1924)<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### “children of God”<br><br>People are sometimes described as “children of God” because God created them. However, John uses this expression in a different sense in this chapter. He uses it to describe people who have entered into a father-child relationship with God by putting their faith and trust in Jesus. God indeed created all people, but people can only become children of God in this sense by believing in Jesus. “Children” in this usage does not refer to those who are young, but only to the relationship that people have at any age to their father. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/believe]])<br><br>## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter<br><br>### “the one who keeps his commandments remains in him, and he in him” (3:24)<br><br>This does not mean that keeping our salvation is conditional on doing certain works. Rather, John is describing the results of keeping the commandments that he describes in [3:32](../03/32.md). Those commandments are to believe in Jesus and to love one another. John is saying that the person who believes in Jesus and loves others shows that he has a close relationship with God, and that he will continue to have that close relationship because of this obedience. Christians around the world hold different beliefs about whether people who have been saved can lose their salvation. That is not what John is addressing here, and translators should be careful not to let how they understand that issue affect how they translate this passage. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/eternity]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/save]])<br><br>## Important textual issues in this chapter<br><br>In [3:1](../03/01.md), the most accurate ancient manuscripts include the words “and we are.” That is the reading that ULT follows. However, some other ancient manuscripts do not include these words, and so some Bibles do not have them. If a translation of the Bible already exists in your region, consider using whichever reading is found in that version. If a translation does not already exist, we recommend that you follow the reading in the ULT text. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]])
2801JN31gl8nfigs-metaphorἴδετε1SeeJohn is using the term **see** figuratively. Alternate translation: “Consider” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2811JN31j150ποταπὴν ἀγάπην δέδωκεν ἡμῖν ὁ Πατὴρ1what kind of love the Father has given to usAlternate translation: “how greatly the Father has loved us”
2821JN31j151guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesὁ Πατὴρ1the Father**Father** is an important title for God. Alternate translation: “God the Father” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
2831JN31x99afigs-activepassiveἵνα τέκνα Θεοῦ κληθῶμεν1that we should be called children of GodIf your language does not use this passive form, you can express this with an active form. Alternate translation: “that God should call us his children” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
2841JN31j362figs-metaphorτέκνα Θεοῦ1children of GodHere John expresses the same metaphor as in [2:29](../02/29.md) in a slightly different way. See whether you decided to indicate the figurative meaning there. If you translate **children** using a literal term, choose a word that can refer to people of any age in relation to their father. Alternate translation: “spiritual children of God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2851JN31j152translate-textvariantsκαὶ ἐσμέν1and we areSee the discussion of textual issues at the end of the General Notes to this chapter to decide whether to follow the reading of ULT and include these words or to follow the reading of some other versions and not include them. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]])
2861JN31fq4tgrammar-connect-logic-resultδιὰ τοῦτο, ὁ κόσμος οὐ γινώσκει ἡμᾶς, ὅτι οὐκ ἔγνω αὐτόν1For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know himIf it would be helpful in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: “Because the world did not know God, for that reason it does not know us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
2871JN31l5e7figs-metonymyδιὰ τοῦτο, ὁ κόσμος οὐ γινώσκει ἡμᾶς, ὅτι οὐκ ἔγνω αὐτόν1For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know him.John uses **world** to mean various things in this letter. Here it figuratively refers to people who do not honor God and who do not live as God wishes. Alternate translation: “because ungodly people have not known God, for that reason they do not know us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
2881JN31j155οὐ γινώσκει ἡμᾶς…οὐκ ἔγνω αὐτόν1does not know us … it did not know himJohn is using the word **know** in two different senses. See the discussion of the word “know” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. If your language has different words for these different senses, it would be appropriate to use them in your translation. Alternate translation: “does not recognize who we are … it did not become acquainted with him”
2891JN31j156figs-explicitοὐ γινώσκει ἡμᾶς1does not know usIf it would be helpful to your readers, you could state explicitly what **the world does not know** about believers in Jesus. Alternate translation: “does not recognize that we are Gods children” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
2901JN31j157writing-pronounsαὐτόν1himThe pronoun **him** refers to God, the antecedent in the previous sentence. Alternate translation: “God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
2911JN32ek9vfigs-nominaladjἀγαπητοί1BelovedSee how you translated this in [2:7](../02/07.md). Alternate translation: “You people whom I love” or “My dear ones” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])
2921JN32j158figs-explicitτέκνα Θεοῦ1children of GodSee whether you decided to indicate the figurative meaning of this expression in [3:1](../03/01.md). Alternate translation: “spiritual children of God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
2931JN32j159grammar-connect-logic-contrastκαὶ1andJohn is using the word **and** to introduce a contrast between what is **now** known about believers and what is **not yet** known. Alternate translation: “but” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
2941JN32anq1figs-activepassiveοὔπω ἐφανερώθη τί ἐσόμεθα1what we will be has not yet appearedIf your language does not use passive forms, you can use an active form and say who will do the action. Alternate translation: “God has not yet revealed what we will be” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
2951JN32j160figs-activepassiveἐὰν φανερωθῇ1when he appearsSee the discussion of the term “appear” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. The meaning of the term in this instance seems to be the same as in [2:28](../02/28.md). See how you translated it there. Alternate translation: “when Jesus returns” or “when Jesus is revealed” or “when God reveals Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
2961JN32j161writing-pronounsἐὰν φανερωθῇ…αὐτῷ…αὐτὸν…ἐστιν1when he appears … him … him … he isThe pronouns **he** and **him** likely refer to Jesus in this verse, since John speaks of **when he appears** or returns. Consider whether it might be helpful to your readers or more natural in your language to use the name “Jesus” in one or more of these instances. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
2971JN32j162grammar-connect-logic-resultὅμοιοι αὐτῷ ἐσόμεθα, ὅτι ὀψόμεθα αὐτὸν καθώς ἐστιν1we will be like him because we will see him as he isIf it would be helpful in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: “we will see him just as he is, and so we will be like him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
2981JN33pj6awriting-pronounsπᾶς ὁ ἔχων τὴν ἐλπίδα ταύτην ἐπ’ αὐτῷ1everyone who has this hope upon himThe pronoun **him** here does not refer to **everyone**; it refers to Jesus. The expression **this hope** refers to the hope that John describes in the previous verse, of seeing Jesus as he is. Alternate translation: “everyone who hopes to see Jesus as he really is” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
2991JN33j163writing-pronounsαὐτῷ…ἐκεῖνος1him … that oneThese pronouns refer to Jesus. Alternate translation: “Jesus … Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
3001JN34j164figs-abstractnounsπᾶς ὁ ποιῶν τὴν ἁμαρτίαν, καὶ τὴν ἀνομίαν ποιεῖ, καὶ ἡ ἁμαρτία ἐστὶν ἡ ἀνομία1Everyone who commits sin also commits lawlessness. Indeed, sin is lawlessnessIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **lawlessness** with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “Everyone who commits sin is also breaking Gods law. Indeed, sin is breaking Gods law” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
3011JN34j165πᾶς ὁ ποιῶν τὴν ἁμαρτίαν, καὶ τὴν ἀνομίαν ποιεῖ, καὶ ἡ ἁμαρτία ἐστὶν ἡ ἀνομία1Everyone who commits sin also commits lawlessness. Indeed, sin is lawlessnessIf it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain why John gives this warning. See the discussion of “sin” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. Suggested footnote: “The false teachers were saying that it does not matter what people do in their physical bodies. In this way, they were tempting the people to sin.”
3021JN35j166writing-pronounsἐκεῖνος…ἄρῃ…αὐτῷ1that one … he might take away … himThe pronouns **that one**, **he**, and **him** refer to Jesus in this verse. Consider whether it might be helpful to your readers or more natural in your language to use the name “Jesus” in one or more of these instances. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
3031JN35g4phfigs-activepassiveἐκεῖνος ἐφανερώθη1that one appearedSee the discussion of the term “appear” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. Here the term seems to have an active meaning. Alternate translation: “Jesus came to earth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
3041JN35j167figs-metaphorἁμαρτία ἐν αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔστιν1sin is not in himJohn speaks figuratively of **sin** as if it were an object that could be inside of Jesus, although he is emphasizing that **sin** is not in Jesus. Alternate translation: “Jesus has never sinned” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3051JN36j999figs-metaphorπᾶς ὁ ἐν αὐτῷ μένων1Everyone who remains in himSee the discussion of the term “remain” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. In this instance, it seems to mean the same thing as in [2:6](../02/06.md). See how you translated it there. Alternate translation: “Everyone who has a close relationship with Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3061JN36j168figs-metaphorπᾶς ὁ ἐν αὐτῷ μένων1Everyone who remains in himJohn is speaking figuratively as if believers could be inside of Jesus. Alternate translation: “Everyone who has a close relationship with Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3071JN36j169writing-pronounsαὐτῷ…αὐτὸν…αὐτόν1him … him … himThe pronoun **him** refers to Jesus in this verse. Consider whether it might be helpful to your readers or more natural in your language to use the name “Jesus” in one or more of these instances. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
3081JN36j170figs-explicitοὐχ ἁμαρτάνει1does not sinIf it would be helpful to your readers, you could state what this implicitly means in light of the situation that John is addressing in this letter. See the discussion of “sin” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. John acknowledges elsewhere in this letter that genuine believers actually do sin, but they do not sin continually or wantonly. Alternate translation: “does not sin wantonly and continually” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
3091JN36eu9cfigs-doubletοὐχ ἑώρακεν αὐτὸν, οὐδὲ ἔγνωκεν αὐτόν1has not seen him and has not known himThe words **seen** and **known** mean similar things. John is likely using repetition for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these terms into a single expression. Alternate translation: “certainly does not have a close relationship with Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
3101JN36j172figs-metaphorοὐχ ἑώρακεν αὐτὸν1has not seen himJohn is not referring to people literally seeing Jesus. Rather, he is using sight figuratively to mean perception and recognition. Alternate translation: “has not recognized who Jesus is” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3111JN37ia4zfigs-metaphorτεκνία1Little childrenSee how you translated this in [2:1](../02/01.md). Alternate translation: “You dear believers who are under my care” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3121JN37wg85figs-metaphorμηδεὶς πλανάτω ὑμᾶς1let no one lead you astraySee how you translated the similar expression in [2:26](../02/26.md). Alternate translation: “do not be deceived by anyone” or “do not let anyone get you to believe things that are not true” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3131JN37v4ypfigs-abstractnounsὁ ποιῶν τὴν δικαιοσύνην1The one who does righteousnessSee how you translated the similar expression in [2:29](../02/29.md). Alternate translation: “The one who does what is right” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
3141JN37j173figs-explicitδίκαιός ἐστιν, καθὼς ἐκεῖνος δίκαιός ἐστιν1is righteous, just as that one is righteousIf it would be helpful to your readers, you could state explicitly what the term **righteous** means in this context. Alternate translation: “is acceptable to God, just as Jesus is acceptable to God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
3151JN37j174writing-pronounsἐκεῖνος1that oneThe demonstrative pronoun **that one** refers to Jesus. Alternate translation: “Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
3161JN38uja7ἐκ τοῦ διαβόλου ἐστίν1is from the devilHere the preposition **from** indicates influence. The usage here is similar to that in the phrase “from the world” in [2:16](../02/16.md). Alternate translation: “is acting under the influence of the devil”
3171JN38cit3figs-idiomἀπ’ ἀρχῆς1from the beginningJohn uses the phrase **from the beginning** in various ways in this letter. Here it refers to the time when God created the world. In this case, the word **from** indicates not that the devil began to sin at that time, but that he had already begun to sin by that time. Alternate translation: “even before the world was created” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
3181JN38p9ksguidelines-sonofgodprinciplesὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ1the Son of God**Son of God** is an important title for Jesus. Alternate translation: “Jesus, the Son of God” or “Gods Son Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
3191JN38nq4wfigs-activepassiveἐφανερώθη1appearedSee the discussion of the term “appear” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. Here the term seems to have an active meaning and to mean the same thing as in [3:5](../03/05.md), that Jesus came to earth. It does not mean that he only appeared to come. Alternate translation: “came to earth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
3201JN38j175figs-explicitἵνα λύσῃ τὰ ἔργα τοῦ διαβόλου1so that he might destroy the works of the devilIf it would be helpful to your readers, you could state explicitly what **works** John is talking about. Alternate translation: “so that he might free people from continually sinning, as the devil had gotten them to do” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
3211JN39ftw3figs-activepassiveπᾶς ὁ γεγεννημένος ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ…ὅτι ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ γεγέννηται1Everyone who has been begotten from God … because he has been begotten from GodSee how you translated this in [2:29](../02/29.md). Alternate translation: “Everyone whose father is God … because God is his father” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
3221JN39j176figs-metaphorπᾶς ὁ γεγεννημένος ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ…ὅτι ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ γεγέννηται1Everyone who has been begotten from God … because he has been begotten from GodSee whether in [2:29](../02/29.md) you decided to explain this metaphor. Alternate translation: “Everyone whose spiritual father is God … because God is his spiritual father” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3231JN39j177writing-pronounsσπέρμα αὐτοῦ ἐν αὐτῷ μένει1his seed remains in himIn this phrase, **his** refers to **God** and **him** refers to the person **who has been begotten from God**. Alternate translation: “Gods seed remains in such a person” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
3241JN39j178figs-metaphorσπέρμα αὐτοῦ ἐν αὐτῷ μένει1his seed remains in himSee the discussion of the term “remain” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. In this instance, as in [2:27](../02/27.md), it seems to refer to a continuing presence. Alternate translation: “Gods seed continues to be present in such a person” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3251JN39ps9vfigs-metaphorσπέρμα αὐτοῦ ἐν αὐτῷ μένει1his seed remains in himJohn is using the word **seed** figuratively here. It could mean: (1) The characteristics of a father that a child inherits from him and displays more and more as he grows. Alternate translation: “the characteristics that show that God is his father become continually more evident” (2) Something that gives life such as the **seed** from which plants grow. Alternate translation: “the new life that God has put in that person continues to grow” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3261JN310w33lfigs-idiomἐν τούτῳ φανερά ἐστιν τὰ τέκνα τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ τὰ τέκνα τοῦ διαβόλου1In this the children of God and the children of the devil are apparent**In this** means something similar to the idiomatic expression “in this we know” that John uses many times in this letter. The word **this** refers to what John says in the next sentence. Alternate translation: “This is how we can tell the difference between the children of God and the children of the devil” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
3271JN310j179figs-idiomτὰ τέκνα τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ τὰ τέκνα τοῦ διαβόλου1the children of God and the children of the devilJohn is using the word **children** idiomatically in both of these instances. His usage is similar to the Hebrew idiom in which the “child” of something shares its characteristics. Alternate translation: “people who are living a new life in close relationship with God and people who are still in their old way of life influenced by the devil” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
3281JN310ctk6figs-doublenegativesπᾶς ὁ μὴ ποιῶν δικαιοσύνην, οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ1Everyone who does not do righteousness is not from GodIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express this double negative by translating it as a positive statement. Alternate translation: “Everyone who does wrong is alienated from God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]])
3291JN310j180figs-abstractnounsὁ μὴ ποιῶν δικαιοσύνην1who does not do righteousnessSee how you translated the similar expression in [2:29](../02/29.md). Alternate translation: “who does not do what is right” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
3301JN310j181figs-idiomοὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ1is not from GodThe expression **from God** is an idiom. John uses it in various ways in this letter. Alternate translation: “does not belong to God” or “is not living in relationship with God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
3311JN310j182figs-ellipsisκαὶ ὁ μὴ ἀγαπῶν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ1and the one who does not love his brotherJohn is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages in order to be complete. These words can be supplied from earlier in the sentence. Alternate translation: “and the one who does not love his brother is not from God” or, if you translated the double negative in the previous clause as a positive statement, “and anyone who hates a fellow believer is alienated from God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
3321JN310v1bxfigs-metaphorτὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ1his brotherSee how you translated this in [2:9](../02/09.md). Alternate translation: “a fellow believer” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3331JN311qd6jchecking/headings0If you are using section headings, you could put one here before verse 11. Suggested heading: “What Love Is” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/checking/headings]])
3341JN311j183figs-idiomἀπ’ ἀρχῆς1from the beginningJohn uses the phrase **from the beginning** in various ways in this letter. Here it refers to the time when the people to whom he is writing first heard about or first believed in Jesus. See how you translated this phrase in [2:7](../02/07.md). Alternate translation: “ever since you first heard about Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
3351JN312frz9figs-ellipsisοὐ καθὼς Κάϊν1not like CainJohn is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages in order to be complete. These words can be supplied from the previous verse. Alternate translation: “and we should not be like Cain” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
3361JN312w83vfigs-explicitΚάϊν…ἔσφαξεν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ1Cain, who … killed his brotherJohn assumes that his readers will know that Cain was a son of the first man and woman, Adam and Eve. As the book of Genesis describes, Cain was jealous of his younger brother Abel and murdered him. If your readers might not know this, you could express this explicitly in a footnote or by putting the names of his parents and brother in the text. Alternate translation: “Cain, the son of the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, … murdered his younger brother Abel” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
3371JN312j184translate-namesΚάϊν1Cain**Cain** is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
3381JN312j185ἐκ τοῦ πονηροῦ ἦν1who was from the evil oneThis is similar to the phrase “from the devil” in [3:8](../03/08.md). See how you translated that phrase. Alternate translation: “who belonged to the evil one” or “who was influenced by the evil one”
3391JN312j186figs-nominaladjτοῦ πονηροῦ1the evil oneJohn is using the adjective **evil** as a noun in order to indicate a specific being. ULT adds **one** to show this. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “the one who is evil” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])
3401JN312j187figs-metonymyτοῦ πονηροῦ1the evil oneJohn is speaking figuratively of the devil by association with the way that he is **evil**. Alternate translation: “the devil” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
3411JN312b1xhfigs-rquestionκαὶ χάριν τίνος ἔσφαξεν αὐτόν? ὅτι1And on account of what did he kill him? BecauseJohn is using a question as a teaching tool. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question by translating his words as a statement. Alternate translation: “He killed him because” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
3421JN312mq7xfigs-ellipsisτὰ δὲ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ, δίκαια1but those of his brother, righteousJohn is leaving out a word, “were,” that a sentence would need in many languages in order to be complete. The word “were” can be supplied for clarity. Alternate translation: “but his brothers works were righteous” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
3431JN313j188grammar-connect-logic-resultμὴ θαυμάζετε1Do not wonderIf it would be helpful in your language, you could show the connection between this sentence and the previous one by using a connecting word like “so” or “therefore.” Using the example of Cain, John shows that evil people naturally hate righteous people. Alternate translation: “So do not be surprised” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
3441JN313wc1mfigs-metaphorἀδελφοί1brothersSee how you translated this in [2:9](../02/09.md). Alternate translation: “my friends” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3451JN313lq9ffigs-metonymyεἰ μισεῖ ὑμᾶς ὁ κόσμος1if the world hates youJohn uses **world** to mean various things in this letter. Here it figuratively refers to people who do not honor God and who do not live as God wishes, as in [3:1](../03/01.md). See how you translated it there. Alternate translation: “if ungodly people hate you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
3461JN314j189grammar-connect-logic-resultἡμεῖς οἴδαμεν ὅτι μεταβεβήκαμεν ἐκ τοῦ θανάτου εἰς τὴν ζωήν, ὅτι ἀγαπῶμεν τοὺς ἀδελφούς1We know that we have relocated from death into life, because we love the brothersIf it would be helpful in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: “Because we love the brothers, we know that we have relocated from death into life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
3471JN314gc6eἡμεῖς οἴδαμεν ὅτι μεταβεβήκαμεν ἐκ τοῦ θανάτου εἰς τὴν ζωήν, ὅτι ἀγαπῶμεν τοὺς ἀδελφούς1Be sure that your translation does not communicate that loving the brothers is what causes people to pass from death to life. Alternate translation: “The way that we know that we have relocated from death into life is because we love the brothers”
3481JN314fs1xfigs-metaphorμεταβεβήκαμεν ἐκ τοῦ θανάτου εἰς τὴν ζωήν1we have relocated from death into lifeJohn is speaking figuratively of the conditions of being dead and alive as if they were physical locations between which a person could move. Alternate translation: “we are no longer dead but have become alive” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3491JN314ybc4figs-metaphorμεταβεβήκαμεν ἐκ τοῦ θανάτου εἰς τὴν ζωήν1we have relocated from death into lifeSince John and his readers were not literally dead, he is referring to spiritual **death** and to spiritual **life**. Alternate translation: “we are no longer dead spiritually but have become alive spiritually” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3501JN314j190figs-metaphorτοὺς ἀδελφούς1the brothersSee how you translated this in [2:9](../02/09.md). Alternate translation: “the other believers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3511JN314j191figs-ellipsisὁ μὴ ἀγαπῶν1The one who does not loveJohn does not say specifically whom such a person **does not love**. In context, it appears that he means other believers. But it is also possible that John means other people in general. Alternate translation: “The one who does not love his fellow believers” or “The one who does not love other people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
3521JN314qa7lfigs-metaphorμένει ἐν τῷ θανάτῳ1remains in deathSee the discussion of the term “remain” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. In this instance, it means staying in the same place. John is once again speaking figuratively of the state of **death** as if it were a location. Alternate translation: “remains dead spiritually” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3531JN315mqu2figs-metaphorπᾶς ὁ μισῶν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ, ἀνθρωποκτόνος ἐστίν1Everyone who hates his brother is a murdererJohn is using the term **murderer** figuratively, and he is echoing the teaching of Jesus that is recorded in Matthew [5:2122](../05/21.md). John means that since people commit murder because they hate other people, anyone who hates is the same on the inside as someone who actually kills another person. It may be helpful to translate this metaphor as a simile. Alternate translation: “Whoever hates another believer is just like someone who kills a person” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3541JN315j192figs-metaphorτὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ1his brotherSee how you translated this in [2:9](../02/09.md). Alternate translation: “a fellow believer” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3551JN315j193πᾶς ἀνθρωποκτόνος οὐκ ἔχει ζωὴν αἰώνιον1every murderer does not have eternal lifeIf it would be helpful in your language, you could make the subject negative and the verb positive. Alternate translation: “no murderer has eternal life”
3561JN315j194figs-metaphorζωὴν αἰώνιον1eternal lifeSince John is speaking of a present reality, by **eternal life** he does not mean living forever in the presence of God after death, which is one thing that this expression can describe. Rather, he means the regenerating power that God gives to believers in this life that helps them to stop sinning and to do what pleases him. Clearly, anyone who is a **murderer** does not have this power at work in him. Alternate translation: “the power that God gives to help us become new people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3571JN315s3awfigs-personificationοὐκ ἔχει ζωὴν αἰώνιον ἐν αὐτῷ μένουσαν1does not have eternal life remaining in himSee the discussion of the term “remain” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. In this instance, John seems to be using the term literally, in the sense of “residing,” to depict **eternal life** figuratively as if it were a living thing that could actively reside within a person. Alternate translation: “has not received eternal life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
3581JN316j195figs-idiomἐν τούτῳ ἐγνώκαμεν τὴν ἀγάπην1In this we have known love**In this we have known** means something similar to the idiomatic expression “in this we know” that John uses many times in this letter. Alternate translation: “This is how we have come to understand what love is” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
3591JN316j196writing-pronounsἐκεῖνος1that oneThe demonstrative pronoun **that one** refers to Jesus. Alternate translation: “Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
3601JN316a2cqfigs-idiomὑπὲρ ἡμῶν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἔθηκεν1laid down his life for usThis is an idiom. Alternate translation: “willingly gave his life for us” or “willingly died for us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
3611JN316j197figs-metaphorκαὶ ἡμεῖς ὀφείλομεν ὑπὲρ τῶν ἀδελφῶν, τὰς ψυχὰς θεῖναι1We also ought to lay down our lives for the brothersJohn is not saying that we should seek out ways to die for our fellow believers in a literal sense, but that we should be prepared to do so, if necessary. However, he is also using the expression **lay down our lives** figuratively to mean that we should seek ways to love our fellow believers in sacrificial ways, as he illustrates in the next verse. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3621JN316j198figs-metaphorτῶν ἀδελφῶν1the brothersSee how you translated this in [2:9](../02/09.md). Alternate translation: “our fellow believers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3631JN317j199figs-hypoὃς…ἂν ἔχῃ τὸν βίον τοῦ κόσμου1whoever has the possessions of the worldJohn uses this expression to introduce a hypothetical situation, which he discusses over the course of the whole verse. He is not talking about any specific person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could restate this as in the UST. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo]])
3641JN317nlj7figs-metonymyτὸν βίον τοῦ κόσμου1the possessions of the worldIn this letter, John uses **world** to mean various things. Here it refers to the created world, and so to material things such as, in this context, money, food, and clothing. Alternate translation: “material possessions” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
3651JN317j200figs-metaphorτὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ1his brotherSee how you translated this in [2:9](../02/09.md). Alternate translation: “a fellow believer” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3661JN317b6lhχρείαν ἔχοντα1having needAlternate translation: “who needs help”
3671JN317zql1figs-idiomκλείσῃ τὰ σπλάγχνα αὐτοῦ ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ1closes his entrails from himThis is an idiom in which the **entrails** or internal organs figuratively represent the emotions that would lead a person to act generously. Your language may have an equivalent figurative expression that you could use. You could also express the plain meaning in your translation. Alternate translation: “closes his heart to him” or “refuses to have compassion on him” or “declines to help him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
3681JN317l8u4figs-rquestionπῶς ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ μένει ἐν αὐτῷ?1how does the love of God remain in him?John is using the question form as a teaching tool. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question by translating his words as a statement or exclamation. Alternate translation: “the love of God does not remain in such a person!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
3691JN317j201figs-metaphorπῶς ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ μένει ἐν αὐτῷ1how does the love of God remain in him?See the discussion of the term “remain” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. As in [2:14](../02/14.md), here the word seems to describe behavior that is recognized to be genuine because it is consistent. Alternate translation: “such a person does not genuinely love others with love that is from God!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3701JN317j202figs-possessionπῶς ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ μένει ἐν αὐτῷ1the love of GodAs in [2:5](../02/05.md), the phrase **the love of God** could mean: (1) God loving people. Alternate translation: “Is it possible that he has truly received Gods love” (2) a person loving God. Alternate translation: “is it really possible that he truly loves God” We recommend option (1) if you must choose. But it is probable that John intends both meanings here, so if your translation can leave the possibilities open, that would be best. Alternate translation: “is he really loving others the way that God loves him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]])
3711JN318g6uhfigs-metaphorτεκνία1Little childrenSee how you translated this in [2:1](../02/01.md). Alternate translation: “You dear believers who are under my care” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3721JN318p91wfigs-doubletμὴ ἀγαπῶμεν λόγῳ, μηδὲ τῇ γλώσσῃ1let us not love in word, nor in tongueThe phrases **in word** and **in tongue** mean similar things. John is likely using repetition for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these terms into a single expression. Alternate translation: “let us not love only by what we say” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
3731JN318j203figs-metonymyμὴ ἀγαπῶμεν λόγῳ, μηδὲ τῇ γλώσσῃ1let us not love in word, nor in tongueJohn is using the phrases **in word** and **in tongue** figuratively to refer to what a person says. Alternate translation: “let us not love only by what we say” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
3741JN318b4mmfigs-hyperboleμὴ ἀγαπῶμεν λόγῳ, μηδὲ τῇ γλώσσῃ1John is not saying that we should never express love through words. He is using hyperbole to make a contrast between words and actions. If it would be helpful in your language, you could include a word such as “only” or “merely.” Alternate translation: “let us not love only by what we say” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
3751JN318j204figs-ellipsisἀλλὰ ἐν ἔργῳ καὶ ἀληθείᾳ1but in deed and truthJohn is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages in order to be complete. These words can be supplied from earlier in the sentence. Alternate translation: “but let us love in deed and in truth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
3761JN318j205figs-hendiadysἐν ἔργῳ καὶ ἀληθείᾳ1in deed and truthJohn is expressing a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **truth** indicates the quality that loving **in deed** would have. Alternate translation: “truly, in actions” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys]])
3771JN319d70nchecking/headings0If you are using section headings, you could put one here before verse 19. Suggested heading: “Have Confidence When You Pray” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/checking/headings]])
3781JN319j206translate-versebridgeἐν τούτῳ γνωσόμεθα…καὶ…πείσομεν τὰς καρδίας ἡμῶν1In this we will know … and we will persuade our heartsJohn describes a result in this verse. He gives the reason for that result in the next verse. If it would be helpful in your language, you could put the reason before the result by creating a verse bridge. You could put [3:20](../03/20.md) first in your translation, making it a separate sentence and leaving out both instances of the word “that.” You could put this verse next, translating it as in the following suggestions. Alternate translation: “That is how we can know … and how we can persuade our hearts” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-versebridge]])
3791JN319k2rvἐν τούτῳ1**In this** could refer either to: (1) What John has just said in verse 18. Alternate translation: “If we do that” (2) What John is about to say in verse 20. Alternate translation: “I will tell you how”
3801JN319j207figs-idiomἐν τούτῳ γνωσόμεθα1In this we will knowThis is an idiomatic expression that John uses many times in this letter. Alternate translation: “This is how we can know” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
3811JN319j208figs-parallelismγνωσόμεθα, ὅτι ἐκ τῆς ἀληθείας ἐσμέν, καὶ…πείσομεν τὰς καρδίας ἡμῶν1we will know that we are from the truth and we will persuade our heartsThe phrases **we will know** and **we will persuade our hearts** mean similar things. John is likely using the repetition for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases into an emphatic expression. Alternate translation: “we will be completely convinced that we are from the truth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
3821JN319qx9cfigs-metonymyἐκ τῆς ἀληθείας ἐσμέν1we are from the truthThis could mean one of two things. (1) John could be referring figuratively to God by association with the way that God is true. In other words, God always tells **the truth** and does what he says. Alternate translation: “we are from God, who is true” (2) As in [2:21](../02/21.md), the word **truth** could refer to the true teaching that believers have received from Jesus. Alternate translation: “we are conducting our lives according to the true message” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
3831JN319j209figs-abstractnounsἐκ τῆς ἀληθείας ἐσμέν1we are from the truthIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **truth** with an adjective such as “true.” Alternate translation: “we are from the One who is true” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
3841JN319j210figs-idiomἐκ τῆς ἀληθείας ἐσμέν1we are from the truthSee how you translated the expression in [3:10](../03/10.md) that has a similar meaning. Alternate translation: “we belong to God” or “we are living in relationship with God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
3851JN319mv6cfigs-metaphorπείσομεν τὰς καρδίας ἡμῶν1we will persuade our heartsJohn is speaking figuratively of **hearts** to mean thoughts and feelings. There may be a similar expression in your language. Alternate translation: “we can reassure ourselves about this” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3861JN319j211writing-pronounsἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ1before himThe pronoun **him** refers to God. Alternate translation: “before God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
3871JN319j212figs-metaphorἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ1before himThe word **before** means “in front of” or “in the presence of” someone. It likely refers to when we pray to God or are otherwise aware that he sees everything that we do. Alternate translation: “when we pray to God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3881JN320j213figs-hypoὅτι ἐὰν καταγινώσκῃ ἡμῶν ἡ καρδία, ὅτι μείζων ἐστὶν ὁ Θεὸς τῆς καρδίας ἡμῶν, καὶ γινώσκει πάντα1that if our heart condemns us, that God is greater than our heart and knows everythingJohn is discussing a hypothetical situation in order to reassure his readers. Alternate translation: “Suppose our heart condemns us. Then we should remember that God is greater than our heart and knows everything” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo]])
3891JN320f594figs-metaphorἐὰν καταγινώσκῃ ἡμῶν ἡ καρδία1if our heart condemns usJohn continues speaking figuratively of the **heart** to mean the thoughts and feelings. There may be a similar expression in your language. Alternate translation: “if our feelings condemn us” or “if our thoughts accuse us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
3901JN320j214figs-explicitἐὰν καταγινώσκῃ ἡμῶν ἡ καρδία1if our heart condemns usThe topic here, continuing from [3:19](../03/19.md), is how we can know that “we are from the truth,” so this is likely a reference to needing reassurance about that. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state that explicitly. Alternate translation: “if we ever feel that we do not belong to God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
3911JN320j215figs-possessionἡμῶν ἡ καρδία…τῆς καρδίας ἡμῶν1our heart … our heartIf it would be unusual in your language to speak of one **heart** in reference to many people, and if you decide to retain the word **heart** as a metaphor in your translation, you could make it plural. Alternate translation: “our hearts … our hearts” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]])
3921JN320j216figs-parallelismμείζων ἐστὶν ὁ Θεὸς τῆς καρδίας ἡμῶν, καὶ γινώσκει πάντα1God is greater than our heart and knows everythingSince John is using the **heart** figuratively to mean the thoughts and feelings, the statement that **God is greater than our heart** likely means that God knows and understands more than we do and that God has greater compassion for us than we have for ourselves. In that case, the phrases **is greater than our heart** and **knows everything** would mean similar things. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases into an emphatic expression. Alternate translation: “God certainly knows better than we do that we belong to him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
3931JN320lv7zfigs-explicitμείζων ἐστὶν ὁ Θεὸς τῆς καρδίας ἡμῶν, καὶ γινώσκει πάντα1God is greater than our heart and knows everythingThe implications are that, given Gods greater knowledge, we should believe what he has said rather than what our thoughts and feelings are saying. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state that explicitly. Alternate translation: “God certainly knows better than we do that we belong to him, and so we should believe that because he has said so” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
3941JN321rf96figs-nominaladjἀγαπητοί1BelovedSee how you translated this in [2:7](../02/07.md). Alternate translation: “You people whom I love” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])
3951JN321j217figs-hypoἐὰν ἡ καρδία μὴ καταγινώσκῃ, παρρησίαν ἔχομεν πρὸς τὸν Θεόν,1if the heart does not condemn, we have confidence toward GodJohn discusses another hypothetical situation in order to reassure his readers. Alternate translation: “Suppose our hearts do not condemn us. Then we have confidence toward God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo]])
3961JN321j218figs-explicitἐὰν ἡ καρδία μὴ καταγινώσκῃ1if the heart does not condemnSee how you translated the similar expression in [3:20](../03/20.md). Alternate translation: “if we do not feel that we do not belong to God” or, positively, “if we feel assured that we belong to God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
3971JN321j219figs-possessionἡ καρδία1the heartIf you decided in the previous verse to retain the word **heart** as a metaphor in your translation and you made it plural there, you could make it plural in this instance as well. You can also use the same possessive pronoun as in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “our hearts” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]])
3981JN321j220figs-explicitπαρρησίαν ἔχομεν πρὸς τὸν Θεόν1we have confidence toward GodIf it would be helpful to your readers, you could state explicitly what this **confidence** applies to, in light of what John says in the next verse. Alternate translation: “we can pray to God confidently” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
3991JN321j221figs-abstractnounsπαρρησίαν ἔχομεν πρὸς τὸν Θεόν1we have confidence toward GodIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **confidence** with an adverb such as “confidently.” Alternate translation: “we can pray to God confidently” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
4001JN322j222figs-explicitὅτι τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ τηροῦμεν, καὶ τὰ ἀρεστὰ ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ ποιοῦμεν1because we keep his commandments and we do the pleasing things before himJohn is not saying that we **receive** **whatever we ask** in return for obeying Gods commandments and doing what pleases him. Our obedience does not obligate God to give us what we ask for. Our obedience is simply what God has a right to expect from us. Rather, the word **because** reaches back to the statement earlier in this sentence, in the previous verse, that “we have confidence toward God,” that is, we can pray to God confidently. Living in obedience and doing what pleases God gives us confidence to ask for things according to his will. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this explicitly by starting a new sentence here that refers back to that statement and explains how Johns statement in this verse relates to it. Alternate translation: “We can pray confidently like this because we obey Gods commandments and do what pleases him, and that assures us that we belong to him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
4011JN322j223figs-idiomτὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ τηροῦμεν1we keep his commandmentsAs in [2:3](../02/03.md), the word **keep** is an idiom that means “obey.” Alternate translation: “we obey his commandments” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
4021JN322j224figs-nominaladjτὰ ἀρεστὰ ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ1we do the pleasing things before himJohn is using the adjective **pleasing** as a noun. ULT adds **things** to show this. (The word is plural.) Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “the things that please him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])
4031JN322p3gafigs-metaphorτὰ ἀρεστὰ ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ1the pleasing things before himThe word **before** means “in front of” or “in the presence of” another person. In this case, **before him** indicates “in Gods sight.” Seeing, for its part, represents attention and judgment. So this means the things that God regards as pleasing. Alternate translation: “the things that please him” or “what God considers to be good” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
4041JN323irb3writing-pronounsαὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ ἐντολὴ αὐτοῦ1this is his commandment … as he gave us commandmentThe pronoun **his** refers to God in this verse. Alternate translation: “this is what God has commanded” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
4051JN323j225figs-metonymyτῷ ὀνόματι τοῦ Υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ, Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ1in the name of his Son Jesus ChristAs in [2:12](../02/12.md), John is using the **name** of Jesus figuratively to represent who Jesus is and what he has done. Alternate translation: “in Jesus Christ his Son and what he has done for us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
4061JN323feq7guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτοῦ Υἱοῦ1his Son**Son** is an important title for Jesus, the Son of God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
4071JN323sip4writing-pronounsἔδωκεν1The pronoun **he** here may refer to: (1) Jesus or (2) God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
4081JN324j226writing-pronounsὁ τηρῶν τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ, ἐν αὐτῷ μένει1the one who keeps his commandments remains in him, and he in himThe pronouns **his** and **him** here refer to God. Alternate translation: “the one who keeps Gods commandments remains in God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
4091JN324j227figs-idiomὁ τηρῶν τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ1the one who keeps his commandmentsThe word **keep** is an idiom that means “obey.” Alternate translation: “the person who obeys Gods commandments” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
4101JN324we1mfigs-metaphorἐν αὐτῷ μένει1remains in himSee the discussion of the term “remain” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. In this instance, it seems to mean the same thing as in [2:6](../02/06.md). See how you translated it there. Alternate translation: “continues to have a close relationship with him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
4111JN324j228figs-metaphorἐν αὐτῷ μένει1remains in himJohn is speaking figuratively as if believers could be inside of God. Alternate translation: “continues to have a close relationship with God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
4121JN324j229figs-ellipsisκαὶ αὐτὸς ἐν αὐτῷ1and he in himJohn is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages in order to be complete. These words can be supplied from earlier in the sentence. Alternate translation: “and God remains in him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
4131JN324j230figs-metaphorκαὶ αὐτὸς ἐν αὐτῷ1and he in himJohn is speaking figuratively as if God could be inside of believers. Alternate translation: “and God continues to have a close relationship with that person” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
4141JN324fz4gfigs-gendernotationsκαὶ αὐτὸς ἐν αὐτῷ1Although the term **him** here is masculine, John is using the word in a generic sense that includes both men and women. Alternate translation: “and God continues to have a close relationship with that person” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]])
4151JN324j231figs-idiomἐν τούτῳ γινώσκομεν ὅτι1in this we know thatThis is an idiomatic expression that John uses many times in this letter. Alternate translation: “this is how we know that” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
4161JN324j232figs-metaphorμένει ἐν ἡμῖν1he remains in usSee the discussion of the term “remain” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. In this instance, it seems to mean the same thing as it does earlier in the verse. Alternate translation: “he continues to have a close relationship with us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
4171JN4introl3qa0# 1 John 4 General Notes<br><br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>1. It is false teaching to deny that Jesus became human (4:16)<br>2. Genuine believers love one another as God has loved them (4:721)<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### “Spirit” and “spirit”<br><br>John uses the word “spirit” in different ways in this chapter.<br>Sometimes the word “spirit” clearly refers to a supernatural being.<br>Sometimes the word “spirit” may refer either to the human spirit, to the character of something, or to a supernatural being. Therefore, the expressions “the spirit of the antichrist,” “the spirit of truth,” and “the spirit of error” may refer to the spirit of the humans who promote those things, the attitudes and thinking that are typical of those things, or to spiritual beings who inspire those things.<br>When the word is written with a capital letter, as in the expressions “the Spirit of God” and “his Spirit,” it refers to the Holy Spirit.<br><br>## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter<br><br>### Loving God<br><br>If people love God, they should show it in the way that they live and the way that they treat other people. Doing this may assure us that God has saved us and that we belong to him. But loving others does not save us. Be sure that this is clear in your translation. John says in 4:7 that “everyone who loves is begotten from God and knows God.” As the notes explain, this means that God is the spiritual father of everyone who loves, and everyone who loves is in a close relationship with God. But this love from God is a sign that they belong to God only because of what Jesus did for them on the cross, as John says in 4:10. They were saved by what Jesus did, not because they themselves loved others. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/save]])<br><br>## Important textual issues in this chapter<br><br>In [4:3](../04/03.md), the most accurate ancient manuscripts say “acknowledge Jesus.” That is the reading that ULT follows. Some other ancient manuscripts say “acknowledge Jesus Christ having come in the flesh.” (Some of these manuscripts say “Jesus” or “the Lord Jesus” instead of “Jesus Christ.”) If a translation of the Bible already exists in your region, consider using whichever reading is found in that version. If a translation does not already exist, we recommend that you follow the reading in the ULT text. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]])
4181JN41a7h4checking/headings0If you are using section headings, you could put one here before verse 1. Suggested heading: “Recognizing the Spirit of God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/checking/headings]])
4191JN41h1lvfigs-nominaladjἀγαπητοί1BelovedSee how you translated this in [2:7](../02/07.md). Alternate translation: “You people whom I love” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])
4201JN41zm7ffigs-metonymyμὴ παντὶ πνεύματι πιστεύετε, ἀλλὰ δοκιμάζετε τὰ πνεύματα1do not believe every spirit, but test the spiritsJohn is speaking figuratively of a prophet by association with the **spirit** that would inspire a prophet to speak. Alternate translation: “do not believe every prophet; instead, consider carefully what prophets say” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
4211JN41j234εἰ ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐστιν1whether they are from GodJohn uses the expression **from God** in various ways in this letter. Here it refers to origin. Alternate translation: “in order to determine whether God has sent them” or “in order to determine whether God is inspiring them”
4221JN41x71qfigs-ellipsisεἰ ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐστιν1This sentence leaves out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages to be complete. If it would be helpful in your language, you could supply these words. Alternate translation: “to see whether they are from God, or whether they are not from God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
4231JN41j235figs-metonymyἐξεληλύθασιν εἰς τὸν κόσμον1have gone out into the worldJohn uses **world** to mean various things in this letter. Here it figuratively refers to the people living in the world. Alternate translation: “are out there speaking to people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
4241JN42j236figs-idiomἐν τούτῳ γινώσκετε1In this you knowThis is an idiomatic expression that John uses many times in this letter. Alternate translation: “This is how you can recognize” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
4251JN42j237figs-metonymyπᾶν πνεῦμα ὃ ὁμολογεῖ1Every spirit that confessesJohn is speaking figuratively of a prophet by association with the **spirit** that would inspire a prophet to speak. Alternate translation: “Every prophet who teaches” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
4261JN42e6wwfigs-metonymyἸησοῦν Χριστὸν ἐν σαρκὶ ἐληλυθότα1Jesus Christ having come in the fleshAs in [2:16](../02/16.md), John is using the term **flesh** figuratively to mean the physical human body, which is made of **flesh**. See Part 2 of the Introduction to 1 John for an explanation of why the false teachers denied that Jesus had a human body. Alternate translation: “that Jesus Christ had a real human body” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
4271JN42j238ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐστιν1is from GodSee how you translated this expression in [4:1](../04/01.md). Alternate translation: “is inspired by God” or, if your language does not use passive forms, “God is inspiring,” placing that phrase before **every spirit** or “every prophet”
4281JN43j239figs-metonymyπᾶν πνεῦμα ὃ μὴ ὁμολογεῖ1every spirit that does not confessSee how you translated the similar expression in [4:2](../04/02.md). Alternate translation: “every prophet who does not teach” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
4291JN43j240translate-textvariantsἸησοῦν1confess JesusSee the discussion of textual issues at the end of the General Notes to this chapter to decide whether to follow the reading of ULT and say **Jesus** here or to follow the reading of some other manuscripts and say “Jesus Christ having come in the flesh.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]])
4301JN43j241figs-metonymyτὸν Ἰησοῦν1JesusIf you follow the variant reading “Jesus Christ having come in the flesh,” see how you translated that expression in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “that Jesus Christ had a real human body” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
4311JN43j242figs-explicitτὸν Ἰησοῦν1JesusEven if you do not follow the reading of the textual variant here, you may wish to explain more fully what John means by **Jesus** in this context in order to make the implied information explicit for your readers. Alternate translation: “that Jesus Christ had a real human body” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
4321JN43j243ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ οὐκ ἔστιν1is not from GodSee how you translated the similar expression in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “is not inspired by God” or, if your language does not use passive forms, “God is not inspiring,” placing that phrase before **every spirit** or “every prophet”
4331JN43cda6writing-pronounsτοῦτό ἐστιν τὸ τοῦ ἀντιχρίστου1this is that of the AntichristThe word **that** most likely means “the spirit,” referring back to the word **spirit** in the previous sentence. Alternate translation: “this is the spirit of the Antichrist” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
4341JN43j244τοῦτό ἐστιν τὸ τοῦ ἀντιχρίστου1this is that of the AntichristAssuming that the word **that** means “the spirit,” see the discussion of the word “spirit” in the General Notes to this chapter. In this instance, John is referring to either: (1) the characteristic attitude of something, or (2) a supernatural being who inspires that attitude. Also see how you translated the term **antichrist** in [2:18](../02/18.md). Alternate translation: “this false teaching is opposed to Jesus”
4351JN43j245writing-pronounsὃ ἀκηκόατε ὅτι ἔρχεται, καὶ νῦν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ ἐστὶν ἤδη1which you have heard about, that it is coming, and it is now already in the worldThe word **which** refers to the **spirit** of **the antichrist**, which was already **in the world** at the time when John wrote, and not to **the antichrist** himself, who was not **in the world**. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “You have heard that this false teaching is coming, and it is now already circulating among people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
4361JN43j246figs-metonymyἐν τῷ κόσμῳ1in the worldJohn uses **world** to mean various things in this letter. Here, while it could possibly mean the literal earth (so this expression would mean “on this earth”), it more likely refers figuratively to the people living in the world. Alternate translation: “circulating among people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
4371JN44j247figs-idiomὑμεῖς ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐστε1You are from GodThe expression **from God** means something different in this verse than in the previous three verses, since it refers to believers rather than to the spirits that are inspiring prophets. It means the same thing as in [3:10](../03/10.md). See how you translated it there. Alternate translation: “You belong to God” or “You are living in relationship with God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
4381JN44w1yrfigs-metaphorτεκνία1little childrenSee how you translated this in [2:1](../02/01.md). Alternate translation: “you dear believers who are under my care” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
4391JN44avj3figs-metaphorνενικήκατε αὐτούς1you have overcome themAs in [2:13](../02/13.md) and [2:14](../02/14.md), John is using the word **overcome** figuratively. He is speaking of the believers refusal to believe the false prophets as if the believers had defeated these prophets in a struggle. Alternate translation: “you have refused to believe these false teachers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
4401JN44j248writing-pronounsαὐτούς1themThe pronoun **them** refers to the false prophets whom John describes in [4:1](../04/01.md). Alternate translation: “these false teachers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
4411JN44j5vefigs-metaphorἐστὶν ὁ ἐν ὑμῖν1the one who is in youAs in [3:24](../03/24.md), John is speaking figuratively as if God could be inside of believers. Alternate translation: “God, with whom you have a close relationship,” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
4421JN44j249μείζων…ἢ1greater thanIf it would be helpful in your language, for this context you could use a more specific word than **greater**. Alternate translation: “stronger than”
4431JN44tp4qfigs-metonymyὁ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ1the one in the worldThe phrase **in the world** here and in [verse 5](../04/05.md) seems to have a different meaning than in [verse 1](../04/01.md) and [verse 3](../04/03.md). There, it refers to location, so when John says in [verse 3](../04/03.md) that the spirit of the antichrist is “in the world,” it means “on this earth” or “circulating among people.” But here, John seems to be using the term **world** to mean the value system that is opposed to God. In that case, the phrase **the one in the world** would refer to the devil by association with the way that he inspires that system. Alternate translation: “the devil” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
4441JN45y2z8figs-metonymyαὐτοὶ ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου εἰσίν; διὰ τοῦτο ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου λαλοῦσιν1They are from the world. Because of this, they speak from the worldJohn uses **world** to mean various things in this letter. Here in these first two instances, it figuratively refers to the system of values shared by people who do not know God. Alternate translation: “These false teachers are influenced by the ungodly value system of the people who do not honor God. As a result, they express the perspectives of that system” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
4451JN45j252writing-pronounsαὐτοὶ1TheyThe pronoun **they** refers to the false prophets whom John describes in [4:1](../04/01.md). Alternate translation: “These false teachers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
4461JN45em2tfigs-metonymyὁ κόσμος αὐτῶν ἀκούει1the world listens to themIn this instance, the term **world** figuratively refers to people who share the worlds value system. That is, they do not honor or obey God. Alternate translation: “ungodly people listen to them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
4471JN45j253figs-idiomὁ κόσμος αὐτῶν ἀκούει1the world listens to themThe word **listens** is an idiom that means “believes” or “is persuaded by.” Alternate translation: “ungodly people believe them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
4481JN46j254figs-exclusiveἡμεῖς…ἡμῶν…ἡμῶν1We … us … usThese pronouns in the first three sentences of this verse are probably exclusive, and so if your language marks that distinction, we recommend using the exclusive form in your translation. John appears to be speaking here of himself and his fellow eyewitnesses of the resurrection as teachers of the truth about Jesus. He has already said that the believers to whom he is writing are from God in [4:4](../04/04.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])
4491JN46j328figs-idiomἡμεῖς ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐσμεν1We are from GodHere, **from God** could mean: (1) that John and his fellow eyewitnesses teach the truth about Jesus because God has sent them to do that. Alternate translation: “God has sent us” (2) the same thing as it does in [4:4](../04/04.md) and in [4:13](../04/01.md). Alternate translation: “We belong to God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
4501JN46j256figs-idiomἡμεῖς ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐσμεν1We are from GodIf you have decided that **We are from God** means “God has sent us,” and if it would be helpful to your readers, you could state explicitly what God has sent John and the other eyewitnesses to do, either here or in a footnote. Alternate translation: “God has sent us to teach the truth about Jesus as eyewitnesses to his life on earth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
4511JN46j257ὁ γινώσκων τὸν Θεὸν1The one who knows GodAs in [2:34](../02/03.md), John is using the word **knows** in a specific sense. See how you translated it there. Alternate translation: “Anyone who has a close relationship with God”
4521JN46j258figs-idiomἀκούει ἡμῶν…οὐκ ἀκούει ἡμῶν1listens to us … does not listen to usAs in [4:5](../04/05.md), the word **listens** is an idiom that means “believes” or “is persuaded by.” Alternate translation: “believes what we teach … does not believe what we teach” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
4531JN46j259figs-idiomὃς οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ1Whoever is not from GodThe expression **from God** means the same thing in this verse as in [4:4](../04/04.md). See how you translated it there. Alternate translation: “Whoever does not belong to God” or “Whoever is not living in relationship with God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
4541JN46j260figs-idiomἐκ τούτου γινώσκομεν1From this we knowThis is an idiomatic expression. It means the same thing as the expression “in this we know” which John uses several times in this letter. Alternate translation: “This is how we can recognize” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
4551JN46arsawriting-pronounsἐκ τούτου γινώσκομεν1Here, **this** refers back to what John has just written in the previous two sentences. We can know if someone is teaching a true message if it agrees with what John and the other apostles teach, and that it is a false message if it does not. John may have intended for **this** to also include what he said in [4:23](../04/02.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
4561JN46j261figs-exclusiveγινώσκομεν1we knowSince John is once again speaking of himself and the believers to whom he is writing, **we** in this last sentence in the verse would be inclusive, and so if your language marks that distinction, use the inclusive form in your translation. This inclusive usage continues through [4:13](../04/13.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])
4571JN46j262figs-metonymyτὸ πνεῦμα τῆς ἀληθείας καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα τῆς πλάνης1the spirit of truth and the spirit of errorSee the discussion of the word **spirit** in the General Notes to this chapter. In these instances, the word may refer to: (1) spirits that inspire messages of a certain kind. In this case, **the spirit of truth** would refer to Gods Spirit, and **the spirit of error** would refer to the devil. These would also be what John refers to as “the one in you” and “the one in the world” in [4:4](../04/04.md). See the UST. (2) the character of something. In this case, John would be using **spirit** figuratively to refer to people whose teaching has a certain character. Alternate translation: “whose teaching is true and whose teaching is false” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
4581JN46j263figs-abstractnounsτὸ πνεῦμα τῆς ἀληθείας καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα τῆς πλάνης1the spirit of truth and the spirit of errorIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract nouns **truth** and **error**behind them with the adjectives “true” and “false.” Alternate translation: “the spirit whose messages are true and the spirit whose messages are false” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
4591JN47bse1checking/headings0If you are using section headings, you could put one here before verse 7. Suggested heading: “Love Comes from God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/checking/headings]])
4601JN47fpl5figs-nominaladjἀγαπητοί1BelovedSee how you translated this in [2:7](../02/07.md). Alternate translation: “You people whom I love” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])
4611JN47c6w6figs-idiomἡ ἀγάπη ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐστιν1love is from GodThe expression **from God** means something similar to what it does in [4:13](../04/01.md). Alternate translation: “God inspires us to love” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
4621JN47ec73figs-metaphorπᾶς ὁ ἀγαπῶν, ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ γεγέννηται1everyone who loves has been begotten from GodSee how you translated this metaphor in [2:29](../02/29.md) and [3:9](../03/09.md). Alternate translation: “God is the spiritual father of everyone who loves” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
4631JN47zvt9figs-activepassiveπᾶς ὁ ἀγαπῶν, ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ γεγέννηται1everyone who loves has been begotten from GodIf your language does not use this passive form, you can express this with an active form. Alternate translation: “God is the father of everyone who loves” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
4641JN47j264καὶ γινώσκει τὸν Θεόν1and knows GodAs in [2:4](../02/04.md), John is using the word **knows** in a specific sense. See how you translated it there. Alternate translation: “and such a person has a close relationship with God”
4651JN48j265grammar-connect-logic-resultὁ μὴ ἀγαπῶν, οὐκ ἔγνω τὸν Θεόν, ὅτι ὁ Θεὸς ἀγάπη ἐστίν1The one who does not love does not know God, for God is loveIf it would be helpful in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: “Since God is love, the one who does not love does not know God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
4661JN48j266οὐκ ἔγνω τὸν Θεόν1does not know GodAs in [2:4](../02/04.md), John is using the word **know** in a specific sense. See how you translated it there. Alternate translation: “does not have a close relationship with God”
4671JN48kti1figs-metaphorὁ Θεὸς ἀγάπη ἐστίν1God is loveThis is a metaphor that describes what God is like in his character. Alternate translation: “God is entirely loving” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
4681JN48j267figs-abstractnounsὁ Θεὸς ἀγάπη ἐστίν1God is loveIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **love** with an adjective such as “loving.” Alternate translation: “God is entirely loving” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
4691JN49i2b5figs-idiomἐν τούτῳ1In this**In this** means something similar to the idiomatic expression “in this we know” that John uses many times in this letter. Alternate translation: “This is how” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
4701JN49mhuowriting-pronounsἐν τούτῳ1Here, **this** refers forward to what John will say in the rest of the sentence. God demonstrated that he loves us by sending his Son. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
4711JN49j268figs-activepassiveἐφανερώθη ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐν ἡμῖν1the love of God appeared among usSee the discussion of the term “appear” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. This is a Greek passive verbal form that may have an active meaning, so it could be translated **appeared** or “was revealed.” If your language does not use passive forms, you can use an active form and say who did the action. Alternate translation: “God showed us how much he loves us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
4721JN49y4m8figs-possessionἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ1the love of GodHere, **the love of God** refers to God loving people. Alternate translation: “Gods love for us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]])
4731JN49j269figs-exclusiveἡμῖν1usThe expression **among us** likely refers to all of humanity, not just to the people who saw and heard Jesus when he was alive, so this would be an inclusive use of the term **us** that would include the believers to whom John is writing. John says later in the sentence that Jesus came **so that we might live through him**, and **we** in that instance does include these believers. So it is likely that **us** earlier in the sentence includes them as well. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])
4741JN49j270guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτὸν Υἱὸν αὐτοῦ1his Son**His Son** is an important title for Jesus. Alternate translation: “his Son Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
4751JN49j271τὸν μονογενῆ1the only-begottenAlternate translation: “who is Gods only actual Child” or “his only one”
4761JN49j272figs-metonymyεἰς τὸν κόσμον1into the worldJohn uses **world** to mean various things in this letter. Here it refers to the created world. Alternate translation: “to this earth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
4771JN49wxf8figs-metaphorἵνα ζήσωμεν δι’ αὐτοῦ1so that we might live through himSince people were already literally alive before Jesus came, John means this in a figurative sense. He is likely referring to what he calls “eternal life” in [3:15](../03/15.md). That includes both living forever in the presence of God after death and receiving power from God in this life to live in a new way. Alternate translation: “so that through him we might receive power from God to live as new people in this life and to live forever in Gods presence after we die” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
4781JN49j273δι’ αὐτοῦ1through himAlternate translation: “as a result of what he did for us”
4791JN410v1zvfigs-idiomἐν τούτῳ ἐστὶν ἡ ἀγάπη1In this is love**In this** means something similar to the idiomatic expression “in this we know” that John uses many times in this letter. Alternate translation: “This is how we have experienced genuine love” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
4801JN410bnvefigs-abstractnounsἐν τούτῳ ἐστὶν ἡ ἀγάπη1If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the abstract noun **love** by stating the meaning behind it with a verb. Alternate translation: “This is how we know what it means to love” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
4811JN410j274guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτὸν Υἱὸν αὐτοῦ1his Son**His Son** is an important title for Jesus. Alternate translation: “his Son Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
4821JN410b39jfigs-abstractnounsἀπέστειλεν τὸν Υἱὸν αὐτοῦ, ἱλασμὸν περὶ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν1sent his Son as the propitiation for our sinsIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express the abstract noun **propitiation** by stating the meaning behind it with an equivalent expression. See how you translated the term in [2:2](../02/02.md). Alternate translation: “sent his Son to be the offering that made him no longer angry with us because of our sins” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
4831JN411i4tffigs-nominaladjἀγαπητοί1BelovedSee how you translated this in [2:7](../02/07.md). Alternate translation: “You people whom I love” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])
4841JN411g4gugrammar-connect-condition-factεἰ οὕτως ὁ Θεὸς ἠγάπησεν ἡμᾶς1if God thus loved usJohn is speaking as if this were a hypothetical possibility, but he means that it is actually true. If your language does not state something as a condition if it is certain or true, and if your readers might misunderstand and think that what John is saying is not certain, then you can translate his words as an affirmative statement. Alternate translation: “because God loved us in this way” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-fact]])
4851JN411dy86grammar-connect-condition-factοὕτως1The word **thus** refers to the manner in which God showed his love to us, as described in verses 9 and 10. Alternate translation: “in that way” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-fact]])
4861JN412j275grammar-connect-condition-factἐὰν ἀγαπῶμεν ἀλλήλους, ὁ Θεὸς ἐν ἡμῖν μένει, καὶ ἡ ἀγάπη αὐτοῦ τετελειωμένη ἐν ἡμῖν ἐστιν1If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is perfected in usJohn is speaking of a real situation as if it were a hypothetical condition. If your language does not state something as a condition if it is already real, and if your readers might misunderstand and think that what John is saying is not real, then you can translate his words as an affirmative statement. Alternate translation: “But as we love each other, God remains in us, and his love is perfected in us” or “But we do love each other, so that means that God remains in us, and his love is perfected in us”(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-fact]])
4871JN412sh9qfigs-metaphorὁ Θεὸς ἐν ἡμῖν μένει1God remains in usSee the discussion of the term “remain” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. In this instance, it seems to mean the same thing as in [2:6](../02/06.md). See how you translated it there. Alternate translation: “God continues to have a close relationship with us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
4881JN412vt14figs-activepassiveἡ ἀγάπη αὐτοῦ τετελειωμένη ἐν ἡμῖν ἐστιν1his love is perfected in usSee how you translated the similar expression in [2:5](../02/05.md). In this case, it is clear that John is referring to Gods love for us, rather than to our love for God. Alternate translation: “Gods love has achieved its purpose in our lives” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
4891JN413gj7pἐν τούτῳ γινώσκομεν ὅτι ἐν αὐτῷ μένομεν, καὶ αὐτὸς ἐν ἡμῖν, ὅτι ἐκ τοῦ Πνεύματος αὐτοῦ δέδωκεν ἡμῖν1In this we know that we remain in him and he in us: that he has given us of his SpiritThis verse is very similar to the second half of [3:24](../03/24.md). See how you translated that verse. **In this** may set up an awkward sentence in your language. If so, try wording it in other ways. Alternate translation: “This is how we know that we remain in him, and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit” or “We know that we remain in him, and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit”
4901JN413j276figs-idiomἐν τούτῳ γινώσκομεν ὅτι1In this we know thatThis is an idiomatic expression that John uses many times in this letter. Alternate translation: “This is how we know that” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
4911JN413m69hfigs-ellipsisἐν αὐτῷ μένομεν, καὶ αὐτὸς ἐν ἡμῖν1we remain in him, and he in usIn the expression **and he in us**, John is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages in order to be complete. These words can be supplied from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “we remain in him and he remains in us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
4921JN413yv6sfigs-metaphorἐν αὐτῷ μένομεν, καὶ αὐτὸς ἐν ἡμῖν1we remain in him, and he in usSee the discussion of the term “remain” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. In this instance, it seems to mean the same thing as in [2:6](../02/06.md). See how you translated it there. Alternate translation: “we continue to have a close relationship with God, and God continues to have a close relationship with us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
4931JN413dge3ἐκ τοῦ Πνεύματος αὐτοῦ δέδωκεν ἡμῖν1he has given us of his SpiritThe word **of** here means “some of.” However, Gods Spirit is not something that can be divided. Rather, John is saying that God is sharing his Spirit with us. Gods Spirit can be in many places, and he is fully present in every place. John is saying that through his Spirit, God is fully present in the entire community, and that each believer experiences some of that full presence of God through the presence of the Spirit in his own life. Be sure that it is also clear in your translation that God does not have less of his Spirit now that each of us has some. Alternate translation: “he has sent his Spirit to live in each of us”
4941JN414w6mzfigs-exclusiveἡμεῖς τεθεάμεθα καὶ μαρτυροῦμεν, ὅτι1we have seen and we testify thatIn this verse, John is speaking on behalf of himself and the other eyewitnesses of the earthly life of Jesus, so the pronoun **we** is exclusive. Alternate translation: “we apostles have seen and bear witness to the fact that” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])
4951JN414m7cbguidelines-sonofgodprinciplesὁ Πατὴρ…τὸν Υἱὸν1the Father … the SonThese are important titles that describe the relationship between God and Jesus. Alternate translation: “God the Father … Jesus his Son” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
4961JN414j277figs-metonymyΣωτῆρα τοῦ κόσμου1as the Savior of the worldJohn uses **world** to mean various things in this letter. Here it figuratively refers to the people living in the world. Alternate translation: “to save the people in the world” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
4971JN415j278figs-hypoὃς ἐὰν ὁμολογήσῃ ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, ὁ Θεὸς ἐν αὐτῷ μένει, καὶ αὐτὸς ἐν τῷ Θεῷ1Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him, and he in GodThis can be translated as a conditional statement. John is saying that what he describes in the second phrase will happen only if what he describes in the first phrase happens. Then it will certainly happen. Alternate translation: “If someone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, then God will remain in him and he will remain in God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo]])
4981JN415nvb1figs-explicitὃς ἐὰν ὁμολογήσῃ ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ1Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of GodThe meaning of this expression is similar to the expression “the one who confesses the Son” in [2:23](../02/23.md). See how you translated it there. Alternate translation: “Everyone who truly believes and acknowledges publicly that Jesus is the Son of God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
4991JN415b6tdguidelines-sonofgodprinciplesὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ1the Son of God**The Son of God** is an important title for Jesus that describes his relationship to God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
5001JN415a7rxfigs-ellipsisὁ Θεὸς ἐν αὐτῷ μένει, καὶ αὐτὸς ἐν τῷ Θεῷ1God remains in him, and he in GodIn the expression **and he in God**, John is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages in order to be complete. These words can be supplied from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “God remains in him and he remains in God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
5011JN415l3ftfigs-metaphorὁ Θεὸς ἐν αὐτῷ μένει, καὶ αὐτὸς ἐν τῷ Θεῷ1God remains in him, and he in GodSee the discussion of the term “remain” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. In this instance, it seems to mean the same thing as in [2:6](../02/06.md). See how you translated it there. Alternate translation: “God continues to have a close relationship with him, and he continues to have a close relationship with God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
5021JN416j279figs-exclusiveἡμεῖς…ἡμῖν1we … usHere and in the rest of the letter, John speaks of himself and the believers to whom he is writing, so the words **we** and **us** will be inclusive. If your language marks that distinction, use the inclusive form in your translation. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])
5031JN416j280figs-idiomτὴν ἀγάπην ἣν ἔχει ὁ Θεὸς ἐν ἡμῖν1we have known and believed the love that God has in usThe phrase translated **in us** here is the same as the phrase translated “among us” in [4:9](../04/09.md). Here it could mean: (1) Gods love directed to us. Alternate translation: “the love that God has for us” (2) Gods love directed to others through us. Alternate translation: “the love that God has put into us” It may also be that John used a very general phrase in order to include both meanings. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
5041JN416t5amfigs-metaphorὁ Θεὸς ἀγάπη ἐστίν1God is loveThis is a metaphor that describes what God is like in his character. See how you translated it in [4:8](../04/08.md). Alternate translation: “God is entirely loving” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
5051JN416dyr6figs-metaphorὁ μένων ἐν τῇ ἀγάπῃ1the one who remains in loveSee the discussion of the term “remain” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. As in [2:24](../02/24.md), in this instance the word seems to refer to maintaining a pattern of behavior. Alternate translation: “someone who continues to love others” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
5061JN416fz29figs-metaphorἐν τῷ Θεῷ μένει, καὶ ὁ Θεὸς ἐν αὐτῷ μένει1remains in God, and God remains in himSee the discussion of the term “remain” in Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John. In this instance, it seems to mean the same thing as in [2:6](../02/06.md) and in [4:15](../04/15.md). See how you translated it there. Alternate translation: “continues to have a close relationship with God, and God continues to have a close relationship with him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
5071JN417ypv4figs-idiomἐν τούτῳ1In thisAs in [4:9](../04/09.md), **In this** means something similar to the idiomatic expression “in this we know” that John uses many times in this letter. Alternate translation: “This is how” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
5081JN417bp6dwriting-pronounsἐν τούτῳ1**In this** may refer: (1) backward to the last sentence of verse 16. Alternate translation: “By remaining in God,” (2) forward to the clause beginning **because just as that one is**. Alternate translation: “By loving others just the way that Jesus does,” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
5091JN417m76gfigs-activepassiveτετελείωται ἡ ἀγάπη μεθ’ ἡμῶν1love has been perfected with usSee how you translated the similar expression in [2:5](../02/05.md). Since John speaks in the previous verse of Gods love, here John is probably continuing to refer to Gods love for us, rather than to our love for God. Alternate translation: “Gods love has achieved its purpose in our lives” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
5101JN417j281grammar-connect-logic-resultἵνα παρρησίαν ἔχωμεν ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῆς κρίσεως1In this love has been perfected with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgmentThe clause beginning **so that** could function as: (1) a result clause. That is, John may be saying that as a result of Gods love achieving its purposes in our lives now, we will be confident on the day of judgment of his forgiveness and acceptance. If you decide that is the case, then your translation should follow the conventions of your language for result clauses. Alternate translation: “with the result that we may have confidence in the day of judgment” (2) a purpose clause. That is, John may be saying that one reason why God is having his love achieve its purpose in our lives now is because he wants us to be confident on the day of judgment of his forgiveness and acceptance. If you decide that is the case, then your translation should follow the conventions of your language for purpose clauses. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
5111JN417j282figs-explicitἵνα παρρησίαν ἔχωμεν1so that we may have confidenceIf it would be helpful to your readers, you could state explicitly what believers will **have confidence** about. Alternate translation: “so that we will be confident that God has forgiven us and will accept us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
5121JN417j283figs-abstractnounsἵνα παρρησίαν ἔχωμεν1so that we may have confidenceIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **confidence** with an adjective such as “confident.” Alternate translation: “so that we will be confident that God has forgiven us and will accept us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
5131JN417j284figs-idiomἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῆς κρίσεως1in the day of judgmentJohn is using the term **day** figuratively to refer to a specific time. Alternate translation: “at the time when God judges us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
5141JN417j285ὅτι1thatThe word translated **because** here can be understood in different ways, depending on how you translated **In this** at the beginning of the verse. (1) If you translated **In this** as referring back to verse 16, then this word can be translated as “because.” (2) If you translated **In this** as referring to the clause beginning with this word, then translate this word with one that introduces the content of **In this**, such as “that.”
5151JN417l78rwriting-pronounsὅτι καθὼς ἐκεῖνός ἐστιν, καὶ ἡμεῖς ἐσμεν1as that one is, we also areThe demonstrative pronoun **that one** refers to Jesus. Alternate translation: “since we are becoming more and more like Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
5161JN417j286figs-metonymyἐν τῷ κόσμῳ τούτῳ1in this worldJohn uses **world** to mean various things in this letter, usually in a figurative sense. Here, however, it refers literally to the created world. Alternate translation: “as we live in this world” or “in our lives on this earth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
5171JN418j287grammar-connect-logic-resultφόβος οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν τῇ ἀγάπῃ, ἀλλ’ ἡ τελεία ἀγάπη ἔξω βάλλει τὸν φόβον, ὅτι ὁ φόβος κόλασιν ἔχει1Fear is not in love, but perfect love throws fear outside, because fear has punishmentIf it would be helpful in your language, you could put the third clause before the first clause, since the third clause gives the reason for the result that the first clause describes. Alternate translation: “Because fear has punishment, fear is not in love, but perfect love throws fear outside” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
5181JN418sq7kfigs-explicitφόβος οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν τῇ ἀγάπῃ, ἀλλ’ ἡ τελεία ἀγάπη ἔξω βάλλει τὸν φόβον, ὅτι ὁ φόβος κόλασιν ἔχει1Fear is not in love, but perfect love throws fear outside, because fear has punishmentIf it would be helpful in your language, you could state explicitly what John means by **fear**, **perfect love**, and **punishment**, particularly in light of what he says in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “A person who thinks he is going to be punished is afraid, but no one who truly understands how much God loves him will be afraid, because when Gods love has achieved its purpose in our lives, we are confident that he has forgiven us and will accept us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
5191JN418j288figs-metaphorφόβος οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν τῇ ἀγάπῃ1Fear is not in loveJohn speaks figuratively as if **fear** could be inside of **love**. Alternate translation: “no one who truly understands how much God loves him will be afraid” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
5201JN418j290ἡ τελεία ἀγάπη ἔξω βάλλει τὸν φόβον1perfect love throws fear outsideBy **perfect love**, John means the same thing as when he speaks in the previous verse of love that “has been perfected.” See how you translated that expression. Alternate translation: “when Gods love has achieved its purpose in our lives, it keeps us from being afraid”
5211JN418bu17figs-personificationἡ τελεία ἀγάπη ἔξω βάλλει τὸν φόβον1perfect love throws fear outsideJohn speaks figuratively of **love** as if it could actively throw **fear** far away from us. Alternate translation: “when Gods love has achieved its purpose in our lives, it keeps us from being afraid” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
5221JN418zsl7ὁ φόβος κόλασιν ἔχει1Alternate translation: “fear has to do with punishment” or “people are afraid when they think they will be punished”
5231JN418yg1rfigs-activepassiveὁ δὲ φοβούμενος, οὐ τετελείωται ἐν τῇ ἀγάπῃ1So the one who fears has not been perfected in loveSee how you translated the similar expression in [2:5](../02/05.md). Here, as there, **love** could mean: (1) Gods love for us. Alternate translation: “So if someone is afraid, then Gods love has not achieved its purpose in his life” (2) our love for God. Alternate translation: “So if someone is afraid, then he does not yet love God perfectly” It could also mean both things, as in [3:17](../03/17.md). If you must choose, then we recommend option (1). But if your translation can leave both possibilities open, that would be best. Alternate translation: “So if someone is afraid, then love is not yet fully working in his life”(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
5241JN418j291figs-explicitὁ δὲ φοβούμενος, οὐ τετελείωται ἐν τῇ ἀγάπῃ1So the one who fears has not been perfected in loveIf it would be helpful to your readers, you could state explicitly what such a person **fears**. This is clear from the previous verse. Alternate translation: “So if someone is afraid that God has not forgiven him and that God will not accept him, then Gods love has not achieved its purpose in his life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
5251JN419j292grammar-connect-logic-resultἡμεῖς ἀγαπῶμεν, ὅτι αὐτὸς πρῶτος ἠγάπησεν ἡμᾶς1We love because he first loved usThis verse summarizes the idea of verse [10](../04/10.md). See how you translated there. If it would be helpful in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: “Because God first loved us, we love” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
5261JN419j293figs-explicitἡμεῖς ἀγαπῶμεν1We loveIf you need to say who it is that **We love**, there are two possibilities, and John probably intended both here. If you must choose, then we recommend option (1) below, but if your translation can include both possibilities as in the UST, that would be best. Alternate translation: (1) “We love God” or (2) “We love others” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
5271JN419j294writing-pronounsαὐτὸς πρῶτος ἠγάπησεν ἡμᾶς1he first loved usThe pronoun **he** refers to God. Alternate translation: “God first loved us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
5281JN420j295figs-hypoἐάν τις εἴπῃ, ὅτι ἀγαπῶ τὸν Θεόν, καὶ τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ μισῇ, ψεύστης ἐστίν1If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liarJohn is using a hypothetical situation to help his readers recognize the importance of consistency between their words and their actions. Alternate translation: “Suppose someone says, I love God, but he hates his brother. Then he is a liar” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo]])
5291JN420j296grammar-connect-logic-contrastκαὶ1andJohn is using the word **and** to introduce a contrast between what would be expected, that someone who loved God would also love his fellow believers, and what would actually be true of this hypothetical person. Alternate translation: “but” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
5301JN420tfq3figs-metaphorτὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ1his brotherSee how you translated this in [2:9](../02/09.md). Alternate translation: “a fellow believer” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
5311JN420a8zhfigs-doublenegativesὁ…μὴ ἀγαπῶν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ…τὸν Θεὸν…οὐ δύναται ἀγαπᾶν1the one who does not love his brother … is not able to love GodIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express this double negative by translating it as a positive statement. Alternate translation: “only those who love their fellow believers … are able to love God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]])
5321JN420xssufigs-explicitὁ γὰρ μὴ ἀγαπῶν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ, ὃν ἑώρακεν, τὸν Θεὸν, ὃν οὐχ ἑώρακεν, οὐ δύναται ἀγαπᾶν1If it would be helpful in your language, you could state explicitly why this is true. Alternate translation: “This is true because it is much easier to love your fellow believer who is right in front of you than to love God, whom you could not even see.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
5331JN421j297ταύτην τὴν ἐντολὴν ἔχομεν ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ1we have this commandment from himAlternate translation: “this is what God has commanded us”
5341JN421j298writing-pronounsἀπ’ αὐτοῦ1from himThe pronoun **him** refers to God. Alternate translation: “from God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
5351JN421jrd1figs-genericnounὁ ἀγαπῶν τὸν Θεὸν1Here, **the one** refers to anyone who loves God. Alternate translation: “anyone who loves God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun]])
5361JN421j299figs-metaphorτὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ1his brotherSee how you translated this in [2:9](../02/09.md). Alternate translation: “each fellow believer” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
5371JN5introbxm40# 1 John 5 General Notes<br><br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>1. It is false teaching to deny that Jesus is the Son of God (5:112)<br>2. Closing of Letter (5:13-21)<br><br>## Possible translation difficulties in this chapter<br><br>### “a sin towards death”<br><br>It is not entirely clear what John means by this phrase. The word “death” could refer either to physical death or to spiritual death, which is eternal separation from God. See the further discussion in the notes to [5:16](../05/16.md). (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/death]])<br><br>### “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one”<br><br>The phrase “the evil one” refers to Satan. God has allowed him to rule the world, but, ultimately, God is in control over everything. God keeps his children safe from the evil one. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/satan]])<br><br>## Important textual issues in this chapter<br><br>In [5:78](../05/07.md), all ancient manuscripts say: “For there are three who testify, the Spirit and the water and the blood, and the three are unto the one.” That is the reading that ULT follows. Some much later manuscripts say: “For there are three who testify in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one; and there are three who testify on earth: the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three are unto the one.” In this case, translators are advised to translate this as the ULT text does, since there is wide agreement that it follows the accurate reading. However, if there are older versions of the Bible in your region that have the longer reading, you could include it, but you should put it inside square brackets [ ] and indicate in a footnote that it was most likely not in the original version of 1 John. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]])
5381JN51ex42checking/headings0If you are using section headings, you could put one here before verse 1. Suggested heading: “Jesus is the Messiah and Son of God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/checking/headings]])
5391JN51j300ὁ Χριστὸς1the Christ**Christ** is the Greek word for “Messiah.” Alternate translation: “the Messiah”
5401JN51j301figs-activepassiveπᾶς ὁ πιστεύων ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ Χριστὸς, ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ γεγέννηται1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been begotten from GodSee how you translated the similar expression in [2:29](../02/29.md). Alternate translation: “God is the father of everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
5411JN51h8iffigs-metaphorπᾶς ὁ πιστεύων ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ Χριστὸς, ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ γεγέννηται1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been begotten from GodSee whether in [2:29](../02/29.md) you decided to explain this metaphor. Alternate translation: “God is the spiritual father of everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
5421JN51j302writing-proverbsπᾶς ὁ ἀγαπῶν τὸν γεννήσαντα, ἀγαπᾷ καὶ τὸν γεγεννημένον ἐξ αὐτοῦ1everyone who loves the one begetting also loves the one having been begotten from himJohn includes this short saying to teach something that is generally true about life and that applies to the point he has been developing since [4:7](../04/07.md), that genuine believers love one another as God has loved them. Use the natural form in your language for a true saying. Alternate translation: “everyone who loves a father also loves that fathers child” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbs]])
5431JN51j303figs-explicitπᾶς ὁ ἀγαπῶν τὸν γεννήσαντα, ἀγαπᾷ καὶ τὸν γεγεννημένον ἐξ αὐτοῦ1everyone who loves the one begetting also loves the one having been begotten from himIf it would be helpful to your readers, you could state explicitly what this means and how it applies to Johns argument in this part of the letter. See the UST. Alternate translation: “everyone who loves God will also love his fellow believers, since God is their spiritual father” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
5441JN52ukc7figs-idiomἐν τούτῳ γινώσκομεν ὅτι1In this we know thatThis is an idiomatic expression that John uses many times in this letter. Alternate translation: “This is how we know that” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
5451JN52j365figs-metaphorτὰ τέκνα τοῦ Θεοῦ1the children of GodSince John says in the previous verse that God is the spiritual father of believers, by **the children of God** he means other believers. Alternate translation: “our fellow believers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
5461JN52j304figs-idiomτὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ τηρῶμεν1we keep his commandmentsHere, **keep** is an idiom that means “obey.” Alternate translation: “we obey his commandments” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
5471JN53j305grammar-connect-logic-resultγάρ1ForIn this verse, John gives a reason why his readers should recognize that the statement he makes in the previous verse is true. Alternate translation: “After all,” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
5481JN53ve87figs-explicitαὕτη γάρ ἐστιν ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἵνα τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ τηρῶμεν1For this is the love of God, that we should keep his commandmentsIf it would be helpful to your readers, you could state explicitly why this is the reason for the statement that John makes in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “And this is why: If we really do love God, we will love other believers, as he has commanded” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
5491JN53j306figs-possessionἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ1the love of GodIn this context, the phrase **the love of God** refers to believers loving God. John speaks in the previous verse of “when we love God.” Alternate translation: “what it means to love God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]])
5501JN53uik3figs-idiomἵνα τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ τηρῶμεν1that we should keep his commandmentsHere, **keep** is an idiom that means “obey.” Alternate translation: “that we should obey his commandments” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
5511JN53c5z1figs-metaphorαἱ ἐντολαὶ αὐτοῦ βαρεῖαι οὐκ εἰσίν1his commandments are not burdensomeJohn speaks figuratively of Gods **commandments** as if they had weight but did not weigh very much. Alternate translation: “his commandments are not difficult to obey” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
5521JN54j307translate-versebridgeὅτι πᾶν τὸ γεγεννημένον ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ, νικᾷ τὸν κόσμον1For everyone who has been begotten from God overcomes the worldIn order to create a verse bridge, you could begin this sentence with “since” instead of **for**; you could end it with a comma instead of a period; and you could make it the beginning of the second sentence in the previous verse. It would go before “his commandments are not burdensome.” The word “And” would be left out. The result of combining verses 4 and 5 would be: “For this is the love of God, that we should keep his commandments. Since everyone who has been begotten from God overcomes the world, his commandments are not burdensome. And this is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-versebridge]])
5531JN54i2bffigs-activepassiveπᾶν τὸ γεγεννημένον ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ1everyone who has been begotten from GodSee how you translated the similar expression in [2:29](../02/29.md). Alternate translation: “everyone whose father is God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
5541JN54j308figs-metaphorπᾶν τὸ γεγεννημένον ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ1everyone who has been begotten from GodSee whether in [2:29](../02/29.md) you decided to explain this metaphor. Alternate translation: “everyone whose spiritual father is God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
5551JN54g3uwfigs-metaphorνικᾷ τὸν κόσμον1overcomes the worldAs in [2:13](../02/13.md), John is using the word **overcomes** figuratively. He is speaking of the believers refusal to live by the value system of ungodly people as if the believers had defeated that system in a struggle. Alternate translation: “does not live by the value system of ungodly people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
5561JN54yq2dfigs-metonymyτὸν κόσμον1the worldSee how you translated the term **world** in [2:15](../02/15.md). It has a similar meaning in this verse. Alternate translation: “the value system of ungodly people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
5571JN54j309figs-metonymyἡ νίκη1the victoryJohn is speaking figuratively of the thing that has won **the victory** as if it were **the victory** itself. Alternate translation: “what has won the victory” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
5581JN54k26gfigs-abstractnounsἡ νίκη ἡ νικήσασα1If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **victory** by combining it with the verb **overcome**. Alternate translation: “what has enabled us to overcome” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
5591JN54tf9xfigs-metaphorἡ νικήσασα τὸν κόσμον1that has overcome the worldOnce again John is using the word **overcome** figuratively. He is speaking of the **faith** that he and his readers share as if it had defeated the ungodly value system in a struggle. Alternate translation: “that enables us to live differently from the value system of ungodly people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
5601JN54j310figs-metonymyτὸν κόσμον2the worldJohn is using the term **world** to mean the same thing as in the previous sentence. Alternate translation: “the value system of ungodly people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
5611JN54w8obfigs-abstractnounsἡ πίστις ἡμῶν1If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **faith** with a verb such as “believe.” Alternate translation: “that we believe in Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
5621JN55qm85figs-rquestionτίς ἐστιν δέ ὁ νικῶν τὸν κόσμον, εἰ μὴ ὁ πιστεύων ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ?1But who is the one who overcomes the world, if not the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?John is using the question form for emphasis, to reaffirm what he said in the first sentence of the previous verse. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question by translating his words as a statement and provide emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “But only someone who believes that Jesus is the Son of God overcomes the world.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
5631JN55db4ffigs-metaphorνικῶν τὸν κόσμον1who overcomes the worldSee how you translated **overcomes the world** in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “who does not live by the value system of ungodly people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
5641JN55j311figs-metonymyτὸν κόσμον1the worldSee how you translated **the world** in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “the value system of ungodly people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
5651JN55drv2guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ1the Son of God**The Son of God** is an important title for Jesus that describes his relationship to God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
5661JN56js27figs-metonymyοὗτός ἐστιν ὁ ἐλθὼν δι’ ὕδατος καὶ αἵματος1This is the one who came by water and blood: Jesus Christ—not in water alone, but in water and in bloodJohn is specifying here what it means to believe fully that “Jesus is the Son of God,” as he described in the previous verse. The terms **water** and **blood** are metonyms, representing different important ways that the Son of God **came** to us. You may want to clarify these meanings in the text, or do so in a footnote. The **blood** represents Jesus death on the cross, when he shed his blood as the Savior of the world. The **water** could stand for: (1) Jesus baptism. When John baptized Jesus in the water of the Jordan River, the Son of God began his ministry of reconciling the world to God. See the UST. (2) Jesus birth. There was the breaking of the birth water when the Son of God was born as a man. Alternate translation: “This is the one who came through the water of human birth and the blood of his sacrificial death” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
5671JN56j312figs-explicitὁ ἐλθὼν1the one who cameIf it would be helpful to your readers, you could state more explicitly what this means, as UST does. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
5681JN56fgl6figs-metaphorδι’ ὕδατος καὶ αἵματος1John is using a metaphor that pictures water and blood conveying Jesus to us or Jesus coming to us through water and through blood. The meaning is that Jesus became our Savior as he experienced baptism in water and submitted himself to death on the cross. Alternate translation “as our Savior, undergoing baptism and death” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
5691JN56x777grammar-connect-exceptionsοὐκ ἐν τῷ ὕδατι μόνον, ἀλλ’ ἐν τῷ ὕδατι καὶ ἐν τῷ αἵματι1If it sounds confusing in your language to say **not in water … but in water**, you could reword this to avoid repeating the phrase **in water**. Alternate translation: “not in water alone, but also in blood” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-exceptions]])
5701JN56j313τὸ Πνεῦμά ἐστιν τὸ μαρτυροῦν1the Spirit is the one who testifiesAlternate translation: “the Holy Spirit gives us assurance about this”
5711JN56j314figs-metaphorτὸ Πνεῦμά ἐστιν ἡ ἀλήθεια1the Spirit is truthLike the statement “God is love” in [4:8](../04/08.md) and [4:16](../04/16.md), which describes Gods character, this is a metaphor that describes the character of the Holy Spirit. Alternate translation: “the Spirit is entirely truthful” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
5721JN57j315figs-explicitὅτι τρεῖς εἰσιν οἱ μαρτυροῦντες1For there are three who testifyIn this statement, John reaffirms that the three things that he mentions in verse [6](../05/06.md) give us confidence that Jesus is the Son of God and came from him. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this explicitly. Alternate translation: “So there are three who testify that Jesus is Gods Son and came from him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
5731JN57j316translate-textvariantsὅτι τρεῖς εἰσιν οἱ μαρτυροῦντες1For there are three who testifySee the discussion of textual issues at the end of the General Notes to this chapter to decide whether to follow the reading of ULT or to follow the reading of some late manuscripts and say in your translation, “For there are three who testify in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three who testify on earth.” As the General Notes recommend, if you decide to use the longer reading, put it inside square brackets [ ] to indicate that it was most likely not in the original version of 1 John. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]])
5741JN57qpabfigs-personificationοἱ μαρτυροῦντες1Here, John speaks of water and blood as though they were people who could **testify**, or speak about what they saw. If this might be confusing for your readers, you could express this meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “ways that God has given us to know that he sent Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
5751JN58j320figs-metonymyτὸ ὕδωρ, καὶ τὸ αἷμα1the water and the bloodSee how you decided to translate the terms **water** and **blood** in [5:6](../05/06.md). Alternate translation: (1) “the baptism of Jesus and his death on the cross” or (2) “the birth of Jesus and his death on the cross” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
5761JN58j321figs-idiomοἱ τρεῖς εἰς τὸ ἕν εἰσιν1the three are unto the oneThis is an idiom. If this does not communicate well in your language, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “these three all say the same thing” or “these three all agree” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
5771JN59j322grammar-connect-condition-factεἰ τὴν μαρτυρίαν τῶν ἀνθρώπων λαμβάνομεν1If we receive the testimony of menJohn is speaking as if this were a hypothetical possibility, but he means that it is actually true. If your language does not state something this way if it is certain or true, and if your readers might misunderstand and think that what John is saying is not certain, then you can translate his words as an affirmative statement. Alternate translation: “Since we receive the testimony of men” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-fact]])
5781JN59ai6afigs-idiomτὴν μαρτυρίαν τῶν ἀνθρώπων λαμβάνομεν1we receive the testimony of menThis is an idiom. Alternate translation: “we believe people when they give testimony” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
5791JN59j323figs-gendernotationsτῶν ἀνθρώπων1of menAlthough the term **men** is masculine, John is using the word in a generic sense that could include both men and women. Alternate translation: “of people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]])
5801JN59k2defigs-explicitἡ μαρτυρία τοῦ Θεοῦ μείζων ἐστίν1the testimony of God is greaterThe word **greater** implicitly means that the testimony of God is more reliable than human testimony, since God knows everything and God always tells the truth. Alternate translation: “the testimony of God is more reliable” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
5811JN59nxq1figs-ellipsisἡ μαρτυρία τοῦ Θεοῦ μείζων ἐστίν1the testimony of God is greaterJohn is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages in order to be complete. These words can be supplied from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “we should certainly receive the testimony of God, since it is greater” or “we should certainly believe God when he gives testimony, since his testimony is even more reliable” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
5821JN59j324ὅτι αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ μαρτυρία τοῦ Θεοῦ, ὅτι μεμαρτύρηκεν περὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ1For this is the testimony of God that he has testified about his SonHere, **For** could be introducing: (1) the content of Gods testimony to his Son. In that case, the content itself comes in [5:11](../05/11.md) after he repeats, “this is the testimony.” Verse 10 talks about the importance of believing Gods testimony. Alternate translation: “Now this is the testimony that God himself has given regarding his Son” (2) the reason why the testimony of God is greater than human testimony. Alternate translation: “After all, this is God who has told us about his own Son.”
5831JN59ro4wwriting-pronounsαὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ μαρτυρία τοῦ Θεοῦ1Here, **this** could refer to: (1) Gods testimony, which John says in [verse 11](../05/11.md). Alternate translation: “I will tell you what Gods testimony is” (2) the three testimonies from [verse 8](../05/08.md). Alternate translation: “those things are the testimony of God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
5841JN59gt7uguidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτοῦ Υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ1his Son**Son** is an important title for Jesus. Alternate translation: “his Son Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
5851JN510f7w4figs-explicitὁ πιστεύων εἰς τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἔχει τὴν μαρτυρίαν ἐν αὑτῷ; ὁ μὴ πιστεύων τῷ Θεῷ, ψεύστην πεποίηκεν αὐτόν, ὅτι οὐ πεπίστευκεν εἰς τὴν μαρτυρίαν ἣν μεμαρτύρηκεν ὁ Θεὸς περὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ1This verse comes in between Johns two introductions of Gods testimony. If this is confusing in your language, you can state something explicitly that tells your reader that the testimony is still coming, as in the UST. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
5861JN510kalafigs-genericnounὁ πιστεύων1John is speaking of everyone who believes, not of any particular person. Alternate translation: “Any person who believes” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun]])
5871JN510j325figs-explicitεἰς τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ1in the Son of GodJohn implicitly means believing that Jesus is the Son of God. Alternate translation: “that Jesus is the Son of God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
5881JN510j326guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ1the Son of God**Son of God** is an important title for Jesus. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
5891JN510gkj1figs-metaphorἔχει τὴν μαρτυρίαν ἐν αὑτῷ1has the testimony in himJohn speaks figuratively of the **testimony** as if it were an object that could be inside believers. Alternate translation: “completely accepts what God has said” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
5901JN510j327figs-abstractnounsτὴν μαρτυρίαν1the testimonyIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **testimony** with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “what God has said” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
5911JN510j255figs-explicitψεύστην πεποίηκεν αὐτόν1has made him a liarAs in [1:10](../01/10.md), be sure that it is clear in your translation that God would not actually be a liar in this case. Rather, since God has said that Jesus is his Son, a person who did not believe that would be calling God a liar. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state that explicitly. Alternate translation: “is, in effect, calling God a liar” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
5921JN510sii2τὴν μαρτυρίαν ἣν μεμαρτύρηκεν ὁ Θεὸς περὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ1the testimony that God has testified about his SonIf it is unnatural in your language to use both the noun **testimony** and the verb **testified**, you could use just one form of the word in your translation. Alternate translation: “what God has solemnly said to be true about his Son”
5931JN511bi7kαὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ μαρτυρία1this is the testimonyAlternate translation: “this is what God has said about his Son”
5941JN511rhpwfigs-quotationsζωὴν αἰώνιον ἔδωκεν ἡμῖν ὁ Θεὸς, καὶ αὕτη ἡ ζωὴ ἐν τῷ Υἱῷ αὐτοῦ ἐστιν1If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this as a direct quotation, as in the UST. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])
5951JN511u1w5figs-metaphorζωὴν αἰώνιον ἔδωκεν ἡμῖν ὁ Θεὸς, καὶ αὕτη ἡ ζωὴ ἐν τῷ Υἱῷ αὐτοῦ ἐστιν1God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his SonJohn speaks figuratively of **life** as if it were an object that was inside Jesus. Alternate translation: “God gave us eternal life, which people receive by believing in his Son Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
5961JN511k2qnfigs-metaphorζωὴν αἰώνιον1eternal lifeAs in [4:9](../04/09.md), **eternal life** means two things at once. It means receiving power from God in this life to live in a new way, and it also means living forever in the presence of God after death. See how you translated the expression in [4:9](../04/09.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
5971JN511sz21guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτῷ Υἱῷ1his Son**Son** is an important title for Jesus. Alternate translation: “his Son Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
5981JN512st2zfigs-metaphorὁ ἔχων τὸν Υἱὸν, ἔχει τὴν ζωήν; ὁ μὴ ἔχων τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ, τὴν ζωὴν οὐκ ἔχει1The one who has the Son has life. The one who does not have the Son of God does not have lifeJohn speaks figuratively of believers who are in a close relationship with Jesus as if Jesus were their possession. If this is confusing in your language, you can use a different expression. Alternate translation: “Anyone who is in a close relationship with the Son has life. Anyone who is not in a close relationship with the Son of God does not have life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
5991JN512j329figs-metaphorἔχει τὴν ζωήν…τὴν ζωὴν οὐκ ἔχει1has life … does not have lifeSince both groups of people are physically alive, John means this in a spiritual sense. As in [4:9](../04/09.md), he is likely referring to what he calls “eternal life” in [3:15](../03/15.md) and [5:11](../05/11.md). See how you translated that term in those verses. Alternate translation: “has power from God to live as a new person now and will live forever in Gods presence after death … does not have power from God to live as a new person now and will not live forever in Gods presence after death” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
6001JN512j330guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτὸν Υἱὸν…τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ1the Son … the Son of God**The Son of God** is an important title for Jesus that describes his relationship to God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
6011JN513rr7ychecking/headings0If you are using section headings, you could put one here before verse 13. Suggested heading: “Eternal Life with the True God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/checking/headings]])
6021JN513ezl8writing-pronounsταῦτα1these thingsHere, **these things** refers back to everything that John has written so far in the letter. Alternate translation: “all of this” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
6031JN513wns6figs-metonymyτοῖς πιστεύουσιν εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Υἱοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ1you, the ones believing in the name of the Son of GodAs in [2:12](../02/12.md), John is using the **name** of Jesus figuratively to represent who Jesus is and what he has done. Alternate translation: “who believe in the Son of God and what he has done for you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
6041JN513gg32guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτοῦ Υἱοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ1the Son of God**The Son of God** is an important title for Jesus that describes his relationship to God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
6051JN513j331figs-metaphorὅτι ζωὴν ἔχετε αἰώνιον1that you have eternal lifeThe emphasis in this verse seems to be more on the future aspect of the expression **eternal life**. Alternate translation: “that you will live forever in Gods presence after you die” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
6061JN514j332figs-explicitαὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ παρρησία ἣν ἔχομεν πρὸς αὐτόν1this is the confidence that we have towards himIf it would be helpful to your readers, as in [3:21](../03/21.md) you could state explicitly what this **confidence** applies to, in light of what John says in the rest of this sentence. Alternate translation: “we can be confident of this as we pray to God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
6071JN514yj31figs-abstractnounsαὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ παρρησία ἣν ἔχομεν πρὸς αὐτόν1this is the confidence that we have towards himIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **confidence** with an adjective such as “confident.” Alternate translation: “we can be confident of this as we pray to God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
6081JN514j333writing-pronounsαὐτόν…αὐτοῦ…ἀκούει1him … his … he listensThe pronouns **him**, **his**, and **he** refer to God in this verse. Consider whether it might be helpful to your readers or more natural in your language to use the name “God” in one or more of these instances. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
6091JN514at5nἐάν τι αἰτώμεθα κατὰ τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ1if we ask anything according to his willAlternate translation: “if we ask for the things that God wants for us”
6101JN514j334figs-idiomἀκούει ἡμῶν1he listens to usAs in [4:5](../04/05.md), the word **listens** is an idiom. However, the meaning here is different than the meaning there, which was, “is persuaded by.” Rather, here it refers to God being willing to grant what we ask. Alternate translation: “he is willing to give it to us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
6111JN515j335grammar-connect-condition-factἐὰν οἴδαμεν ὅτι ἀκούει ἡμῶν1if we know that he listens to usJohn is speaking as if this were a hypothetical possibility, but he means that it is actually true. If your language does not state something as a possibility if it is certain or true, and if your readers might misunderstand and think that what John is saying is not certain, then you can translate his words as an affirmative statement. Alternate translation: “since we know that he listens to us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-fact]])
6121JN515j336figs-idiomἀκούει ἡμῶν1he listens to usAs in [5:14](../05/14.md), the word **listens** is an idiom. See how you translated it there. Alternate translation: “he is willing to give us what we ask for” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
6131JN515j337figs-explicitἀκούει ἡμῶν1he listens to usIt may be helpful to repeat the condition that John specifies in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “he is disposed to give us what we ask for if it is according to his will” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
6141JN515j338writing-pronounsἀκούει…αὐτοῦ1he listens … himThe pronouns **he** and **him** refer to God in this verse. Consider whether it might be more natural in your language to use the name “God” for **he** and to say **him** later in the verse. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
6151JN515ev49οἴδαμεν ὅτι ἔχομεν τὰ αἰτήματα ἃ ᾐτήκαμεν ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ1we know that we have the requests that we have asked from himAlternate translation: “we know that we will receive what we have asked God for”
6161JN516j339figs-hypoἐάν τις ἴδῃ τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ ἁμαρτάνοντα ἁμαρτίαν μὴ πρὸς θάνατον, αἰτήσει1If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin not towards death, he will askJohn is describing a hypothetical situation in order to counsel his readers. UST models a way of showing this. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo]])
6171JN516sc1ffigs-metaphorτὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ1his brotherSee how you translated this in [2:9](../02/09.md). Alternate translation: “a fellow believer” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
6181JN516j340ἁμαρτάνοντα ἁμαρτίαν1sinning a sinIf it is unnatural in your language to use both the verb **sinning** and the noun **sin**, you could use just one form of the word in your translation. Alternate translation: “committing a sin”
6191JN516j341figs-metaphorἁμαρτίαν μὴ πρὸς θάνατον…τοῖς ἁμαρτάνουσιν μὴ πρὸς θάνατον…ἁμαρτία πρὸς θάνατον1a sin not towards death … those sinning not towards death … a sin towards deathThe word **death** in this verse and the next refers figuratively to spiritual death, that is, to eternal separation from God. (See the later note to this verse for a discussion of what kind of sin John may have in mind that would lead to that.) Alternate translation: “a sin that does not lead to eternal separation from God … for those whose sin will not lead to eternal separation from God … a sin that does lead to eternal separation from God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
6201JN516j342figs-declarativeαἰτήσει1he will askJohn is using a future statement to give an instruction and command. Alternate translation: “he should pray for that fellow believer” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-declarative]])
6211JN516j343writing-pronounsδώσει αὐτῷ ζωήν1he will give him lifeIn this clause, the pronoun **him** refers to the believer who is sinning, and the pronoun **he** could refer to: (1) God, since only God can give spiritual life. Alternate translation: “God will give life to the believer who is sinning” (2) **anyone**, that is, the person praying. In this case, John may be picturing God giving life by means of the persons prayers, as in James 5:15, 20. Alternate translation: “he will be Gods instrument to give life to the believer who is sinning” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
6221JN516myf6figs-metaphorδώσει αὐτῷ ζωήν1he will give him lifeThe word **life** here refers figuratively to spiritual life, that is, to eternal life with God. Alternate translation: “God will make sure that the believer who is sinning is not separated from him eternally” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
6231JN516q1mefigs-explicitἔστιν ἁμαρτία πρὸς θάνατον; οὐ περὶ ἐκείνης λέγω ἵνα ἐρωτήσῃ1There is a sin towards death; I am not saying that he should pray about thatIf it would be helpful to your readers, you could state more explicitly what this means. In the context of the whole letter, by **a sin towards death**, John is probably referring to behavior such as the false teachers engaged in and encouraged. As Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John explains, these false teachers claimed that it did not matter what people did in their bodies, and so they would have been committing many serious sins without feeling any conviction that their actions were wrong. This showed that they had abandoned faith in Jesus and had rejected the influence of the Holy Spirit. John implicitly corrects this false teaching again in [5:18](../05/18.md). His statement that believers should not pray for people who behave in this way is likely descriptive rather than prescriptive. That is, he is not saying that he does not want the believers to pray for them. Rather, he is explaining that it will not do any good to pray for them, since they are determined to live in a way that is contrary to faith in Jesus and the influence of the Holy Spirit. Alternate translation: “There are people (such as the false teachers) who are sinning in a way that shows that they have decided to be separated from God for eternity. Praying for them is not likely to make any difference” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
6241JN517j344figs-abstractnounsπᾶσα ἀδικία ἁμαρτία ἐστίν, καὶ ἔστιν ἁμαρτία οὐ πρὸς θάνατον1All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not towards deathIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **unrighteousness** with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “Every time we do what God does not want, that is sin” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
6251JN517j345grammar-connect-logic-contrastκαὶ1andJohn is using the word **and** to introduce a contrasting statement that is intended to encourage the believers to whom he is writing. Alternate translation: “however,” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
6261JN517j346figs-metaphorἔστιν ἁμαρτία οὐ πρὸς θάνατον1there is sin not towards deathSee how you translated the word **death** in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “not every sin leads to eternal separation from God” or “not every sin causes a person to die spiritually” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
6271JN518j347figs-activepassiveπᾶς ὁ γεγεννημένος ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ1everyone who has been begotten from GodSee how you translated the similar expression in [2:29](../02/29.md). Alternate translation: “everyone whose father is God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
6281JN518j348figs-metaphorπᾶς ὁ γεγεννημένος ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ1everyone who has been begotten from GodSee whether in [2:29](../02/29.md) you decided to explain this metaphor. Alternate translation: “everyone whose spiritual father is God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
6291JN518j349figs-explicitοὐχ ἁμαρτάνει1does not sinSee how you translated this expression in [3:6](../03/06.md). Alternate translation: “does not sin wantonly and continually” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
6301JN518j350ὁ γεννηθεὶς ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ1the One who was begotten from GodThis is a description of Jesus, whom John calls “the only-begotten” in [4:9](../04/09.md). See how you translated that expression there. Alternate translation: “Jesus, Gods actual Son”
6311JN518j351figs-explicitτηρεῖ ἑαυτὸν1keeps himThis could mean one of two things. Alternate translation: (1) “keeps him in a close relationship with God” or (2) “keeps him from sinning” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
6321JN518l7h8figs-nominaladjὁ πονηρὸς1the evil oneAs in [2:13](../02/13.md), John is using the adjective **evil** as a noun in order to indicate a specific being. ULT adds **one** to show this. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “the one who is evil” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])
6331JN518j352figs-metonymyὁ πονηρὸς1the evil oneJohn is speaking figuratively of the devil by association with the way that he is **evil**. Alternate translation: “the devil” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
6341JN518j353figs-idiomοὐχ ἅπτεται αὐτοῦ1does not touch himThis is an idiom. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “cannot harm him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
6351JN519j354figs-idiomἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐσμεν1we are from GodSee how you translated the similar expression in [4:4](../04/04.md). Alternate translation: “we are sharing life with God” or “we are living in relationship with God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
6361JN519eh5zfigs-metonymyὁ κόσμος ὅλος1the whole worldJohn uses the term **world** in various ways in this letter. In this instance, it likely refers figuratively both to the people living in the **world** who do not honor God and to their value system. Alternate translation: “all ungodly people and their value system” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
6371JN519n9igfigs-metaphorἐν τῷ πονηρῷ κεῖται1lies in the evil oneThe expression **lies in** figuratively represents being controlled by someone or something. Alternate translation: “is controlled by the evil one” or “is controlled by evil influences” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
6381JN519j355figs-abstractnounsτῷ πονηρῷ1the evil oneIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express the abstract noun **evil** by stating the meaning behind it with an equivalent expression. This could mean: (1) John may be speaking figuratively of the devil, as in [2:13](../02/13.md). Alternate translation: “the devil” (2) John may be speaking of evil influences. Alternate translation: “evil influences” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
6391JN520je13guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ1the Son of God**Son of God** is an important title for Jesus that describes his relationship to God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
6401JN520j356figs-explicitἥκει1has comeIf it would be helpful to your readers, you could state more explicitly what this means, as you may have done in [5:6](../05/06.md). Alternate translation: “has come to earth from God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
6411JN520n1nhfigs-abstractnounsδέδωκεν ἡμῖν διάνοιαν1has given us understandingIf it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **understanding** with a verb such as “understand.” Alternate translation: “has enabled us to understand” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
6421JN520j357figs-abstractnounsδέδωκεν ἡμῖν διάνοιαν1has given us understandingIf it would be helpful to your readers, you could state explicitly what Jesus has enabled us to understand. Alternate translation: “has enabled us to understand the truth” or “has enabled us to understand the truth about God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
6431JN520hvr7figs-nominaladjτὸν Ἀληθινόν…τῷ Ἀληθινῷ1the True One … the True OneJohn is using the adjective **True** as a noun in order to indicate a specific being. ULT adds **One** to show this. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “the One who is true … the One who is true” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])
6441JN520j358figs-metonymyτὸν Ἀληθινόν…τῷ Ἀληθινῷ1the True One … the True OneJohn is speaking figuratively of God by association with the way that he is **True**. This could mean: (1) The God who is genuine, in contrast to false gods. Alternate translation: “the real God … the real God” (2) The God who is true in all that he says and does. Alternate translation: “God, who always tells the truth and does what he says he will do … God, who always tells the truth and does what he says he will do” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
6451JN520ge7cfigs-metaphorἐσμὲν ἐν τῷ Ἀληθινῷ, ἐν τῷ Υἱῷ αὐτοῦ, Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ1we are in the True One, in his Son Jesus ChristAs in [2:5](../02/05.md), John is speaking figuratively as if believers could be inside of God and Jesus. This expression describes having a close relationship with God and Jesus. Alternate translation: “we have a close relationship with the true God, with his Son Jesus Christ” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
6461JN520gobufigs-metaphorἐσμὲν ἐν τῷ Ἀληθινῷ, ἐν τῷ Υἱῷ αὐτοῦ, Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ1This second occurrence of **the True One** could refer to: (1) Jesus, as the rest of the clause makes clear. In this case, John is saying that both God and Jesus are the true God, and we are in both. See the UST. (2) God, just as the first occurrence of **the True One** refers to God. In this case, John is saying that we are in God because of being in Jesus. Alternate translation: “we are in the True One through being in Jesus Christ, his Son” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
6471JN520j359guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτῷ Υἱῷ αὐτοῦ1his Son**Son** is an important title for Jesus that describes his relationship to God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
6481JN520w5ylwriting-pronounsοὗτός ἐστιν ὁ ἀληθινὸς Θεὸς1This is the true God**This** could refer either to (1) Jesus, who was mentioned just before, or (2) God, who was mentioned earlier. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])
6491JN520dz3sfigs-hendiadysὁ ἀληθινὸς Θεὸς καὶ ζωὴ αἰώνιος1the true God and eternal lifeJohn is expressing a single idea by using two noun phrases connected with **and**. The phrase **eternal life** describes a quality of **the true God**, that he gives eternal life. Alternate translation: “the true God, who gives eternal life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys]])
6501JN520j360figs-metaphorζωὴ αἰώνιος1eternal lifeAs in [4:9](../04/09.md), this means both receiving power from God in this life to live in a new way and living forever in the presence of God after death. See how you translated the expression there. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
6511JN521i3rwfigs-metaphorτεκνία1little childrenSee how you translated this in [2:1](../02/01.md). Alternate translation: “You dear believers who are under my care” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
6521JN521hn4yfigs-idiomφυλάξατε ἑαυτὰ1keep yourselvesThis is an idiom. Alternate translation: “stay away” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
6531JN521j361figs-metaphorτῶν εἰδώλων1idolsHere, **idols** could mean: (1) figurative idols, that is, anything that might take the place of the real God in a persons life. Alternate translation: “anything that might take the place of God in your life” (2) literal idols, that is, statues that were worshiped as if they embodied a god. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])