The writer wants his little children not to sin. But if anyone sins, we have a Counselor with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but for the whole world. We know that we know him if we keep his commandments. Whoever says he remains in him ought to walk just as he walked.

The command to love is both old and new. Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, but whoever hates his brother walks in darkness. The writer encourages each group in the church: little children, because their sins are forgiven; fathers, because they know him who is from the beginning; and young men, because they have overcome the evil one.

Believers should not love the world, the desires of the flesh and eyes, and pride. The world is passing away. Many antichrists have come, who deny that Jesus is the Christ. But believers have an anointing from the Holy One. They should remain in him, so that when he appears they may have boldness.

The writer addresses readers tenderly as my little children. He writes so that they may not sin, yet he offers hope: If anyone sins, we have a Counselor with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous. Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. Knowing God is shown by obedience. One who says, I know him, and doesn’t keep his commandments, is a liar. Whoever says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.

The commandment to love is old, because they heard it from the beginning, and new, because the darkness is passing away and the true light already shines. He who loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no occasion for stumbling in him. The writer then encourages little children, fathers, and young men, reminding them that their sins are forgiven, that they know the eternal one, and that the word of God remains in them.

Next comes a warning. Don’t love the world or the things that are in the world. Its desires and pride are not from the Father. The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God’s will remains forever. Many antichrists have arisen. The writer defines the liar as one who denies that Jesus is the Christ, and adds that whoever denies the Son doesn’t have the Father. Believers have an anointing from the Holy One, and the promise is eternal life. So, little children, remain in him, that when he appears, we may have boldness.