1 John 2:15
What does 1 John 2:15 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 John 2:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 John 2:15 means
John issues a clear command: do not set your love on “the world” or the things in it. “The world” here is the organized system of values and desires opposed to God. Love is a matter of allegiance. To love this world in that sense displaces the love of the Father; the two cannot rule the same heart. John is not condemning creation itself but the rebellious order that seduces and competes with God. The call is to guard affection and loyalty for the Father, refusing to let rival treasures claim the devotion that belongs to Him alone.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Have no love for the world or for the things which are in the world. If any man has love for the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Love not ye the world, nor the things in the world; if any one doth love the world, the love of the Father is not in him,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Love not the world, nor the things which are in the world. If any man love the world, the charity of the Father is not in him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Love not the world, nor the things in the world. If any one love the world, the love of the Father is not in him;
Context
After assuring believers of forgiveness, knowledge, and strength (verses 12–14), John warns against misdirected love (verses 15–17). Verse 15 states the prohibition and its spiritual logic: love for the world crowds out love for the Father. Verse 16 will unpack what the world consists of in terms of desires and pride, and verse 17 will set its temporary nature against the permanence promised to those who do God’s will.
v.14I have written unto you, fathers, because ye know him who is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the evil one.
v.15This passage
v.16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vainglory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 15:19
If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
- 1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
- Ephesians 2:2
wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience;
- Romans 12:2
And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
- Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
- Luke 16:13
No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
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