Devine Scripture

1 John 2:17

What does 1 John 2:17 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 John 2:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 John 2:17 means

The world and its lusts are temporary, already fading. To anchor one’s heart there is to build on sand. In contrast, “he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” Obedience aligns life with what is eternal—God Himself and His purposes. This is not earning eternal life but walking in what God promises to those who belong to Him. John calls for a long view: measure desires by their destiny. Choose what lasts. The passing world offers urgency; God offers permanence. The wise prefer the Father’s will to the clamor of fleeting cravings.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the world and its desires is coming to an end: but he who does God's pleasure is living for ever.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the world doth pass away, and the desire of it, and he who is doing the will of God, he doth remain--to the age.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the world passeth away and the concupiscence thereof: but he that doth the will of God abideth for ever.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the world is passing, and its lust, but he that does the will ofGod abides for eternity.

Context

Having unmasked the world’s contents (verse 16), verse 17 delivers the final argument: the world is passing, but those who do God’s will abide. With loves ordered rightly, John now turns (verses 18–23) to a pressing danger—antichrists who deny Jesus as the Christ. He frames this as evidence that it is “the last hour,” explains their departure from the church, and reassures believers of their Spirit-given knowledge of the truth.

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.

v.17This passage

v.18Little children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last hour.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 24:35

    Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

  • Mark 3:35

    For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

  • Psalms 143:10

    Teach me to do thy will; For thou art my God: Thy Spirit is good; Lead me in the land of uprightness.

  • 1 Peter 1:5

    who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

  • Colossians 4:12

    Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.

  • John 4:14

    but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore 1 John 2

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on 1 John 2.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to 1 John 2:17.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary