Focus: Verse 7
King James Bible
For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
New International Version
I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.
New Living Translation
I say this because many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus Christ came in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist.
Study Notes
I love this letter that John wrote, even if some of the context perplexes me. Who is this woman and who are these children? I really don't know for sure. I think that is part of the reason I like it. Is she the church? Is she an actual confidant who he enjoys discussing such things? Doesn't matter. It is the thought that counts.
Two points that stand out to me. The first is that John refers to ANYONE who denies Christ's coming in the flesh to atone for the sins of man as the antichrist. This is a profoundly troubling statement, as it lends clarity to an age old question that has been asked by every generation of Christians. Who is the antichrist? Is it Trump? Is it Obama? It seems these days we always default to the politician in the news. There have been thousands of suspects across the last 2,000 years. According to John, from this reading, the answer could theoretically be "all of them". I think it is important, too, to realize that "antichrist" is a term only used by John, in 1 and 2 John. It is not a term used anywhere else, not even in Revelations.
--BSB
Walking in the Truth
1 The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I alone, but also all who know the truth—
2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:
3 Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, will be with us in truth and love.
4 I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us.
5 And now I urge you, dear lady—not as a new commandment to you, but one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another.
6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the very commandment you have heard from the beginning, that you must walk in love.
7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.
8 Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded.
9 Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him.
11 Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.
12 I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come and speak with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
13 The children of your elect sister send you greetings.
I find this logic to be sound, really. Why does the "antichrist" have to be a person? Perhaps, and this seems far more reasonable, the it is a collective of individuals that in its totality, is the body of evil that moves within us to distract us from the central concept of good. I think if we try to oversimplify a concept, we risk washing away from it the underlying reason that the concept captured our attention in the first place. It is a circular excersize leading us to the opening of a funnel.
I am also intrigued by the fact that John does not want to say everything to this unknown (in my case) woman. He wants to sit with her, and talk face to face. I am facing that very dilema in my spiritual journey right now. Leaving the grips of addiction is hard enough to do, but doing it completely alone sometimes I find myself in an internal push and pull. I struggle with another circular argument. If no one cares if I succeed other than God and me, the effort sometimes can seem hollow. What happens when the wrong side of my brain wins the argument? God and I are enough, but communion with a friend might be the one tool that saves me on those days of crisis that are sure to come. I think most men risk mistaking the light at the end of a tunnel for hopelessness if he doesn't have the discernment of a second pair of eyes.