1 John 2:18 kjv

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

1 John 2:18 nkjv

Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.

1 John 2:18 niv

Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.

1 John 2:18 esv

Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.

1 John 2:18 nlt

Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come.

1 John 2 verses

1 John 2 18 Meaning

The Apostle John tells his readers, affectionately calling them "children," that the present time is "the last hour." He establishes this truth by pointing to a specific sign: the emergence of "antichrist" – a singular, definitive adversarial figure – which they had been forewarned about. Furthermore, he declares that this end-time reality is confirmed by the current manifestation of "many antichrists," who are actively working against Christ and His truth in their midst. This confirms for believers that they are indeed living in the final epoch leading up to Christ's return.

1 John 2 18 Context

1 John 2:18 serves as a pivotal point within John's broader discussion about discernment and truth in the Christian life. In the preceding verses (1 Jn 2:1-17), John addresses the importance of obedience to God's commandments, loving fellow believers, and resisting the allurements of the world. He contrasts true fellowship with God with those who claim to know God but live in sin. Then, as he transitions to warn against false teachings, verse 18 immediately follows his exhortation to not love the world or the things in the world. This sets the stage for a strong warning against those who deny Christ, whom he identifies as "antichrists." The historical context points to proto-Gnostic influences present in the early church. These early Gnostic or Docetic beliefs often denied the full humanity of Christ, claiming that Jesus only seemed to be human or that the divine Christ did not truly inhabit the human Jesus. This theological error struck at the heart of the Gospel: the Incarnation and atonement. John’s direct naming of "antichrist" and his explanation of "the last hour" serve as a polemic against these specific heretical movements that threatened the integrity of the Christian faith from within. He reassures his readers that the emergence of such figures is a sign that they are in the promised end times, not a sign that God's plan is failing.

1 John 2 18 Word analysis

• Children (Teknia, τέκνια): This term is a diminutive form, expressing warmth, tenderness, and fatherly affection. John frequently uses it (e.g., 1 Jn 2:1, 13; 3:7, 18; 4:4; 5:21), highlighting his spiritual paternal relationship with the believers. It conveys a sense of intimacy and spiritual maturity despite the "children" designation often associated with new believers.
• it is the last hour (eschatē hōra, ἐσχάτη ὥρα):
  • Eschatē means "last" or "final," denoting the conclusion or ultimate phase.
  • Hōra signifies a specific time or epoch, not merely a 60-minute hour.
  • Combined, it refers to the final eschatological period, the "end times," which began with the first coming of Jesus Christ and will culminate in His second coming. The New Testament consistently presents the time between Christ's first and second comings as the "last days" or "last hour," marked by the Spirit's outpouring and heightened spiritual conflict (Heb 1:2, Acts 2:17). The awareness of living in this final era imparts a sense of urgency and expectation.
• and as you have heard that antichrist is coming (kai kathōs ēkousate hoti antichristos erchetai):
  • antichrist (antichristos, ἀντίχριστος): This term is unique to John's epistles (1 Jn 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 Jn 7). The prefix anti- can mean "against" (as in opposition) or "in place of" (as in a counterfeit). Thus, "antichrist" refers to one who is opposed to Christ and/or one who seeks to usurp the place of Christ. In this specific phrase, the use of the definite article ("the Antichrist") implies a singular, ultimate eschatological adversary whose coming has been foretold in Christian tradition.
  • is coming (erchetai, ἔρχεται): Present tense, indicating an expected and definite future event, emphasizing the imminence of the "Antichrist's" appearance or activity.
• even now many antichrists have appeared (kai nyn antichristoi polloi gegonasin):
  • even now (kai nyn, καὶ νῦν): This temporal phrase signifies immediate present reality, connecting the past prophecy with current events.
  • many antichrists (antichristoi polloi, ἀντίχριστοι πολλοί): This refers to a plurality of individuals who embody the spirit and characteristics of the singular Antichrist. They are active agents of spiritual deception who promote false teachings, particularly concerning the nature of Christ.
  • have appeared (gegonasin, γεγόνασιν): A perfect tense verb (from ginomai), signifying that their appearance is not a mere passing event, but they have come into being and are presently existing. Their arrival is an established fact that proves the verse's main point.
• whereby we know that it is the last hour (hothen ginōskomen hoti eschatē hōra estin):
  • whereby (hothen, ὅθεν): Indicates a logical inference or conclusion derived from the observable fact just stated.
  • we know (ginōskomen, γινώσκομεν): The verb means to come to know or recognize, suggesting an assured understanding based on tangible evidence. The manifestation of "many antichrists" is the concrete sign confirming that they are living in "the last hour." This serves to equip and assure believers of their spiritual reality.

1 John 2 18 Bonus section

The concept of "antichrist" as presented by John primarily describes an active spirit or disposition that is against Christ and seeks to usurp His unique role. This spirit manifests through individuals ("many antichrists") who spread false doctrine, particularly the denial of the incarnation of Jesus Christ (1 Jn 4:3; 2 Jn 7). While the specific "the Antichrist" points to an ultimate, singular adversary, John emphasizes the current reality of the "antichrist" spirit at work in the world. This broader understanding means the church continually faces "antichrists" in the form of heresies and rejections of biblical truth throughout history, confirming the "last hour" is an ongoing spiritual battleground until Christ's return.

1 John 2 18 Commentary

1 John 2:18 encapsulates John's profound understanding of eschatology and its practical implications for Christian discernment. He asserts that the Christian community is living in "the last hour," a period initiated by Christ's first coming and leading to His second. This isn't just theological speculation; John points to the concrete manifestation of "many antichrists" as irrefutable evidence. These "many antichrists" are not necessarily figures of cosmic evil but human agents, likely internal apostates or external false teachers, whose doctrines deny core truths about Jesus Christ—specifically His dual nature as both fully God and fully man. Their existence validates biblical prophecy and marks the present age as eschatological. For believers, this means an intensified call to vigilance, truth, and adherence to genuine doctrine. John comforts his readers by interpreting these disturbing developments not as a failure of God's plan but as a sign of its unfolding, affirming the reliability of prophecy and the urgency of their faith walk. It urges Christians to be discerning and grounded in the apostolic teaching, understanding that spiritual conflict is an expected part of the last days.