1 John 2:28 kjv

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

1 John 2:28 nkjv

And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

1 John 2:28 niv

And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

1 John 2:28 esv

And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.

1 John 2:28 nlt

And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.

1 John 2 verses

1 John 2 28 Meaning

The verse serves as a crucial exhortation from John, urging believers, affectionately called "little children," to maintain a continuous, active, and obedient fellowship with Jesus Christ. This "abiding" ensures that when He is gloriously revealed at His second coming, they will possess a joyful confidence and freedom from shame in His presence. It links present steadfastness with future eschatological hope, providing motivation for genuine Christian living in anticipation of the Lord's return.

1 John 2 28 Context

First John 2 is a rich chapter outlining what genuine fellowship with God entails, serving as a powerful counter to contemporary Gnostic errors that promoted spiritual elitism, disregarded sin, and denied the incarnation. Earlier in the chapter, John defines walking in light, advocating for Christ as the propitiation for sins (vv. 1-2), connecting knowing God with keeping His commandments (vv. 3-6), and re-emphasizing the "old yet new" commandment of love (vv. 7-11). He addresses various spiritual stages within the church ("little children," "fathers," "young men") by reaffirming their identity in Christ (vv. 12-14). John then warns against love of the world and its transitory nature (vv. 15-17) and, crucially, against "anti-Christs" who deny the Son and the Father (vv. 18-23). He reminds them of the "anointing" they received from the Holy One, enabling them to discern truth from falsehood (vv. 20-21, 27). Verse 28 serves as a culminating exhortation based on this spiritual foundation: having received truth, now abide in it, so that when Christ returns, their consistent walk in Him will be manifested as confidence, not shame.

1 John 2 28 Word analysis

• And now (Καὶ νῦν - Kai nyn): "And now" functions as a conjunction that signals a summation and a fresh, urgent exhortation stemming from the preceding discussion. It introduces a decisive command relevant for the present and future.
• little children (Τεκνία - Teknia): An endearing, affectionate term used frequently by John for his audience. It emphasizes his pastoral care and their familial relationship as children of God, underscoring their vulnerability to error and their need for spiritual nurturing and guidance.
• abide (μένετε - menete): An imperative verb meaning "remain," "dwell," "continue," or "live." In John's writings, "abiding in Christ" denotes a deep, continuous, personal, and active fellowship involving spiritual union, obedience, and dependence on Him for spiritual life and truth. It implies a constant relationship, not merely an occasional connection.
• in him (ἐν αὐτῷ - en autō): Points to Jesus Christ as the sphere or source of this abiding. It means remaining united with Him, drawing life and direction from His nature and His teachings.
• that (ἵνα - hina): Introduces a purpose or result clause, explaining why they should abide: the confidence and lack of shame at Christ's return.
• when he shall appear (ἐὰν φανερωθῇ - ean phanerōthē): "When he is manifested" or "revealed." Refers to the Lord's future visible, glorious revelation at His Second Coming, often used in scripture to describe events like the parousia. The conditional "if/when" indicates certainty of the event, though its timing is unknown.
• we may have confidence (σχῶμεν παρρησίαν - schōmen parrēsian): "Parrēsian" denotes boldness, freedom of speech, full assurance, courage, and fearlessness. It's an internal assurance of right standing with God, leading to open, joyful anticipation rather than dread. This confidence arises from a life of genuine fellowship and obedience to Christ.
• and not be ashamed (καὶ μὴ αἰσχυνθῶμεν - kai mē aischynthōmen): "Aischynthōmen" means to be disgraced, humiliated, disappointed, or filled with self-reproach. This is the negative consequence of not abiding – a sense of regret or spiritual nakedness in Christ's holy presence for those whose lives did not reflect genuine faith or who embraced falsehood.
• before him (ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ - ap' autou): "From him," or "away from him." It implies in His presence, indicating the spatial proximity and direct encounter with Christ.
• at his coming (ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ αὐτοῦ - en tē parousia autou): "Parousia" specifically refers to the arrival or presence of a distinguished person, often used for the Lord's second advent or return. It marks the ultimate point of revelation, judgment, and the consummation of His kingdom.

Words-group analysis

• And now, little children, abide in him: This phrase underscores the urgent, personal, and continuous nature of John's appeal. The term "little children" signifies affection and spiritual dependence, highlighting that this foundational truth of abiding applies to all believers.
• that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence: This shows the primary motivation for abiding: assurance at the return of Christ. It shifts the focus from an immediate spiritual practice to its glorious eschatological outcome, emphasizing Christ's second coming as a defining moment for judgment and reward.
• and not be ashamed before him at his coming: This directly contrasts with "confidence" and highlights the dire consequence of spiritual neglect or departure from truth. "Not being ashamed" implies a clear conscience and a life consistent with the gospel, ready to stand before the perfectly righteous Lord. The explicit mention of "his coming" (parousia) underscores the event as the great culmination where all will be revealed.

1 John 2 28 Bonus section

The confidence (parrēsia) described in this verse is not born from self-righteousness but from Christ-righteousness. It is the assurance granted to those who have actively embraced and lived in the truth that He embodies. This aligns with 1 John 3:20-21, where John again connects an un-condemning heart (derived from keeping God's commandments) with "confidence toward God." Furthermore, the "abiding" ensures believers are equipped to identify and resist the false spirits and anti-Christs mentioned earlier in the chapter. Their steadfastness in Christ is their primary defense against deception, making their "confidence" at His appearing a validation of their authentic faith and adherence to sound doctrine.

1 John 2 28 Commentary

John's exhortation to "abide in Him" is the capstone of his teaching on distinguishing true believers from false teachers. Given the encroaching Gnostic ideologies denying the true Christ, steadfast communion with the authentic Jesus was paramount. To "abide" means more than intellectual agreement; it implies a living, active, continuous union with Christ that profoundly shapes one's character and conduct. This union is nurtured by obedience to His commandments, love for the brethren, and reliance on the anointing (Holy Spirit) which teaches truth. The ultimate motivation for this spiritual perseverance is the blessed hope of Christ's parousia. Believers are to live with the expectation of His visible return. If one remains faithful in fellowship with Him, living according to His truth and commands, the certainty of His appearing brings confidence – a bold, unashamed anticipation of meeting the Lord face-to-face. Conversely, those who stray from this abiding relationship face potential shame or regret at His glorious manifestation, realizing the disparity between their professed faith and their actual life. Therefore, 1 John 2:28 calls believers to an immediate, enduring commitment to Christ, informed by the purifying hope of His triumphant return.