1 John 2:15
The James Method Verse Mapping
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1 John 2:15 (NIV, 1984 version):
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Here’s the concept map I created for this verse:
Here is an image of my verse map for 1 John 2:15. I will also type out what I have written for easier reading.
Keep in mind that a lot of my writing is shorthand or bullet points rather than complete thoughts or sentences due to limited space in the journal. That shorthand is reflected in the content I have typed out.
1 John 2:15 (NIV 1984)
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Translations (key differences bolded)
NIV 2011: Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
NLT: Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.
ESV: Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Most translations were very similar for this verse.
Context
Author: John
Date: Between 85-90 AD, from Ephesus
Audience: Gentile Christians, all believers everywhere
Purpose: Contrasting love for God with love of the world.
Key Words
I’m studying Greek, so I’ve included the Greek terms for each key word.
Love
Greek:
Definition: to be fond of, to love dearly, to be contented with a thing; affection, good will
World
Greek:
Definition: the earth, inhabitants of the earth, aggregate of things earthly
Things
Greek:
Definition: the things - this, that, these
Anyone
Greek:
Definition: a certain one, some
Father
Greek:
Definition: God, originator and transmitter of anything, one who has infused his own spirit into others
Not
Greek:
Definition: absolute negative
Cross References
John 15:19: If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
Do not belong to the world, Jesus has called us as his own.
Romans 12:2: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Do not conform to the world, be transformed by renewing of the mind.
Colossians 3:1-2: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Set your heart and mind on things above, not on earthly things.
James 4:4: You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
Friendship with the world is hatred of God.
Galatians 1:10: Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Try to win the approval of God, not men.
1 John 5:3-5: In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
Those who believe in Jesus have overcome the world.
Matthew 22:37-38: Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”
Greatest commandment is to love God with everything you have.
View of God
God is love, and he puts that love in the hearts of those who follow him. This is a love that transcends the shallowness of the world. It values different things than the world. This love has overcome sin and death.
View of Man/Self
As humans, we tend to put our love in the wrong place - on the things of this world rather than on things above. Instead, we should place our love in God and live to win his approval, not the approval of the world.
Reflection and Application
What do I love? What do I spend my time and attention and money on? Are they the things of this world? Or are they things that honor and glorify God? Probably some of both. I don’t think there’s anything in my life that I wouldn’t give up if I strongly believed God was calling me to do that - but I also haven’t been asked to give up anything critical yet - that I know of.
Prayer
Lord, transform my heart and mind so that I continually love you more and the world less. Help me to see those worldly things that I love that I need to change my perspective on or give up altogether. Lord, more than anything I want your love to be in me. Give me wisdom as I live and make choices that I would honor you in all I say and do and think.