Read 2:1–2 in both Berean Standard Bible and Good News Translation. Compare the two versions.

Paragraph Theme: John has just written about Christians sinning, and one of his purposes in writing is that Christians should not sin but be pure like God. In these verses he appeals to his readers not to sin, and he reminds them that even if a Christian sins, Christ, through his death for us, provides a way for God to forgive us.

2:1a

My little children: (Cross-cultural Difference) John is writing as an old man and a respected leader to Christians in churches for which he is responsible. He is expressing an affectionate, fatherly attitude to them. Consider if in your language such a person would use the term “children” in such a situation. If he would not, then it would be right to translate it with some other more appropriate term.

I am writing: (Pronoun System) Notice that John now changes from writing in the plural “we” to the singular “I.”

these things: (Pronoun Reference) The words these things refer to what he has just said, especially in 1:5–7, about the way Christians should behave.

you will not sin: (Meaning) This follows closely what John has said in 1:9–10, that when Christians do wrong they must confess it. Here he goes on to say that a Christian should strive at all costs to avoid sinning.

2:1c

we have…: (Logical Relationship) Although Christians should strive not to sin, it may happen that they do sin. John says that if they do sin, they can still be forgiven because of what Christ does for them. If this reasoning is not clear in your translation, you may need to make explicit here that this includes the idea of God forgiving sin. See the Display.

we have an advocate before the Father: (Focus) The focus here is not on what Jesus does, but rather it is on the fact that God will forgive us. He forgives us because our friend Jesus is always with him speaking for us. This focus may need to be made clear in your translation.

an advocate before the Father: (Meaning) The Greek word which this phrase translates refers to anyone, not necessarily a lawyer, who defends a person who is accused of something in court. In the case which John is referring to here, God is the judge and Satan is accusing us of breaking God’s laws.

2:1d

the Righteous One: (Alternative Interpretations) See just in Key Biblical Terms. The Greek word translated the Righteous One has more than one sense.

(1) In this sentence it probably means that everything Jesus does is good and right in God’s sight. (This is the sense in which John usually uses this word.)

(2) Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible and Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English translate it as “just,” meaning that Jesus treats everyone fairly in his dealings and judgments.

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.