Read & explore together
Remain in Christ
This passage urges believers to keep holding on to what they heard from the beginning. Remaining in that message is connected with staying in the Son and the Father, eternal life, truth, confidence at his coming, and righteous living.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
In these verses, the writer gives both encouragement and warning. He points his readers back to what they heard from the beginning, names eternal life as the promise, says he is writing because some want to lead them astray, and urges them to remain in him.
1 John 2:24–29Main takeaway
This passage teaches that remaining in what was heard from the beginning is bound up with remaining in the Son and the Father, awaiting his coming with boldness, and practising righteousness.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Let the first message remainThe passage opens with a command to let what they heard from the beginning remain in them.
Explanation
The passage opens with a command to let what they heard from the beginning remain in them. The writer repeats the word remain to stress steadiness. If what they heard from the beginning remains in them, they will remain in the Son and in the Father. The verse ties abiding with God to what they first heard.
02A promise and a warningThe writer then names the promise clearly: eternal life. He also explains why he has written, because others are trying to lead his readers astray.
Explanation
The writer then names the promise clearly: eternal life. He also explains why he has written, because others are trying to lead his readers astray. These verses place promise and warning side by side. The readers are being reminded of what is promised and why this teaching matters.
03The anointing teaches what is trueThe anointing they received from him remains in them. The writer says they do not need anyone to teach them, because his anointing teaches concerning all things, is true, and is no lie.
Explanation
The anointing they received from him remains in them. The writer says they do not need anyone to teach them, because his anointing teaches concerning all things, is true, and is no lie. In line with that teaching, they are to remain in him. The verse stresses the truthfulness of this anointing and its continuing presence.
04Remain now for that future dayThe writer warmly calls them little children and again tells them to remain in him. The reason looks ahead to his appearing and his coming.
Explanation
The writer warmly calls them little children and again tells them to remain in him. The reason looks ahead to his appearing and his coming. Remaining in him is connected with boldness instead of shame before him. The passage then links his righteousness with those who practise righteousness and have been born of him.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does the writer say must remain in believers, and what result follows?
Verse 24 repeats remain and connects what was heard from the beginning with remaining in the Son and in the Father.
02Why does the writer say these things have been written?
Look at the warning about people who would lead them astray, and read it beside the promise of eternal life.
03How does the end of the passage connect Christ's coming with everyday life now?
Notice the boldness or shame at his coming in verse 28, then the practice of righteousness in verse 29.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 John 2:24–29
24Therefore, as for you, let that remain in you which you heard from the beginning. If that which you heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son, and in the Father.
25This is the promise which he promised us, the eternal life.
26These things I have written to you concerning those who would lead you astray.
27As for you, the anointing which you received from him remains in you, and you don’t need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, you will remain in him.
28Now, little children, remain in him, that when he appears, we may have boldness and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
29If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.