What does 1 John 2:2 mean?
This verse opens with a statement many find difficult to understand: "He is the propitiation for our sins." The Greek word hilasmos can be translated as "propitiation," "expiation," or "atonement." All of these refer to settling, satisfying, or repaying a debt. In other words, Jesus is the one and only sufficient payment for the sins of humanity. Without this payment, we are left separated from God. Notice that verse 1 described Jesus also as our "advocate." This means that Christ not only speaks to God on our behalf, He pays our debt for us, as well.John was clear that this power of Jesus' sacrifice was made available to all people of the world. These words resemble John 3:16: "For God so loved the world…" This doesn't mean that every person will actually be saved. It does, however, mean that Christ's sacrifice was sufficient to pay the debt for anyone who comes to faith in Him (Revelation 22:17). There is a distinction between Christ's power to (potentially) save all people and those who actually come to Him for salvation.
First John 2:1–6 both encourages and warns Christians about sin. John reassures his readers that when a saved believer sins, Christ will plead our case with God. Jesus is our substitute, taking the punishment for our sins. At the same time, John warns that those who claim to know Christ, yet disobey Him, are lying to themselves and others. Anyone who claims to have fellowship with Christ should live as if that is true.
Chapter 2 explains the fellowship Christians have with God. Christ is our advocate, even when we sin. Christians are not to love things of the world, or to love the world. Instead, we are to live, love, and act like Christ. False teachers, and those who deny Jesus are called ''liars.'' Those who demonstrate a Christ-like behavior are ''born of'' God.
