1 John 2:2 - William Tant

1 John 2:2. " He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for our sins only, but also for the sins of the whole world." The word world is often used in the inspired volume, but cannot always mean every one of Adam's race. Thus we read, " the world is gone after him," John xii. 19. This cannot mean even all the Jewish nation, to say nothing about all Adam's posterity, for the Pharisees themselves who said this did not go after Christ. " The whole world lieth in wickedness," 1 John v. 19. This must mean the whole world of unregenerate sinners; for' if the apostle had meant every one of Adam's race, he would have included himself and fellow-believers, concerning whom he had just before said, " we know that we are of God." And when be says, " Christ is the propitiation for our sins, and also for the sins of the whole world, he must mean, not for us only who already believe through grace, but for the whole world of believers to the end of time, John xvii. 20.