“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” 1 John 2:1
With fatherly concern, the aged apostle John addresses his readers affectionately as children. He uses this Greek word seven times in this letter and once in his Gospel. John had proclaimed the Word of life to them, by which they were brought to the faith and given new birth. John later refers to them as “children of God” because all Christians are “born of God”.
“Will not sin” is a statement designed to make believers aware of sin’s ever-present danger and to put them on guard against it. Lifeboats are on a ship not to make it sink but in case it does. According to Greek grammar, the if before “anybody does sin” carries the added sense of “and it is assumed that we all do.” This statement is not an encouragement to sin but a warning to all Christians to be on guard against sinful tendencies.
“Advocate” is a Greek word also used to refer to a Helper (Holy Spirit) for us in understanding the truth of God’s Word. Here the word describes the intercessory work of the Son. When we sin, Jesus represents us as our Advocate with the Father to plead our cause in heaven’s court. Satan, on the other hand, is the accuser of believers. God’s blessings on your day…