1 John 2:17 The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

◄ 1 John 2:17 ►

New International Version
The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

New Living Translation
And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

English Standard Version
And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Berean Standard Bible
The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

Berean Literal Bible
And the world is passing away, and its desire; but the one doing the will of God abides to the age.

King James Bible
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

New King James Version
And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

New American Standard Bible
The world is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever.

NASB 1995
The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

NASB 1977
And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the world is passing away, and also its lusts, but the one who does the will of God abides forever.

Amplified Bible
The world is passing away, and with it its lusts [the shameful pursuits and ungodly longings]; but the one who does the will of God and carries out His purposes lives forever.

Christian Standard Bible
And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does God’s will remains forever.

American Standard Version
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Contemporary English Version
The world and the desires it causes are disappearing. But if we obey God, we will live forever.

English Revised Version
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
the world and its evil desires are passing away. But the person who does what God wants lives forever.

Good News Translation
The world and everything in it that people desire is passing away; but those who do the will of God live forever.

International Standard Version
And the world and its desires are fading away, but the person who does God's will remains forever.

Majority Standard Bible
The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

NET Bible
And the world is passing away with all its desires, but the person who does the will of God remains forever.

New Heart English Bible
The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God's will remains forever.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the world passeth away, and the lust of it: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Weymouth New Testament
And the world, with its cravings, is passing away, but he who does God's will continues for ever.

World English Bible
The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God’s will remains forever.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and the world is passing away, and the desire of it, but he who is doing the will of God, he remains—throughout the age.

Berean Literal Bible
And the world is passing away, and its desire; but the one doing the will of God abides to the age.

Young's Literal Translation
and the world doth pass away, and the desire of it, and he who is doing the will of God, he doth remain -- to the age.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the world passes away, and its eager desires: but he doing the will of God remains for ever.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the world passeth away, and the concupiscence thereof: but he that doth the will of God, abideth for ever.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the world is passing away, with its desire. But whoever does the will of God abides unto eternity.

New American Bible
Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever.

New Revised Standard Version
And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
The world is passing and its lust, but he who does the will of God continues for eternity.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
And the world and its desire passes away: but he that does the will of God, abides forever.

Godbey New Testament
The world and its lust are indeed passing away; but the one doing the will of God abides forever.

Haweis New Testament
And the world is passing away, and the lust thereof, but he who doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Mace New Testament
and the world is passing away, with all its vices: but he that obeys the divine will, shall enjoy a life of immortality.

Weymouth New Testament
And the world, with its cravings, is passing away, but he who does God's will continues for ever.

Worrell New Testament
And the world is passing away, and the desire thereof; but be that does the will of God abides forever.

Worsley New Testament
And the world passeth away, and the desire of it: but he, that doth the will of God, abideth for ever.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Do Not Love the World
…16For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever. 18Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

James 4:4
You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

1 Corinthians 7:31
and those who use the things of this world, as if not dependent on them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

John 15:19
If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.

2 Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Galatians 1:4
who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

2 Peter 3:10-13
But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare. / Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness / as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat. ...

John 12:25
Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Psalm 37:20
But the wicked and enemies of the LORD will perish like the glory of the fields. They will vanish; like smoke they will fade away.

Isaiah 40:6-8
A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. / The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. / The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

1 Peter 1:24-25
For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, / but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.

John 6:27
Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”

Hebrews 10:36
You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.

Treasury of Scripture

And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God stays for ever.

the world.

Psalm 39:6
Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

Psalm 73:18-20
Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction…

Psalm 90:9
For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.

but.

Psalm 143:10
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

Matthew 7:21
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 21:31
Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

abideth.

Psalm 125:1,2
A Song of degrees. They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever…

Proverbs 10:25
As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.

John 4:14
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Jump to Previous

Abides Abideth Age Continues Cravings Desire Desires End Forever God's Lusts Passes Passeth Passing Pleasure Thereof World

Jump to Next

Abides Abideth Age Continues Cravings Desire Desires End Forever God's Lusts Passes Passeth Passing Pleasure Thereof World

1 John 2

1. He comforts them against the sins of infirmity.
3. Rightly to know God is to keep his commandments;
9. to love our brothers;
15. and not to love the world.
18. We must beware of antichrists;
20. from whose deceits the godly are safe, preserved by perseverance in faith, and holiness of life.

Berean Study Bible

The world is passing away
The phrase "the world" in this context refers to the present age and its systems, values, and desires that are opposed to God. The Greek word used here is "kosmos," which often denotes the secular world order. Historically, this reflects the transient nature of earthly kingdoms and societies, which rise and fall over time. Archaeological evidence from ancient civilizations, such as Babylon and Rome, underscores the impermanence of human achievements. From a scriptural perspective, this echoes the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 24:35, where He states, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away." The message is clear: the physical world and its allurements are temporary and fleeting.

along with its desires
The term "desires" translates from the Greek word "epithymia," which refers to lusts or cravings that are often contrary to God's will. These desires can be for material possessions, power, or sensual pleasures. Historically, the early church faced numerous challenges from the surrounding pagan culture, which was steeped in hedonism and idolatry. This phrase serves as a warning against succumbing to such temptations, reminding believers that these desires are not only temporary but also detrimental to spiritual growth. The Apostle Paul similarly warns in Galatians 5:16-17 about the conflict between the desires of the flesh and the Spirit.

but whoever does the will of God
This phrase emphasizes the contrast between worldly desires and divine obedience. "The will of God" is a central theme throughout the New Testament, encapsulating God's desires for humanity, including living a life of holiness, love, and service. The Greek word for "will" is "thelēma," which implies a deliberate choice or intention. Historically, the early Christians were often persecuted for choosing to follow God's will over societal norms. This choice is a testament to their faith and commitment. Scripturally, Jesus models this in the Garden of Gethsemane, praying, "Not My will, but Yours be done" (Luke 22:42).

remains forever
The promise of eternal life is encapsulated in this phrase. The Greek word "menei," translated as "remains," conveys a sense of permanence and stability. This assurance of eternal life is a cornerstone of Christian hope, contrasting sharply with the temporary nature of the world. Historically, this promise provided immense comfort to early Christians facing persecution and martyrdom, as they believed in a future beyond their present sufferings. Scripturally, this echoes Jesus' promise in John 14:2-3, where He assures His followers of a place in His Father's house. The eternal nature of doing God's will is a profound encouragement for believers to remain steadfast in their faith.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 17. - Seeing, then, that the love of the world and the love of the Father are absolutely incompatible, which must we choose? Not the former, for its object is already passing away; while not only does the Father abide for ever, but he who loves him and does his will abides for ever also. The antithesis, as usual, is a progress; it carries us beyond the limits of the original statement. The world is passing away like a dissolving view. It has its sentence of death in itself; its decay has begun. And even if it were not passing away, our capacity for enjoying it would none the less certainly come to an end. "The sensualist does not know what the delights of sense are; he is out of temper when he is denied them; he is out of temper when he possesses them" (Maurice). To love the world is to lose everything, including the thing loved. To love God is to gain him and his kingdom. Some men would have it that the external world is the one thing that is certain and permanent, while religion is based on a mere hypothesis, and is ever changing its form. St. John assures us that the very reverse is the case. The world is waning: it is God alone and his faithful servants who abide. As St. Augustine says, "What can the world promise? Let it promise what you will, it makes the promise, perhaps, to one who tomorrow will die." The will of God is the exact antithesis of "all that is in the world." The one is the good power "that makes for righteousness;" the other is the sum of the evil powers which make for sin. Abideth for ever is literally, abideth unto the age (μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα). The notion of endlessness is, perhaps, not distinctly included; for that we should rather have had εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν, αἰώνων (Revelation 1:18; Revelation 11:15; Revelation 22:5). The contrast is not between "passing away" and "lasting forever," but between "passing away" and abiding till "the age" comes. But as "the age" is the age of eternity as distinguished from this age of time, the rendering "abideth for ever" is justified. The Jews used" this age" and" the age to come" to distinguish the periods before and after the coming of the Messiah. Christians adopted the same phrases to indicate the periods before and after Christ's second coming; e.g., ὁ αἰὼν οῦτος (Luke 16:8; Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 1:20), ὁ νῦν αἰών (1 Timothy 6:17; 2 Timothy 4:10; Titus 2:12), as opposed to ὁ αἰὼν ἐκεῖνος, (Luke 20:35), ὁ αἰὼν ὁ ἐρχόμενος (Luke 18:30), ὁ μέλλων (Ephesians 1:21), and very frequently, as here and throughout St. John's Gospel and Epistles, simply ὁ αἰών. In Revelation the invariable expression is εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων, the τῶν being omitted in Revelation 14:11. The exact meaning here, therefore, is "abideth unto the age," i.e., the coming of Christ's eternal kingdom.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

The
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

world
κόσμος (kosmos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2889: Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).

is passing away
παράγεται (paragetai)
Verb - Present Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3855: To pass by, depart, pass away. From para and ago; to lead near, i.e. to go along or away.

[along with]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

its
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

desires,
ἐπιθυμία (epithymia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1939: Desire, eagerness for, inordinate desire, lust. From epithumeo; a longing.

but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

whoever
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

does
ποιῶν (poiōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

will
θέλημα (thelēma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2307: An act of will, will; plur: wishes, desires. From the prolonged form of ethelo; a determination, i.e. choice or inclination.

of God
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

remains
μένει (menei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3306: To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.

forever.
αἰῶνα (aiōna)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 165: From the same as aei; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity; by implication, the world; specially a Messianic period.

Links

1 John 2:17 NIV
1 John 2:17 NLT
1 John 2:17 ESV
1 John 2:17 NASB
1 John 2:17 KJV

1 John 2:17 BibleApps.com
1 John 2:17 Biblia Paralela
1 John 2:17 Chinese Bible
1 John 2:17 French Bible
1 John 2:17 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: 1 John 2:17 The world is passing away with its (1J iJ 1Jn i jn 1 jo)