1 John 2:2
New International Version
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

New Living Translation
He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

English Standard Version
He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

Berean Standard Bible
He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Berean Literal Bible
And He is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.

King James Bible
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

New King James Version
And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

New American Standard Bible
and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

NASB 1995
and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

NASB 1977
and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

Legacy Standard Bible
and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

Amplified Bible
And He [that same Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins [the atoning sacrifice that holds back the wrath of God that would otherwise be directed at us because of our sinful nature—our worldliness, our lifestyle]; and not for ours alone, but also for [the sins of all believers throughout] the whole world.

Christian Standard Bible
He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.

American Standard Version
and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.

Contemporary English Version
Christ is the sacrifice that takes away our sins and the sins of all the world's people.

English Revised Version
and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He is the payment for our sins, and not only for our sins, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Good News Translation
And Christ himself is the means by which our sins are forgiven, and not our sins only, but also the sins of everyone.

International Standard Version
It is he who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world's.

Majority Standard Bible
He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

NET Bible
and he himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the whole world.

New Heart English Bible
And he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Weymouth New Testament
and He is an atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

World English Bible
And he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and He is [the] propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the whole world,

Berean Literal Bible
And He is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.

Young's Literal Translation
and he -- he is a propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world,

Smith's Literal Translation
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he is the propitiation for our sins. And not only for our sins, but also for those of the whole world.

New American Bible
He is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.

New Revised Standard Version
and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For He is The Atonement who is for the sake of our sins, and not in our place only, but also in the place of the entire universe.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he is the expiation for our sins: not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world.

Godbey New Testament
he is the expiator for our sins: and not ours only, but indeed for the whole world.

Haweis New Testament
and he himself is the propitiatory victim for our sins: and indeed not for ours only, but for the whole world.

Mace New Testament
he is the the victim that has expiated our sins: and not ours only, but likewise the sins of the whole world.

Weymouth New Testament
and He is an atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Worrell New Testament
And He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.

Worsley New Testament
And He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Our Advocate
1My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 3By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments.…

Cross References
John 1:29
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Romans 3:25
God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.

Hebrews 2:17
For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people.

Isaiah 53:5-6
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. / We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.

1 Peter 2:24
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”

1 John 4:10
And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

2 Corinthians 5:19
that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

1 Timothy 2:5-6
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, / who gave Himself as a ransom for all—the testimony that was given at just the right time.

Leviticus 16:15-16
Aaron shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and bring its blood behind the veil, and with its blood he must do as he did with the bull’s blood: He is to sprinkle it against the mercy seat and in front of it. / So he shall make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the impurities and rebellious acts of the Israelites in regard to all their sins. He is to do the same for the Tent of Meeting which abides among them in the midst of their impurities.

Romans 5:8-10
But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. / Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him! / For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!

Isaiah 53:11-12
After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities. / Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

Colossians 1:19-20
For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, / and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross.

John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. / For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.

Hebrews 9:28
so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.

1 Corinthians 15:3
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,


Treasury of Scripture

And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

he is.

1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1 John 4:10
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Romans 3:25,26
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; …

for the.

1 John 4:14
And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

1 John 5:19
And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

John 1:29
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

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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.














He Himself
This phrase emphasizes the personal and active role of Jesus Christ in the work of salvation. The Greek word "autos" underscores the exclusivity and sufficiency of Christ's role. In a historical context, this assertion counters any notion that salvation could be achieved through other means or intermediaries. It is a direct affirmation of Christ's unique position as the sole mediator between God and humanity, as highlighted in 1 Timothy 2:5.

is the atoning sacrifice
The term "atoning sacrifice" is translated from the Greek word "hilasmos," which conveys the idea of propitiation or expiation. This concept is deeply rooted in the Old Testament sacrificial system, where sacrifices were made to atone for the sins of the people. In the New Testament, Christ's sacrifice is the ultimate fulfillment of these types and shadows, providing a once-for-all atonement. This highlights the continuity of God's redemptive plan from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant.

for our sins
The phrase "for our sins" indicates the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice. The Greek preposition "peri" suggests a covering or dealing with sins comprehensively. This reflects the biblical teaching that Christ bore the penalty of sin on behalf of humanity, satisfying divine justice and enabling reconciliation with God. It is a personal reminder to believers of the depth of Christ's love and the seriousness of sin.

and not only for ours
This phrase expands the scope of Christ's atoning work beyond the immediate audience of John's letter. It suggests that while the initial recipients are included, the impact of Christ's sacrifice is not limited to them. Historically, this would have been a radical inclusion, breaking down barriers between Jewish and Gentile believers and emphasizing the universal offer of salvation.

but also for the sins of the whole world
The phrase "the whole world" underscores the universal scope of Christ's atonement. The Greek word "kosmos" can refer to the entire created order or humanity in general. This statement affirms that Christ's sacrifice is sufficient for all people, transcending ethnic, cultural, and geographical boundaries. It aligns with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and the call to evangelize all nations, reflecting God's desire for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

Verse 2. - And he (not quia nor enim, but idemque ille) is a Propitiation for our sins. Ἱλασμός occurs here and chapter 1 John 4:10 only in the New Testament. St. Paul's word is καταλλαγή (Romans 5:11; Romans 11:15; 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19). They are not equivalents; ἱλασμός has reference to the one party to be propitiated, καταλλαγή to the two parties to be reconciled. Ἀπολύτρωσις is a third word expressing yet another aspect of the atonement - the redemption of the offending party by payment of his debt (Romans 3:24, etc.). Although ἱλασμός does not necessarily include the idea of sacrifice, yet the use of the word in the LXX, and of ἱλάσκεσθαι (Hebrews 2:27) and ἱλαστήριον (Romans 3:25; Hebrews 9:5) in the New Testament, points to the expiation wrought by the great High Priest by the sacrifice of himself. It is ἱλασμός, and not ἱλαστήρ, because the prominent fact is Christ as an Offering rather than as One who offers. With the περί, cf. John 8:46; John 10:33; John 16:8. Our sins are the subject-matter of his propitiatory work. And not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. Again we seem to have an echo of the prayer of the great High Priest (John 17:20, 24). The propitiation is for all, not for the first band of believers only. The sins of the whole world are expiated; and if the expiation does not effect the salvation of the sinner, it is because he rejects it, loving the darkness rather than the light (John 3:19). No man - Christian, Jew, or Gentile - is outside the mercy of God, unless he places himself there deliberately. "It seems clear that the sacrifice of Christ, though peculiarly and completely available only for those who were called, does in some particulars benefit the whole world, and release it from the evil in which the whole creation was travailing" (Jelf).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
He Himself
αὐτὸς (autos)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 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.

is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

[the] atoning sacrifice
ἱλασμός (hilasmos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2434: A propitiation (of an angry god), atoning sacrifice. Atonement, i.e. an expiator.

for
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

our
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

sins,
ἁμαρτιῶν (hamartiōn)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 266: From hamartano; a sin.

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

not
οὐ (ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

only
μόνον (monon)
Adverb
Strong's 3440: Alone, but, only. Neuter of monos as adverb; merely.

for
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

ours
ἡμετέρων (hēmeterōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2251: Our, our own. From thnetos; our.

but
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

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

for
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

the [sins]
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive 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.

of [the] whole
ὅλου (holou)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3650: All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; 'whole' or 'all', i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb.

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


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NT Letters: 1 John 2:2 And he is the atoning sacrifice (1J iJ 1Jn i jn 1 jo)
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