15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
15 Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father.
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.
19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
19 We know that we are held firm by God; it's only the people of the world who continue in the grip of the Evil One.
19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
19 We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.
(Read 1 John 5:18-21)
All mankind are divided into two parties or dominions; that which belongs to God, and that which belongs to the wicked one. True believers belong to God: they are of God, and from him, and to him, and for him; while the rest, by far the greater number, are in the power of the wicked one; they do his works, and support his cause. This general declaration includes all unbelievers, whatever their profession, station, or situation, or by whatever name they may be called. The Son leads believers to the Father, and they are in the love and favour of both; in union with both, by the indwelling and working of the Holy Spirit. Happy are those to whom it is given to know that the Son of God is come, and to have a heart to trust in and rely on him that is true! May this be our privilege; we shall thus be kept from all idols and false doctrines, and from the idolatrous love of worldly objects, and be kept by the power of God, through faith, unto eternal salvation. To this living and true God, be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 John 2:15
Commentary on 1 John 2:15-17
(Read 1 John 2:15-17)
The things of the world may be desired and possessed for the uses and purposes which God intended, and they are to be used by his grace, and to his glory; but believers must not seek or value them for those purposes to which sin abuses them. The world draws the heart from God; and the more the love of the world prevails, the more the love of God decays. The things of the world are classed according to the three ruling inclinations of depraved nature. 1. The lust of the flesh, of the body: wrong desires of the heart, the appetite of indulging all things that excite and inflame sensual pleasures. 2. The lust of the eyes: the eyes are delighted with riches and rich possessions; this is the lust of covetousness. 3. The pride of life: a vain man craves the grandeur and pomp of a vain-glorious life; this includes thirst after honour and applause. The things of the world quickly fade and die away; desire itself will ere long fail and cease, but holy affection is not like the lust that passes away. The love of God shall never fail. Many vain efforts have been made to evade the force of this passage by limitations, distinctions, or exceptions. Many have tried to show how far we may be carnally-minded, and love the world; but the plain meaning of these verses cannot easily be mistaken. Unless this victory over the world is begun in the heart, a man has no root in himself, but will fall away, or at most remain an unfruitful professor. Yet these vanities are so alluring to the corruption in our hearts, that without constant watching and prayer, we cannot escape the world, or obtain victory over the god and prince of it.