King James Version

What Does 1 John 2:15 Mean?

1 John 2:15 in the King James Version says “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 i...” — study this verse from 1 John chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

1 John 2:15 · KJV

Love

Context

13

I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

14

I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

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.

16

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

17

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

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
John issues an absolute prohibition against worldly affection. 'Love not the world' (μὴ ἀγαπᾶτε τὸν κόσμον, mē agapate ton kosmon) uses present imperative with negative, commanding cessation of ongoing action: stop loving the world. Ἀγαπάω (agapaō) indicates deliberate, volitional love—not mere liking but committed devotion. Κόσμος (kosmos, world) here means not the physical creation (which God loves, John 3:16) but the organized system opposed to God—its values, priorities, and pursuits disconnected from God. The parallel command follows: 'neither the things that are in the world' (μηδὲ τὰ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, mēde ta en tō kosmō), specifying worldly things—possessions, pleasures, pursuits that embody worldly values. The consequence is stark: 'If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him' (ἐάν τις ἀγαπᾷ τὸν κόσμον, οὐκ ἔστιν ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ πατρὸς ἐν αὐτῷ, ean tis agapa ton kosmon, ouk estin hē agapē tou patros en autō). This isn't saying worldly affection results in loss of salvation, but that love for the world and love for the Father are mutually exclusive—where one exists, the other doesn't. True children of God demonstrate their regeneration by loving God, not the world-system opposed to Him.

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Historical & Cultural Context

John writes to late first-century believers facing dual temptations: Gnostic asceticism (despising material creation) and worldly compromise (accommodating pagan culture). The command not to love the world corrects both errors. Against Gnostics, John affirms creation is good (God made it); it's the fallen world-system that's evil. Against compromisers, John demands separation from worldly values. In Roman society, Christians faced pressure to participate in pagan festivals, guild activities involving idol worship, immoral entertainment, and economic systems requiring ethical compromise. 'Not loving the world' meant costly separation: economic loss, social ostracism, family conflict. Yet John insists: love for God and love for the world cannot coexist. Early church fathers like Tertullian and Augustine developed 'two cities' theology: citizens of God's kingdom live in the world but maintain fundamental allegiance to God's values, not the world's.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you distinguish between enjoying God's good creation and loving 'the world' (the system opposed to God)?
  2. What specific worldly values, priorities, or pursuits compete with your love for God?
  3. How can you live 'in the world' (physically present, engaged) without loving the world (adopting its values)?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
Μὴ1 of 22

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ἀγαπᾷ2 of 22

“Love”

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

τὸν3 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κόσμον4 of 22

“the world”

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

μηδὲ5 of 22

“neither”

G3366

but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor

τὰ6 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐν7 of 22

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ8 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κόσμον9 of 22

“the world”

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

ἐάν10 of 22

“If”

G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

τις11 of 22

“any man”

G5100

some or any person or object

ἀγαπᾷ12 of 22

“Love”

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

τὸν13 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κόσμον14 of 22

“the world”

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

οὐκ15 of 22

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔστιν16 of 22

“is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ἡ17 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀγάπη18 of 22

“the love”

G26

love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast

τοῦ19 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατρὸς20 of 22

“of the Father”

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

ἐν21 of 22

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

αὐτῷ·22 of 22

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 John 2:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 John 2:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

James 4:4Romans 12:2Matthew 6:24Colossians 3:1-2Luke 16:131 John 5:4-5

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