King James Version

What Does 1 John 2:17 Mean?

1 John 2:17 in the King James Version says “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” — study this verse from 1 John chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

1 John 2:17 · KJV

Context

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.

18

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

19

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. John contrasts the world's transience with eternal reality. "The world passeth away" (ho kosmos paragetai)—present tense indicates ongoing process. The world-system with its values, pursuits, and pleasures is in continuous dissolution. Paragetai means to pass by, disappear, fade away. What seems solid and permanent is actually ephemeral. "And the lust thereof" (kai hē epithymia autou)—not just the world but its desires pass away. The objects of worldly lust prove temporary and ultimately unsatisfying.

The contrast is stark: "but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever" (ho de poiōn to thelēma tou theou menei eis ton aiōna). "Doeth" (poiōn) is present participle—habitual practice, lifestyle orientation. "The will of God" (to thelēma tou theou) encompasses God's revealed purposes and commands. "Abideth for ever" (menei eis ton aiōna)—menei means remains, endures; eis ton aiōna means into the age, eternally. This isn't merely existing forever but abiding in relationship with the eternal God, participating in eternal life.

The choice is clear: invest in the temporary (world and its lusts) or the eternal (God's will). Worldly pursuits provide momentary satisfaction but ultimate emptiness. Doing God's will aligns one with eternal reality, producing lasting fruit and abiding life. This isn't works-righteousness but recognition that regenerate hearts desire and do God's will, thereby evidencing eternal life already possessed (John 5:24).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The contrast between temporal and eternal was central to biblical thinking but revolutionary in context. Greek philosophy recognized matter's mutability versus eternal forms, but didn't connect ethics to eternal destiny as Christianity did. Stoicism taught detachment from transient pleasures, but offered no hope of personal eternal existence. Epicureanism pursued pleasure precisely because life is brief. Christianity proclaimed both the world's transience and personal eternal life for believers.

This verse provided crucial perspective for persecuted Christians. Roman power, pagan culture, and material prosperity seemed permanent and attractive. Yet John declares: these are passing. Suffering for righteousness, though painful temporarily, aligns with eternal reality. Many believers lost property, status, even lives for refusing worldly compromise. John's assurance sustained them: temporary loss, eternal gain.

Medieval monasticism sometimes misapplied this verse, viewing all material existence as evil to be escaped. The Reformation recovered biblical balance: the created world is good (Genesis 1), but the fallen world-system is passing. Believers engage creation while refusing worldly values. Puritan piety emphasized living "with eternity's values in view"—making daily choices based on eternal weight, not temporal pleasure.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does meditating on the world's transience change your attitude toward worldly pursuits and possessions you currently value?
  2. What would it look like practically to invest more in eternal realities (doing God's will) than temporary pleasures?
  3. How can you maintain engagement with the world (evangelism, cultural engagement) while remembering its passing nature?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 19 words
καὶ1 of 19

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὁ2 of 19
G3588

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

κόσμος3 of 19

“the world”

G2889

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

παράγεται4 of 19

“passeth away”

G3855

to lead near, i.e., (reflexively or intransitively) to go along or away

καὶ5 of 19

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἡ6 of 19
G3588

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

ἐπιθυμία7 of 19

“the lust”

G1939

a longing (especially for what is forbidden)

αὐτοῦ8 of 19

“thereof”

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

ὁ9 of 19
G3588

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

δὲ10 of 19

“but”

G1161

but, and, etc

ποιῶν11 of 19

“he that doeth”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

τὸ12 of 19
G3588

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

θέλημα13 of 19

“the will”

G2307

a determination (properly, the thing), i.e., (actively) choice (specially, purpose, decree; abstractly, volition) or (passively) inclination

τοῦ14 of 19
G3588

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

Θεοῦ15 of 19

“of God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

μένει16 of 19

“abideth”

G3306

to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)

εἰς17 of 19

“for”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸν18 of 19
G3588

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

αἰῶνα19 of 19

“ever”

G165

properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world; specially (jewish) a messianic period (present or future)

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 2:17 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 2:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 24:35Romans 12:21 Corinthians 7:311 Peter 4:2Hebrews 10:36Mark 3:35

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1 John 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 John Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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