Verse 15
The Greek negative prohibition me with the present active imperative verb means either stop doing something or do not have the habit of doing it. The "world" (kosmos) represents the system of values, priorities, and beliefs that unbelievers hold that excludes God.
"The world is that organized system which acts as a rival to God." [Note: Ryrie, "The First . . .," p. 1469.]
It is a moral and spiritual system designed to draw people away from God. It is a seductive system that appeals to all people, believers as well as unbelievers, and calls for our affection, participation, and loyalty (cf. John 3:16-19; James 4:4). Satan controls this system, and believers should shun it (cf. 1 John 5:19; John 12:31; John 14:30). Here kosmos does not refer primarily to the created order, though that order is also passing away (1 Corinthians 7:31; 2 Peter 3:7-13; Revelation 21:1-4). [Note: Smalley., p. 87.]
"If" assumes that some Christians will love the world (third class condition in Greek), which is unfortunately often true to reality. One writer responded to the question of many, "What’s so bad about the world?" [Note: Yarbrough, pp. 128-37.] "The love of the Father" is probably the believers’ love for the Father (objective genitive), not His love for us (subjective genitive). [Note: Robertson, 6:214.] "In him" again reflects a controlling influence (cf. 1 John 1:8; 1 John 2:4).
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