1 John 5:21 - Homilies By W. Jones

Self-guardianship against idolatry.

"Little children, keep yourselves from idols." The connection of this verse with the preceding seems to be in the antithesis between the" true God" and "idols." Loyalty to the "true God" demands separation from all false gods. Notice—

I. THE AFFECTIONATE APPELLATION BY WHICH THE APOSTLE ADDRESSES HIS READERS , "Little children." "He parts from them with his warmest and most affectionate word of address." This form of address suggests:

1 . The spiritual paternity of the apostle. Probably many of those to whom he was writing were his children in the Lord, begotten by his ministry—by his preaching, his prayers, and his faith. Very tender and sacred is this relationship (cf. 1 John 2:1 ; 1 Corinthians 4:14 , 1 Corinthians 4:15 ; Galatians 4:19 ; Philippians 1:10 ).

2 . The spiritual affection of the apostle. This is delicately yet clearly indicated by the use of the diminutive.

3 . The spiritual authority of the apostle. His relation to them, his affection for them, and his large and ripe experience, combined to invest him with sacred and commanding influence. And, as "little children," his readers needed guidance, and owed to him obedience.

II. THE IMPORTANT EXHORTATION WHICH THE APOSTLE ADDRESSES TO HIS READERS . "Keep yourselves from idols." Consider:

1 . The nature of the sin to be guarded against. Idolatry. Originally it seems to have comprised two things:

2 . The damager of the sin to be guarded against. This may be seen from the following considerations.

3 . The method of guarding against this sin. The most effective preservative against idolatry is growing fidelity to God. He who assiduously cultivates reverent attachment and hearty devotion to him cannot fall into idolatry. "The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength." "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." "Little children, keep yourselves from idols."—W.J.