We have previously noticed that in the section 2:12-27 the author tells his first readers precisely why he has written this letter to them. The first reason, given in 2:12-14, is their spiritual state. Now, in 2:15-17, we have John’s second reason for writing: because of the enticements of the world.
THE ENTICEMENTS OF THE WORLD
No matter how good their spiritual state might be John was aware that the danger of worldliness was ever present. He therefore warns them to beware of it.
[15] A COMMAND
Rather than just offer one or two helpful suggestions John issues a firm command: ‘love not the world neither the things that are in the world’. This is the first of ten imperatives in 1 John. See the ten listed at:
Although the ‘world’ (kósmos) can refer to people (e.g. John 3:16) here it seems to refer to the world system. Kósmos carries the idea of order or arrangement.
Lambert Dolphin makes the following useful comments on ‘the world:
‘The “world-system” involves a concern for external appearances more than inner content and quality. As used in the New Testament, the world does not refer to nature, but to the world-system, to society and human culture. The world system is outwardly religious, scientific, cultured and elegant. Inwardly it seethes with national and commercial rivalries.’
Much is said about the world in 1 John. See 2:2, 16-17; 3:1, 13; 4:3-5, 9, 14, 17; 5:4, 19.
[15] A CONCLUSION
‘If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.’
If a professing Christian is wholly taken up with love for the world John would conclude that such a person is not a genuine believer at all, for this behaviour is incompatible with love for God.
[16] A CHARACTERIZATION
Everything that is in the world system does not come from the Father. This system of values, goals and ethics excludes God and is opposed to God (5:19).
John identifies three elements othat characterize worldliness:
a) ‘The lust of the flesh’. Lusts (desires or cravings) of the flesh refers to human bodily appetites.
b) ‘The lust of the eyes’. This would refer to the human tendency to want what we see. We are naturally covetous and acquisitive.
c) ‘The pride of life’. This is a reminder of human showiness and the wish to impress others with one’s own importance.
The world encourages and caters to these perspectives. N.B. Some see the sin of Eve (Gen 3:6) as illustrating these three elements of worldiness: ‘the tree was good for food’, ‘it was pleasant to the eyes’, ‘a tree to be desired to make one wise’.
[17] A CONFIRMATION
John observes that worldiness is a craving for things that will soon pass away and confirms that whoever does the will of God will ‘live’ (ménō, abide, remain) forever. The idea of ‘abiding’ is that of living in fellowship with God. Such a life is viewed as never really coming to an end.
Written Exposition 
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