Translations
Modern
Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
Traditional
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
Literal
Little children, guard yourselves from idols.
Latin
Filioli, custodite vos a simulacris. Amen.
Original
Greek
English
Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
Notes
In his closing words, John urges his community to stay away from anything that might take God’s place in their hearts. The literal wording is “keep yourselves from idols.” In the context of 1 John, the main “idol” would be any false teaching that leads people away from Jesus Christ, who is fully human and fully God.
Theme notes and profiles
Glossary
Topics
Commandments: Other Apostles: Precepts of, Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Idolatry: Denunciations Against Idolatry: Saints should Keep From Idols