1 John 5:21

The True God · 1 John 5:18–21
Read 1 John 5

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

Pure Worship True Success

Glossary

Son of God

Topics

Commandments: Other Apostles: Precepts of, Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Idolatry: Denunciations Against Idolatry: Saints should Keep From Idols