Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.
In Lesson 51, we are going to study the middle part of 1 John 2:19.
Let’s read this part of the verse.
1 John 2:19…For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us…
For (1063. gar) means because or since.
if (1487. ei) expresses a condition.
they Had belonged (1510. eimi) means to exist or to be present.
to (1537. ek or ex) means from or out of.
us (1473. egó) is the first person plural.
They would have remained (3306. menó) means they would have abided, stayed, continued, dwelled, or endured.
With (3326. meta) means to be in company with or be associated with.
Us (1473. egó) is the first personal plural.
In other words, true believers in Christ abide in, stay with, continue with, dwell with, or endure with other followers of Christ. They do not depart.
In Lesson 50, the previous lesson, we studied the first part of 1 John 2:19 which says, “They went out from us, but they did not belong to us.” This is speaking about people that were amongst believers, that looked like believers, but departed.
God wants believers to remain together.
Let’s take a look at some verses that speak about remaining with other believers, the benefits of doing so, and how this is God's will for us.
In Psalm 133:1, we read that when God’s people dwell together in unity, it is good and pleasant. This verse is part of a psalm that was sung by the people of Israel during pilgrimages to Jerusalem for major festivals. Believers in Jesus are on a pilgrimage to the throne of God for eternity. God wants believers to live in unity while on their journey.
Psalm 133:1…How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
In Matthew 18:20, we read that when people are gathered together in the name of Jesus, He is together with them. In context, Jesus is helping believers resolve disputes. When believers join together and focus on Him, He will help resolve their conflict. He wants His followers to forgive each other, so they can remain together.
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”
In Acts 2:42 and Acts 2:46-47 we read that the first believers in Jesus spent time together studying about God, breaking bread, sharing meals, praying, and praising God. These are the keys to maintaining unity and growing in faith together.
Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 2:46-47 With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
In Romans 12:4-5, we read that those who are in Christ are one body with different functions, and yet they belong to one another. One of the keys to unity in the body of Christ is understanding that there are differences between believers, but we all belong to one another.
Romans 12:4-5 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another.
In Galatians 6:2, we read that as believers, we are called to carry one another’s burdens. Life is difficult. Actively look for ways to help others through life’s challenges. Love others as Christ loves us.
Galatians 6:2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
In Ephesians 4:1-3, we read that we are called to bear with one another in love, and with diligence, to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. This shows us how God wants us to relate to other believers.
Ephesians 4:1-3 As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received: 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
In Hebrews 10:24-25, we read that we are commanded to not neglect meeting together, and when we do meet, we are to encourage one another to love and do good deeds.
Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. 25 Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
In Revelation 7:9-10, we read about a future vision of a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language standing together before God's throne, worshiping Him. This reveals God’s desire for His people to live in unity with one another and in fellowship with Him.
Revelation 7:9-10 After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
In conclusion, true believers in Jesus abide in, stay with, dwell with, and endure alongside other followers of Jesus.
God desires for us to live together in unity, as this is both good and pleasant. When conflict arises, He wants to be actively involved in helping resolve the issues.
God calls us to meet regularly with other believers, share meals together, pray with one another, and praise Him together.
God wants us to understand that while we have different functions, we are all members of one body.
God wants us to help other believers with their burdens and love them like Christ has loved us.
God wants us to be humble, gentle, and patient with one another.
God calls us to meet regularly with one another and to encourage each other to love and carry out good deeds.
God wants us to know that one day, all believers will stand together before the throne of God, worshiping Him.
Let’s read our verse one more time.
1 John 2:19 …For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us...
If you’ve been blessed by Hope Bible School, please share it with others.
If you have any prayer requests, please share them in the comments.
Thank you and God bless you.
Jeff M Newman
(Photo by Marek Piwnicki on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible.)
Share this post