1 John 2:16

For. Or, “because” (cf. on v. 12). John now states the reason for the categorical statements of v. 15.

Lust. Gr. epithumia, “desire,” “craving,” “longing” (see on Matt. 5:28; John 8:44; Rom. 7:7).

Flesh. The sensuous nature of man in which “dwelleth no good thing” and which lusteth to evil (Rom. 7:18; cf. Rom. 8:1). The lust of the flesh is the craving of the flesh for indulgence in evil.

John does not speak of the body, which the Gnostics later claimed to be intrinsically evil. The NT writers regard the human body as having a capacity for both good and evil, and thus subject to the redemption purchased by Christ (Rom. 12:1; 1 Cor. 6:15; Phil. 1:20; 3:21). The expression “lust of the flesh” includes all strong desires for indulgence contrary to the will of God. The apostle was not accusing his readers of heinous sin, but warning them of the inherent enmity that exists between God and all forms of sin. He trusted that the warning would serve to save them from sin’s snares.

Lust of the eyes. If “lust of the flesh” applies particularly to sins arising from the body, “lust of the eyes” may be understood to refer to mental pleasure stimulated through sight. Much of the sinful pleasure of the world is experienced through the eyes (see on Matt. 5:27, 28). Many who would hasten to disclaim any intention of indulging in open sin themselves are eager to read about sin, to study it in a picture, or to watch it depicted upon a screen. Here the words of 1 Cor. 10:12 apply: “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (cf. on Gen. 3:6). John may have been thinking of spectacles of brutalizing sports in the Roman arena, where men fought each other or wild animals to the death. Those spectacles aroused the same morbid curiosity that sadistic sports do today.

Pride. Gr. alazoneia, “vainglory,” “boasting,” “display” (cf. on James 4:16).

Life. Gr. bios, here, “manner of life” (see on Rom. 6:4). The expression “pride of life” implies a materialistic satisfaction with worldly goods, a state of mind that substitutes the material for the spiritual. All, in varying degrees, are prone to such pride and need to guard against it. Some take undue pride in their work, others in their possessions, their own beauty, or their children.

Of the Father. Literally, “out of the Father.” Neither the lust nor the pride of which John has just spoken proceeds from the Father. Both undesirable qualities originated with Satan (cf. John 8:44).

Of the world. Hence, at enmity with God (see on v. 15).