Browse Bible Study Resources

Daily Devotions

1 John

1 John 
Day 
Day 13

"We have an Advocate with the Father..."

Text: 1 John 2:1

A COMFORTING TRUTH

The problem of sinning in life is a very sad reality. John’s approach to the problem of sin is most comforting.

“And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous.”
1 John 2:1b

1. “If anyone sins”

a) The possibility of sinning is discussed.
b) Sin is inevitable in life.

2. “We have an Advocate with the Father”

a) There is a subtle change in subject.
i) “If anyone”
An indefinite singular personal pronoun. It may refer to anyone.
ii) “We have”
A clear personal plural pronoun. John is speaking of himself and those who have faith in Jesus.
b) “We have an Advocate”
i) This word was used to describe the Person and ministry of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16).
ii) In this text John was referring to the Lord Jesus Christ.
c) What is an advocate?
i) This word is used in a court of law to describe the person who defends the accused.
ii) This is used to describe the Lord Jesus Christ as the One who comes alongside the sinner.

3. Our Advocate

a) He is declared clearly as Jesus Christ the righteous.
b) It would take no one less than the Lord Jesus to fulfil this role.

4. How does the Lord Jesus fulfil this role?

a) The imagery here is that of the Divine Court.
b) God the Father is the Supreme judge.
c) The accused would be the person who has sinned.
d) The sinner is summoned and the charge of sin is read out to him.
e) The righteous Lord Jesus Christ stands before the Father and pleads on behalf of the sinner.