1 John 2:15

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The author of 1 John writes to a believing community he addresses as fathers, young men, and little children (vv. 13–14), reinforcing their identity against false teaching that has already drawn some away.

The words — Kosmos (κόσμος) denotes the ordered system of things standing in opposition to God, not merely the physical earth. Agapate (ἀγαπάτε) is the same verb used for God's own love, which makes the prohibition sharp: do not aim the highest form of love at the created order.

The thread — James 4:4 calls friendship with the world enmity toward God; Romans 12:2 forbids conformation to the age; Matthew 6:24 frames the conflict as divided service between two masters.

Why it lands — It asks the reader to audit where their deepest affection actually rests, not whether they are ascetic or world-hating, but whether the Father or the system of things holds the first place in their love.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Cross-references

James 4:4 You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Colossians 3:1 Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
1 John 5:4 because everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith.
John 15:19 If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.
1 John 3:17 If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?
1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
Galatians 1:10 Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.