Bible Strands
1 John 2:17
The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The elder John writes to a community in the "last hour" (2:18), where antichrists have already appeared and believers face the temptation to conform to the world's values (2:16).
The words — Παραγέται (paragetai, "is passing away") is present tense, marking an ongoing process rather than a future event. Ἐπιθυμία (epithumia, "desire") collapses the triple list of v.16—flesh, eyes, pride—into a single category.
The thread — 1 Corinthians 7:31 uses the same verb with the same "present form" qualifier, and Matthew 24:35 sets the passing of heaven and earth against the permanence of Jesus' words.
Why it lands — It forces a binary: the world and its desires are in the process of ending, so the only stable allegiance is to God's will. The reader must decide which side of that line they are on.
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
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Cross-references
- Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
- 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.
- 1 Corinthians 7:31 and those who use the things of this world, as if not dependent on them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
- 1 Peter 4:2 Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God.
- Hebrews 10:36 You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.
- Mark 3:35 For whoever does the will of God is My brother and sister and mother.”
- Isaiah 40:6 A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field.
- 1 Peter 1:24 For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,
- John 10:28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.
- Psalms 143:10 Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.