1Jn 2:25-2:29 - Call to Righteousness

Calvin

2:25: "We cannot live otherwise than by nourishing to the end the seed of life sown in our hearts." The beginning and the fulfillment - both are found in Christ.
2:26: John's readers are advised to pursue the Holy Spirit's guidance. While they have been diligent in learning, and John in teaching, without the Holy Spirit, it's all in vain. The good pastor not only gathers his flock, but also protects them from the wolves of falsehood.
2:27: John does not suggest that teachers are unnecessary in the church, but that what he taught was no new thing, being that which the Holy Spirit would easily confirm within them. Such is how teaching ought to be, not trying to conjure up new excitements, but affirming God's own teaching. No matter how sound our understanding, still we should stand warned by this passage to a greater confirmation of what we have learned, and against that which doesn't agree with it. God alone can confirm doctrine to us, or correct that which is in error. The Holy Spirit serves to confirm truth to our hearts, and to reveal lies. As the Spirit abides in us, so we ought to abide in His revelations to us. We must retain a true knowledge of Christ, or we cannot go to God at all
2:28: This illumination of the Spirit builds faith, perseverance and confidence in God's children. "...faith is not a naked and frigid apprehension of Christ, but a lively and real sense of His power, which produces confidence." Those who insist on their vices cannot but attempt to hide themselves from God - finding a temporary peace for their flesh in willful ignorance of the coming judgement. In contrast, the godly look forward to the tribunal of Christ, and its joyful conclusion for their part.
2:29: Being spiritually born in the image of Christ, we must needs live righteously. Who are we born of? God. But in which person? Calvin accepts the possibility that we are born of Christ, but footnotes point out a lack of Scriptural support for this, noting that the new birth is always ascribed to the Father, or to the Holy Spirit. They deduce that in this case the reference is to the Father.

Matthew Henry

2:25-2:27: Continuing in discussions of support for sound doctrine: Those who hold to sound doctrine gain the promise of eternal life. God so values His Son that He is pleased to extend this promise to all who continue in His Son's truth. The letter serves to fortify its readers against deception, but those who discount Scripture's worth will find it to be in vain. (Hos 8:12 - Having been given the clear record of the Law, it availed them not who would not regard it.) Sound doctrine is sealed to the true believer by the grace of the Holy Spirit, who imparts discernment to His charges. (2Co 1:21 - God's messengers are sent and sealed by God.) The anointing is durable and abiding - lingering like oil, not evaporating like water. It remains with us to protect against temptations. Further, the anointing teaches us beyond what our human teachers can impart in the things of God - not replacing the God-instituted office of teacher, but surpassing it. (Job 36:22 - none can teach like God can.) That which is taught by the anointing of the Holy Spirit must be true, for the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth (Jn 14:17 - which Spirit abides with us.) The anointing serves to restrain us from seductive excesses - causing us to abide in Christ, securing us in sound understanding, and restraining us from revolt. (2Co 1:22 - the Spirit is in our hearts as a pledge, to seal us to Christ.)
2:28-2:29: Love constrains the teacher to urge perseverance. The anointed are given great privileges, but those privileges come with obligations - the chief of which is to persevere in Christ against all adversity. Perseverance will give us to be joyful at Christ's return. When He first came, He came as it were privately, revealing Himself to a [relative] few. When He returns, all shall see Him - either to their joy or to their regret. (Mk 8:38 - those who were ashamed of Christ, and departed His way will be declared a shame by Christ at His return.) Knowing that Christ is righteous, we who follow Him must out of allegiance, obedience, and loyalty to Him, do those things of righteousness that His Gospel presents. As His abiding presence renews us, it renews us for a purpose (Eph 2:10 - we are in Christ Jesus to do those good works God has fore-ordained for us. 1Co 1:30 - By His doing we are in Christ, our wisdom, righteousness and redemption.) It is a great privilege to be born of the eternal Father, as are we children of God. (Jn 1:12 - in receiving [and clinging to] Christ, we have become sons of God.)

Adam Clarke

2:25: God promised eternal life to all who believe on Christ, receiving His doctrine, and continuing in communion with the Father and the Son.
2:26: "These things" may be the entire letter, or the immediately preceding section starting at verse 18. The seducers are those who work deception within the church, attempting to pervert it.
2:27: The idea is not that they should reject all teachers now that the Holy Spirit was available to them, but that they should reject all teachers whose teaching was not confirmed thereby. No man can ever be in a state that no longer requires the Gospel ministry, those who think they have display proof of never learning at all. The Holy Spirit's teaching is truth because He is the Spirit of truth (Jn 16:13 - sent to guide us into all truth, speaking what he hears of Christ.) His truth can neither deceive, nor be deceived.
2:28: Remain in communion with the Father and the Son. When He returns, we may have liberty of access and boldness "from a conviction that our cause is good." Nor should we be bemused to find some who appeared to be Christ's departing from His congregation.
2:29: Knowing God is holy, we know that those who walk in holiness must be partakers of His divine nature, without which such a walk would be impossible. Regarding our high titles, such as children of God, born of God, heirs of God, etc., a large commentary section follows: 1) the titles were originally given to the Israelites (Ex 19:3 - sons of Israel, Dt 14:1 - sons of God, Ex 4:22 - Israel the firstborn of God, Ge 18:10 - born of Isaac, who was supernaturally begotten by Abraham, Ro 9:7 - Abraham not being the point, but Isaac through whom his descendants are named.) Ishmael is excluded. The children of God are those fit to be physical representatives of the invisible church. 2) Believers become true sons of God not by natural descent, nor by declarations by other believers, but only by God's declaration on account of faith and holiness produced by regeneration through the Holy Spirit. 3) If the Israelites could claim the title because of Isaac's supernaturally begotten state, moreso the believers who are themselves begotten of God, and partake of His nature. 4) As with Israel, the titles were bestowed en masse in NT times, not declaring anything about the character of its members, but taking account only of their role as visible church. Only when applied to individuals do the titles take on a greater significance. In group application, these referred to the rights of the body members to partake of the benefits of the visible church. In personal application, the implication is that here are true partakers of God's nature, true believers, true objects of His love and heirs of His glory.

Barnes

2:25: The promise of eternal life is not given for any accomplishment or title of our own, but is rather given to those who repent, believe, and lead a holy life. (Jn 17:2 - The Father gave the Son authority to give all of His eternal life. Ro 2:6-7 - God rewards according to our deeds, reserving eternal life for those who do good for His glory. Mk 16:16 - the baptized believers shall be saved. Mt 25:46 - the righteous go on to eternal life.)
2:26: We are warned of the character of those who attempt to lead us astray into error to guard us.
2:27: True Christians - thanks to the anointing upon them as kings and priests unto God - cannot fall away into error, no matter the wiles of the seducers. The influence of the Holy Spirit on our actions consecrates us and teaches us all that is essential to true religion even as He protects us from following after error, for no man is led to error by the Holy Spirit, who causes us to abide in Christ.
2:28: We abide in Christ until His return (Jn 14:2-3 - He will come again to bring us to Him.) Our boldness on that day will be due to our being prepared for heaven and assured in our God-given piety, not overwhelmed by His coming, as will be those who have followed false hopes. (Mk 8:32 - Jesus speaks boldly and plainly to the apostles, Jn 7:4 - His brothers tell Him to speak openly. Jn 7:13 - but the public at large wouldn't speak out due to fear of reprisals, Jn 7:26 - then being amazed when Jesus speaks boldly without such reprisals. Ac 2:29 - Peter speaks confidently, Ac 4:13 - Peter and John show confidence, Ac 4:29 - and pray for further boldness. 2Co 3:12 - Paul is bold in speech because of the hope within him. 2Co 7:4 - and is confident of their condition.) Shame will come to those who at the judgement find their true selves exposed (Mt 7:21-23 - the goats.) but the true believer shall never be ashamed (1Pe 2:6 - the believer shall not be disappointed. Isa 45:17 - Those saved by God will not be put to shame for all eternity! Ro 5:5 - hope does not disappoint. 1Pe 4:16 - even in suffering, the believer is not ashamed. Mk 8:38 - those who are ashamed of Christ will find Him ashamed of them.)
2:29: This more properly says "knowing that He is righteous...". Only the truly righteous can be considered children of God - it's not by church membership or some such. None that are not truly righteous can lay claim to being God's child. Test: 1) are we unjust or dishonest? Then we are not His. 2) Do we indulge our sins? Then we are not His. 3) visions, zeal, fervent prayer, superb preaching - none of these prove anything unless they accompany a righteous life. 4) Do we do right toward God, neighbor, family and self? Then we are truly His children, and no matter when He comes, or what may happen, we will welcome His arrival and rejoice that we go to join Him forever!

Wycliffe

2:25: Eternal life and the abiding of the Holy Spirit are synonymous.
2:26-2:27: Seducers habitually try to lead us astray. The anointing of the present Holy Spirit teaches us continuously, and all obverse teaching should be shunned. Abiding may be a statement of the present state or a command that it become so. (Jn 5:39 - "You search" is a statement of present state. Jn 12:19 - "You see" is a statement of present state. Jn 14:1 - "You be not troubled" is a command that it become so. Jn 15:18 - "You know" is ambiguous - could go either way. Jn 15:27 - "You bear witness" is a command to do so.)
2:28: Abide: keep His commandments. Abiding results in confidence - freedom of speech and readiness to speak - and no shame - not shrinking away from Him as if guilty. His coming is generally considered as joined with His judging (Mt 24:3 - His coming and the end of the age are points of curiosity to the Apostles, Mt 24:27 - It will come like lightning, Mt 24:37 - like the days of Noah. 1Co 15:23 - Christ comes, and then the end. 1Th 2:19 - We will be present at His coming, 1Th 3:13 - who establishes us unblamably holy before God, 1Th 5:23 - by means of our sanctification - spirit, soul, and body. Jas 5:7-8 - We are to wait patiently for His coming.)
2:29: Christ is righteous. Those whose habit is to do righteousness are begotten of God. Of the Son? If so, it's the only such reference in Scripture. More likely, John shifts gears between Son and Father, of which there is sufficient evidence in his writings.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

2:25: Eternal life is the promised consummation of abiding in Christ (Jn 3:15 - whoever believes may have eternal life. Jn 3:36 - believers have eternal life. Jn 6:40 - which is the Father's will. Jn 6:47 - believers have eternal life. Jn 6:57 - we live by Christ. Jn 17:2-3 - the giving of eternal life is in Jesus' authority.)
2:26: He writes concerning those who try to lead us into error.
2:27: By contrast, the believers stand firm in the anointing received of God. (Jn 1:16 - we receive of His fulness.) The 'we don't need teachers' is to be directed at those who attempt to seduce. (Jer 31:34 - direct knowledge of God will obviate the need for teaching. Jn 6:45 - the prophets spoke of us being taught of God. Jn 16:13 - the Holy Spirit guides us into truth.) God is sufficient, although wisdom will not decline faithful counsel. The anointing came once for all time, and abides to teach us all that is pertinent to salvation. We don't receive the Spirit in fullness here, but only what is needful to keep us on track. Neither is the Church infallible, but is kept from complete loss of truth. Abiding in Him may well have been a command.
2:28: all believers are to abide in Christ until such time as his return becomes manifest, so that we won't shrink from Him, but will come to Him with boldness.
2:29: Righteousness is the seal of God's children, and love is chosen in particular as the attribute of righteousness to discuss. Righteous begets righteous - His righteousness being "the divine energy by whose power God wills and does all things conformable to His eternal law..." God being righteous is the source of all righteousness. Therefore when we see somebody doing righteously, we know from that that he has been born of God - not that the righteous doing is a precondition of our rebirth, but it is a proof of that rebirth having already occurred. (Lk 7:47-50 - the woman's love showed that her sins were already forgiven - it wasn't required as a prerequisite for forgiveness.)

New Thoughts

How did John pack so much into such a short space? I feel as though I understand that 'no teachers' part better now. More like, we don't need teachers that are going to try and teach us things that God Himself doesn't teach. We can always stand to have things reinforced by repetition and exposition on God's themes. But if it collides with what the Spirit says - what the Word reveals - then it needs to be discarded. And the endpoint of this section: whether test or badge, it remains painful, doesn't it? God, it's so hard to be as You would have us be. Of course, it's impossible at it's core, but for You. Still, I long to see more of Your righteousness in my life, more of Your love evident in my dealings with those around me. Do I long to see Your glory? Yes. No. I want all that You have for me. I want to want no more than that. You've shown me Your salvation, Your Son. I've seen such of Your glory as You've found me able to comprehend. You've taught me well, and equipped me well to learn. You've blessed me with insights both in the things of religion and the things of labor. But Lord, I need change. I'll always need change, I know, but sooner would surely be better. Do I wish to abandon myself? Only to You. There's abandonment and then there's abandonment. I surely wish to be free and bold in my love for You, but I don't wish to become so free that I no longer test what's being given to me. That would go against Your own counsel. Father, lead us. Lead us in balance, help us to be just as free as You desire, and no more so. Especially as we serve You in Your house, Lord. Keep us out of our flesh, direct us as You see fit, and make us to be sure of Your leading. Let our lives show us and those around us the truth, and let the truth show that we are Yours indeed. Lord, hear my prayer.