The last phrase of John's letter is written as if in passing, but from the fact that it is saved for last one can conclude that for the apostle it is especially important. Perhaps the issue here is not only pagan statues. Anything can become an idol, even harmless things, if they obscure Christ. Therefore, even after assimilating the full depth of the instructions of the Lord's beloved disciple, one must guard oneself against seemingly harmless "little things" that, like a speck in the eye or a pebble in the shoe, can cause an injury that takes a long time to heal.
Other notes
For Jo1 5:21
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. |
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For Jo1 5:6-21
6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. |
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. |
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. |
9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. |
10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. |
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. |
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. |
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. |
14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: |
15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. |
16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. |
17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. |
18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. |
19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. |
20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. |
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. |
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