What is the context?
The closing affirmations return to birth from God, protection from the evil one, and the understanding given by the Son. Knowing the true God and having eternal life belong to the same life in Christ announced at the beginning.
The final warning against idols protects that allegiance. The contrast is between the true God made known through His Son and anything that takes His place. Protection from the evil one is not a promise that believers will never face temptation, suffering, or the need to heed warnings.
How is this passage commonly understood?
The BSB prints the One born of God protecting the believer and notes alternative readings involving self-protection or God’s protection. Wesley follows the self-keeping reading and stresses watchful prayer. The main text above should remain distinct from his explanation of a different reading.
Wesley understands the true God and eternal life in verse 20 as referring to Jesus, together with the Father and Spirit. He also extends the warning about idols to inward attachments loved or feared above God. The closing thus concerns both confessing who Jesus is and guarding the life that belongs to Him.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.