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Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Eastern.

In Lesson 42 we are going to study the first part of 1 John 2:16. We will cover the other two parts in upcoming lessons.

Let’s read our verse:

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh...

Now, let’s take a look at the definition of the words.

“For” (3754. hoti - Conjunction) means that or because.

“all” (3956. pas) means the whole in terms of the individual parts.

“that is” (3588. ho, hé, to - Article - Nominative Neuter Singular) “in” (1722. en - Preposition) - means among.

“the” (3588. ho, hé, to - Article - Dative Masculine Singular) “world” (2889. kosmos - Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular) means something ordered or an ordered system like the universe or creation. Here, "the world" doesn't refer to the physical planet, but rather a way of thinking and living that is contrary to God's intentions and is shaped by Satanic values. (HELPS Word-studies).

In James 4:4, we read that when someone follows the ways of the world, they become an enemy of God. They are hostile toward God and a friend of the world.

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.

According to 1 John 2:16 there are three parts of the world:

* The lust of the flesh

* The lust of the eyes

* The pride of life

In this part of the verse we are going to study “the lust of the flesh.”

Let’s define the words.

“The lust” (3588. ho, hé, to - Article - Nominative Feminine Singular) (1939. epithumia - Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular) means the desire, eagerness for, passionate longing for, or inordinate desire. This refers to an excessive, unrestrained, or improper longing for something that ultimately leads a person away from God's will or commandments.

“of the flesh” (3588. ho, hé, to - Article - Genitive Feminine Singular) (4561. sarx - Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular) refers to the desires and cravings of the human body for food, water, physical pleasures and sexual gratification.

Human desires and cravings are not inherently sinful; however, they become the lust of the flesh, which is sinful, when those desires and cravings take priority over doing God’s will.

For example, it is not sinful to be hungry and eat, but it becomes the lust of the flesh when this turns into an inordinate desire for food. This excessive desire can lead to gluttony, which is a sin. Gluttony is the overindulgence in food and drink, consuming more than i