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1 John 2:28 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
²⁸And now, little children, remain in him, so that when he appears, we may have confidence^[6] and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

^[6] The Greek word (παρρησία parrēsia) literally means freedom of speech or outspokenness. The sense is boldness in being willing to undertake activities that involve risk or danger, primarily being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech.

And now, little children. τεκνίον teknion. This is such language as an aged apostle would be likely to use when addressing a church, and its use in this epistle may be regarded as one evidence that John had reached an advanced period of life when he wrote the epistle.

Remain in him, so that when he appears. In the end of the world, to receive his people to himself. For our encouragement, note this majestic word of John: “We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. 17 By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as he is, so also are we in this world.” (1 John 4:16-17) We must be resolute, unwavering, purposeful, and consistent in our words and deeds, always motivated by true, Godlike love. Even though we are mentally bent toward evil (Gen. 6:5; 8:21) with a treacherous heart (Jer. 7:9) and wrong desires, who stumbles, ‘the wicked one is not touching us,’ causing us to abandon that path of salvation. Rather, by being steadfast in our godly devotion, we ‘remain in union with God and God remains in union with us.’ How encouraging! We can draw comfort in knowing that God is in union with us, on our side, training us, making us strong and resilient, and leading us to the path of salvation. This gives us unshakable confidence and courage. (1 John 2:16; 5:18; see also John 10:27-30; 1 Peter 5:9, 10.) “And now, little children, remain in him.” (1 John 2:28; see also John 17:20-26.) That theme runs throughout John’s letter. We remain in union with God when “we love God and do his commandments.” (1 John 5:2) This requires fortitude, resolve, purpose, and willpower

We may have confidence. Greek, boldness—παῤῥησίαν. This word is commonly used to denote openness, plainness, or boldness in speaking, Mark 8:32; John 7:4, 13, 26; Acts 2:29; 4:13, 29; 2 Cor. 3:12; 7:4. Here, it means the kind of boldness, or calm assurance, which arises from evidence of piety, and of preparation for heaven. It means that they would not be overwhelmed and confounded at the coming of the Savior by its being then found that all their hopes were fallacious.

And not be ashamed before him at his coming. By having all our hopes taken away, by being held up to the universe as guilty and condemned. We feel ashamed when our hopes are disappointed; when it is shown that we have a character different from what we professed to have; when our pretensions to goodness are stripped off, and the heart is made bare. Many will thus be ashamed in the last day (Matt. 7:21–23;) but it is one of the promises made to those who truly believe on the Savior that they shall never be ashamed or confounded. See Notes on 1 Pet. 2:6. Comp. Isa. 45:17; Rom. 5:5; 1 Pet. 4:16; Mark 8:38.

By Albert Barnes and Edward D. Andrews