Chapter 13 - Jesus Christ the Righteous Man
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. - 1 John 2:1
Introduction:
In chapters 5, 6, and 7, we discussed the depravity of man—that all humanity has broken God’s law (Rom. 3:20), inherited sin from Adam (Rom. 5:12), does no good (Rom. 3:12), and that no one is righteous (Rom. 3:10). In the previous articles, we also discussed the divine nature of Jesus Christ: His pre-existence, His situation, and His identity as both God and man.
In this post, we will focus on the other nature of Jesus Christ—His humanity. If all humans have broken the law, are unrighteous, and have inherited Adam’s sin, how is it that Jesus, who is also fully man, is sinless and the only human who is righteous? The author of 1 John gives us the answer:
“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1 John 2:1)
The apostle’s message is clear: if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ. But what does it mean that Jesus is our Advocate, and how does this explain His sinlessness?
The original Greek word for advocate is παράκλητος (paraklētos). According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, it means: “one who pleads another’s cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant.¹”
To make this clearer, let us consider three important points:
1. Humanity is guilty before the Judge (the Father).
2. Humanity needs someone who is not guilty—a perfect, sinless representative.
3. What did this Advocate do so that sinners may be declared righteous?
I. Humanity Is Guilty Before the Judge
This is undeniably true. The Bible clearly teaches that we have all broken God’s law and are unrighteous. When we die, we will face the Judge on our appointed day (Heb. 9:27), and God will judge us according to our works.
Romans 2:5–6 says:
“But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works.”
This shows that everyone will be judged, and no one can escape. So, how can we have hope of salvation from God’s judgment? This leads us to the next point.
II. Humanity Needs an Advocate Who Is Sinless
Even in the Old Testament, God’s people longed for an advocate. Job expressed this hope when he cried for someone to plead his case before God (Job 16:19–21).
The prophet Isaiah also foretold the work of the coming Advocate:
Isaiah 53:12
“Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.”
This shows that even in the Old Testament, God’s people were anticipating a perfect representative—a lawyer who could defend them before God’s judgment. But logically, such an Advocate must be sinless, perfect, and holy in order to meet God’s righteous standard. Jesus Christ alone fulfills this requirement.
David Guzik explains in his commentary:
“Jesus Christ the righteous means that Jesus is fully qualified to serve as our Advocate, because He Himself is sinlessly perfect. He has passed heaven’s bar exam and is qualified to represent clients in heaven’s court of law.²”
Matthew Henry also comments:
“He has been righteous to the death, righteous for them; he has brought in everlasting righteousness. This the Judge will not deny.³”
The point is clear: Christ is the perfect Advocate for His people. He is sinless (1 John 3:5), equal with the Father in divine nature, and the only One qualified to represent us. Because of Him, His people will be declared “not guilty” on the day of judgment.
III. What Did the Advocate Do for Sinners?
The answer is found in 1 John 2:2:
“He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”
Our Advocate, the Lord Jesus Christ, is the propitiation—meaning He absorbed God’s wrath to so that we can have peace with God. He drank the cup of God’s wrath fully (Luke 22:42), leaving nothing behind, so that sinners who believe in Him might have peace with God (Rom. 3:25).
By shedding His blood, Jesus fully paid the wages of sin (1 Pet. 1:18–19). On the cross, He bore the curse of His people by becoming curse himself(Gal. 3:13) and took their sin upon Himself, so that His righteousness could be given to them (2 Cor. 5:21).
Conclusion
There is no hope of salvation apart from Jesus Christ. We are all sinners condemned by our sin, and without Christ, our perfect Advocate, we can never be saved. Our works cannot save us—they only bring death and destruction (Titus 3:5; Eph. 2:8–9).
The only right response to this good news is repentance and faith. My friend, if you rely on good works to bring you to God, know that this is not biblical. Jesus did not intercede for the righteous, because none are righteous. He interceded for sinners who put their faith in Him.
It is not yet too late, while you are still breathing—“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom. 10:13).
References:
¹ Thayer’s Greek Lexicon
² David Guzik Commentary (BLB App)
³ Matthew Henry Commentary (BLB App)
Authored by: Chris John Apinan