Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
Verse 21. Little children. This is a favourite mode of address with John, (,) and it was proper to use it in giving his parting counsel; embracing, in fact, all that he had to say--that they should keep themselves from idols, and suffer nothing to alienate their affections from the true God.
Little children, keep yourselves from idols, Amen. From Heathen idols and idolatry, into which the saints in those times might be liable to be drawn, by reason of their dwelling among Heathen idolaters, and being related to them, and by the too great freedom used in eating things sacrificed to idols in their temples; and from all other idols that might be introduced by some...
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. (19) He expresses a plain precept of taking heed of idols: which he contrasts with the only true God, that with this seal he might seal up all the former doctrine.