By this stage of the first letter of John, so many points are coming and going that it is hard to keep track of where we are. John is producing variations on what he’s already said, and then variations on the variations. Why not just sit back and enjoy what is now familiar music? But just when we might be in danger of thinking, Yes, yes, you’ve said this before, a striking new idea emerges. Everything fathered by God conquers the world. What is this about? Why should we want not just to resist the blandishments of the world but to overcome it?