1 John : The Message of Eternal Life in Us

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Author: the Apostle JohnDate written: 90-95 ADBackground: Although 1 John lacks explicit reference to city or region, it is most likely that John is speaking to problems that have arisen in the churches over which he has some jurisdiction. These may well include those congregations to whom he addressed part of the book of Revelation-Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodecia (Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary).

John writes his contributions to the canon of Scripture some thirty to thirty-five years after the other inspired books of the New Testament had been written by Peter and Paul. Those men had passed off the scene some thirty years or so past. Now at last John writes, after having known and proved Christ for sixty years. Apostasy was rampant, for there were many antichrists, when John wrote his Gospel and Epistles. What is the remedy for this widespread apostate teaching? Back to the beginning, back to Christ, is the answer. Some fifty times in these Epistles John refers to the past. Ten times there is the word “beginning”, nine times referring to Christ during His life and death. John, who was with the Lord from the very first, is the very last to write. It seems as if he, who knew and loved the Lord so intimately and deeply, is set to guard His glory and the infinite worth of the Person of our blessed Lord, against the fearful departure from the truth of God. John tells us that in the last hour—even a stronger expression than the “last days”—only Christ can still fill the bill.August Van RynIntroduction: The First Epistle of John

Unlike the Gospel of John, which was written for the expressed purpose of making believers out of its readers (20:30, 31), the First Epistle of John was written to those already believing. This epistle presumes the life appropriated by faith in the Savior set forth in the Gospel (Hamartiological Problems in First John, W. Robert Cook, Bibliotheca Sacra).

The purpose of the epistle:1) Remind the believers of the eternal life that they possessed through Christ (1 John

5:11-14)2) Unmask those unbelievers/false teachers who claimed to have eternal life, but did not

(1 John 3:4-10 among others)

Introduction: Eternal life definedVine’s Expository Dictionary:

is used in the NT "of life as a principle, life in the absolute sense, life as God has it, that which the Father has in Himself, and which He gave to the Incarnate Son to have in Himself, Joh_5:26, and which the Son manifested in the world, 1Jo_1:2. From this life man has become alienated in consequence of the Fall, Eph_4:18, and of this life men become partakers through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Joh_3:15, who becomes its Author to all such as trust in Him, Act_3:15, and who is therefore said to be 'the life' of the believer, Col_3:4, for the life that He gives He maintains, Joh_6:35, Joh_6:63. Eternal life is the present actual possession of the believer because of his relationship with Christ, Joh_5:24; 1Jo_3:14, and that it will one day extend its domain to the sphere of the body is assured by the Resurrection of Christ, 2Co_5:4; 2Ti_1:10.

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Eternal life is the life of Christ Himself which has been given to every believer as a result of the new birth; and is that which satisfies us and manifests Christ in our walk. It is more than salvation for our sins and escape from the lake of fire. It is the basis for our fellowship and our abiding in the Son and the Father and will carry over into our time in eternity.

Joh 4:13 Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, Joh 4:14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."

Joh 6:35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Joh 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

Joh 20:31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 2Co 4:8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 2Co 4:9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—2Co 4:10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

Col 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Col 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Col 3:3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Col 3:4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

2Ti 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

1Jn 5:11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 1Jn 5:12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Key themes in 1 John:-light

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-love-righteousness-fellowship: to share in common, partaking, intimacy-abide: to rest, to remain, to become as one (John 17:20-26), to be at home-knowing: to come to know as a result of experience-born: the new birth, our regeneration as a result of our faith in Christ-life: eternal life as opposed to physical life, which is Christ-confidence: boldness, assurance

Eternal Life manifested in the person of Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry1Jn 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen

with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—*beginning (arche/746): origin, first place, principality

-What beginning is John referring to here? The context seems to indicate the beginning of the ministry of Christ’s time here on the earth in which He was manifested as Eternal Life.

*we have heard (akouo/191): to hear and to understand*we have seen (horao/3708): to see with the eyes in order to become acquainted with

Both of the previous verbs are perfect active indicative. John is emphasizing not only the completed action of what he heard and saw, but the results/impact which continued until the time of this writing.

*we have looked upon (theaomai/2300): to look upon as one would view a parade (as an event)

*handled (pselaphao/5584): to handle, touch and feel-aorist active indicative (historical)

Both of these are aorist indicative emphasizing the historical nature of the events. It really happened.

*word (logos/3056): a word, what someone has said, discourse, doctrine, teaching; the Divine Expression

-1 John 1:10; 2:5, 7, 14; 3:18; 5:7

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Joh 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

*life (zoe/2222): see the Introduction-1 John 1:2; 2:25; 3:14, 15; 5:11, 12, 13, 16, 20

Joh 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

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John, speaking from his personal experience during Christ’s earthly ministry, was witness to eternal life as it was manifested through the person of Jesus Christ; what he heard, what he saw, what he touched.

1Jn 1:2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—*manifested (phaneroo/5319): to make manifest or visible or known what has been hidden or unknown, to manifest, whether by words, or deeds, or in any other way

-aorist passive indicative (historical)

*seen (horao/3708): see verse 1*bear witness (martureo/3140): to be a witness, to bear witness, i.e. to affirm that one has seen or heard or experienced something*declare (apaggello/518): to proclaim, to make known openly

Just as the Gospel depicts eternal life in Christ, so the Epistles of John have for their topic eternal life in us, who believe in Jesus. In the opening verses of the First Epistle John reminds us that eternal life originally was only found in Christ and manifested in His life on earth (thus the first two verses of the Epistle are a brief summary of the whole Gospel of John); and then shows us that because we believe on Him, we possess that same divine life and nature, for our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ—ver. 3. Then the remainder of the Epistle is taken up to show how that same life now is in us, and is by us to be manifested also (August Van Ryn).

The purpose of the Epistle: Fellowship with the Father and the Son1Jn 1:3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have

fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. *that (hina/2443): purpose/result*fellowship (koinonia/2842): fellowship, association, community, communion, joint

participation, the share which one has in anything, participation, intimacy

John’s purpose in writing this epistle is so that the believers (every believer) may experience eternal life and fellowship with the Father and the Son. He is not writing for them to evaluate whether they are saved or not, that has already been established (he calls them children in 2:1). But he wants to assure them that they already possess eternal life and to encourage them to fellowship with and abiding in the Son.

1Jn 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

1Jn 1:4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. *that (hina/2233): purpose*joy (chara/5479): joy, gladness, delight (John 17:13; Romans 14:17; 15:13; 2 Corinthians 7:4 (in tribulation); 8:2; Colossians 1:11; Hebrews 12:2; James 1:2; 1 Peter 1:8)

-This joy is completely unknown to the unbeliever, never found in circumstances (in fact, it is a joy that is to abound in the face of difficult circumstances) and cannot be experienced by a believer while he is carnal.

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Joh 15:11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

*full (pleroo/4137): to make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full; to cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally

The Conditions of Fellowship with Him who is Eternal Life1Jn 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that

God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. The light mentioned in this verse is the Greek word “phos” without the definite article indicating a quality or nature of light. The Father (and the Son) is perfect light.

Joh 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

1Ti 6:13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate,

1Ti 6:14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing,

1Ti 6:15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

1Ti 6:16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

1Jn 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. *say (epo/2036): to speak*we have (echo/2192): to possess, to own

- present active subjunctive*fellowship (koinonia/2842): communion, joint participation, to share in common, intimacy*walk (peripateo/4043): to conduct one’s life

-present active subjunctive*lie (pseudomai/5574): in the middle voice, we lie or deceive ourselves*darkness (skotos/4655): of night darkness, of darkened eyesight or blindness; of ignorance

respecting divine things

*If we claim to be enjoying eternal life with the Father but walk in darkness, we are lying to ourselves.

1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.*if: we may or may not walk in the light*walk (peripateo/4043): to conduct one’s life

-present active subjunctive*in the light as He is in the light: it doesn’t say that we become the light, but rather that we are walking in the light that the Father has provided as a part of eternal life*we have (echo/2192): to possess, to own

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-present active indicative*fellowship: association, community, communion, joint participation, the share which one has in anything, participation, intimacy*with one another: possibly other believers, but more likely the Father and the Son*cleanses (katharizo/2511): to make clean, to free from defilement of sin

-present active indicative (continuous action)*sin (harmatia/266): to miss the mark; noun without the definite article indicating quality or nature (see 1:8 for the same use)

*But if we are walking in the light of eternal life, there are two results: we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ is continually cleansing us from all sin (sin without the definite article indicating a quality or nature of sin/see 1:8). The cleansing is simultaneous with the believer that is in fellowship. Christ’s propitious work is being applied here to the believer who is abiding in eternal life.

It is the blood of Christ which allows for and maintains our fellowship. This answers the question: How can sinful man have fellowship with a sinless God who is light (verse 5)? Only by the blood of Christ!

See Scofield Note, Walking in the Light, p. 1704.

In his article, Cook points out some differences between verses seven and nine:

*Verse seven speaks of the blood cleansing from all sin (singular, without the definite article) as a result of walking in the light, while verse nine speaks of God forgiving particular acts of sin (plural, with the article) and cleansing from all righteousness as a result of confession.

*Verse seven does not mention forgiveness, but rather just cleansing indicating that it is defilement caused by the sin nature, whereas verse nine deals with cleansing and defilement caused by sinful acts.

The blood of Christ:Mat 26:28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the

remission of sins.

Act 20:28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Rom 3:24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Rom 3:25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,

Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

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Rom 5:9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

Eph 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Col 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, Col 1:20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth

or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

Heb 9:21 Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry.

Heb 9:22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

Heb 9:23 Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

Heb 9:24 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;

Heb 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,

Heb 10:20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,

Rev 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,

Oh! precious is the flow

That makes me white as snow,

No other fount I know,

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

What can wash away my sin?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus,

What can make me whole again?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. *deceive (planao/4105): to cause to lead away from truth

*Verses 7 and 8 are paired together by subject as 9 and 10 are paired together. The word ‘sin’ here is the same grammatical construction as in verse 7 (without the definite article indicating the principle/nature of sin). If we claim not to have a sin principle in us, even as a result of Christ’s work on the cross, we deceive ourselves (we have strayed from the truth).

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1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. *confess (homolegeo/3670): to say the same thing, to agree with

-present active subjunctive*faithful (pistos/4103): trustworthy*just (dikaios/1342): righteous, right*to (hina/2443): indicating purpose; He is faithful and just for the purpose of forgiving us our sins*forgive (aphiemi/863): to send away, to let go, to forgive a debt

-aorist active subjunctive

Our sins, which we commit as children, become a barrier to our fellowship with the Father and the Son. They are removed when we confess them; sent away never to be brought up again.

*cleanse (katharizo/2511): to make clean, to free from defilement of sin and faults-aorist active subjunctive

*unrighteousness (adikia/93): iniquity, moral wrongness, unjust, not right-Rom. 6:13; 1 John 5:17

*What is to be our response when we are convicted of sins? We are to confess, meaning that we agree with God, we take His evaluation of our sins. And when we do agree with Him, it is on the basis of His faithfulness and righteousness that He forgives our sins.*Also notice the two characteristics of the Father; He is faithful (He doesn’t forsake us even if we sin) and He is just or righteous which legally allows Him to forgive us and cleanse us based on the blood of Christ.

Notice that the forgiveness is for the sins that we are confessing and that the cleansing is for the accompanying unrighteousness. Possibly the unrighteousness is the damage caused by the sins that we committed.

1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. *sinned (harmartano/264): to miss the mark, to miss or wander from the path of uprightness

-perfect active indicative-not sinned in the past, with the result that we are not sinning now

*If, however, we deny that we have committed any act of sin at all, we are stating that the Father is a liar and His word is obviously not operating within us.

There is no fellowship apart from the person and work of Jesus Christ:*It is His blood which satisfies the Father’s holiness (2:2) and provides us with

restoration to fellowship (1:9) and that which maintains our fellowship with the Father and the Son (1:7).

*It is His work as our Advocate, on the basis of His blood, that keeps us secure when we are out of fellowship (2:1).

The Person and Work of Jesus Christ as the basis for our fellowship.

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1Jn 2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. *little children (teknion/5040): referring to all believers*that (hina/2443): with the subjunctive form of sin, indicates a purpose clause. John is writing these things so that these believers may not commit an act of sin, but rather would be abiding.*you may not sin (harmartano/264): to miss the mark, to miss or wander from the path of uprightness

-aorist active subjunctive-aorist indicates an act of sin

*if: 3rd class conditional sentence, may or may not happen*sins (harmartano/264): to miss the mark, to miss or wander from the path of uprightness

-aorist active subjunctive*we have (echo/2192): own, possess

-present active indicative (continuously, Jesus never stops being our advocate)*Advocate (parakletos/3875): summoned, called to one’s side, especially called to one’s aid;

one who pleads another’s cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate; an intercessor

*with (pros/4314): to, towards, facing

Notice that our Advocate is Jesus Christ the righteous. It is good to have a righteous Defender. When Satan brings some accusation against a believer (Rev. 12:10), the Lord Jesus can point to His finished work on Calvary and say, “Charge that to My account.” (Believer’s Bible Commentary; William MacDonald)

There is something very wonderful in this verse which we should not overlook. It says, “And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father.” It does not say with God, but rather with the Father. He is still our Father even if we sin. This reminds us of the blessed truth that though sin in a believer's life breaks fellowship, it does not break relationship. When a person is born again, he becomes a child of God. God is henceforth his Father, and nothing can ever affect that relationship. A birth is something that cannot be undone. A son may disgrace his father, but he is still a son by the fact of birth (BBC).

In this verse, we see John’s first reference to the believer as being a child or born one of the Father. This is a major theme in this epistle. It is imperative that the believer understand and see ourselves in the light of this truth: we are His born ones, His children. And just as the new born baby experiences life, we can experience eternal life because of regeneration.

1Jn 2:2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world

*Himself: emphasizes that it is Christ alone who is the propitiation for our sins.*propitiation (hilasmos/2434): the means of appeasing, a satisfying sacrifice

-only occurs here and in 1 John 4:10

And the Lord Jesus is not only our Advocate, but He is also the propitiation for our sins. This means that by dying for us, He freed us from the guilt of our sins and restored us to God by providing the needed satisfaction and by removing every barrier to fellowship. God can show mercy to us because Christ has satisfied the claims of justice. It is not often that an advocate (or lawyer) pays for his client's sins; yet that is what our Lord has done, and most remarkable of all, He paid for them by the sacrifice of Himself. (BBC)

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Eternal Life and Obedience1Jn 2:3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.

*by this: if we are keeping His commandments*we know (ginosko/1097): to come to know, to become acquainted with

-present active indicative*we know (ginosko/1097): to come to know, to become acquainted with

-perfect active indicative*keep (tereo/5083): to observe, to attend, to watch

-present active subjunctive with the if (ean) indicates a 3rd class conditional sentence. We may or may not keep His commandments

*commandments (entolas/1785): order, command, precept

-In John, if the plural is used, I believe that he is referring to the general body of instruction for the born one of the Father. If in the singular, based on the context, it is referring to John 13:34 which is thepinnacle for all the rest of the commandments. As the law of Moses is fulfilled in “you shall love one another as yourself” (Rom. 13:8; Gal. 5:14), so the law of Christ is fulfilled in the commandment of “you shall love one another as I have loved you (John 13:34; 2 John 1:5). John is not referring to the commandments given by Moses as the Church is not under the law (Rom. 6:4; Eph. 2:13-16).

Law (of Christ), Summary:

The new "law of Christ" is the divine love, as wrought into the renewed heart by the Holy Spirit (Rom_5:5); (Heb_10:16) and outflowing in the energy of the Spirit, unforced and spontaneous, toward the objects of the divine love; (2Co_5:14-20); (1Th_2:7); (1Th_2:8). It is, therefore, " the law of liberty"; (Jam_1:25); (Jam_2:12) in contrast with the external law of Moses. Moses' law demands love, (Lev_19:18); (Deu_6:5); (Luk_10:27) Christ's law is love; (Rom_5:5); (1Jo_4:7); (1Jo_4:19); (1Jo_4:20) and so takes the place of the external law by fulfilling it; (Rom_13:10); (Gal_5:14). It is the "law written in the heart" under the New Covenant (2 John 1:5, Scofield Bible, p.1711).

This obedience is not a result of our efforts. It is a result of us abiding in the Son and His life being manifested in us in the form of obedience. It is not perfection. But it is in contrast to the lawlessness that is presented in chapter three which is characteristic of the unbeliever.It is by this, by our keeping His commandments that we can presently know through our experience that we know Christ (which is what eternal life is) and continue to know Him. It is by obedience to the word of God that we prove what we claim. If we are abiding, we are bearing fruit. If we are bearing fruit, we must be abiding.

1Jn 2:4 He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

The one claims to know Jesus Christ (which is eternal life/John 17:3) but is not manifesting eternal life is not operating truthfully.

1Jn 2:5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

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*keep (tereo/5083): to observe, to attend, to watch-present active subjunctive

*love of God: the Father’s love for us*is perfected (teleioo/5048): to make complete, to finish, to bring to an end, to accomplish

-perfect (completed action with present results); passive (we receive the action); indicative

-see also 1 John 4:12, 17, 18*we know (ginosko/1097): to come to know, to become acquainted with

-present active indicativeFor the one who is keeping the word of God, the Father’s love for that believer is made complete in him. And it is the Father’s love that gives us the knowledge and the confidence that we are abiding in His Son. By us abiding and responding to His word, we are allowing the love of the Father to work in us and strengthen our fellowship with Him and the Son. The more we walk in His love, the greater our fellowship will be.

According to John God’s love is made complete in the believer:1) If we are keeping His Word (2:5)2) If we are loving one another, then God is abiding in us (4:12)3) If we are abiding in love, then God is abiding in us and us in Him (4:16-17). This will

give us boldness in the day of judgment

1Jn 2:6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. *abides (meno/3306): to remain, abide; in reference to place; to sojourn, tarry; not to

depart; to continue to be present; in reference to condition, to remain as one, not to become another or different

Joh 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

Joh 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Joh 15:6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

Joh 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

Joh 15:8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Joh 15:9 "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.

The word ‘abide’ occurs 23x in 1 John and the vast majority of those uses center on the believer.

*ought (opheilo/3784): an obligation

There are three “oughts” in 1 John:1) We ought to walk as Christ walked (2:6)2) We ought to lay down our lives for the brethren as Christ laid down His life for us

(3:16)3) We ought to love one another as God has loved us (4:11)

If we claim to abide in Christ, we are obligated to walk as He walked (just as the branch is obligated to bear fruit for the Vine/John 15). Our walking as Christ did is a reference to John 13:34 and the new commandment to love one another as He loved us. This follows the truth

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of verse 5 that the love of the Father has been made complete in us. As we are allowing that love to operate within us, it is then that we can love our fellow brethren and fulfill our walk just as Christ did.

The New/Old Commandment1Jn 2:7 Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.

John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

*new (kainos/2537): recently made, fresh, of a new kind, unheard of*old (palaios/3820): old, ancient, of that which was given long ago and remains in force

2Jn 1:5 And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. 2Jn 1:6 This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.

In terms of time, John is not writing to them a commandment that they have never heard before, but one which was first given during Christ’s earthly ministry and has been presented by John many times since.

The commandment of John 13:34 is old (they have heard it for a while), but it is not old (doesn’t wear out or become stale). It is new (in its freshness and application), but it is not new (they have heard it before).

1Jn 2:8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. *again (palin/3825): again, further, on the other hand*new (kainos/2537): recently made, fresh, of a new kind, unheard of*already shining: now shines

John refers to the commandment of John 13:34-35 as both old (as to when it was given) and new (fresh, unprecedented, nothing like it in its truth or application). Just as it was true in our Lord when He walked on the earth, so it is true in us now as those who possess eternal life and is shining through us.

Loving the Brethren13

1Jn 2:9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.

*hates (miseo/3404): to detest-present active participle

*darkness (skotia/4653): darkness due to lack of light, dimness, obscurity, used of ignorance of divine things

-1 John 2:11; 3:13, 15; 4:20

Again, one can claim to be abiding, but if there is hatred they are in darkness.

1Jn 2:10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. *cause for stumbling (skandalon/4625): trap, snare, an impediment to cause one to stumble or fall, an offense

The one who loves his brother is fulfilling the commandment of John 13:34 and is in no way an offense to the brethren. There is nothing negative to the Father’s love flowing through us as we are abiding. As we look at other verses which emphasize His love working in us, we see how critical it is to our walk:

1) By it we operate as bond servants and serve one another (Gal. 5:13)2) It causes us to be filled with the fullness of God (Eph. 3:17-19)3) By it we can operate as body parts together with other believers in the body of Christ

(Eph. 4:15-16)4) It produces us in a sweet smelling aroma to the Father (Eph. 5:2)5) It creates like-minded believers (Phil. 2:2)

1Jn 2:11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. *darkness (skotia/4653): darkness due to lack of light, dimness, obscurity, used of ignorance of divine things*know (eido/1492): see, understand

-perfect active indicative*blinded (tuphloo/5186): to make blind, to blunt the mental discernment, to darken the mind

-aorist active indicative

The one who hates lives in darkness, walks in darkness and is completely ignorant of where he is going.

The different stages of growth in the family of born ones1Jn 2:12 I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His

name's sake. *little children (teknion/5040): reference to all believers, born ones*forgiven (aphiemi/863): to send away, to let go of a debt

-perfect passive indicative

Our sins have been forgiven solely on the basis of the name (person) of Christ.

*for (dia/1223): on account of, the reason by which something is done-literally, because of His name

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As there are different stages of growth in our physical lives (childhood, teenage, adulthood), so there are in our spiritual ones (childhood, young men, fathers).

1. Fathers*you have known Him from the beginning

2. Young men*you have overcome the wicked one*you are strong and the word of God abides in you*stop loving the world system which prevents the love of the Father from abiding

in you3. Young children

*you have known the Father*beware of false teachers; remember the doctrine that you have heard

Three groups are mentioned here and in the following verses indicating various stages of growth:

*fathers: They have come to know Christ with the result that they still know him but from the beginning (of their walks) indicating that they have known him for some time

*young men: It is assumed, though not mentioned, that they also have known Christ, but they also have overcome their spiritual enemy Satan. It is also mentioned in the next verse that they are strong and the word of God is remaining in them. However, John warns them that they cannot continue to value the world’s system with its emphasis on the physical and its lusts.

*infants: It is interesting to see that they also (in spite of their young spiritual age) have come to know Christ. That proves that eternal life is available to all ages of believers. John warns them of their being susceptible to the false teachers.

The Fathers1Jn 2:13 I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the

beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father. *fathers (pater/3962): one advanced in years*known (ginosko/1097): to come to know, to become acquainted with

-perfect active indicative*young men (neaniskos/3495): youth*overcome (nikao/3528): to conquer

-perfect active indicative*wicked one (poneros/4190): the evil one, Satan*little children (paidion/3813): young child, little ones, infants*known (ginosko/1097): to come to know, to become acquainted with

-perfect active indicative

The Young Men: Stay strong and don’t value the world system1Jn 2:14 I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the

beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.

The reason that the young men were strong and overcame the wicked one is because the word of God was abiding in them.

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1Jn 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. *love (agapao/25): to love, to value

-present active imperative (stop loving the world)*world (kosmos/2889): in this context, the world system; world affairs, the aggregate of things earthly;

the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments riches, advantages, pleasures, etc, which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ

If any believer is valuing the world system and its goods, pleasures, etc… the Father’s love cannot be operating in us at the same time. This warning is addressed to the young men.

1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. lust (epithumia/1939): desire (good or bad); longing, desire for what is forbiddenflesh (sarx/4561): body, the nature of man sinful and opposed to Godpride (alazoneia/212): empty, braggart talk; an insolent and empty assurance, which trusts in its own power and resources and shamefully despises and violates divine laws and human rights; an impious and empty presumption which trusts in the stability of earthy thingslife (bios/979): that which refers to the physical life with the emphasis on self and self-glory.

The world system can be summed up in three elements: lust of the flesh (Gal. 5:16; Eph. 2:3), lust of the eyes and the pride of life

The reason love for the world is incompatible with love for God is that everything in the world… comes not from the Father but from the world. The world thus conceived is a system of values and goals from which God is excluded. In describing “everything in the world,” John specified its contents under three well-known phrases that effectively highlight the world’s false outlook. Men of the world live for the cravings of sinful man. “Cravings” translates epithymia, which is used twice in this verse and once in the next verse. The NIV translates it differently each time: “cravings,” “lust,” “desires.” In the New Testament the word usually, though not always, connotes desires that are sinful. The expression “sinful man” translates the Greek sarx (lit., “flesh”). The phrase refers particularly to illicit bodily appetites. The expression the lust (epithymia) of his eyes points to man’s covetous and acquisitive nature. The boasting of what he has and does paraphrases the Greek he alazoneia tou biou (lit., “the pretension of human life”), which signifies a proud and ostentatious way of life. (Alazoneia is used only here in the NT.) Christians ought to have nothing to do with such worldly perspectives as these (Bible Knowledge Commentary).

This age that we live in is a reflection of the world with its temptations:Eph 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, Eph 2:2 in which you once walked according to the course (age) of this world, according

to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 16

2Ti 4:10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world (age), and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.

The wisdom of the world is absurdity in comparison to the wisdom of God which is based on Jesus Christ and His crucifixion on the cross for us:

1Co 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "HE CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR OWN CRAFTINESS";

1Co 3:20 and again, "THE LORD KNOWS THE THOUGHTS OF THE WISE, THAT THEY ARE FUTILE."

1Co 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

1Co 1:22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 1Co 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks

foolishness,

Through Christ’s work on the cross for us (and our identification with it through the baptism of the Spirit), we have been spiritually severed from the world so that we are no longer enslaved by its system (but we can still choose to value it).

Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

The believer’s attitude toward this world should see us merely borrowing the items here, using them and then letting go was we walk as pilgrims with our eyes on eternity.

1Co 7:31 and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away.

-use: borrow, to touch lightly or maintain a light grip-abuse: to use excessively, to use up or consume

1Ti 6:6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 1Ti 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing

out.

1Ti 6:17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

1Ti 6:18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,

1Ti 6:19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

As His children, we are to walk in the light and allow Him to shine His light through us to those enslaved in a dark world.

Php 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

Php 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Php 2:14 Do all things without complaining and disputing,

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Php 2:15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

Php 2:16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

Through the new birth and the divine nature, the Lord has provided us the resources so that we may flee from the downward spiraling decay of the world system and its lusts.

2Pe 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,

2Pe 1:3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

2Pe 1:4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Because they are “partakers” (KJV) of God’s nature, Christians can share in His moral victory over sin in this life and share in His glorious victory over death in eternal life. Because of the promise of the new birth (1Pe_1:3), the promise of God’s protecting power (1Pe_1:5), and the promise of God’s enabling power (2Pe_1:3), believers can “participate in the divine nature,” that is, become more like Christ (cf. Rom_8:9; Gal_2:20). In addition they can escape the corruption (phthoras, “moral decay”) in the world (cf. 2Pe_2:20; 1Jn_2:15-17) caused by evil desires (epithymia, lit., “lust”) (Bible Knowledge

Commentary).

1Jn 2:17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. *The world system and its lusts are passing away (it is in the passive voice, meaning that it is being forced to pass away), but the one who does the will of God has eternal value. This emphasizes the temporary nature and value of the world system compared to the eternal nature and value of the things that the believer does down here while abiding.

The Little Children: Beware of false teachers1Jn 2:18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist

is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. *little children (paidion/3813): young child, little ones, infants*hour (hora/5610): hour, day, season, time (see Jude 1:18)*antichrist (antichristos/500): literally; against Christ or instead of Christ

Remembering that this was written at the end of the 1st century, it is incredible how quickly error was disseminated among the Church. And up to the appearance of the Antichrist (by

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which time the Church will have been raptured), there will be no shortage of those who appear rejecting the truth and upholding themselves as the answer.

1Jn 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. *they went out from us: the false teachers physically left the assembly*they were not of us: unbelievers*made manifest (phaneroo/5319): to be made known, to be recognized, to be thoroughly known

The Greek word for ‘went’ (erchomai/1831) can be translated ‘to depart’, but it can also mean ‘expelled’. While today in the Church doctrinal error is tolerated, John made it clear to us that we should not.

2Jn 1:6 This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.

2Jn 1:7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

2Jn 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.

2Jn 1:9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.

2Jn 1:10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him;

2Jn 1:11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

1Jn 2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. 1Jn 2:21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you

know it, and that no lie is of the truth. *anointing (chrisma/5545): anything smeared on, unguent, ointment, usually prepared by the Hebrews from oil and aromatic herbs. Anointing was the inaugural ceremony for priests. The anointing is a reference to the Holy Spirit who is our teacher (see chrio/5548; 2 Corinthians 1:21).*know (eido/1492): to perceive, to understand

-perfect active indicative

Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—

Joh 14:17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

Joh 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all

things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Joh 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

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Because of the indwelling Holy Spirit, the believer can be taught in all areas (see 1 Cor. 2:9-16).

The “anointing” is no doubt the Holy Spirit since, according to 1Jn_2:27, the anointing “teaches.” This clearly suggests that the “anointing” is conceived of as a Person. Jesus Himself was “anointed” with the Holy Spirit (cf. Act_10:38). As a result of their “anointing,” the readers had adequate instruction in the truth of God. John wrote them precisely because their apprehension of the truth was correct and because… the truth should never be confused with a lie (BKC).

1Jn 2:22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.

1Jn 2:23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. *denies (arneomai/720): to deny someone; to deny one’s self, not to accept, to reject, to refuse something offered

-present middle/passive participle*acknowledges ((homolegeo/3670): to say the same thing, to agree with

To deny that Jesus is the Christ, is to deny who He is and what He accomplished on the cross. It is the one who is against the Christ (and His message of salvation) that denies the Father and the Son. One cannot believe the Father and reject the Son.

1Jn 2:24 Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. *let that abide (meno/3306): to remain, abide, not to depart, to remain as one, not to become different

-present active imperative

If we are letting the Word abide (remain, be at home in our thinking) in us, we will abide in the Son and in the Father.

1Jn 2:25 And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life. 1Jn 2:26 These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you.

*see 2 Timothy 1:1; Titus 1:2The method of attack by these antichrists was to cause the believers to doubt their possession of eternal life. Eternal life is the basis for our abiding in the Father and the Son, and if doubt of that life is entertained by believers, it threatens our very fellowship.

John’s insistence that his readers genuinely know God and know His truth (1Jn_2:12-14, 1Jn_2:21) was part of his strategy for fortifying them against the antichrists (BKC).

1Jn 2:27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. *anointing (chrisma/5545): see verse 20

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John was not dismissing the need for pastor/teachers or for the local assembly. But the ultimate teacher abides in every believer, the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit, along with the word of God, which is the final authority.

All Believers: If we are abiding, we will have confidence when we see Him.1Jn 2:28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have

confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. * abide (meno/3306): to remain, abide, not to depart, to remain as one, not to become different

-present active imperative*appears (phaneroo/5319): to be made visible, reference to Christ manifesting Himself to the

Church at the rapture*confidence (parrhesia/3954): free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness,

assurance-see 1 John 3:21; 4:17; 5:14

*ashamed (aischunomai/153): to dishonor

True, lasting confidence comes from the Father’s love and abiding in the Father and the Son.

The words continue in Him involve again the Greek verb meno (“abide”) which has already occurred 10 times in 1Jn_2:6-27. (John used meno 66 of the 112 times it occurs in the NT: 40 in John, 23 in 1 John, and 3 in 2 John.) In accord with his basic theme about fellowship (1Jn_1:3), John once more enjoined the “abiding” life. But now he introduced the new thought of being confident before Christ at His coming. The Greek words rendered “be confident” are literally “have confidence.” The latter is parresia, a word that can signify a bold freedom of speech. John used it again in 1Jn_3:21; 1Jn_4:17; 1Jn_5:14. If the readers would maintain their fellowship with God, they would enjoy a genuine boldness of speech when they would meet their Lord. How this can be so is the subject of 2:29-4:19. Should a believer fail to abide in Him, however, there is the possibility of shame when Christ comes. This intimates divine disapproval at the judgment seat of Christ, referred to in 1Jn_4:17-19 (BKC).

1Jn 2:29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. *know (eido/1492): to perceive, to understand

-perfect active subjunctive (3rd class conditional sentence)*righteous (dikaios/1342): upright, innocent, faultless, used of him whose thinking, acting and feeling is

wholly conformed to the will of God.*know (ginosko/1097): to come to know, to become acquainted with

-present active indicative*everyone (pas/3956): all, everyone, each*practices (poieo/4160): to make, to produce, to do

-present active participle*righteousness (dikaiosune/1343): in a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, the condition acceptable to God; the doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain (only through Jesus Christ) a state approved of God; integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting*born (gennao/1080): to give birth

-perfect passive indicative

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This verse introduces for the first time in 1 John the explicit thought of new birth. Since the readers know that He (God the Father or God the Son) is righteous, they would also know that everyone who does what is right has been born of Him (the pronoun here probably refers to God the Father who regenerates). (The phrase “born of God” occurs in 1Jn_3:9; 1Jn_4:7; 1Jn_5:1, 1Jn_5:4, 1Jn_5:18 [twice].) The statement has nothing to do with the readers’ individual assurance of salvation. It is rather an assertion that when they see real righteousness (“what is right” translates ten dikaiosynen) exhibited, they can be sure that the person who exhibits it is a child of God. This righteousness, of course, for John can only mean the kind that Christ had enjoined. It has nothing to do with mere humanistic kindness and morality. The converse of John’s statement does not follow, namely, that everyone who is born of God does righteousness. John knew that Christians can walk in the darkness and are susceptible to sin (1Jn_1:6, 1Jn_1:8; 1Jn_2:1). He was writing here of the way one can see the new birth in the actions of others (BKC).

1Jn 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. *behold (eido/1492): to perceive, to understand, to see

-aorist active imperative*what manner (potapos/4217): foreign, what quality of*love (agape/26): quality of love which values the object loved, a sacrificial love*bestowed (didomi/1325): to give, to bestow as a gift

-perfect active indicative*called (kaleo/2564): to invite

-aorist passive subjunctive*children (teknon/5043): born ones*world (kosmos/2889): the world system*know (ginosko/1097): to come to know, to become acquainted with*therefore (dia toutos): because of this; because God’s love is foreign to the world, it neither knew Him, nor does it know us

Translation: See the foreign love that the Father has given us and that we presently have for the purpose that we should be called the born ones of the Father. Therefore (because of this foreign love), the world does not know us because it did not know Him.

The basis for our being set apart in our walk is the Father’s love for us. If we are responding to that love and abiding in it, we will be set apart to Him.

The thought of being born of God arrests John with wonder, and he calls on his readers to take a look at the wonderful love that brought us into the family of God. Love could have saved us without making us children of God. But the manner of God's love is shown in that he brought us into His family as children. “Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” Now as we walk about from day to day, the world does not recognize us as children of God. The people of the world do not understand us nor the way we behave. Indeed, the world did not understand the Lord Jesus when He was here on earth. “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” Since we have the same characteristics as the Lord Jesus, we cannot expect the world to understand us, either (BBC).

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1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. *now (nun/3568): at this present time*revealed (phaneroo/5319): to be made known, to be recognized, to be thoroughly known*know (eido/1492): to perceive, to understand, to see*like (homoios/3664): resembling, similar (in appearance, thought, etc..)*we shall see (optanomai/3700): to look at, to behold

-future middle indicativeIn that day, our conformity to Christ will be complete (Rom. 8:28-29).

Here in life, the process of becoming like Christ is going on, as we behold Him by faith in the word of God. But then the process will be absolutely complete when we see Him as He is: for to see Him is to be like Him. (BBC)

1Jn 3:3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. *hope (elpis/1680): confident expectation (of salvation)*purifies (hagnizo/48): to cleanse from defilement

-present active indicative-James 4:8; 1 Peter 1:22

*pure (hagnos/53): pure from every fault, immaculate

This is an instance where when we set our thinking on our 3rd tense salvation (our salvation from the presence of sin when we receive our new bodies), it will cause us to be set apart in our walk right now.This verse sets the table for those to following concerning abiding and sin. When we look to our final, bodily salvation by faith, the result of this is that we are set apart to the Father just as Christ is set apart.

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Distinguishing the children of God from the children of the devil.

The purpose of these verses is to differentiate those that have eternal life (manifest righteousness) and those that don’t (the unbeliever/manifest lawlessness).

1Jn 3:4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

*commits (poieo/4160): to make, to produce, to do-present active participle

*lawlessness (anomia/458): the condition of without law; contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness, iniquity, without restraint, not restrained or controlled by any law, disorderly, anarchy

-see also lawless (anomos/459): destitute of the law; of the Gentiles/non-Jews*Acts 2:23; 1 Cor. 9:21; 1 Tim. 1:9; 2 Pet. 2:8

As John has been pointing out, the believer is not without law; he is under the law of Christ with its commandment to love one another.

1Co 9:19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 1Co 9:20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 1Co 9:21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 1Co 9:22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

Literal translation: Everyone who is doing the sin is also doing the lawlessness, and the sin is the lawlessness.

John is not defining sin here. A better, more comprehensive definition of sin is that of missing the mark (Romans 3:23). Rather he is focusing on the one sin that best characterizes

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the unbeliever, that of lawlessness. It is also that which characterizes their father, the devil (John 8:44; 1 John 3:8) and of Cain who murdered his brother Abel because of his (Abel’s) righteousness.

These verses are NOT addressing the carnal believer. But rather they are contrasting the abiding believer who is manifesting eternal life by righteousness; to the unbeliever (described as of the devil) who, in spite of claiming eternal life, is manifesting lawlessness.

Describes the unbeliever who claims to know the Lord, but has never known himMat 7:22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' Mat 7:23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

Describes the conditions at the end of the age prior to Christ establishing His kingdomMat 13:37 He answered and said to them: "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. Mat 13:38 The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. Mat 13:39 The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. Mat 13:40 Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. Mat 13:41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, Mat 13:42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.Describes the Pharisees: looking righteous to man on the outside, but dead and lawless on the insideMat 23:27 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. Mat 23:28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Describes conditions during the Tribulation:Mat 24:11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. Mat 24:12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

Used by Paul to describe the presentation of our bodies to sin as unbelievers before salvation:Rom 6:19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

Used to describe a (truth hidden, now revealed):2Th 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.

What is the mystery of lawlessness? A period, not previously revealed, of increased satanic presence and warfare, characterized by rebellion to God, culminating with the man of sin (antichrist) during the Tribulation (2 Thess. 2:7-10). Paul refers to the

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Gentiles as those without law (1 Cor. 9:21). And as this present age continues ruled by the Gentile powers, the natural result of those without law is the increase of lawlessness.

It is marked by:-Satan ruling this world and its system (2 Cor. 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17)-Spiritual conflict (Eph. 6:11-13)-Manifestation of those who are of the devil and the sons of disobedience (Eph. 2:2-

3; 1 John 3:4-10)-Characterized by ungodliness, unrighteousness and lawlessness (Matt. 7:22-3;

13:41-2; Rom. 1:18-32; 2 Peter 2:12-22; 1 John 3:4-10; Jude 1:15, 18)

Who is the He who restrains (hold back) the Antichrist from being revealed?

We believe that the presence of the Holy Spirit indwelling the church and indwelling every believer has been the restraining power. He will continue to exercise this function until He is taken out of the way, that is, at the Rapture (BBC).

It is Christ that came to purchase us from every lawless act:Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, Tit 2:12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, Tit 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Tit 2:14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

1Jn 3:5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. *manifested (phaneroo/5319): to be made known, to be recognized, to be thoroughly known*to (hina/2443): that *take away (airo/142): to take upon one’s self that which has been raised up, to bear; to take off or away

that which has been attached; to carry away-aorist active subjunctive-John 1:29; Col. 2:14

*sin (harmatia/266): to miss the mark; noun without the definite article indicating quality or nature

-John is making the point that Christ, unlike us, does not have a sin nature.

Christ came to give us the solution to sin in our walk, so that we may abide with the Father and the Son. The subjunctive mood with hina (that) indicates a purpose clause and the reason that Christ was manifested was to take our sins, to remove the barrier and allow us to fellowship with Him.

Paul says that He knew no sin (2 Cor. 5:21) and Peter says that He committed no sin (1 Peter 2:22) and now John says that in Him there is no sin.

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1Jn 3:6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. *abides (meno/3306): to remain, abide, not to depart, to remain as one, not to become different

-present active participle*sin (harmartano/264): to miss the mark, to miss or wander from the path of uprightness

-present active infinitive*sins (harmartano/264): to miss the mark, to miss or wander from the path of uprightness

-present active participle*seen (horao/3708): to see with the eyes; to see with the mind, to perceive, know; become

acquainted with by experience, to experience-perfect active indicative

*know (ginosko/1097): to come to know, to become acquainted with-perfect active indicative

The one abiding in Him is not sinning (defined as lawlessness). The one sinning has not only never seen Him nor known Him; they currently do not see Him nor know Him. This is clearly an unbeliever. One is characterized by lawlessness, the other righteousness.

Jn 14:17 "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

Mat 7:22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' Mat 7:23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

1Jn 3:7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. *little children (teknon/5040): born ones*deceive (planao/4105): to go astray, to be led into error, to be led astray

-present active imperative (stop being led astray)-see 1:8; 2:26

*practices (poieo/4160): to make, to produce, to do-present active participle

*righteousness (dikaiosune/1343): in a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, the condition acceptable to God; the doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain a state approved of God; integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting

*righteous (dikaios/1342): upright, innocent, faultless, used of him whose thinking, acting and feeling is

wholly conformed to the will of God.

John is commanding these believers (all believers) to stop being deceived by these false teachers. Practical righteousness is only produced by those who share Christ’s righteous nature.

See also: 1:6, 8; 2:4, 6, 9, 11, 19, 22, 26.

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he that doeth ... is righteous — Not his doing makes him righteous, but his being righteous (justified by the righteousness of God in Christ, Rom_10:3-10) makes him to do righteousness: an inversion common in familiar language, logical in reality, though not in form, as in Luk_7:47; Joh_8:47. Works do not justify, but the justified man works. We infer from his doing righteousness that he is already righteous (that is, has the true and only principle of doing righteousness, namely, faith), and is therefore born of God (1Jo_3:9); just as we might say, The tree that bears good fruit is a good tree, and has a living root; not that the fruit makes the tree and its root to be good, but it shows that they are so. (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown)

1Jn 3:8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

The key to understanding this verse is found in John 8:44:

Jn 8:44 "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”

The one whose life is characterized by lawlessness is simply imitating his father Satan who personifies lawlessness from the very beginning.

Isa 14:12 "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! Isa 14:13 For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; Isa 14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.'

1Jn 3:9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. *born (gennao/): perfect passive participle

-John 3:3-8; 1 John 2:29; 4:7; 5:1, 4, 18*does not sin: lit. is not committing (present active indicative) sin*seed (sperma/4690): the divine nature within the believer*remains (meno/3306): to abide, to not depart

-present active indicative*cannot (dunamai/1410): able with the negative particle; is not able

-present middle/passive indicative*sin (harmartano/265): to miss the mark, to violate God’s law

-present active infinitive

What is it that prevents the abiding child (3:6) from manifesting lawlessness? What is it that separates the child of God from the child of the devil? It is the seed that has been implanted in us at the moment of the regeneration, the new birth. 2Pe 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 2Pe 1:3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

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2Pe 1:4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

1Jn 3:10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. *in this: by these two conditions, it should be apparent to you who are saved and who aren’t:

-those who are producing righteousness which comes from Christ-those who are loving the brethren with the Father’s love

John’s purpose of this passage is presented: to clearly define those who are saved and those who aren’t. Not only does the unbeliever (those false teachers trying to pass themselves off as born ones) sin without restraint, they are incapable of producing righteousness or loving the brethren.

Loving the brethren through actions1Jn 3:11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should

love one another, *that (hina/2443): the purpose of the message is that we should love our fellow brethren

John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

This verse summarizes all of the commandments given to us in God’s word.

1Jn 3:12 not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous. *of the wicked one: Cain was an unbeliever who attempted to approach God by natural means apart

from the sin sacrifice (Gen. 4:1-6; Jude 1:11)*murdered (sphazo/4969): to slay (as a sacrifice), to slaughter, to butcher; most likely, to slit

the throat as one would slaughter an animal-Rev. 5:6

*evil (poneros/4190): wicked, evil (also used to describe Satan/1 John 2:13, 14)

Abel did righteously by offering a blood sacrifice (Heb. 11:4), while Cain offered the bloodless one (see Scofield note, p. 10).

If you do well (or, as the Septuagint reads it, "If you offer correctly") will you not be accepted?" The well-doing had reference to the offering. Abel did well by hiding himself behind an acceptable sacrifice. Cain did badly by bringing an offering without blood, and all his after- conduct was but the legitimate result of this false worship (BBC).

This raises an interesting question, where did Cain learn to commit murder? He watched the sacrificing of animals used as atonement for sin.

Joh 3:20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. Joh 3:21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

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Cain is representative of the child of the devil who hates the children of God because lawlessness hates righteousness.

1Jn 3:13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. *marvel (thaumazo/2296): wonder

-present active imperative: stop wondering*hates (miseo/3404): pursue with hatred, detest

-present active indicative

The phrase “if the world hates you” is a 1st class conditional sentence meaning that it is assumed that the world will hate you (since the world hates you). These believers were to stop be amazed or surprised that the world would hate because of their association with Jesus Christ.

Jn 15:18 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.Jn 15:19 "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

Jn 17:14 "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”

1Jn 3:14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.

1Jn 3:15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

*know (eido/1492): to perceive, to understand, to see (not our experience)-perfect active indicative

*passed (metabaino/3327): pass from one place to another-perfect active indicative-John 5:24

*from (ek/1537): indicating separation, out of*death (thanatos/2288): separation*hates (miseo/3404): pursue with hatred, detest

-present active indicative (continuous hate)

John now addresses the believer. Since we have passed from death to eternal life (emphasizing fellowship) we can know that we are abiding if we love the brethren. If we choose not to love the brethren, we will not be in fellowship, but be in a condition of death or separation in our walk. In contrast to God’s divine sacrificial love, our hatred of believers is seen as being equal to murder.

1Jn 3:16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. *by this: referring to Christ’s sacrificial death for us which perfectly illustrates agape love*know (ginosko/1097): to come to know, to become acquainted with

-perfect active indicative*laid down (tithemi/5087): to set down

-used by Christ in referring to His sacrificial act (John 10:11, 15, 17-8)*for (huper/5228): on our behalf, idea of substitution

*ought (opheilo/3784): an obligation-see also 2:6; 4:11

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Christ willingly laying down His life for us is the demonstration of the quality of His love. Christ’s love proved itself in action. Rom 5:6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Rom 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

What does that mean for us? In order for us to demonstrate that same love, won’t the Lord be putting us in situations (difficult, humbling, sacrificial, crushing situations) that would allow for His sacrificial love to be manifested in our lives?

Eph 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

1Jn 3:17 But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? *goods (bios/979): the things by which life is sustained*sees (theoreo/2334): to look at attentively, to consider*need (chreia/5532): a necessity*shuts up (kleio/2808): to withhold (as heaven withheld rain)

The quality of love is seen by its actions. The Father so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son. The example here is of a fellow believer, lacking necessities, and those demonstrating the divine love to him.

1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. *little children (teknion/5040): reference to all believers, born ones*word (logos/3056): speech, doctrine*tongue (glossa/1100): dialect*deed (ergon/2041): act, thing accomplished, product

Why deeds? Because that is what the human eye sees. If we preach and discuss how marvelous the love of Christ is to us, but it is never demonstrated in our lives, what does that say about that love?

Divine love produces confidence within us, especially regarding prayer1Jn 3:19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts

before Him. *by this: by our loving the brethren in deed and truth. Experience again is the proof of our abiding.*know (ginosko/1097): to come to know, to become acquainted with

-present active indicative*assure (peitho/3982): persuade, to tranquilize, to be confident

-future active indicative*hearts (kardia/2588): center, middle, the seat of the thoughts, feelings, desires, purposes, judgments

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If that love is flowing through us, one of its fruits is assurance before the Father. Not because of any merit that we can claim, but because of the comforting, sacrificial nature of His love for us.

1Jn 3:20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.

1Jn 3:21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. *hearts (kardia/2588): center, middle, the seat of the thoughts, feelings, desires, purposes, judgments *condemns (kataginosko/2607): to find fault with, to blame*greater (meizon/3187): stronger*know (ginosko/1097): to come to know, to become acquainted with

-present active indicative*confidence (parrhesia/3954): free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance

-see I John 4:17; 5:14

If our hearts do condemn us (for sins real or imagined), we know that our Heavenly Father is greater than our hearts and knows our hearts. He is the only that can provide the comforting solution to a condemning heart through His love and restore us to have confidence in His presence.

1Jn 3:22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. *ask (aiteo/154): to ask, desire, request; used of a lesser requesting from a greater

-present active subjunctive-John 14:13, 14; 15:7, 16; 16:23, 24, 26; 1 John 5:14-16

*pleasing (arestos/701): agreeable

To keep His commandments is to abide in Him. It is to live in close, vital intimacy with the Savior. When we are thus in fellowship with Him, we make His will our own will. By the Holy Spirit, He fills us with the knowledge of His will. In such a condition, we would not ask for anything outside the will of God. When we ask according to His will, we receive from Him the things we ask for (BBC).

1Jn 3:23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. *believe (pisteuo/4100): to be persuaded of, has trust in, conviction

-aorist active subjunctive*love (agapao/25): to love sacrificially, to value the object loved

-present active subjunctive

1Jn 3:24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

*by this: by keeping His commandments (that which is mentioned in verse 23)*know (ginosko/1097): to come to know, to become acquainted with-present active indicative

John makes it clear that abiding and obeying go hand in hand. If the branch abides, won’t it automatically begin bearing fruit (John 15)? And here John introduces the third member of the Godhead (the Spirit) and His role in abiding and eternal life by assuring us the God is abiding in us.

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1Jn 4:12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 1Jn 4:13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.

In these verses, we saw another benefit of eternal life introduced; that of confidence/boldness before the Father. Abiding produces His love in us, which in turn assures us and gives us confidence before Him. Not based on our merit, but only through His divine love.

The spirit of truth and the spirit of error1Jn 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of

God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. *spirit: the source behind the teacher (whether of God or demonic)*test (dokimazo/1381): to examine to see if something is genuine or not

-present active imperative

John is now addressing the issue of false teachers. The believers are exhorted to examine and put to the test those who claim to be teachers/believers. It is dangerous to assume that all that name the name of Jesus Christ are presenting truth.

1Jn 4:2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, *confesses (homologeo/3670): to agree with

-present active indicative

To deny that God has come in the flesh is to deny the gospel.

Joh 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

1Jn 4:3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

The subject here is that of the incarnation of Jesus Christ, God becoming man and coming to earth to be the perfect sacrifice for all man (see Phil. 2:5-11).

1Jn 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. *you are of God: your source is from the Father*little children (teknion/5040): reference to all believers, born ones*overcome (nikao/3528): to conquer

-perfect active indicative-1 John 5:4-5

*greater (meizon/3187): larger, stronger

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The solution to the problem of false teaching is the internal resource that has been provided to every regenerated believer, the indwelling of the Godhead (see I John 2: 27).

1Jn 4:5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. *they are of the world: these false teachers have their source in the world system

The same world system which hates us embraces these teachers.

1Jn 4:6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. *know (ginosko/1097): to come to know, to become acquainted with

-present active participle*hears (akouo/191): to hear, to attend to, consider what is or has been said, to understand,

perceive the sense of what is said-present active indicative

*us: apostles*know (ginosko/1097): to come to know, to become acquainted with

-present active indicative*error (plane/4106): wandering, straying, error, wrong opinion

-2 Peter 2:18; 3:17; Jude 1:11

In verse 6, John speaks as representing the apostles. He says, “We are of God. He who knows God hears us.” This means that all who are really born of God will accept the teaching of the apostles found in the NT. On the other hand, those who are not of God refuse the testimony of the NT, or they seek to add to or adulterate it (BBC)

1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

1Jn 4:8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

*let us love (agapao/25): to love sacrificially, to value the object loved-present active subjunctive (exhortation)

*for love is of God (of is in the ablative case indicating source)-True biblical love has it source in the Father

*everyone who loves (agapao/25): to love sacrificially, to value the object loved-present active participle

*is born of God (gennao/): has been born (perfect passive indicative)-John 3:3-8; 1 John 2:29; 4:7; 5:1, 4, 18

*know (ginosko/1097): to come to know, to become acquainted with-present active indicative

1) All born ones are exhorted to love the brethren (one another)2) Love only has its source in the Father (Godhead)3) Those who are loving have been born of the Father and are knowing Him

In the verses that follow, we have a description of the manifestation of God's love in three tenses. In the past, it was manifested to us as sinners in the gift of His only begotten Son (4:9-11). In the present, it is manifested to us as saints in His dwelling in us (4:12-16). In the future, it will be manifested to us in giving us boldness in the Day of Judgment (BBC).

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God’s love demonstrated in the past by the propitious work of Jesus Christ1Jn 4:9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.

*live (zao/2198): to enjoy real life, to be fresh, strong and efficient*God demonstrated His love to us by sending His only begotten Son for us (Rom. 5:8)*The purpose presented here by John is so that (hina clause) we might live through/by means of Him

The issue here is not just life, but the quality of life and an efficient life that is used of God for His glory.

1Jn 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

*This is love:-not that we loved God (love did not originate with us)-He loved us (love did originate with the Father; remember He is the source (4:7))-He demonstrated that to us by sending His Son as the satisfying sacrifice for our sins

(see 2:2)

God’s love manifested in the present through the abiding believer1Jn 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

*ought (opheilo/3784): to be under obligation, to be morally bound

*Since God loved us (and demonstrated that love by giving us His only Son), as born ones we are under obligation to exhibit that same love to one another

-see 2:6; 3:16 1Jn 4:12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us,

and His love has been perfected in us. *has seen (theaomai/2300): to behold, look upon, view attentively, contemplate (often used

of public shows)-perfect middle/passive indicative

*love (agapao/25): to love sacrificially, to value the object loved-present active subjunctive (3rd class conditional sentence, it may or may not happen)-God’s abiding in us (not to be confused with His permanent dwelling in us) is dependent on us loving the brethren

*abides (meno/3306): to abide, to not depart, to be at home-present active indicative

*has been perfected (teleioo/5048): to make complete, to finish, to bring to an end, to accomplish

-perfect passive participle

Joh 1:18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

No one has ever seen God the Father. But if we love one another with His love, He is abides in us and His love has been made complete in us. And it is this love, which is God (4:8), which will be displayed to others. So while we cannot see Him, we can see His love.

1Jn 4:13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. *by this: referring to the witness of the Spirit within the believer (Rom. 8:14)

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*know (ginosko/1097): to come to know, to become acquainted with-present active indicative

*abide (meno/3306): to abide, to not depart-present active indicative

*has given (didomi/1325): to give, to supply, to furnish-perfect active indicative

Rom 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Rom 5:2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Rom 5:3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;

Rom 5:4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Rom 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in

our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

The statement in 1Jn_4:13 is intimately related to the ideas just expressed. We know that we live (menomen, “we abide”) in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. The mutual abiding of a believer in God and God in that believer (cf. Joh_15:4-7) is indicated by that believer’s experience of the Spirit. The Greek for “of His Spirit” (ek tou pneumatos) suggests participation in the Spirit of God, literally, “He has given us out of His Spirit.” The same construction occurs in 1Jn_3:24. When a believer loves, he is drawing that love from God’s Spirit (cf. Rom_5:5), who is also the Source of his confession of Christ (1Jn_4:2). Thus both the faith and the love enjoined in the dual “command” of

1Jn_3:23 are products of the Spirit’s operation in a believer. A believer’s Spirit-led obedience becomes the evidence that he is enjoying the mutual abiding relationship with God that John wrote about (BKC).

1Jn 4:14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. *Savior (soter/4990): deliverer

-John 4:42; Titus 2:13

This is a grand statement of divine love in action. “The Father has sent the Son” describes the boundless scope of Christ's work. W. E. Vine wrote that “the scope of His mission was as boundless as humanity, and only man's impenitence and unbelief put a limit to its actual effect.” (BBC)

1Jn 4:15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

1Jn 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

God cannot be separated from His love. It is who He is and it was His love that sent the Son to be the propitiation and savior of the world. If we abide in His love, we are abiding in Him and He in us. There is oneness:

Joh 17:20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;

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Joh 17:21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. Joh 17:22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: Joh 17:23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

God’s love provides us boldness at the Judgment Seat of Christ.1Jn 4:17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the

day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. *perfected (teleioo/5048): to make complete, to finish, to bring to an end, to accomplish

-perfect passive indicative*that (hina/2443): with the subjunctive “we may have” indicates purpose. *boldness (parresia/3954): freedom in speaking, open, without concealment

-1 John 2:28; 3:21; 5:14

-The purpose of having His love being made complete/perfected in us is so that we may have boldness in the future before the Father at the Bema Seat.

The writer was not referring here to a final judgment in which the eternal destiny of each believer hangs in balance. There is no such judgment for a believer (Joh_5:24). But a believer’s life will be assessed at the judgment seat of Christ (1Co_3:12-15; 2Co_5:10). Yet even on that solemn occasion, a believer may have confidence (parresian; cf. 1Jn_2:28; 1Jn_3:21; 1Jn_5:14) that God will approve the quality of his life if, through love, that believer while in this world becomes like Him. An unloving Christian is unlike his Lord and may anticipate rebuke and loss of reward at the judgment seat. But a loving believer is one in whom the work of God’s love has been made complete (cf. the same words in 1Jn_2:5;

1Jn_4:12), and the fruit of that is boldness before the One who will judge him. In this way he achieves the goal of confidence and no shame before Him, expressed in 1Jn_2:28 (BKC).

1Jn 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. *fear (phobos/5401): fear, dread, terror*perfect (teleios/5046): completed, wanting nothing, fulfilled*torment (kolasis/2851): correction, penalty

-Matt. 25:46

What better place is there to be than to be abiding in the love of the Father? There is no fear of correction or penalty, but the perfect place of abiding. That is maturity. If we still fear, we have not come to that place of His love completed in us.

1Jn 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us.

It is His love for us that is the basis for our loving Him (God is love).

1Jn 4:20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

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To claim to love the Father and to hate the brethren is hypocrisy. How can you hate the ones who are born of the Father and are carrying the seed of His nature within and yet claim to love the One who gives birth?

1Jn 4:21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

God’s love is not selective. We cannot pick and choose the ones that we wish to bestow His love upon. In fact, by its very nature, His love was displayed to those who didn’t deserve it.

Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1Jn 5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. *is born (gennao/1080):

-perfect passive indicative-2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1, 4, 18

*Him who begot (gennao/1080):-Him who gave birth (referring to the Father)

*who is begotten (gennao/1080):-that one who has been born-perfect passive participle

If we love the Father who gave birth to us, isn’t it logical that we would love the ones that He has given birth to?

1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.

1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.*burdensome (barus/926): heavy in weight, severe, stern

The commandments for the believers in this dispensation are not to be compared to the yoke of the commandments of the Mosaic law (see Acts 15:10; Galatians 5:1). They are actually to be fulfilled by those who are abiding and partaking of the Father’s divine nature to live out the eternal life that is within us.

Our victory over the world1Jn 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that

has overcome the world—our faith. 1Jn 5:5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son

of God?

*whatever (pas/3956): everyone-3:9; 4:7; 5:1, 4, 18

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*is born (gennao/1080):-perfect passive participle-2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1, 4, 18

*victory (nike/3529): conquest, success

Why the adjective pas is translated “whoever” in 5:1 and “whatever” in this verse, I have no idea. In any case, it is only those who have been born of the Father that have overcome the world system.

Every believer, as a result of the finished work of Christ, has victory over the world system (see the previous notes on the world 1 John 2:15-17).

The testimony of Jesus Christ1Jn 5:6 This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but

by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.

1Jn 5:7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.

1Jn 5:8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.

There are those who question the validity of these verses because they do not appear in some manuscripts. I am not in that camp. I believe that these verses are here for a clear purpose. And one of those purposes is to refute some erroneous doctrine by the false teachers regarding Jesus Christ as a person and to His atoning work for us. Let’s start with the obvious one, the blood. To me, it is clear that the blood refers to the atoning work of Jesus Christ for us as our propitiation. There could be no satisfying sacrifice without the blood of Jesus Christ.Next the water, and for that there are several possibilities:

*the water represents the natural birth of Jesus *the water represents that which spilt from Jesus’ side (John 19:34)*the water represents the baptism of the Spirit which began Jesus’ ministry. William MacDonald gives a clear explanation of this in his Believer Bible Commentary:

As mentioned earlier, the Gnostics believed that Christ came upon Jesus at His baptism and left Him before His passion, namely in the Garden of Gethsemane. In other words, they would say, “The Christ did not die on the cross, but Jesus the man died.” This, of course, robs His work of any atoning value for the sins of others. We suggest that John is using water as an emblem of Jesus' baptism and blood as a symbol of His atoning death. These were the two terminals of His public ministry. John is saying that Jesus was just as much the Christ when He died on the cross as when He was baptized in the Jordan. This is He who came by water and by blood—not only by water (which the Gnostics would concede), but by water and by blood. (BBC)

I would tend to agree with MacDonald as this would fit within the context of 1 John and his refuting of the false teachers.

1Jn 5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son.

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If we receive and act on the testimony of men (and we do every day), then how much greater is the testimony of our heavenly Father

1Jn 5:10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. *has (echo/2192): possesses

-present active indicative*witness (marturia/3141): testimony

To reject the gospel and Jesus Christ, no matter how religious or moral the person, is declaring God’s word a lie and rejecting God Himself.

Eternal life is in the Son and every believer has the Son1Jn 5:11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in

His Son. *testimony (marturia/3141): witness*has given (didomi/1325): to give, to bestow as a gift

-aorist active indicative

God’s testimony to us, and He is not a liar, is that we possess eternal life right now and this life is in His Son (see Titus 1:3; 1 John 2:25).

1Jn 5:12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. *He who has (echo/2192): possesses

-present active participle*has (echo/2192): possesses

-present active indicative

There is no eternal life apart from Jesus Christ.

1Jn 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. *have written (grapho/1125):

-aorist active indicative*who believe (pisteuo/4100): are believing

-present active participle *that (hina/2443): indicates purpose*you may know (eido/1492): to perceive, to discern, to understand; to know with settled and absolute knowledge

-perfect active subjunctive

John’s purpose in this verse is to two-fold: that we may know and continue to know that we have eternal life and that we may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

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Confidence in the Father concerning His will and prayer1Jn 5:14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything

according to His will, He hears us. *confidence (parresia/3954): freedom in speaking, open, without concealment

-1 John 2:28; 3:21; 4:17

How wonderful it is, because of our abiding in the imparted life that has been given to us through Jesus Christ, that we can have confidence/boldness before the Father.

The consciousness of divine life brings the believer into a place of boldness. The more we realize our relationship to the living God, the more we realize that we are children of the One who is God, the more we will see that His life has become our life, the deeper will be our appreciation of the fact that God’s heart is wrapped up in us who are believers (Mitchell; Fellowship: A Devotional Study of the Epistles of John).

*in Him: in the Father*if (ean/1437): with the subjunctive mood is a 3rd class conditional sentence indicating a condition that may or may not come to pass. We may or may not ask anything according to His will.

* ask (aiteo/154): to call for, to require, to desire; that of a lesser asking a greater-present middle (asking for ourselves) subjunctive

-John’s use of aiteo in the gospel of John and 1 John:

1) The purpose of asking is that the Father may be glorified in the SonJoh 14:13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Joh 14:14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

2) To ask, we need to be abiding in Christ and His words abiding in usJoh 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

3) The result of asking is that our joy may be full (1 John 1:4)Joh 16:24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

4) We receive from Him because we keep His commandments (the result of our abiding)1Jn 3:22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

*will (thelema/2307): wish, desire, pleasure*hears (akouo/191): to attend to, to consider what is being said

-present active indicative

If we are abiding in the Father, we will begin to find that our requests will line up with the Father’s plans and programs. Our abiding in Him and He in us leads to oneness in all areas, particularly prayer (John 17:21-23).

The contrast to this is to ask to fulfil our lusts:

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Jas 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

Jas 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

1Jn 5:15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. *if (ean/1437): since; an assumed statement based on the previous verse that we are asking according to His will (and since we know that He hears us)*know (eido/1492): to understand*hears (akouo/191): to attend to, to consider what is being said*we ask (aiteo/154): to call for, to require, to desire; that of a lesser asking a greater

-present middle (asking for ourselves) subjunctive*petitions (aitema/155): requests

-Phil. 4:6

Notice the difference between this portion and those in the gospels in which a model prayer is given. Instead of looking to those verses, we should be looking to John 17 and His prayer to the Father. It is a prayer that is perfectly in sync with the Father’s will because Christ and the Father are one (John 17:20-23). The answer to a satisfying and effective prayer life is not found in formulas, but in the believer abiding in eternal life, becoming one with the Father and the Son, having our thoughts and desires transformed and brought into alignment with the Divine will.

Prayer and the sinning brother1Jn 5:16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will

ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that.

1Jn 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. *sees (horao/3708): to see, to know*brother (adelphos/80): of the same parents or nationality*sinning (hamartano/264): to miss the mark, to err, to wander from the path of uprightness

-present active (continuous action)*sin (hamartia/266): a missing the mark, a violation of God’s law, a wrong*death (thanatos/2288): a separation

-without the definite article, a quality of death*will ask (aiteo/154): to call for, to require, to desire; that of a lesser asking a greater

-future active indicative*give him life: most likely a spiritual revitalization which would rescue the believer from the path that they are on*commit sin (hamartano/264): to miss the mark, to err, to wander from the path of uprightness

-present active (continuous action)*pray (erotao/2065): ask, beseech, asking as equals*unrighteousness (adikia/93): unrightness, condition of not being right, iniquity

-1 John 1:9

Three possible solutions have been offered up by various sources:1) The death here is the Second death mentioned in Revelation 20 which is eternal

punishment. This interpretation is rejected as it completely contradicts the security of the believer.

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2) The second interpretation is that the death is physical death which can come upon a believer in the form of divine discipline (see 1 Corinthians 11 and the believers who ‘sleep’ due to their abuse of the Lord’s Supper).

3) The death is in contrast to the life that John presents for the believer. It is a point in which the believer becomes disqualified as Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 9:27. The purpose of 1 John is to remind the believers of the eternal life that they possess through Jesus Christ and the new birth. But what happens if a believer chooses not to abide and remains in that condition. It would be a quality of death (separation) in their walk.

One of the applications of us abiding in Him and having boldness in prayer is interceding for those believers who are continuing in sin. John’s point is that there are scenarios in which the Lord will deliver a believer, and those in which prayer cannot help.

The believer is safe from the wicked one1Jn 5:18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born

of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. 1Jn 5:19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the

wicked one. *whoever is born (gennao /1080):

-that one who has been born-perfect passive participle

*who has been born (gennao /1080):-aorist passive participle (the aorist here is indicating the event of the birth)

*keeps (tereo/5083): to guard, to attend carefully-present active indicative

*himself: better translated ‘him’ (he who has been born of God, he/God keeps him)*wicked one (poneros/4190): full of labor, hardship, causing pain, evil

-1 John 2:13, 14; 3:12; 5:18, 19*touch (haptomai/680): to touch, to assail

Joh 17:15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.

*know (eido/1492): to perceive, to discern, to understand-perfect active indicative

*of God: in the ablative case indicating source*lies (keimai/2749): in the power of, in subjection to*wicked one (poneros/4190): full of labor, hardship, causing pain, evil

-1 John 2:13, 14; 3:12; 5:18, 19

Here John leaves us with a reminder that we are not as the unbeliever whose life is characterized by lawlessness and who is of the devil (see 1 John 3), but we who have our source/birth in God and it is He who keeps/guards us from Satan. In addition, he also reminds us of the nature of the whole world system and the one who governs it (Satan) and that it is in complete contrast to who we are as believers..

1Jn 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. *know (eido/1492): to perceive, to discern, to understand

-perfect active indicative43

*has come (heko/2240): to be present, to seek intimacy with-present active indicative

*has given (didomi/1325): -perfect active indicative

*understanding (dianoia/1271): the mind as a faculty of understanding*that (hina/2443): purpose*we may know (ginisko/1097): to learn to know, to come to know, to become acquainted with

-present active subjunctive

Every believer has been given the faculty of being able to understand God’s word and to abide in eternal life which is found in Jesus Christ who is God.

1Jn 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. *little children (teknion/5040): little born ones, term of endearment

-1 John 2:1, 12, 28; 3:7, 18; 4:4*keep yourselves (phulasso/5442): to guard, to watch, to avoid, to shun

-aorist active imperative*from (apo/575): separation from*idols (eidolon/1497): image, likeness, the form of an object, real or imaginary

John ends this epistle with a command; don’t let anything or anyone get between you and our Lord Jesus Christ and eternal life.

John’s desire is that believers would understand and come to know in their experience what privilege it is to have eternal life and the wonderful benefits that it provides. It differentiates us from the unbeliever and is in complete contrast to the world system. It allows us to abide in intimacy with the Father and the Son and to not only approach Them with confidence in this life, but to stand in boldness before the Son at our judgment.

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