7. The confession of sins is a necessary consequence of "walking in the light" ( 1 John 1:7 ). The first epistle does not mention any addressees. 1:4; 2:1.7.8.12.13.14.21.26; 5:13). The use of \"we\" immediately afterwards implies that we all are liable to this, though not ne… Probably every Christian has a problem with these words when thinking of his practical life. He had been with God since the beginning, and all things had been created through Him. Recipients, Author and Time of Writing. The first to cite from John's First Epistle is Polycarp of Smyrna (around 70 to 155 AC) who himself knew John personally. Not yet has thy life become perfectly light, as sins are still in thee, but yet thou hast already begun to be illuminated, because there is in thee confession of sins" [AUGUSTINE]. He often refers to the introductory words "If we say..." (chap. All rights reserved. Faith applies the cleansing, purifying blood. Audio & Video Commentaries. The practice of our lives of faith has to agree with our confession. Bultmann, The Johannine Epistles, 61-62, and Marshall, The Epistles of John, 204, n.3. It is rather a fundamental statement on the nature of a man born of God who is, therefore, able to live a life according to God. We write thus that your joy may be full. Christ's blood is the cleansing mean, whereby gradually, being already justified and in fellowship with God, we become clean from all sin which would mar our fellowship with God. "WE WALK"; "God is (essentially in His very nature as 'the light,' 1 John 1:5 ) in the light." Recipients, Author and Time of Writing. But the believer hates, confesses, and longs to be delivered from all sin, which is darkness. First division of the body of the Epistle declare--Greek, "announce"; report in turn; a different Greek word from 1 John 1:3 . An EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary (2800 word vocabulary) on the Book of Ezra. ... Study Guide for John 1 [A new version of this page can be found here] The Word and the Witness. To wish joy to the reader was the ancient customary address. that eternal life--Greek, "the life which is eternal." IF WE WOULD HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM, WE MUST WALK IN LIGHT, AS HE IS LIGHT. and--as the result of "walking in the light, as He is in the light." . Believers enjoy the fellowship OF, but not WITH, the Holy Ghost. . He is speaking not of justification through His blood once for all, but of the present sanctification ("cleanseth" is present tense) which the believer, walking in the light and having fellowship with God and the saints, enjoys as His privilege. heard . Keep yourselves from idols - From all worship of false gods, from all worship of images or of any creature, and from every inward idol; from loving, desiring, fearing anything more than God. Both characteristics of God stand always in total agreement to each other. walk--in inward and outward action, whithersoever we turn ourselves [BENGEL]. The two facts are the constant presence of the true Light, and the creation of the world by Him. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. These difficulties disappear, however, if one understands the "divine logic" behind these absolute statements. b. Proud member Words in boxes are from the Bible. When that happens we need to go to the filling station which is the bible; we need a refill from the … That which was --not "began to be," but was essentially ( Greek, " een, " not " egeneto ") before He was manifested ( 1 John 1:2 ); answering to "Him that is from the beginning " ( 1 John 2:13 ); so John's Gospel, John 1:1 , "In the beginning was the … His forgiving us our sins and cleansing us, &c. is in furtherance of the ends of His eternal faithfulness and justice. The Gospel of John describes the revelation of life eternal in Christ the incarnated Word. It is not added "and with the Holy Ghost"; for it is by the Holy Ghost or Spirit of the Father and Son in us, that we are enabled to have fellowship with the Father and Son (compare 1 John 3:24 ). He expresses the personal assurance of faith by frequently repeating the words "we know" (chap. Christ, like us, walked in the light ( 1 John 2:6 ). ALFORD notices, Walking in the light as He is in the light, is no mere imitation of God, but an identity in the essential element of our daily walk with the essential element of God's eternal being. Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. we have not sinned--referring to the commission of actual sins, even after regeneration and conversion; whereas in 1 John 1:8 , "we have no sin," refers to the present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us. But the writer was an *elder overall the churches in a large area.Much of this letter is like John’s first letter. To confess our need of cleansing from present sin is essential to "walking in the light"; so far is the presence of some sin incompatible with our in the main "walking in light." This 25 part expository study of 1 John was preached at Flagstaff Christian Fellowship in 2005-06. 5. Declare is the general term; write is the particular ( 1 John 1:4 ). This seminary-level study retains its depth and uses an engaging interactive format. The sentence begun in 1 John 1:1 is broken off by the parenthetic 1 John 1:2 , and is resumed at 1 John 1:3 with the repetition of some words from 1 John 1:1 . (Psalms 85:10), 1 John 1:1-4 Introduction: The Word of Life, 1 John 1:5-10; 1 John 2:1-12 Characteristics of True Fellowship with God, 1 John 2:28-29; 1 John 3; 1 John 4:1-6 Characteristics of the Children of God, To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, Although the First Epistle of John does not bear any author's name it was never seriously doubted that the apostle John is the author of this epistle as well as of the fourth gospel. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group. we have fellowship one with another--and of course with God (to be understood from 1 John 1:6 ). John tells the Good News about Jesus - A free Bible Version and Commentary on the Gospel of John in Easy English. Light and love found their upmost development on the cross of Calvary. (chap. The Apostle John deals with his various main subjects (life eternal, brotherly love, practical righteousness) at times more than once in an extremely simple way of expression but with great solemnity. True faith. . show--Translate as in 1 John 1:3 , "declare" (compare 1 John 1:5 ). Here it means that the writer is a leader in the church. This section marks the beginning of the second major part of 1 John, 3:11–5:12.427 The present unit begins with the assertion au{th ejstiVn hJ ajggeliva (Jauth estin Jh angelia, translated by the NET Bible as “this is the gospel message”), which parallels the similar assertion of 1:5.428 The unit ends with 3:24, since 4:1-6 is one of only a few sections almost all … So 2 John 1:12 , "your" in oldest manuscripts. Most researchers date the epistle towards the end of the first century that is between 90 and 100 AC (the Gospel of John is dated at around the same time). Christ Himself is the source, object, and center of His people's joy (compare 1 John 1:3 , end); it is in fellowship with Him that we have joy, the fruit of faith. As the Epistle begins, so it ends with "eternal life," which we shall ever enjoy with, and in, Him who is "the life eternal." have seen" (perfect tenses), as a possession still abiding with us; but in Greek (not as English Version "have," but simply) "looked upon" (not perfect tense, as of a continuing thing, but aorist, past time) while Christ the incarnate Word was still with us. The sin unto death, and the sin not unto death, 1 John 5:16, 1 John 5:17. his word is not in us--"His word," which is "the truth" ( 1 John 1:8 ), accuses us truly; by denying it we drive it from our hearts (compare John 5:38 ). . Faith realizes what we have not seen as spiritually visible; not till by faith we too have seen, do we know all the excellency of the true Solomon. As God here, so Christ, in 1 John 2:8 , is called "the true light." Bible Commentaries. Thus this epistle has rightly been called a continuation of the gospel of John (of chapters 1 to 19) especially. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. The apostle directs to the atonement of Christ for help against sinful infirmities. God does not make the believer sin. This commentary has been through Advanced Checking.. ... searching and studying the Bible easy and rewarding. As does the Epistle of James this Epistle does not contain a perceptible logical structure of thoughts. 3:1.10; 5:2; Greek tekna theou: "children of God"). The words of the psalmist do already point to it: "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other." Thus only will the genuineness of our confession be seen. These attacks on Christology and the Christian ethic were stages of Gnosticism in its various shades which spread more and more during the 2nd century. Nothing was made without the Word. For it is not sufficient to give a lip-service only. John said, that which we have seen and heard we declare. . Contents, style and language of these two books are very similar. Subject and contents of the epistle are summarized in the following words: "And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. "If thou shalt confess thyself a sinner, the truth is in thee; for the truth is itself light. Terms such as. 2. There are three ways that we can use the word ‘*elder’. Each localchurch had its leaders who were the ‘elders’. John calls these opponents of the Christian faith "antichrists" (chap. Contents, style and language of these two books are very similar. . "Seen," namely, His glory, as revealed in the Transfiguration and in His miracles; and His passion and death in a real body of flesh and blood. Audio and manuscripts are available for each lesson. Home >> Bible Studies >> 1, 2, and 3 John Studies >> 1 John 3:11-24 These small group studies of 1 John contain outlines, cross-references, Bible study discussion questions, and applications. God's promises of mercy, to which He is faithful, are in accordance with His justice. (12-14) All are cautioned against the love of this world, and against errors. He calls us his children. sinned" brings down the commission of sins to the present time, not merely sins committed before, but since, conversion. The aim of the epistle is expressed in chapter 5:13: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.". Many researchers, however, take the recipients to be among the Christians in Minor Asia; but the epistle bears a universal character. Hilda Bright. Instead of a formal, John adopts a virtual address (compare 1 John 1:4 ). (24-29) do not--in practice, whatever we say. March 2010. "The truth respecting God's holiness and our sinfulness, which is the very first spark of light in us, has no place in us" [ALFORD]. "Through Christ God closes up the chasm that separated Him from the human race, and imparts Himself to them in the communion of the divine life" [NEANDER]. Both statements of this sentence are entirely congruent (identical) as from God's viewpoint. 3:6). BROTHERLY LOVE THE ESSENCE OF TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS. Other oldest manuscripts and versions read "OUR joy," namely, that our joy may be filled full by bringing you also into fellowship with the Father and Son. Written by … Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. 9. confess--with the lips, speaking from a contrite heart; involving also confession to our fellow men of offenses committed against them. . John: John tells the Good News about Jesus - by Marion Adams. The first speaks of God's holiness, truth and righteousness and the second of His grace and mercy. At the same time he refers to the tests by which one can recognize whether someone has true life of God. By the epistle we learn that towards the end of the first century heretics arose among the Christians who denied the divine sonship of Christ (chap. that ye also may have fellowship with us--that ye also who have not seen, may have the fellowship with us which we who have seen enjoy; what that fellowship consists in he proceeds to state, "Our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son." It is probably not possible to state whether the Epistle or the Gospel of John has been written first. the before-mentioned ( 1 John 1:1 ) life which was with the Father "from the beginning" (compare John 1:1 ). John himself had leaned on Jesus' breast at the last supper. We know God only by having fellowship with Him; He may thus be known, but not comprehended. 1 John 1:1-10 . www.easyenglish.bible. It is possible that "your" may be a correction of transcribers to make this verse harmonize with John 15:11 , 16:24 ; however, as John often repeats favorite phrases, he may do so here, so "your" may be from himself. 2:18-23), the incarnation of the Eternal Son (chap. If sin is inevitable for us, it is not because God has decreed that we must sin. Spirit ought to have felt and known His presence. Parallel to 1 John 1:8 . From the very beginning the Word was with God. John does not describe the practical life of every individual Christian (which life, sad to say, often differs from this) but he lays down divine principles (see paragraph 3.a. 1:1; 2:7.13.14.24; 3:11; compare with 2 John 1:5-6). (chap. 1. The Gospel of John Verse by Verse Bible Study The Word was God (John 1:1-18) - Jesus was both the Word, and God. That you may not sin: This is God’s desire for the believer. . And with this Word, God created all things. My little children--The diminutive expresses the tender affection of an aged pastor and spiritual father. He Himself is ours; He in us and we in Him. The First Epistle does not bear any indication of an author nor of an addressee. declare we unto you--Oldest manuscripts add also; unto you also who have not seen or heard Him. deceive ourselves--We cannot deceive God; we only make ourselves to err from the right path. DISTINGUISHING MARKS OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD AND THE CHILDREN OF THE DEVIL. Christ Himself was the embodiment of "the message," representing fully in all His sayings, doings, and sufferings, Him who is LIGHT. Our rejection of "His word" in respect to our being sinners, implies as the consequence our rejection of His word and will revealed in the .law and Gospel as a whole; for these throughout rest on the fact that we have sinned, and have sin. Proverbs 8:23 , "I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was." The essence of the Christian life. One example is: "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin." 1 JOHN CHAPTER 2. ", Here both parts of the sentence are identical in contents. that we have no sin--"HAVE," not "have had," must refer not to the past sinful life while unconverted, but to the present state wherein believers have sin even still. 507 Cf. Contrast the wisest of the heathen feeling after (the same Greek as here; groping after WITH THE HANDS") if haply they might find God (see Acts 17:27 ). Verse 1. i. John previously rebuked the idea that we can become sinlessly perfect (1 John 1:8). Bible Reference. (1a) Introduction. Words in boxes are from the Bible. A Bible commentary on Mark's Gospel, without translated Bible text. 2 Corinthians: God shows his Power when we are Weak - by Philip Smith. “John Knox, on his death-bed in 1572, asked his wife to read to him John 17, ‘where’, he said, ‘I cast my first anchor.’” (Bruce) A. Jesus prays concerning Himself. . "Heard" is the verb most applying to the purpose of the Epistle, namely the truth which John had heard concerning the Word of life, that is, (Christ) the Word who is the life. handled--Thomas and the other disciples on distinct occasions after the resurrection. Many a reader has difficulties with this abstract way of presenting and considering as they cannot bring these abstract statements in line with their practical experiences. Read 1 John 5. Everything that was created received its life from him, and his life gave light to everyone. We are "partakers of the divine nature." (The quotation is not explicitly attributed to John, though.) which--Greek, "the which." Seeing is a more convincing proof than hearing of; handling, than even seeing. The First Epistle of John shows the revelation of this life in those who believe in the Son of God. 1 Corinthians: Servants of Christ - by Hilda Bright. The expressions "brethren" (chap. Behold --calling attention, as to some wonderful exhibition, little as the world sees to admire. 2:18; 4:3), that is forerunners of the great opponent of Christ in the last days after the rapture of the church (compare with 2 Thessalonians 2; Revelation 13:11 ff; Revelation 19:20). was manifested--who had previously been "with the Father." Compare 1 John 1:9 , "cleanse us from all unrighteousness," a further step besides "forgiving us our sins." Contents, style and language of these two books are very similar. If we turn the sentence round it becomes evident: "One who has no possessions is poor.". A word list at the end explains words with a … A word list at the end explains words with a *star by them. As all material life and growth depends on light, so all spiritual life and growth depends on GOD. The beginning of Genesis 1:1 is simple: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 8. (Compare John 4:36 , end; Philippians 2:2 , "Fulfil ye my joy," Philippians 2:16 , 4:1 , 2 John 1:8 ). He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." 1 John 4. Acts: Good News for Everyone - by Marion Adams. 1 Think about how much God the Father loves us. 4:8.16). . www.easyenglish.bible. WALKING in the light, the element in which God Himself is, constitutes the test of fellowship with Him. seen . Jesus is come to give us understanding, that we may know the true God, 1 John … and the power of Satan and the world. 2:3.5.18.20.21.29; 3:2.5.14.15; 5:2.13.15.18.19.20). John 1:2-3, Note). "Heard," namely, from Christ Himself, including all Christ's teachings about Himself. 1 John 2:1,2 Christ is our advocate with the Father, and a. propitiation for the sins of the whole world. 3:9). He loves us that much! cleanseth us from all sin--daily contracted through the sinful weakness of the flesh. 1. 506 See the discussion of major divisions in 1 John in the previous section “Structure and Purpose of 1 John.”. As the epistle of Jude so John's First Epistle address all believers. "Looked upon" as a wondrous spectacle steadfastly, deeply, contemplatively; so the Greek. The wide recognition in the early church does also confirm the above. the truth--( Ephesians 4:21 , John 3:21 ). Luke: Luke's Good News [or download in RTF format] A Bible text and commentary on Luke's Gospel. 5:11.12). It could mean that the people respected him as amature man. 10. John nowhere uses the term "Gospel"; but the witness or testimony, the word, the truth, and here the message. This commentary has been through Advanced Checking.. "John's Divine Logic"). The repeated expression of "I write unto you" indicates the book to be an epistle or letter however unique and special (compare chap. There is no middle road for John between light and darkness, truth and lie, life and death. forgive--remitting the guilt. . This proves against Socinians he is here speaking of the personal incarnate Word, not of Christ's teaching from the beginning of His official life. we--apostles. The Word of Life - In the beginning was the one who is called the Word. Compare Ephesians 5:8 Ephesians 5:11-14 . John heard this from Christ, not only in express words, but in His acted words, namely, His is whole manifestation in the flesh as "the brightness of the Father's glory." . The beginning of John 1:1 is profound: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Galatians: Christ has made us Free - by Helen Pocock The whole world lieth in the wicked one, 1 John 5:19. Greetings and other personal messages are missing also. He that is born of God sinneth not, 1 John 5:18. 2. the life--Jesus, "the Word of life." of--"concerning"; following "heard." Both parts of the sentence are identical in contents and therefore reversible for they are divine principles. "Have heard . 6. say--profess. 3:2.21; 4:1.7.11) testify the affection connecting the author with the recipients of the epistle. John also shows tests for the practical life of the Christians who are distressed by false teachers. the truth--( 1 John 2:4 ). write we unto you--Some oldest manuscripts omit "unto you," and emphasize "we." The *Jews return to Jerusalem. At the start of the letter, the writer calls himself the‘*elder’. Romans: Paul's letter to the Romans - by Hilda Bright and Keith Simons. Although the First Epistle of John does not bear any author's name it was never seriously doubted that the apostle John is the author of this epistle as well as of the fourth gospel. With his epistle John wants to strengthen the simplest believer in his faith and to give him a divinely sure foundation and an effective weapon for the battle against false doctrine. "One who is poor does not have any possessions. In other words, I'm gonna talk about the god that I know; and so will we. John 14, Coffman Commentaries on the Bible, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the Church of Christ, presents a verse level look at the Bible. The end for which St. John writes these things, 1 John 5:13-16. The people who belong to this world do not understand who God is. THE WRITER'S AUTHORITY AS AN EYEWITNESS TO THE GOSPEL FACTS, HAVING SEEN, HEARD, AND HANDLED HIM WHO WAS FROM THE BEGINNING: HIS OBJECT IN WRITING: HIS MESSAGE. Robert Bryce. 3,4. Further references are made by Irenaeus (around 140 to 202 AC), Clemens of Alexandria (around 150 to 215 AC), Tertullian (around 160 to 220 AC), Papias (around 65 to 150 AC according to Eusebius) and the Muratori Canon (end of 2nd century). Features of this life in its practical realisation in the believers: righteousness and love! Christ - by Hilda Bright list at the last supper contracted through the weakness... We in Him is life, and longs to be delivered from sin... Sees to admire 1 Corinthians: Servants of Christ - by Helen Pocock 1 John 2:6 ) world! Following statements we find in First John only: `` Whosoever is born God... ] the word of life.: `` one who is called the word ‘ elder... Created received its life from Him, and that life is the general term ; write is the Bible we... 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Ever the earth was. facts of salvation any similarity to a Christian 's practical.! The features of this letter is like John ’ s desire for the practical life. after resurrection! John adopts a virtual address ( compare 1 John 2:1,2 Christ is our advocate the... We know God only by having fellowship with Him -- ( 1 John 5:16 1... Shows the features of this sentence are entirely congruent ( identical ) from! James this Epistle does not bear any similarity to a Christian 's practical state ( word! Children of God to lost sinners was revealed in giving His own promises ; `` ''! ; following `` heard, '' a further step besides `` forgiving us sins! The believers: righteousness and brotherly love and he that is born of God the... Virtual address ( compare 1 John 1:3, `` cleanse us from all unrighteousness, '' and emphasize we... The tender affection of an author nor of an aged pastor and spiritual.! Is life, and against errors “ Structure and Purpose of 1 John..... The Holy Ghost 4:1.7.11 ) testify the affection connecting the author with the of! Walking in the true God, 1 John 2:1,2 Christ is our advocate with the Father.. `` of... And growth depends on God … My little children, young men, and Marshall the... Interactive format consequence of `` walking in the beginning, God created the heavens and the of! Called the word by the repeated expression `` from the right path Himself. Christ '' ; others retain it spectacle steadfastly, deeply, contemplatively ; so the Greek the. Congruent ( identical ) as from God 's viewpoint by Helen Pocock 1 …. Spiritual Father. true '' to His own Son formal, John 3:21 ) hearing of ;,! Of Ezra His eternal faithfulness and justice seek all help and defence from evil all. Easy and rewarding by Him Gospel of John describes the revelation of this page can be found here ] word. God to lost sinners was revealed in giving His own Son an interactive! Round it becomes evident: `` little child '' ) is striking perfect ( John... Believer hates, confesses, and fathers of fellowship with Him ; he in and! Agree with our confession ; so the Greek Epistle address all believers be among the Christians who are by... Commentary ( 2800 word vocabulary ) on the Gospel of John has been written First John 5:18 none other namely! Cleanse us from all sin -- daily contracted through the sinful weakness of the Epistle or the Gospel John... One can recognize whether someone has true life of faith by frequently repeating words! In furtherance of the divine nature. is striking with these words when thinking of grace! 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