1 John 01
The apostle, John, who wrote his gospel about 85 A.D. is the same writer of 1, 2 and 3 John, about 90 A.D. Schofield notes say “The Gospel of John leads across the threshold into the Father’s house, and this book makes us at home there.” This is a general letter written to those he knew and loved throughout Asia Minor. A prominent heretical group were the Gnostics, who considered themselves of superior knowledge, yet they did not believe Jesus Christ had come in the flesh. They believed God descended on Jesus at baptism, but left before the crucifixion. They believed Jesus died, but not the Christ who was the Divine Spirit, and other departures from the truth.
This book gives seven penalties for Christians who practice sin: 1:4, Loss of joy; 1:6, Walk in darkness and Loss of fellowship; 2:5, 4:12, Loss of experiences (perfection); 2:28, Loss of confidence in His coming. 3:7, Loss of peace; 3:19-22, Loss of confidence in prayer.
v 1,2. John attacks the Gnostic views head on. He had personally seen, walked, talked with and had physical contact with the Son of God who was from all eternity, and who was the only means of eternal life.
v 3,4. John is passing on what he has seen and heard in order that the salvation they have in common can be extended to a fellowship that is also in the Father & Son. This fellowship is not considered optional, but essential for complete joy. Not mere friendship with one another, “In God’s presence is fullness of joy, Ps. 16:11. (When it is full there can be no increase.)
v 5. God’s light is spoken of several times in Scripture, and it not only shows His perfection, but reveals our error and sin, Eph. 5:13.
v 6. Those professing fellowship in Christ while walking in sin lie. They are deceiving themselves, thinking the enjoyment they have in exposure to what is moral and good is the real thing. They need to examine and prove themselves to see if they are truly in the faith, 2 Cor. 13:5.
v 7. To walk in the light is to walk as Christ walked, with no hard feelings or jealousies, but with a unity of spirit. The blood of Christ is the basis for both justification and sanctification, with two results, fellowship with one another and cleansing from all sin.
v 8. a. Some question the existence of God, hence no sin. b. Some think a loving God wouldn’t hold any thing against us. c. Some blame our actions on our environment etc. and it is not our fault. d. Some through pride even deny doing anything wrong. All these are self deceptive and show the absence of the true Gospel in hearts.
v 9. There are times we need to confess to one we have wronged, but even then, it is really to God we need to confess. No confession of sin to an individual or church official can absolve that sin, and no indulgence can pay for it. Only God can forgive and He does not fail to do that. He even cleanses us for a continued walk with Him. We have not lost salvation from sin, but have broken fellowship.
v 10. This continues the thought of verse 8, with the added emphasis that to deny we sin would be to make God a liar. Compare Prov. 30:12.
1 John 02
Three things are given as as a basis for fellowship:
a. The incarnation of Christ 1 Jn. 1:1-3
b. The imperative of cleansing 1 Jn. 1:9
c. His heavenly intercession
1. His priest hood, 1 Jn. 2:1
2. His propitiation 1 Jn. 2:2
v 1. Believers should not sin, but the fact is we do, and the closer we walk with Christ the more we are aware of things we once did not consider sin. The same Greek word for advocate, “parakletos” is comforter, one who is called alongside to help. That is what Christ was on earth, and why in Jn. 14:16, He said He would send “another comforter”, the Holy Spirit. That is Christ’s ministry in heaven, mainly intercession, in which because of His sacrifice, He can restore sinning believers to fellowship.
v 2. His work of intercession could not be done if he had not made the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Propitiation is not pacifying or trying to bribe an angry god as pagans do, but meeting a requirement. Without shedding of blood is no remission of sin. Christ’s gift of Himself and His blood is payment that satisfies the requirement of God’s holy anger against us.
v 3. Obedience to God’s Word is a fruit of faith, so this gives a believer added assurance that he really knows the Lord. We are known by our fruits, Matt. 7:20. This could be expressed on a chalk board in steps or enlarging horizontal v. < , FACT: Christ died < FAITH: I know <FEELING: Joy, Peace Hope.
v 4. False profession is a lie in 1:6,8,10 and 2:4. It is shown just the opposite of verse 3 by consistent disobedience to the Word. As far as our own judgment, it may be better in many instances to let the tares and wheat grow together until harvest.
v 5. In contrast the believer obeys, not out of legalism but out of love for the Lord.
v 6. Believers don’t just obey a command but follow the example Christ set.
v 7,8. John is going to introduce something not new, it is something they have heard all along and Christ quoted it from the Old Testament, Matt. 22:36-40 (Deut. 10:12-19), but it is new because the light of the Gospel brings it within our scope to do.
v 9-11. That thing is love, and this is a further test of false profession, having hatred instead of love for other believers. We not only love them but avoid causing them to stumble, 1 Cor. 8:9.
v 12-14. According to how John writes other places, these are probably not ages of physical maturity, but spiritual development. Children have their new life in Christ. Young men have spiritual strength and moral courage. By consistency in the Word of God, they are victorious over sin. Fathers have had years of experience with God. John has words of encouragement to each group, but all enjoy fellowship together.
v 15. This is a call for separation from the world in order that our fellowship with God is not marred. It is expressed in two loves which can’t coexist in the same person.
v 16. Three areas of life that have been evident from the time Satan tempted Eve.
1 Lust of the flesh, which is man’s depraved nature- (Craving sensual gratification). Eve recognized that the tree was good for food. Satan’s suggestion to the starving Jesus that these stones be made bread. Misuse of perfectly good things, food, sex, etc., Gen. 3:6.
2. Lust of the eye - (Greedy longings of the mind.) Eve saw the forbidden fruit was pleasant to the eyes. Satan’s urging a spectacular display. Cast thyself down. Instead of “What’s wrong?” with a temptation, ask if it is wise or unwise or where it might lead.
3. Pride of life - (Assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things.) Eve saw that the tree was desired to make one wise. Satan promised Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. This may involve either self-indulgence or self-denial in order to achieve a position of prestige.
v 17. Appreciate life on earth, but it is just a path to something more enduring. Separation from things that would detract us from God include Matt. 6:19,20; Col. 3:1-3 Rom. 12:2; 2 Tim. 2:4; Titus 2:12; 2 Tim 4:10; 1 Cor. 7:31; Lk. 21:34; James 4:4.
v 18. Last time does not mean John thought Christ was coming immediately, but that he lived in the time of completion of God’s prophecies, just like we do. He would have known 2 Pet. 3:9 concerning “delay”. Those trying to stamp out any thing about God in our schools and other public places are antichrists. All heresy is anti Christ, but The Antichrist, is prominent in the Tribulation. His additional names are: The little horn, Dan. 7:8; 8:9; The king of fierce countenance, Dan. 8:23; The prince that shall come, Dan. 9:26; The willful king, Dan. 11:36; The man of sin, The son of perdition, That Wicked One, 2 Thess. 2:3-8, and the Beast, Rev. 13:1-10. He will be destroyed at the second advent of Christ, Rev. 19:11-16.
v 19. True faith is shown by perseverance in both faith and practice. Believers may backslide, but those who departed here were mere professors.
v 20,21. This unction, anointing, or sacred appointment by the Holy Spirit equips believers to love 1 Jn. 4:7-16, and discern the Truth, 2 Cor. 2:7-15; Jn. 16:13 especially as the Scripture is studied. These people were able to discern between truth and lies.
v 22,23. When cults knock on your door and deny the doctrine of the Father and the Son being one are liars and antichrists. Believers confess both Father and Son. A good test of any religion is “What do they do concerning the Lord Jesus Christ?”
v 24-27. These verses continue the thought of the Holy Spirit teaching us as in verse 20. Believers are promised eternal life and should not be deceived and swayed by those antichrists. If the Holy Spirit and the things He has taught us dwells in us, we will and must continue to dwell in Him.
v 28. Another encouragement to keep our faith strong, not for salvation but for the assurance of salvation, and we will have boldness and not be ashamed at His coming.
v 29. Constantly practicing righteousness, being conformed to the will of the righteous God, gives evidence that we are born again.
1 John 03
v 1. It is incredible love that God allows we vile humans to be called His children! Any prominent family wants the children to uphold the family name, and we should uphold the name of our heavenly Father. However the world does not understand God, so they are going to misunderstand us also.
v 2. We try to be like Christ, but we cannot comprehend all about Him. When He comes for us, what is in part will be made complete and we shall see Him and be like Him. We will be conformed to His image, Rom. 8:29.
v 3. The prospect of being with Christ should motivate us to purify ourselves. Then we won’t be ashamed when he comes, 2:28.
v 4. NOTE Concerning verses 4-10. Some believe that the Greek for Committeth, “poieo”, is usually a word of action and does not allow the thought of continuing in or habitual practice of sin. They take the approach that as a child of God it is impossible to sin, yet they do not believe in sinless perfection either. They explain from Rom. 7:14-25, “With the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.”
Others point out Committeth does have the Greek sense of continuing, as it is a synonym of Greek “prasso”, which Strong’s Concordance calls “intended, earnest, habitual performance”. Poieo is only translated commit 9 out of 579 times while prasso is translated commit 5 out of 38 times. I lean to the latter in these verses, considering commission to be habitual sin, lawlessness by commission or omission. Either way 1 Jn. 1:10 proves we sin, and 1 Jn. 1:9 gives the antidote, confess our sin.
v 5. The sinless Christ came to do what the law could not do, take away our sins.
v 6. This is not a second work of grace or other aspect of sinless perfection. It is like verse 4, the continual practice of sin. True believers don’t keep on deliberately and continually practicing sin.
v 7. This is not sinless perfection. A Christian does righteously because he has been made righteous in Christ, Rom. 3:22. This is relative to James 3:18, “I will show thee my faith by my works.”
v 8. One in habitual sin shows to others that his father is the devil and is copying after his father’s lusts, Jn. 8:44.
v 9. Believers are God’s seed or offspring, and since God is sinless, it is not our new nature to sin and we will not habitually practice sin.
v 10. Children mimic their fathers, and people either mimic their father the devil and sin, or mimic God their father and live righteously, and love fellow believers.
v 11. They have been taught all along they are to love, but may not have obeyed.
v 12,13. John contrasts righteous Able with Cain, who hated his righteousness and killed him. So don’t be surprised if the world hates us as believers.
v 14,15. As love is an indication that we have eternal life, hatred, described by Christ as murder, is an indicator of a lack of eternal life abiding in one. Sometimes we see hatred in a believer, but that one should hasten to confess it to the Lord.
v 16. Christ showed His love by His sacrifice for us. Many missionaries have died in love to reach the heathen. Many believers have endured hardship in love for others.
v 17. This is where the rubber meets the road. We are not all going to be heroes and martyrs, even unsaved may be heroes. We may help (and pray for) those in need.
v 18. This compares to James 2:16, help, not just say, “Be warmed and filled.”
v 19. Displays of love in hypocrisy may deceive men, but if we have true love, when exposed to the eyes of the Lord, we can have assurance in our hearts from Him.
v 20. Our consciences are not reliable, but the Lord searches the heart and knows what is in us.
v 21. If we have been properly taught and our conscience is not seared from lack of obedience, we will be at ease in how the Lord will consider us.
v 22. The idea is not for us to try to be good enough that God will answer our prayers, but that God honors loving obedience. Some of the conditions in which the Lord will not answer prayer: Selfishness, James 4:3; Improper home life, 1 Pet. 3:7; Doubting or lack of faith, 1 Tim. 2:8; Unconfessed sin, Ps. 66:18.
v 23. Two commands: Believe on the name of Christ and love one another.
v 24. If we are keeping His commandments we are dwelling in Him and through the Holy Spirit He is dwelling in us.
1 John 04
v 1. The expression of love, Beloved, John uses 8 times. Peter used it 8 and others along with Paul used it multiplied times. Heresies were becoming prominent even then, hence the concern of testing the spirits to see if they proceed from God.
v 2,3. True spirits bear witness to the faith in the incarnate Christ. Many of the old denominations agreed on the basic of the Apostles Creed. Others deny he was God, ignore it, or speak of it in an ambiguous way. As a Jehovah Witness hedged to me, “Yes, we too believe Jesus was the son of God , in the sense that -----.” Compare 2 Jn. 7-11. These are more of the antichrists already mentioned in chapter 2.
v 4. We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, so if God be for us, who can be against us? Rom. 8:31. The battle isn’t over, but we will be victorious, so John declares us winners.
v 5,6. A man is known by the company he keeps. If people of the world flock to a leader, that is a strong indication he is one of them, while believers attract believers.
v 7-9. Most of the rest of this chapter has to do with love. v 7, Love is one of the gifts given by God so we should love one another. v 8, Those who don’t love have never become acquainted with God because God is love. v 9, Love of God is shown by sending His Son that we might live.
v 10. 1 Jn 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has given, and in 4:19, amazingly God loved us first; and while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, Rom. 5:8. As in 1 Jn. 2:2 Propitiation is not pacifying God but meeting a requirement, which in this case was the sacrifice of Christ in our place. This does not appease, but satisfies God. Illustrate receiving a “satisfaction piece” for purchase of land.
v 11. Love becomes real when we respond to God’s love by loving others.
v 12. Jesus told Philip, Jn. 14:9, “He that has seen me has seen the Father. We have seen neither, but in knowing Christ, having Him dwelling in us, we know the Father. As we love one another, His love is brought to maturity in us.
v 13,14. John had personally witnessed the Son being sent as the Savior of the world, but by the love in v 12, we can recognize we are in Him and Holy Spirit in us.
v 15,16. God’s love provided salvation, True believers, those who confess Christ, dwell in God and God in them. This makes our holiness necessary and possible.
v 17. If love is complete in us we can have confidence our lives will meet approval at the judgment seat of Christ.
v 18. We do not fear those we love. Fear implies punishment, and may now punish through a guilty conscience. If we have fear, we are not mature in love.
v 19. Our love for God and others originated in Him.
v 20. Love and hatred cannot coexist. To claim they do is a lie and is an indication that we do not really know God.
v 21. Love affects our activity, and God orders and expects that if we love God, we will love others also.
1 John 05
Chapter 5. Assurance of Eternal Life
The key word here is "Know" We know that we Know God (2:3) We know that we are in Mim (2:5) We know that when He shall appear we shall be Like Him (3:2) We know that we have passed from Death to life, because we love the Brethren. ( 3:14) We know that we are of the Truth (3:19) We know that God abideth in us ( 3:24) We know that we abide in God ( 4:13) These things have I written that you may know that you eternal life (5:13) We know that God hears us ( 5:15) We know that we are of God ( 5:19)
v 1-3 This chapter continues love, stresses faith, and makes further comparison between true believers and unbelievers. Anyone who trusts in Jesus as the Christ and Messiah and Son of God is a born again child of God. Belief is not mere intellectual assent. Repentance involves change of view - intellect, feeling - emotion, and purpose - or will. Belief is proven by our conduct. There is a unity of love between the believer, Christ, the Father and other believers. The command to love is no more burdensome than the marriage vow to a couple who love one another. This does not refer to Moses commandments but to preach, witness, walk in light, not forsake assembling etc.
v 4,5. True believers are born of God and are overcomers through their faith.
The victory is over [1] worldliness - moral temptations (anything which detracts from our prayer and fellowship and tends to make God’s commands seem grievous.) and [2] doctrinal error. Victory is assured, but the fight is continuous. John uses the term, overcome, many times in his gospel and letters. Paul says we are more than conquerors through Christ, Rom. 8:37.
v 6. Some think the blood and water refer to Christ’s pierced side. This has been widely disputed, but it seems that the water refers to Christ’s baptism, when He publicly identified Himself with sinners and the Father voiced His approval, Mat. 3:13-17. The blood then refers to His death on the cross attested by miraculous signs. So we have a triune witness, His sinless life, His atoning death, and the witness of the Spirit. The witnesses are in agreement as required by Jewish law.
v 7. This verse is not in the original manuscripts and while it is true, it has been added. Newer translations use the last line of verse 6 as verse 7, “And the Spirit is the witness, because the Spirit is the truth.”
v 8. This reaffirms the triune witness of v 6. Later translations shorten the verse to, “There are three witnesses, the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree,” as there is not a comparison of heaven and earth. I miss that double mention of the trinity, but quite truly, the new way is more accurate and nothing is lost by the omission.
v 9. If men accept the witness of men, they should certainly accept the witness of God. Unbelief is not a matter of insufficient evidence.
v 10. Those who trust in God have divine testimony in themselves, but unbelievers who reject the triune witness are in effect calling God a liar.
v 11,12. God gives us eternal life in heaven through the Son. Those who don’t possess Him don’t have that heavenly life, and that is a sad fact.
v 13. Those who have believed on Him possess Him and have that life, and that’s assurance. Original manuscripts do not have the ending, “and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God,”but it is true, . If it was originally there, it would mean we would believe more deeply.
v 14,15. We can have absolute confidence that God will answer our petitions, but maybe not in the way we wish. Limits for effective prayer include: 1 Jn. 5:14, Ask in His will; I Jn. 3:22, Keep His commandments; 1 Pet. 3:7, Right relationship between husbands and wives; James 4:3, Asking to fulfill our lusts; Mt. 6:5,6, Pride; 21:22, and Gal. 5:6, Lack of faith; Jn. 15:7 Abide in Him. Jn. 14:13, Ask in Christ’s name
v 16. Some equate the sin unto death with the unpardonable sin, which is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit or the rejection of Christ. However, the term “brother” would indicate in 1 John to be a fellow believer (In some other places it could refer to mankind in general). Death could refer to spiritual or physical death, but here must refer to physical death. Life could refer to eternal or physical life, but here must refer to physical life. Thus, if we see a believer committing sins we can intercede for him. But if he is continuing sin to the point the Lord may remove him from this life, we are not commanded to pray for him, neither are we forbidden.
v 17. While all wrongdoing is sin, some have not persisted to the point of risking death, and they may repent of those sins.
v 18. While all sin, it is certain that a true believer does not practice sin deliberately and habitually. God keeps us, so Satan can not lay hold on us even though without are fightings, within are fears, 2 Cor. 7:5. A Christian may be demonically influenced but cannot be demon possessed.
v 19. This book is full of confidence in things “we know”:
2:3 We have come to know Him if we keep His commandments.
2:5 The love of God is perfected in us if we keep His Word.
2:29 Everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.
3:2 When He appears we shall be like Him.
3:5 He appeared to take away sin.
3:14 We have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren.
3:24; 4:13 He abides in us by the Spirit whom He has given us.
5:2 We love children of God when we love Him and keep commandments
5:13 We have eternal life.
5:15 He hears us whatever we ask. We have petitions desired of Him.
5:18 Whether people are born of God by how they avoid habitual sin.
5:19 We are of God and the whole world lies in wickedness. However, we recognize our sins by His commandments and His Son enables us to forsake them, all through the power of the Holy Spirit.
v 20. Another “we know”, Christ actually came into the world and gives us progressive understanding to know Him better and assurance of our abiding in Him. Jesus Christ the Messiah is one with the true God and life eternal. There are many verses referring to Jesus as the Truth.
v 21. John has said much about what is within, but here he makes a positive switch to that which is without. Not only avoid carved images as idols, but heretical teaching and anything else in our lives which would come between us and the Lord and take first place in our lives.
In the early 90's I started studing the bible by taking college courses, because I believe the Lord wanted me to become a pastor in a Nazarne Church. My goal has changed with all my studies. My wife and I have both joined the Catholic Church. I have read and compared numerous translations and commentaries in my many years of studying the bible. Some of these authorities disagree with each other. I come across information on studies and classes that I have taken 15 to 20 years before and I have no documentation of where it came from. Plus I have given away or returned many books for college classes that I have taken. So if I have failed to give someone the credit that is due them I ask for their forgiveness. The following is a list of translations and commentaries that I still have and use.
ANSWERS to 200 of Life's Most Probing Questions by Pat RobertsonOUR ETERNAL HOME by Richard W. Dehaan,
PROPHECY STUDY BIBLE by Tim Lahaye
READER'S DIGEST JESUS AND HIS TIMES by the Readers Digest Association Inc,
REFLECTING GOD STUDY BIBLE By Zondervan Corporation;
SAINT JOSEPH EDITION OF THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE by Catholic Book Publishing Co.
SEVEN KEYS TO FAMILY POWER by Billy Joe Daugherty,
SIX HOURS ONE FRIDAY by Max Lacado,
THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE by the Zondervan Corporation;
THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD by Jocyce Meyer,
THE BIBLE PROMISE BOOK by Babbour Publishing Inc,
THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER by Charles Mortimer Guilbert
THE BOOK OF HOPE by Tyndale House Publishiers, Inc,
THE BORN AGAIN CATHOLIC by Albert H. Boudreau,
THE CASE FOR CHRIST by Lee Strobel,
THE CATHOLIC ANSWER BOOK by Peter MJ Stravinsiasi
THE COMPLETE BOOK OF BIBLE KNOWLEDGE by Mark D. Taylor;
THE DAY CHRIST DIED by Jim Bishop,
THE GREAT BIBLE QUESTION AND ANWERS BOOK by Playmore Inc
THE HOME BIBLE STUDY COURSE by Dr. Harold L. Wilmington;
THE KING JAMES BIBLE ARCHAIE WORDS DEFIND by David W. Daniel
THE KING JAMES BIBLE COMPANION by David W. Daniels;
THE KING JAMES STUDY BIBLE by Thomas Nelson Publishers,
THE LAYMAN’S BIBLE DICTIONARY by George W. Knight and Rayburn W. Ray;
THE LAYMAN’S PARALLEL NEW TESTAMENT by Zondervan Bible Publisher
THE LAYMAN'S LIST by Calance Stucup
THE MESSAGE BIBLE by Eugone H. Peterson,
THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE by World Catholic Press;
THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE Saint Joseph Edition;
THE NEW STRONG’S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE by James Strong LL. D S.T.D.;
THE RISKS AND REWARDS OF INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE by Cardinal Francis Arinze
THE TRINITY by Rose Publish
THE VERY FIRST ESTER by Paul L. Maier,
THE WAY CATHOLIC LIVING BIBLE by Tyndale House Publishers;
UNCHRISTIAN by David Kennan and Gabe Lyon
UNDERSTANDING GOD’S LOVE by Ronald Greib
VINE’S EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY OF OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT WORDS By W. E. Vine;
WHAT’S SO SECRET ABOUT THE RAPTURRE? By Christian Record Services, INC
WHEN GOD WINKS AT YOU by Tomas Nelson
WILLMINGTON’S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE by Dr. H.L. Willmington,
WOMAN OF FAITH STUDY BIBLE by Zschech/Heillsong
YESTERDAY TODAY AND FOREVER by New Leaf Press
YOU WERE BORN FOR THIS by Anthony Wilhen
08/19/2011