1 John 3

“THE FIRST EPISTLE OF JOHN”

Chapter Three John describes God’ s wonderful love for us, how hope as His children should motivate us to pure lives. Righteous living should be expected when we know what sin is, that Christ came to destroy it, and that one truly born of God will not persist in sin (1 John 3:1-9). True righteousness includes loving one another, even as Christ loved us, which in turn gives us confidence and assurance that we are abiding in Him and are of the truth (1 John 3:10-24).

POINTS TO PONDER

• God’ s love for us, and our love for one another

• The definition of sin, and the meaning of “does not sin” (1 John 3:6; 1 John 3:9)

• The outworking of love, and the assurance it gives of our salvation

REVIEW

1. What are the main points of this chapter?- Living as children of God - 1 John 3:1-9- Loving one another - 1 John 3:10-24

2. What should motivate us to live pure lives? (1 John 3:2-3)- The hope that when God (Jesus?) is revealed, we shall be like Him

3. How is sin defined by John? (1 John 3:4)- As lawlessness (“transgression of the law”, cf. KJV)

4. What is true of one who abides in Jesus? Who has been born of God? (1 John 3:6; 1 John 3:9)- Does not “sin” (“keep on sinning”, cf. ESV, NLT)

• Does not “sin” (“make a practice of sinning”, ibid.)
• Cannot “sin” (“keep on sinning”, ibid.)

5. What distinguishes children of God from children of the devil? (1 John 3:10)- The former practices righteousness and loves the brethren

6. What serves as evidence that we have passed from death to life? (1 John 3:14)- That we love the brethren

7. How do we know what true love is? How then should we love? (1 John 3:16-18)- By the example Jesus set; sacrificially, in deed and truth

8. What gives us assurance and confidence that we are of the truth? (1 John 3:19-23)- Loving one another and keeping His commandments, especially having faith in Jesus

9. How can we know that He abides in us and we in Him? (1 John 3:24)- When we keep His commandments, and by His Spirit whom He has given us

1 John 3:1

1 John 3:11 John 3:1 ιδετεG1492 [G5628] SEE ποταπηνG4217 WHAT αγαπηνG26 LOVE δεδωκενG1325 [G5758] HAS GIVEN ημινG2254 TO US οG3588 THE πατηρG3962 FATHER, ιναG2443 THAT τεκναG5043 θεουG2316 OF GOD κληθωμενG2564 [G5686] WE SHOULD BE CALLED διαG1223 ON ACCOUNT τουτοG5124 OF THIS οG3588 THE κοσμοςG2889 WORLD ουG3756 γινωσκειG1097 [G5719] KNOWS NOT ημαςG2248 US οτιG3754 BECAUSE ουκG3756 εγνωG1097 [G5627] IT KNEW NOT αυτονG846 HIM . what: 1 John 4:9, 1 John 4:10, 2 Samuel 7:19, Psalms 31:19, Psalms 36:7-9, Psalms 89:1, Psalms 89:2, John 3:16, Romans 5:8, Romans 8:32, Ephesians 2:4, Ephesians 2:5, Ephesians 3:18, Ephesians 3:19 that: Jeremiah 3:19, Hosea 1:10, John 1:12, Romans 8:14-17, Romans 8:21, Romans 9:25, Romans 9:26, 2 Corinthians 6:18, Galatians 3:26, Galatians 3:29, Galatians 4:5, Galatians 4:6, Revelation 21:7 the world: John 15:18, John 15:19, John 16:3, John 17:25, Colossians 3:3 Genesis 23:6 - a mighty prince Exodus 2:10 - and he Deuteronomy 7:7 - The Lord Deuteronomy 14:1 - the children Deuteronomy 32:6 - thy father 1 Samuel 18:23 - a light 1 Kings 8:27 - But will Esther 2:7 - took Son 1:5 - black Isaiah 56:5 - and a Isaiah 64:4 - have not Malachi 3:17 - and I Matthew 7:11 - how Matthew 22:30 - in the Matthew 23:9 - for Mark 10:30 - an hundredfold John 1:10 - knew John 1:26 - whom John 11:36 - Behold John 14:21 - that loveth John 17:23 - and hast Acts 9:21 - amazed Romans 1:7 - God Romans 5:2 - and rejoice Romans 9:8 - are counted Romans 12:12 - Rejoicing Galatians 4:8 - when Galatians 4:31 - we Ephesians 1:5 - unto Ephesians 1:18 - is Ephesians 2:19 - household Ephesians 4:6 - God Ephesians 5:1 - as Philippians 2:15 - sons Colossians 1:12 - partakers Colossians 1:23 - the hope 1 Thessalonians 3:11 - God 1 Thessalonians 5:8 - the hope Hebrews 2:10 - many Hebrews 6:11 - of hope James 1:9 - in 1 John 3:2 - now are we the 1 John 4:16 - we1 John 3:1 Behold is a term used as a call to attention, directing the minds of the readers to a matter the apostle regards as of special importance. It is the manner (sort, kind or quality) of love that the writer wishes to em­phasize. God’ s love was so great that He was willing to demonstrate it by giving us the highest possible honor, namely, taking us into the divine fam­ily as children. It is like a very wealthy king who takes a poor man from the depths of poverty and hu­mility, and makes him an heir to the royal estate, only the illustration but faintly compares the circumstance. Since the world knew not the Father it would not recognize those who have been redeemed from the regions of sin, and adopted into the family of the Heavenly King. Behold (ἴδετε) Lit., behold ye. The plural is peculiar. The usual form is the singular ἴδε or ἰδού. See John 1:29; John 11:3, etc.; John 4:35; John 19:26-27. Elsewhere the plural is used of something actually vsible (Gail 6:11). ——————————————————————————– What manner of (ποταπὴν) The word is of infrequent occurrence in the New Testament, but is found in all the Synoptists and in 2 Peter 3:11. Only here in John’s writings.

Originally it means from what country or race; then, of what sort or quality. It is used of the quality of both persons and things. ——————————————————————————– Hath bestowed (δέδωκεν) Emphasizing the endowment of the receiver. Compare χαρίζομαι, from χάρις grace, favor, which emphasizes the goodwill of the giver. See Galatians 3:18; Philippians 2:9; Philippians 1:29. ——————————————————————————– That (ἵνα) See on John 15:13. ——————————————————————————– We should be called (κληθῶμεν) Or, named. As Matthew 2:23; Matthew 21:13; Luke 1:13; Luke 1:31, etc. The verb is never used by John of the divine call.

In John 10:3, for καλεῖ calleth, read φωνεῖ. ——————————————————————————– The sons (τέκνα) Rev., better, children. See on John 1:12. ——————————————————————————– And such we are (καὶἐσμεν) Lit., and we are. Added by Rev., according to the best texts. A parenthetical, reflective comment, characteristic of John. See on 1 John 1:2.

1 John 3:2

1 John 3:21 John 3:2 αγαπητοιG27 BELOVED, νυνG3568 NOW τεκναG5043 θεουG2316 OF GOD εσμενG2070 [G5748] ARE WE, καιG2532 AND ουπωG3768 NOT YET εφανερωθηG5319 [G5681] WAS IT τιG5101 WHAT εσομεθαG2071 [G5704] WE SHALL BE; οιδαμενG1492 [G5758] δεG1161 BUT WE KNOW οτιG3754 THAT εανG1437 IF φανερωθηG5319 [G5686] HE BE , ομοιοιG3664 LIKE αυτωG846 HIM εσομεθαG2071 [G5704] WE SHALL BE οτιG3754 FOR οψομεθαG3700 [G5695] WE SHALL SEE αυτονG846 HIM καθωςG2531 AS εστινG2076 [G5748] HE IS. now are we the: 1 John 3:1, 1 John 5:1, Isaiah 56:5, Romans 8:14, Romans 8:15, Romans 8:18, Galatians 3:26, Galatians 4:6 it: Psalms 31:19, Romans 8:18, 1 Corinthians 2:9, 1 Corinthians 13:12, 2 Corinthians 4:17 what: Psalms 17:15, Romans 8:29, 1 Corinthians 15:49, Philippians 3:21, 2 Peter 1:4 when: Malachi 3:2, Colossians 3:4, Hebrews 9:28 for: Job 19:26, Psalms 16:11, Matthew 5:8, John 17:24, 1 Corinthians 13:12, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 Genesis 23:6 - a mighty prince Exodus 28:2 - glory Exodus 29:43 - sanctified Numbers 14:14 - art seen Deuteronomy 14:1 - the children 1 Kings 10:7 - I believed 2 Chronicles 9:6 - the one half Job 37:19 - we Psalms 63:3 - Because Psalms 73:25 - Whom Psalms 90:17 - And let Isaiah 33:17 - eyes Isaiah 64:4 - have not Hosea 1:10 - Ye are the sons Matthew 13:38 - the good Matthew 17:4 - it is Matthew 22:30 - in the Mark 9:5 - it is Mark 12:25 - but Luke 9:32 - they saw Luke 20:36 - the children of God John 14:3 - I will John 20:17 - your Father Romans 8:4 - That Romans 8:19 - the manifestation Romans 8:23 - waiting Romans 9:8 - are counted 1 Corinthians 1:7 - coming 1 Corinthians 13:9 - General 1 Corinthians 15:53 - put 2 Corinthians 5:1 - we know 2 Corinthians 5:8 - present 2 Corinthians 6:18 - a Father Galatians 4:31 - we Ephesians 4:24 - after Ephesians 5:1 - as Colossians 3:3 - hid 2 Thessalonians 2:16 - good 1 Timothy 6:14 - until Titus 1:2 - hope Titus 2:13 - the glorious Titus 2:14 - purify Hebrews 2:10 - many Hebrews 10:34 - in yourselves that ye have Hebrews 12:14 - no man 1 Peter 1:5 - ready 1 Peter 5:1 - a partaker 1 Peter 5:4 - appear 1 John 2:28 - when 1 John 3:6 - whosoever Revelation 1:7 - and every Revelation 22:4 - they1 John 3:2 In beginning this verse with the word beloved, the apostle does so in the same sentiment that caused him to use the term little children; it is a term of endearment. Now signifies he is speaking of the condition in this life before he shall appear. Being a son of God is a spiritual relationship which does not make any change in our per­sonal appearance. That is because we must retain our fleshly body while we live in this world. What we shall be pertains to what can be seen as the connection in the verse shows, and John is referring to what our appear­ance will be after the coming of Christ. He says what that.will be doth not yet appear.

Yet he does know (by inspira­tion) that when Jesus comes we shall be like him. But the apostle did know even as he was writing, what the ap­pearance of Jesus was when he was on the earth, for he appeared as a man with a fleshly body. Hence He will be changed and John was not instructed as to what the new form would be in appearance. Another thing of which he was certain was that when he shall appear we shall be like him. - If that is the case then we shall be alike since “ things equal to the same thing are equal to each other.” Then if the saved ones are all alike there will be no distinction between them. This is fatal to the carnal notion that we will recognize our “ loved ones” (family relations) in heaven. There will be no male nor female nor other personal distinctions and hence no recognition of one person as to whether he is my father or your brother or the husband of this or that woman: all bodily or personal distinctions are for this life only. 1 John 3:2 Beloved See 1 John 2:7. ——————————————————————————– Now are we and, etc. The two thoughts of the present and the future condition of God’s children are placed side by side with the simple copula, and, as parts of one thought. Christian condition, now and eternally, centers in the fact of being children of God. In that fact lies the germ of all the possibilities of eternal life. ——————————————————————————– It doth not yet appear (οὔπωἐφανερώθη) Rev., more correctly, it is not yet made manifest. See on John 21:1. The force of the aorist tense is, was never manifested on any occasion. ——————————————————————————– What we shall be (τίἐσόμεθα) “This what suggests something unspeakable, contained in the likeness of God” (Bengel). ——————————————————————————– But we know Omit but. ——————————————————————————– When He shall appear (ἐὰνφανερωθῇ) Rev., correctly, if He (or it) shall be manifested.

We may render either “if it shall be manifested,” that is what we shall be; or, “if He,” etc. The preceding ἐφανερώθη it is (not yet) made manifest, must, I think, decide us in favor of the rendering it.

We are now children of God. It has not been revealed what we shall be, and therefore we do not know. In the absence of such revelation, we know (through our consciousness of childship, through His promise that we shall behold His glory), that if what we shall be were manifested, the essential fact of the glorified condition thus revealed will be likeness to the Lord. This fact we know now as a promise, as a general truth of our future state. The condition of realizing the fact is the manifestation of that glorified state, the revealing of the τίἐσόμεθα what we shall be; for that manifestation will bring with it the open vision of the Lord. When the what we shall be shall be manifest, it will bring us face to face with Him, and we shall be like Him because we shall see Him as He is. ——————————————————————————— As He is (καθώςἐστιν) Strictly, just as.

Rev., even as. “As long as the festivity Of Paradise shall be, so long our love Shall radiate round about us such a vesture. Its brightness is proportioned to the ardor, The ardor to the vision; and the vision Equals what grace it has above its worth.

Dante, “Paradiso,” iv., 37-42.

1 John 3:3

1 John 3:31 John 3:3. καιG2532 AND παςG3956 οG3588 THAT εχωνG2192 [G5723] HAS τηνG3588 ελπιδαG1680 ταυτηνG3778 THIS HOPE επG1909 IN αυτωG846 HIM, αγνιζειG48 [G5719] εαυτονG1438 HIMSELF, καθωςG2531 EVEN AS εκεινοςG1565 HE αγνοςG53 PURE εστινG2076 [G5748] IS. now are we the: 1 John 3:1, 1 John 5:1, Isaiah 56:5, Romans 8:14, Romans 8:15, Romans 8:18, Galatians 3:26, Galatians 4:6 it: Psalms 31:19, Romans 8:18, 1 Corinthians 2:9, 1 Corinthians 13:12, 2 Corinthians 4:17 what: Psalms 17:15, Romans 8:29, 1 Corinthians 15:49, Philippians 3:21, 2 Peter 1:4 when: Malachi 3:2, Colossians 3:4, Hebrews 9:28 for: Job 19:26, Psalms 16:11, Matthew 5:8, John 17:24, 1 Corinthians 13:12, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 Genesis 23:6 - a mighty prince Exodus 28:2 - glory Exodus 29:43 - sanctified Numbers 14:14 - art seen Deuteronomy 14:1 - the children 1 Kings 10:7 - I believed 2 Chronicles 9:6 - the one half Job 37:19 - we Psalms 63:3 - Because Psalms 73:25 - Whom Psalms 90:17 - And let Isaiah 33:17 - eyes Isaiah 64:4 - have not Hosea 1:10 - Ye are the sons Matthew 13:38 - the good Matthew 17:4 - it is Matthew 22:30 - in the Mark 9:5 - it is Mark 12:25 - but Luke 9:32 - they saw Luke 20:36 - the children of God John 14:3 - I will John 20:17 - your Father Romans 8:4 - That Romans 8:19 - the manifestation Romans 8:23 - waiting Romans 9:8 - are counted 1 Corinthians 1:7 - coming 1 Corinthians 13:9 - General 1 Corinthians 15:53 - put 2 Corinthians 5:1 - we know 2 Corinthians 5:8 - present 2 Corinthians 6:18 - a Father Galatians 4:31 - we Ephesians 4:24 - after Ephesians 5:1 - as Colossians 3:3 - hid 2 Thessalonians 2:16 - good 1 Timothy 6:14 - until Titus 1:2 - hope Titus 2:13 - the glorious Titus 2:14 - purify Hebrews 2:10 - many Hebrews 10:34 - in yourselves that ye have Hebrews 12:14 - no man 1 Peter 1:5 - ready 1 Peter 5:1 - a partaker 1 Peter 5:4 - appear 1 John 2:28 - when 1 John 3:6 - whosoever Revelation 1:7 - and every Revelation 22:4 - they1 John 3:3 Hath this hope means the hope of seeing Jesus and being like him. With such an incentive it is ex­pected that all who have become the sons of God will cleanse themselves of impurity in life and strive to be like his Son. 1 John 3:3 Every man that hath (πᾶςὁἔχων) A characteristic form of expression with John, containing “a reference to some who had questioned the application of a general principle in particular cases.” Here to some persons who had denied the practical obligation to moral purity involved in their hope. See 1 John 3:4; 1 John 3:6; 1 John 3:9-10; 1 John 3:15; 1 John 3:23-24; 1 John 4:7; 1 John 5:1; 1 John 5:4; 1 John 5:18; 2 John 1:9. ——————————————————————————– Hope John’s only reference to Christian hope. The phrase used here, to have the hope upon one, is unique in the New Testament. Compare ἐπ’ αὐτῷἔθνηἐλπιοῦσιν “on Him shall the Gentiles hope” (Romans 15:12): ἠλπίκαμενἐπὶΘεῷζῶντι “we have hoped on the living God” (1 Timothy 4:10). On the force of ἔχων, see on John 16:22. ——————————————————————————– In Him (ἐπ’ αὐτῷ) Ambiguous. Better, as Rev., set on Him. ——————————————————————————– Purifieth himself (ἁγνίζειἑαυτόν) On the verb, see on 1 Peter 1:22; see on James 4:8.

In the Septuagint used only of ceremonial purification, and so four out of the seven instances in which it occurs in the New Testament (John 11:55; Acts 21:24; Acts 21:26; Acts 24:18). In the remaining cases, of purifying the heart and the soul (James 4:8; 1 Peter 1:22). The kindred adjective ἁγνός pure, has a moral signification in every case, as has the noun ἁγότης pureness (only 2 Corinthians 6:6). Ἁγνισμός purification (only Acts 21:26), ceremonial. ——————————————————————————– He (ἐκεῖνος) Christ, as always in the Epistle. ——————————————————————————– Pure (ἁγνός) See above. Though marking moral and spiritual purity, and that of a very high grade, since it is applied to Christ here, yet it admits the thought of possible temptation or pollution, thus differing from ἅγιος, which means absolutely holy. Hence ἁγνός cannot properly be applied to God, who is ἅγιος; but both may be used of Christ, the latter in virtue of His human perfection.

1 John 3:4

1 John 3:41 John 3:4 παςG3956 οG3588 THAT ποιωνG4160 [G5723] τηνG3588 αμαρτιανG266 SIN, καιG2532 τηνG3588 ALSO ανομιανG458 ποιειG4160 [G5719] ; καιG2532 ηG3588 AND αμαρτιαG266 SIN εστινG2076 [G5748] ηG3588 IS ανομιαG458 . committeth: 1 John 3:8, 1 John 3:9, 1 Kings 8:47, 1 Chronicles 10:13, 2 Corinthians 12:21, James 5:15 transgresseth: Numbers 15:31, 1 Samuel 15:24, 2 Chronicles 24:20, Isaiah 53:8, Daniel 9:11, Romans 3:20, Romans 4:15, James 2:9-11 for: 1 John 5:17, Romans 7:7-13 Leviticus 11:4 - unclean unto you Isaiah 42:21 - he will Romans 5:13 - but sin Romans 7:5 - which Philippians 3:9 - which is of the1 John 3:4 Since committeth is a key word in verse 9 I shall leave my com­ments on it until that verse is reached. Sin is the transgression of the law. It should be observed that John does not say transgression is the only thing that constitutes sin; it is the only phase of the subject being considered at this place. Whosoever committeth sin (πᾶςὁποιῶντὴνἁμαρτίαν) Rev., better, every one that doeth sin. See on v. 3, every man that hath, and note the frequent repetition of this form of expression in the present chapter. Compare πᾶςὁἁμαρτάνων whosoever sinneth (v. 6). The phrase to do sin regards sin as something actually realized in its completeness. He that does sin realizes in action the sin (note the article τὴν) that which includes and represents the complete ideal of sin. Compare do righteousness, 1 John 2:29. ——————————————————————————– Transgresseth also the law (καὶτὴνἀνομίανποιεῖ) Rev., more accurately, doeth also lawlessness.

Compare Matthew 13:41, and the phrase οἱἐργαζόμενοιτὴνἀνομίαν ye that work iniquity (Matthew 7:23). ——————————————————————————– For (καὶ) Rev., correctly, and. This and the preceding clause are coordinated after John’s manner.—– ——————————————————————————– Is the transgression of the law (ἐστὶνἡἀνομία) Rev., correctly, is lawlessness. Sin is the violation of the law of our being, the law which includes our threefold relation to God, to the men and things around us, and to ourselves. Compare James 1:14; James 4:17.

1 John 3:5

1 John 3:51 John 3:5 καιG2532 AND οιδατεG1492 [G5758] YE KNOW οτιG3754 THAT εκεινοςG1565 HE εφανερωθηG5319 [G5681] WAS , ιναG2443 ταςG3588 THAT αμαρτιαςG266 SINS ημωνG2257 OUR αρηG142 [G5661] HE MIGHT TAKE AWAY; καιG2532 AND αμαρτιαG266 SIN ενG1722 IN αυτωG846 HIM ουκG3756 IS NOT εστινG2076 [G5748] IS he: 1 John 1:2, 1 John 4:9-14, John 1:31, 1 Timothy 3:16, 1 Peter 1:20 to: 1 John 1:7, Isaiah 53:4-12, Hosea 14:2, Matthew 1:21, John 1:29, Romans 3:24-26, Ephesians 5:25-27, 1 Timothy 1:15, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 9:26, Hebrews 9:28, 1 Peter 2:24, Revelation 1:5 in: 1 John 2:1, Luke 23:41, Luke 23:47, John 8:46, John 14:30, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 4:15, Hebrews 7:26, Hebrews 9:28, 1 Peter 2:22, 1 Peter 3:18 Job 7:21 - take away Psalms 130:8 - he shall redeem Isaiah 42:21 - he will Isaiah 53:9 - deceit John 19:4 - that ye Acts 3:26 - in Galatians 2:17 - is Hebrews 9:14 - without Hebrews 10:4 - take 1 John 1:8 - say 1 John 2:29 - he Isaiah 1 John 3:8 - this purpose1 John 3:5 In him is no sin. This is what is meant in John 14:30 where Jesus says the prince of this world (Satan) cometh “ and hath nothing in me.” No sacrifice could have atoned for the sins of the world if attempted by a person who was himself tainted with sin. Ye know John’s characteristic appeal to Christian knowledge. Compare 1 John 2:20-21; 1 John 4:2; 1 John 4:14; 1 John 4:16; 1 John 5:15; 1 John 5:18; 3 John 1:12. ——————————————————————————– He (ἐκεῖνος) Christ, as always in this Epistle. See on John 1:18. ——————————————————————————– Was manifested See on John 21:1. Including Christ’s whole life on earth and its consequences. The idea of manifestation here assumes the fact of a previous being. John various terms to describe the incarnation.

He conceives it with reference to the Father, as a sending, a mission. Hence ὁπέμψαςμε He that sent me (John 4:34; John 6:38; John 9:4; John 12:44, etc.): ὁπέμψαςμεπατήρ the Father that sent me (John 5:37; John 8:18; John 12:49, etc.): with the verb ἀποστέλλω to send as an envoy, with a commission; God sent (ἀπέστειλεν) His Son (John 3:17; John 10:36; 1 John 4:10; compare John 6:57; John 7:29; John 17:18).

With reference to the Son, as a coming, regarded as a historic fact and as an abiding fact. As a historic event, He came (ἧλθεν, John 1:11); this is He that came (ὁἐλθὼν, 1 John 5:6). Came forth (ἐξῆλθον; John 8:42; John 16:27-28; John 17:8). As something abiding in its effects, am come, hath come, is come, marked by the perfect tense: Light is come (ἐλήλυθεν, John 3:19). Jesus Christ is come (ἐληλυθότα, 1 John 4:2). (Compare John 5:43; John 12:46; John 18:37). In two instances with ἥκω I am come, John 8:42; 1 John 5:20. Or with the present tense, as describing a coming realized at the moment: whence I come (ἔρχομαι, John 8:14); compare John 14:3; John 14:18; John 14:28; also Jesus Christ coming (ἐρχόμενον, 2 John 1:7). With reference to the form: in flesh (σάρξ).

See John 1:14; 1 John 4:2; 2 John 1:7. With reference to men, Christ was manifested (1 John 1:2; 1 John 3:5; 1 John 3:8; John 1:31; John 21:1; John 21:14). ——————————————————————————– To take away (ἵναἄρῃ) See on John 1:29. ——————————————————————————– Our sins (τὰςἁμαρτίαςἡμῶν) Omit ἡυῶν our. Compare John 1:29, τὴνἁμαρτίαν, the sin. The plural here regards all that is contained in the inclusive term the sin: all manifestations or realizations of sin. ——————————————————————————– In Him is no sin (ἁμαρτίαἐναὐτῷοὐκἔστιν) Lit., in Him sin is not. He is essentially and forever without sin. Compare John 7:18.

1 John 3:6

1 John 3:61 John 3:6 παςG3956 ANYONE οG3588 THAT ενG1722 IN αυτωG846 HIM μενωνG3306 [G5723] ABIDES ουχG3756 NOT αμαρτανειG264 [G5719] SINS : παςG3956 ANYONE οG3588 THAT αμαρτανωνG264 [G5723] SINS ουχG3756 NOT εωρακενG3708 [G5758] HAS SEEN αυτονG846 HIM, ουδεG3761 NOR εγνωκενG1097 [G5758] HAS KNOWN αυτονG846 HIM. abideth: 1 John 2:28, John 15:4-7 whosoever: 1 John 3:2, 1 John 3:9, 1 John 2:4, 1 John 4:8, 1 John 5:18, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Corinthians 4:6, 3 John 1:11 Ezekiel 3:21 - if thou Hosea 6:6 - the 1 John 1:8 - say 1 John 2:6 - he1 John 3:6 Abideth signifies a con­tinuous life in Christ and not a waver­ing from side to side. Such a person sinneth not which is akin to the word committeth as to its ending which will be explained at verse 9. A person can­not abide in Christ until he first comes into Him, then if he continues in that relation it can be said that he is abiding in Him. By the same token if a man sinneth it is proof that such a person has not yet made his acquaint­ance with Christ. Abideth Compare John 15:4-10. To abide in Christ is more than to be in Him, since it represents a condition maintained by communion with God and by the habitual doing of His will. See on 1 John 2:6. ——————————————————————————– Sinneth not John does not teach that believers do not sin, but is speaking of a character, a habit. Throughout the Epistle he deals with the ideal reality of life in God, in which the love of God and sin exclude each other as light and darkness. ——————————————————————————– Seen— known The vision of Christ and the appropriation of what is seen. Rev., correctly, knoweth.

1 John 3:7

1 John 3:71 John 3:7 τεκνιαG5040 LITTLE , μηδειςG3367 NO ONE πλανατωG4105 [G5720] LET LEAD ASTRAY υμαςG5209 YOU; οG3588 HE THAT ποιωνG4160 [G5723] τηνG3588 δικαιοσυνηνG1343 , δικαιοςG1342 εστινG2076 [G5748] IS, καθωςG2531 EVEN AS εκεινοςG1565 HE δικαιοςG1342 εστινG2076 [G5748] IS. let: 1 John 2:26, 1 John 2:29, Romans 2:13, 1 Corinthians 6:9, Galatians 6:7, Galatians 6:8, Ephesians 5:6, James 1:22, James 2:19, James 5:1-3 he that: Psalms 106:3, Ezekiel 18:5-9, Matthew 5:20, Luke 1:75, Acts 10:35, Romans 2:6-8, Romans 2:13, Romans 6:16-18, Ephesians 5:9, Philippians 1:11, 1 Peter 2:24 even: 1 John 3:3, 1 John 2:1, Psalms 45:7, Psalms 72:1-7, Hebrews 1:8, Hebrews 7:2, 1 Peter 1:15, 1 Peter 1:16 Exodus 38:8 - the laver Psalms 15:2 - worketh Psalms 112:4 - righteous Proverbs 11:19 - righteousness Proverbs 12:28 - General Isaiah 5:7 - he looked Isaiah 26:7 - way Isaiah 33:15 - that walketh Ezekiel 14:20 - by Ezekiel 18:9 - is just Ezekiel 18:22 - in his Luke 1:6 - walking Luke 6:47 - doeth Acts 24:25 - righteousness 2 Corinthians 6:13 - I speak 2 Timothy 2:19 - depart 1 John 3:10 - whosoever1 John 3:7 Little children is general and is used as explained at 1 John 2:1. They are again warned against being deceived which evidently refers to the antichrists who are mentioned in the preceding chapter. The first he stands for the faithful follower of Christ and the second he means Christ himself. Doeth and is righteous are related and will receive some more light at verse 9. Little children See on 1 John 2:1. ——————————————————————————– Deceive (πλανάτω) Rev., better, lead astray. See on 1 John 2:8. ——————————————————————————– Doeth righteousness See on v. 4, and compare 1 John 2:29. Note the article τὴν, the righteousness, in its completeness and unity. Not merely doing righteous acts. “In his relation to other men he will do what is just; and in his relation to the gods he will do what is holy; and he who does what is just and holy cannot be other than just and holy” (Plato, “Gorgias,” 507).

1 John 3:8

8

1 John 3:81 John 3:8 οG3588 HE THAT ποιωνG4160 [G5723] τηνG3588 αμαρτιανG266 SIN, εκG1537 OF τουG3588 THE διαβολουG1228 DEVIL εστινG2076 [G5748] IS; οτιG3754 BECAUSE απG575 FROM “THE” αρχηςG746 οG3588 THE διαβολοςG1228 DEVIL αμαρτανειG264 [G5719] SINS. ειςG1519 FOR τουτοG5124 THIS εφανερωθηG5319 [G5681] WAS οG3588 THE υιοςG5207 τουG3588 SON θεουG2316 OF GOD, ιναG2443 THAT λυσηG3089 [G5661] HE MIGHT UNDO ταG3588 THE εργαG2041 WORKS τουG3588 OF THE διαβολουG1228 DEVIL. He that: 1 John 3:10, 1 John 5:19,*Gr: Matthew 13:38, John 8:44, Ephesians 2:2 for: 2 Peter 2:4, Jude 1:6 this purpose: 1 John 3:5, Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 27:1, Mark 1:24, Luke 10:18, John 12:31, John 16:11, Romans 16:20, Colossians 2:15, Hebrews 2:14, Revelation 20:2, Revelation 20:3, Revelation 20:10, Revelation 20:15 Numbers 21:9 - when he Judges 14:6 - rent him Isaiah 5:7 - he looked Isaiah 40:10 - with strong hand Isaiah 49:25 - Even Daniel 9:24 - finish Micah 7:19 - subdue Zechariah 3:2 - the Lord said Matthew 6:13 - deliver Matthew 12:29 - General Mark 3:27 - General Mark 5:7 - that Mark 7:29 - General Mark 7:30 - she found Luke 1:71 - we Luke 3:7 - O generation Luke 4:34 - art Luke 8:28 - I beseech Luke 8:35 - and found Luke 11:22 - General John 1:34 - this John 3:8 - so John 6:70 - and one John 8:34 - Whosoever John 8:38 - and ye Acts 10:38 - healing Acts 13:10 - thou child Acts 26:18 - and from Romans 1:3 - his Son Galatians 2:17 - are found Colossians 1:13 - the power 1 Timothy 1:15 - that James 3:15 - devilish 1 Peter 1:20 - but 1 Peter 5:8 - the devil 1 John 1:2 - was manifested 1 John 3:4 - committeth 1 John 3:12 - of Revelation 12:9 - the Devil 1 John 3:8 Committeth and sinneth will be explained by the comments on the next verse. Is of thg devil refers to the practice of sin which was introduced into the world by the devil. From the beginning means the begin­ning of mankind on the earth. Not that he had not sinned before that, for he had, by reason of which he was cast out of heaven (Luke 10:18). But John is here concerned only with the devil’ s first attack upon man as the rest of the verse indicates. We know that the Son of God was manifested in the world to destroy the works of the devil, therefore the word beginning can apply only to the beginning of man on the earth. The Devil See on 1 John 2:13. Compare John 8:44. “The devil made no one, he begot no one, he created no one; but whosoever imitates the devil, is, as it were, a child of the devil, through imitating, not through being born of him” (Augustine). ——————————————————————————– Sinneth The present tense indicates continuousness. He sinned in the beginning, and has never ceased to sin from the beginning, and still sinneth. ——————————————————————————– The Son of God For the first time in the Epistle. Hitherto the title has been the Son, or His Son. See on 1 John 1:7. ——————————————————————————– Might destroy (λύσῃ) Lit., dissolve, loosen. Compare Acts 27:41; Acts 13:43. “The works of the devil are represented as having a certain consistency and coherence.

They show a kind of solid front. But Christ, by His coming, has revealed them in their complete unsubstantiality. He has ‘undone’ the seeming bonds by which they were held together” (Westcott).

1 John 3:9

1 John 3:91 John 3:9 παςG3956 ANYONE οG3588 THAT γεγεννημενοςG1080 [G5772] HAS BEEN εκG1537 τουG3588 OF θεουG2316 GOD, αμαρτιανG266 SIN ουG3756 NOT ποιειG4160 [G5719] , οτιG3754 BECAUSE σπερμαG4690 SEED αυτουG846 HIS ενG1722 IN αυτωG846 HIM μενειG3306 [G5719] ABIDES, καιG2532 AND ουG3756 δυναταιG1410 [G5736] HE IS NOT ABLE αμαρτανεινG264 [G5721] TO SIN, οτιG3754 BECAUSE εκG1537 τουG3588 OF θεουG2316 GOD γεγεννηταιG1080 [G5769] HE HAS BEEN . born: 1 John 2:29, 1 John 4:7, 1 John 5:1, 1 John 5:4, 1 John 5:18, John 1:13 for: Job 19:28, 1 Peter 1:23 and he: Matthew 7:18, Acts 4:20, Romans 6:2, Galatians 5:17, Titus 1:2 Genesis 39:9 - sin Leviticus 11:37 - sowing seed Psalms 119:3 - General Zephaniah 3:13 - not Matthew 5:45 - ye Matthew 13:38 - the good John 3:3 - Except John 3:6 - that John 3:8 - so 1 Corinthians 13:13 - abideth Galatians 1:10 - persuade Ephesians 5:9 - righteousness James 1:18 - with 1 Peter 1:3 - hath 1 John 3:4 - committeth 1 John 3:6 - whosoever 1 John 4:4 - are1 John 3:9 The two key words in this verse are commit and cannot. Words, like people, “ Are known by the com­pany they keep,” which is another way of saying that the meaning of words may be learned by their connection or by the use that is made of them. The first word is from poieo and Thayer uses three pages of his lexicon with definitions and explanations, which in­dicates the wide scope of its meaning. Among his comments on the word are, “ To follow some method in expressing by deeds the feelings and thoughts of the mind; carry on; describing a plan or course of action.” Robinson gives as one explanation, “ What one does re­peatedly, continuedly, habitually.” One of Webster’ s definitions is, “ To pledge; to bind; as, to commit oneself to a certain course.” The Englishman’ s Greek New Testament translates the word by “ practice.” All of these defi­nitions and translations show the word has no reference to what a man does occasionally or incidentally, but it means what he makes a practice of. The term “ practicing physician” does not mean a man who occasionally gives a dose of medicine to a friend. If a man “ retires” from the occupation of a carpenter he may occasionally drive a nail or saw a board, yet we would not say he has gone into the occupation again.

Likewise a man who becomes a child of God ceases to commit sin as a “ practice,” but that does not mean he will never do anything that is wrong. (See the comments at 1 John 1:7-8.) We are certain an inspired man would not contradict himself, so John would not use the word commit in this verse to mean an occasional sin, when he taught in chapter 1: 7 that even a man who “ walks in the light” needs to be cleansed from sin by the blood of Christ. Cannot is from ou-dunamai, which means morally unable and not that it is physically impossible.

We will con­sider some other passages where the same word is used. Matthew 5:14 says “ A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.” Yet all of us know that during the war many cities and other im­portant places were actually hid by camouflage. In Mark 2:19 Jesus says of certain persons that “ they cannot fast” ; does this mean they actually could not refrain from eating? Luke 11:7 says the man who had retired but was asked to give a friend some bread replied, “ I cannot rise and give thee.” We know the man did not lack the physical ability of getting out of bed. And so the word in our verse does not mean that the child of God has come to the place where he is physi­cally unable to do any wrong, but that he is morally restrained from it, just as a good man who is asked to join another in some crime would reply, “ O no, I couldn’ t do anything like that.” Besides, to say a man has reached a condition where it is impossible for him to do anything wrong, would be like taking from him the necessity of watching his step, and would also make it unnecessary for him to seek the services of the Intercessor. The principle on which all these things are said of the child of God is the truth that he is born (begotten) of God. He has been conceived and born of a par­entage that is spiritual and hence that holy characteristic is constantly in his spiritual person to urge him in the right course of life. Whosoever is born (πᾶςὁγεγεννημένος) On the form of expression, see on 1 John 3:4. Rev., begotten. The perfect participle indicates a condition remaining from the first: he who hath been begotten and remains God’s child. ——————————————————————————– His seed The divine principle of life. ——————————————————————————– Cannot See on v. 6. Conceived as a perfect ideal, life in God excludes the possibility of sin. Compare Romans 4 throughout.

1 John 3:10

1 John 3:101 John 3:10 ενG1722 IN τουτωG5129 THIS φανεραG5318 εστινG2076 [G5748] ARE ταG3588 THE τεκναG5043 τουG3588 θεουG2316 OF GOD καιG2532 AND ταG3588 THE τεκναG5043 τουG3588 OF THE διαβολουG1228 DEVIL. παςG3956 ANYONE οG3588 THAT μηG3361 NOT ποιωνG4160 [G5723] δικαιοσυνηνG1343 ουκG3756 NOT εστινG2076 [G5748] IS εκG1537 τουG3588 OF θεουG2316 GOD, καιG2532 AND οG3588 HE THAT μηG3361 αγαπωνG25 [G5723] τονG3588 LOVES NOT αδελφονG80 BROTHER αυτουG846 HIS. the children of God: 1 John 5:2, Luke 6:35, Romans 8:16, Romans 8:17, Ephesians 5:1 and: Matthew 13:38, John 8:44, Acts 13:10 whosoever: 1 John 3:7, 1 John 3:8, 1 John 2:29 is: 1 John 4:3, 1 John 4:4, 1 John 4:6, 1 John 5:19, John 8:47, 3 John 1:11 neither: 1 John 3:14, 1 John 3:15, 1 John 2:9, 1 John 2:10, 1 John 4:8, 1 John 4:21 Genesis 3:15 - thy seed Genesis 4:2 - a keeper Genesis 37:4 - hated him Deuteronomy 13:13 - the children Deuteronomy 14:1 - the children Psalms 112:4 - righteous Proverbs 11:19 - righteousness Isaiah 26:7 - way Isaiah 57:3 - sons Ezekiel 14:20 - by Ezekiel 16:3 - Thy birth Zephaniah 3:13 - not Matthew 3:7 - O generation Matthew 5:22 - his brother Matthew 6:14 - General Matthew 7:18 - cannot Matthew 12:34 - generation Matthew 25:41 - prepared Luke 16:8 - children of light John 13:35 - General Acts 24:25 - righteousness Romans 12:10 - kindly Ephesians 2:2 - the children Ephesians 5:9 - righteousness Hebrews 13:1 - General 1 John 4:7 - let1 John 3:10 In this refers to the prac­tice of sin as explained in the preced­ing verse. Doeth is used in the same sense as the word commit (or com­mitteth), meaning the continual or general manner of life. Children of the devil may also occasionally perform some act that is good in itself but their life as a whole is devoted to the service of Satan. In this (ἐντούτῳ) See on 1 John 2:3. ——————————————————————————– Children of the devil (τέκνατοῦδιαβόλου) The only occurrence of the phrase. Compare Acts 13:10, and see John 8:44. ——————————————————————————– Righteousness Here the article is wanting, compare 1 John 3:7. Righteousness is regarded, not in its completeness, but as bearing a particular character. It will be interesting to follow out the same distinction between the following words with and without the article: ἀμαρτία sin; ἀγάπη love; ζωή life; ἀλήθεια truth

1 John 3:11

1 John 3:111 John 3:11 οτιG3754 BECAUSE αυτηG3778 THIS εστινG2076 [G5748] IS ηG3588 THE αγγελιαG31 MESSAGE ηνG3739 WHICH ηκουσατεG191 [G5656] YE HEARD απG575 FROM “THE” αρχηςG746 ; ιναG2443 THAT αγαπωμενG25 [G5725] WE SHOULD LOVE αλληλουςG240 ONE ANOTHER : this: 1 John 1:5, 1 John 2:7, 1 John 2:8 message: or, commandment, 1 Timothy 1:5,*Gr. that we: 1 John 4:7, 1 John 4:21, John 13:34, John 13:35, John 15:12, Galatians 6:2, Ephesians 5:2, 1 Thessalonians 4:9, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 Peter 3:8, 1 Peter 4:8, 2 John 1:5 2 Chronicles 11:4 - against Isaiah 59:15 - he that Matthew 23:35 - the blood of righteous Acts 7:26 - ye are 1 Corinthians 6:6 - brother 1 Thessalonians 3:12 - love Hebrews 11:4 - faith 1 John 3:23 - love1 John 3:11 From the beginning means from the start of man’ s existence on the earth. The message is the teaching that we should love each other. From the beginning See on 1 John 1:1. ——————————————————————————– That (ἵνα) The purport and aim of the message. See on John 15:13.

1 John 3:12

1 John 3:121 John 3:12 ουG3756 NOT καθωςG2531 AS καινG2535 CAIN “WHO” εκG1537 OF τουG3588 THE πονηρουG4190 WICKED ηνG2258 [G5713] “ONE” WAS, καιG2532 AND εσφαξενG4969 [G5656] τονG3588 SLEW αδελφονG80 BROTHER αυτουG846 HIS; καιG2532 AND χαρινG5484 ON ACCOUNT OF τινοςG5101 WHAT εσφαξενG4969 [G5656] SLEW HE αυτονG846 HIM? οτιG3754 BECAUSE ταG3588 εργαG2041 αυτουG846 HIS WORKS πονηραG4190 WICKED ηνG2258 [G5713] WERE, ταG3588 δεG1161 AND THOSE τουG3588 αδελφουG80 αυτουG846 OF HIS BROTHER δικαιαG1342 . as: Genesis 4:4-15, Genesis 4:25, Hebrews 11:4, Jude 1:11 of: 1 John 3:8, 1 John 2:13, 1 John 2:14, Matthew 13:19, Matthew 13:38 And: 1 Samuel 18:14, 1 Samuel 18:15, 1 Samuel 19:4, 1 Samuel 19:5, 1 Samuel 22:14-16, Psalms 37:12, Proverbs 29:27, Matthew 27:23, John 10:32, John 15:19-25, John 18:38-40, Acts 7:52, 1 Thessalonians 2:14, 1 Peter 4:4, Revelation 17:6 and his: Matthew 23:35, Luke 11:51, Hebrews 11:4, Hebrews 12:24 Genesis 4:1 - I have Genesis 4:8 - Cain rose Genesis 27:41 - hated Genesis 37:4 - hated him Exodus 20:13 - General Leviticus 19:17 - hate 1 Samuel 18:29 - Saul became 1 Samuel 19:2 - delighted 2 Samuel 4:11 - when wicked 2 Chronicles 21:4 - slew all 2 Chronicles 21:13 - hast slain Psalms 37:14 - slay Psalms 38:20 - because Proverbs 27:3 - but Proverbs 27:4 - but Proverbs 29:10 - The bloodthirsty Ecclesiastes 4:4 - every Isaiah 59:15 - he that Ezekiel 18:10 - a shedder Matthew 5:10 - are Matthew 25:45 - Inasmuch Matthew 27:4 - What Mark 15:10 - for envy John 7:7 - but John 8:40 - now John 8:44 - are John 17:11 - but John 17:14 - the world 2 Corinthians 6:14 - for Ephesians 4:31 - with Ephesians 5:2 - walk 2 Thessalonians 2:8 - that James 3:16 - every 1 John 5:18 - wicked1 John 3:12 This verse confirms the comments on the preceding one as to when the beginning occurred. The case of Cain and Abel is the first one in the divine record that pertains to the sub­ject of love. Cain would not have slain his brother had he loved him. John’ s explanation of the cause of the lack of love is that his own works were evil while those of his brother were right­eous. It seems strange that such a circumstance would cause the hatred. The basic or remote cause actually was envy which gave him a feeling of spite. Slew (ἔσφαξεν) The verb occurs only in John, and only here outside of Revelation. Originally, to slay by cutting the throat; so in Homer, of cattle: ——————————————————————————- “the suitor train who slay (σφάζουσι) His flocks and slow-paced beeves with crooked horns.” “Odyssey,” i., 92. ——————————————————————————– To slaughter victims for sacrifice: “Backward they turned the necks of the fat beeves, And cut their throats (ἕσφαζαν), and flayed the carcasses.” “Iliad,” i., 459. Thence, generally, to slay or kill. ——————————————————————————– Wherefore (χάριντίνος) Lit., on account of what. Χάριν for the sake of, on account of, is elsewhere placed after the genitive. See Ephesians 3:1; Ephesians 3:14; 1 Timothy 5:14; Galatians 3:19.

1 John 3:13

1 John 3:131 John 3:13 μηG3361 θαυμαζετεG2296 [G5720] WONDER NOT, αδελφοιG80 μουG3450 MY, ειG1487 IF μισειG3404 [G5719] HATES υμαςG5209 YOU οG3588 THE κοσμοςG2889 WORLD. Marvel not: Ecclesiastes 5:8, John 3:7, Acts 3:12, Revelation 17:7 if: Matthew 10:22, Matthew 24:9, Mark 13:13, Luke 6:22, Luke 21:17, John 7:7, John 15:18, John 15:19, John 16:2, John 16:33, John 17:14, Romans 8:7, 2 Timothy 3:12, James 4:4 Proverbs 29:10 - The bloodthirsty Proverbs 29:27 - General Isaiah 66:5 - Your Romans 12:2 - be not Galatians 6:10 - especially 1 John 2:9 - and hateth1 John 3:13 Marvel not means not to be surprised or wonder at it, because such an attitude is to be expected. Jesus taught the same thing as re­corded in John 15:18-19, and it is also taught in 1 Peter 4:12. The world will hate a faithful disciple of Christ on the same principle that Cain hated his brother. The righteous life is a constant rebuke to the unrighteous ways of the world and causes it to hate the righteous people. Brethren (ἀδελφοί) The only occurrence of this mode of address in the Epistle. Hate (μισεῖ) Indicative mood, pointing to the fact as existing: if the world hate you, as it does.

1 John 3:14

1 John 3:141 John 3:14 ημειςG2249 WE οιδαμενG1492 [G5758] KNOW οτιG3754 THAT μεταβεβηκαμενG3327 [G5758] WE HAVE PASSED εκG1537 τουG3588 FROM θανατουG2288 DEATH ειςG1519 τηνG3588 TO ζωηνG2222 LIFE, οτιG3754 BECAUSE αγαπωμενG25 [G5719] WE LOVE τουςG3588 THE αδελφουςG80 . οG3588 HE THAT μηG3361 αγαπωνG25 [G5723] τονG3588 LOVES NOT “HIS” αδελφονG80 BROTHER, μενειG3306 [G5719] ABIDES ενG1722 τωG3588 IN θανατωG2288 DEATH. We know: 1 John 2:3, 1 John 5:2, 1 John 5:13, 1 John 5:19, 1 John 5:20, 2 Corinthians 5:1 we have: Luke 15:24, Luke 15:32, John 5:24, Ephesians 2:1, Ephesians 2:5 because: 1 John 2:10, 1 John 3:23, 1 John 4:7, 1 John 4:8, 1 John 4:12, 1 John 4:21, 1 John 5:2, Psalms 16:3, Matthew 25:40, John 13:35, John 15:12, John 15:17, Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 1:15, Colossians 1:4, 1 Thessalonians 4:9, Hebrews 6:10, Hebrews 6:11, Hebrews 13:1, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 Peter 3:8, 2 Peter 1:7 that loveth: 1 John 2:9, 1 John 2:11, 1 John 4:20, Proverbs 21:16 Genesis 13:8 - brethren Psalms 15:4 - but Psalms 119:63 - a companion Psalms 122:6 - they shall Psalms 133:1 - how good Matthew 5:22 - his brother Matthew 25:42 - General Luke 7:5 - he loveth John 3:36 - that believeth on John 13:34 - A new John 18:37 - Every Acts 6:3 - brethren Romans 5:13 - but sin Romans 16:8 - my Galatians 5:6 - faith Philippians 1:7 - I have you in my heart Colossians 1:13 - and Colossians 3:12 - mercies Titus 1:8 - a lover of good 1 John 2:8 - which 1 John 3:10 - neither 1 John 3:19 - hereby 2 John 1:5 - that we1 John 3:14 The absence of love for the brethren is proof of one’ s being still out of the body of Christ. Those who actually enter the spiritual body will necessarily have a fellow feeling for the members. The act of entering the body is equivalent to passing from death unto life. John says we know in the sense that we have the direct evidence, namely, our mutual relation to each other in Christ. The last sentence of the verse is merely the reverse of the forepart.

With this verse before us we may conclude that genuine evidence of brotherly love is not just the sentimental feeling, but it can be claimed only after a person has passed from death unto life. There will be more said on this subject when we come to 1 John 5:2. Cain who was (Κάΐνἧν) Who is not in the Greek. The construction is irregular. Lit., as Rev., not as Cain was of the evil one. ——————————————————————————– We know Emphatic; we as distinguished from the world. ——————————————————————————– Have passed (μεατβεβήκαμεν) Lit., have passed over. ——————————————————————————– From death (ἐκτοῦθανάτου) Lit., out of the death. The article marks it as one of the two spheres in which men must be; death or life. The death, the life, present one of those sharp oppositions which are characteristic of the Epistle; as love, hatred; darkness, light; truth, a lie. Ὁθάνατος the death, occurs in John’s Epistles only here and in the next clause. In the Gospel, only John 5:24.

Personified in Revelation 1:18; Revelation 6:8; Revelation 9:6; Revelation 20:13. ——————————————————————————– Unto life (εἰςτὴνζωήν) Rev., better, into. Compare enter into the life, Matthew 28:8; Matthew 19:17. ——————————————————————————– Because The sign of having passed into life; not the ground.- ——————————————————————————– We love the brethren (ἀγαπῶμεντου,ςἀδελφούς) The only occurrence of the phrase. Elsewhere, love one another, or love his brother. See on 1 John 2:9. ——————————————————————————– His brother Omit.

1 John 3:15

1 John 3:151 John 3:15 παςG3956 οG3588 THAT μισωνG3404 [G5723] τονG3588 HATES αδελφονG80 BROTHER αυτουG846 HIS ανθρωποκτονοςG443 A εστινG2076 [G5748] IS, καιG2532 AND οιδατεG1492 [G5758] YE KNOW οτιG3754 THAT παςG3956 ANY ανθρωποκτονοςG443 ουκG3756 NOT εχειG2192 [G5719] HAS ζωηνG2222 LIFE αιωνιονG166 ETERNAL ενG1722 IN αυτωG846 HIM μενουσανG3306 [G5723] ABIDING. hateth: Genesis 27:41, Leviticus 19:16-18, 2 Samuel 13:22-28, Proverbs 26:24-26, Matthew 5:21, Matthew 5:22, Matthew 5:28, Mark 6:19, Acts 23:12, Acts 23:14, James 1:15, James 4:1, James 4:2 hath: John 4:14, Galatians 5:21, 1 Peter 1:23, Revelation 21:8 Genesis 4:2 - a keeper Deuteronomy 15:9 - sin unto thee 1 Samuel 19:4 - sin against Zechariah 7:10 - imagine John 3:36 - that believeth on Ephesians 4:31 - with 1 John 3:10 - neither1 John 3:15 Cain slew his brother be­cause he hated him, so that the poison of murder was in his mind before he talked with him. Others may have the same kind of hatred in their heart but do not have the opportunity of carry­ing it out. The Lord can read such a mind and hence will regard that man as a murderer. Ye know that no murderer, etc. The Old Testament con­demned a murderer and required that he be punished with death (Genesis 9:6 and many other passages). John is repeating the same condemnation except that he applies it to murderous intent as well as the actual deed. Murderer (ἀθρωποκτόνος) Manslayer. Only here and John 8:44, of the devil. ——————————————————————————– Hath eternal life, etc. The contrast is suggestive between the sentiment embodied in this statement and that of Pagan antiquity respecting murder, in the Homeric age, for instance. “With regard to the practice of homicide, the ordinary Greek morality was extremely loose…. Among the Greeks, to have killed a man was considered in the light of misfortune, or, at most, a prudential error, when the perpetrator of the act had come among strangers as a fugitive for protection and hospitality. On the spot, therefore, where the crime occurred, it could stand only as in the nature of a private and civil wrong, and the fine payable was regarded, not (which it might have been) as a mode, however defective, of marking any guilt in the culprit, but as, on the whole, an equitable satisfaction to the wounded feelings of the relatives and friends, or as an actual compensation for the lost services of the dead man. The religion of the age takes no notice of the act whatever” (Gladstone “Homer and the Homeric Age,” ii., 436).

1 John 3:16

1 John 3:161 John 3:16 ενG1722 BY τουτωG5129 THIS εγνωκαμενG1097 [G5758] τηνG3588 WE HAVE KNOWN αγαπηνG26 LOVE, οτιG3754 BECAUSE εκεινοςG1565 HE υπερG5228 FOR ημωνG2257 US τηνG3588 ψυχηνG5590 αυτουG846 HIS LIFE εθηκενG5087 [G5656] LAID DOWN; καιG2532 AND ημειςG2249 WE οφειλομενG3784 [G5719] OUGHT υπερG5228 FOR τωνG3588 THE αδελφωνG80 ταςG3588 “OUR” ψυχαςG5590 LIVES τιθεναιG5087 [G5721] TO LAY D perceive: 1 John 4:9, 1 John 4:10, Matthew 20:28, John 3:16, John 10:15, John 15:13, Acts 20:28, Romans 5:8, Ephesians 5:2, Ephesians 5:25, Titus 2:13, 1 Peter 1:18, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 3:18, Revelation 1:5, Revelation 5:9 and we: 1 John 2:6, 1 John 4:11, John 13:34, John 15:12, John 15:13, Romans 16:4, Philippians 2:17, Philippians 2:30 Genesis 44:33 - instead Leviticus 16:10 - to make Deuteronomy 15:7 - thou shalt Deuteronomy 15:11 - Thou shalt Deuteronomy 15:15 - General Judges 5:18 - their lives 1 Chronicles 21:17 - let thine Psalms 112:9 - dispersed Proverbs 24:11 - General Son 5:4 - my bowels Ezekiel 18:7 - hath given Matthew 5:42 - General Matthew 25:35 - I was an Mark 8:34 - follow Mark 14:7 - ye have Luke 10:31 - he passed Luke 10:37 - Go Luke 11:41 - rather Luke 12:17 - shall John 14:24 - that John 21:17 - Feed Acts 2:44 - had Acts 20:24 - neither Romans 5:7 - scarcely 1 Corinthians 13:4 - is kind 1 Corinthians 13:5 - seeketh 2 Corinthians 4:12 - death 2 Corinthians 8:4 - the ministering 2 Corinthians 13:14 - the love Galatians 1:4 - gave Galatians 4:15 - if Galatians 5:13 - but Ephesians 6:20 - boldly 1 Thessalonians 2:8 - but 2 Thessalonians 2:16 - which James 2:16 - one 1 Peter 2:21 - leaving 2 Peter 1:7 - brotherly 1 John 4:16 - we1 John 3:16 The words of God have been supplied by the translators. The passage means that the Lord gave di­rect evidence of His love in that he laid down his life for us. This is a beautiful contrast with the man who hates his brother. Such a person not only does not make any sacrifice for another, but takes the other man’ s life from him. We ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. This cannot necessarily mean that we can literally die for the sake of another, except where the other person’ s life is in danger and we might lose ours in protecting him. The passage refers to the interest or devotion we would manifest for our brethren even to the extent of making great and trying sacrifices. (See Romans 16:4.) Hereby (ἐντοίτῳ) See on 1 John 2:3. ——————————————————————————– Perceive (ἐγνώκαμεν) Rev., correctly, know. ——————————————————————————– The love Omit the italics of A.V., of God, and render as Rev., hereby know we love. ——————————————————————————– Laid down His life (τὴνψυχὴναὐτοῦἔθηκεν) See on John 10:11. ——————————————————————————– We ought (ὀφείλομεν) See on 1 John 2:6.

1 John 3:17

1 John 3:171 John 3:17 οςG3739 δG1161 ανG302 BUT WHOEVER εχηG2192 [G5725] τονG3588 MAY HAVE βιονG979 MEANS OF LIFE τουG3588 THE κοσμουG2889 WORLD’S, καιG2532 AND θεωρηG2334 [G5725] MAY SEE τονG3588 αδελφονG80 αυτουG846 HIS BROTHER χρειανG5532 NEED εχονταG2192 [G5723] HAVING, καιG2532 AND κλεισηG2808 [G5661] MAY SHUT UP ταG3588 σπλαγχναG4698 αυτουG846 HIS BOWELS απG575 FROM αυτουG846 HIM, πωςG4459 HOW ηG3588 THE αγαπηG26 τουG3588 LOVE θεουG2316 OF GOD μενειG3306 [G5719] ABIDES ενG1722 IN αυτωG846 HIM? whoso: Deuteronomy 15:7-11, Proverbs 19:17, Isaiah 58:7-10, Luke 3:11, 2 Corinthians 8:9, 2 Corinthians 8:14, 2 Corinthians 8:15, 2 Corinthians 9:5-9, 1 Timothy 6:17, 1 Timothy 6:18, Hebrews 13:16 shutteth: Proverbs 12:10, *marg. Proverbs 28:9 how: 1 John 4:20, 1 John 5:1 Genesis 43:30 - his bowels Leviticus 25:35 - then Deuteronomy 10:19 - General Deuteronomy 24:19 - may bless Deuteronomy 26:13 - I have not Rth 2:16 - General 1 Kings 3:26 - her bowels 2 Chronicles 28:15 - clothed Job 31:17 - the fatherless Psalms 25:6 - thy tender mercies Psalms 77:9 - shut up Psalms 125:4 - Do good Proverbs 3:9 - General Proverbs 14:21 - he that hath Proverbs 14:31 - but Proverbs 17:5 - mocketh Proverbs 19:7 - yet Proverbs 24:11 - General Ecclesiastes 11:3 - the clouds Son 5:4 - my bowels Isaiah 63:15 - thy bowels Ezekiel 33:31 - for with Matthew 6:2 - when Matthew 26:11 - ye have Mark 12:31 - Thou Mark 12:44 - all her Luke 1:78 - tender Luke 11:41 - rather John 5:42 - that Acts 2:45 - parted Romans 12:13 - Distributing 1 Corinthians 13:5 - seeketh 1 Corinthians 16:1 - the saints 2 Corinthians 6:12 - in your 2 Corinthians 7:15 - inward affection Isaiah 2 Corinthians 8:8 - prove 2 Corinthians 9:12 - only Galatians 2:10 - that Ephesians 1:15 - love Philippians 1:8 - in Colossians 3:12 - bowels Philemon 1:20 - refresh Hebrews 6:10 - work James 1:27 - To visit 1 John 2:15 - the love 1 John 4:11 - General1 John 3:17 In this verse the apostle gives a simple example (on the nega­tive side) of what it means to be de­voted to the interests of others. Bowels is used figuratively because people in old times thought that was the seat of the finer sentiments of the mind. John uses it to mean that when a man closes his sentiments of compassion against such an unfortunate creature as this, he cannot truly claim the love of God. This world’s good (τὸνβίοντοῦκόσμου) Rev., the worlds goods. Βίος means that by which life is sustained, resources, wealth. ——————————————————————————– Seeth (θεωρῇ) Deliberately contemplates. See on John 1:18. Rev., beholdeth. The only occurrence of the verb in John’s Epistles. ——————————————————————————– Have need (χρείανἔχοντα) Lit., having need. Rev., in need. ——————————————————————————– Bowels of compassion (τὰσπλάγχνα) See on pitiful, 1 Peter 3:8. Rev., much better, his compassion. The word only here in John.

1 John 3:18

1 John 3:181 John 3:18 τεκνιαG5040 LITTLE μουG3450 MY, μηG3361 αγαπωμενG25 [G5725] WE SHOULD NOT LOVE λογωG3056 IN WORD, μηδεG3366 NOR γλωσσηG1100 WITH TONGUE, αλλG235 BUT εργωG2041 IN WORK καιG2532 AND αληθειαG225 IN TRUTH. My: 1 John 2:1 let: Exodus 33:21, Matthew 25:41-45, Romans 12:9, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Galatians 5:13, Galatians 6:1, Galatians 6:2, Ephesians 4:1-3, Ephesians 4:15, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, James 2:15, James 2:16, 1 Peter 1:22 Deuteronomy 10:19 - General Judges 19:20 - let all thy wants Rth 2:16 - General 2 Chronicles 28:15 - clothed Job 31:19 - General Proverbs 3:9 - General Proverbs 19:7 - yet Isaiah 32:17 - quietness Isaiah 58:7 - to deal Ezekiel 33:31 - for with Luke 7:5 - and Luke 7:47 - she Luke 10:27 - and thy John 14:21 - that hath John 19:27 - took Acts 9:39 - and showing Acts 16:34 - when Romans 15:18 - by word 1 Corinthians 5:8 - but 2 Corinthians 6:6 - love 2 Corinthians 6:13 - I speak Philippians 4:8 - are true Colossians 3:17 - in word 2 Thessalonians 2:17 - in Hebrews 6:10 - work Hebrews 10:24 - love James 3:17 - hypocrisy 1 Peter 3:8 - love as brethren 1 John 4:21 - General 2 John 1:1 - whom 3 John 1:1 - whom1 John 3:18 This verse means for our love to go farther than words; to be proven by our actions. It is a summing up of the preceding verse. Shall assure (πείσομεν) Two renderings are possible; the primitive meaning persuade (Acts 19:26; Acts 17:4; 2 Corinthians 5:11); or the secondary and consequent sense, assure, quiet, conciliate (Matthew 28:14). Render as A.V., and Rev. as sure. See critical note at the end of the commentary on this Epistle. ——————————————————————————– Before Him (ἔμπροσθεναὐτοῦ) Emphatic, the order being, before Him we shall assure our heart. These words are to be kept in mind as the key-note of what follows.

1 John 3:19

1 John 3:191 John 3:19 καιG2532 AND ενG1722 BY τουτωG5129 THIS γινωσκομενG1097 [G5719] WE KNOW οτιG3754 THAT εκG1537 OF τηςG3588 THE αληθειαςG225 TRUTH εσμενG2070 [G5748] WE ARE, καιG2532 AND εμπροσθενG1715 BEFORE αυτουG846 HIM πεισομενG3982 [G5692] SHALL ταςG3588 καρδιαςG2588 ημωνG2257 OUR HEARTS, hereby: 1 John 3:14, 1 John 1:8, John 13:35, John 18:37 shall: 1 John 3:21, Isaiah 32:17, Hebrews 6:10, Hebrews 6:11, Hebrews 10:22 assure: Gr. persuade, Romans 4:21, Romans 8:38, 2 Timothy 1:12, Hebrews 11:13 Job 8:6 - thou wert Job 11:15 - lift up Job 31:37 - as a Psalms 119:56 - because Proverbs 20:27 - spirit Daniel 6:22 - forasmuch Matthew 28:20 - them Luke 7:5 - and John 19:27 - took Romans 2:15 - accusing Romans 8:16 - with our Romans 9:1 - my conscience Romans 14:5 - persuaded 2 Corinthians 1:12 - our rejoicing 2 Corinthians 5:1 - we know Galatians 6:4 - rejoicing Colossians 2:2 - of the full Hebrews 10:19 - Having 1 Peter 3:8 - love as brethren 2 Peter 1:10 - to make 1 John 2:3 - hereby 1 John 4:17 - we may1 John 3:19 Nothing can give a disciple any stronger confidence than to know that he is proving his love by actions that benefit the brethren. He thereby manifests his relationship with the truth of the Lord which requires us to show practical love. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater, etc. A very difficult passage. See critical note as above. Render, as Rev., shall assure our heart before Him whereinsoever our heart condemn us, because God is greater than our heart. ——————————————————————————– For (ὅτι) To be rendered not as a conjunction (for, because) but as a relative, in whatsoever or whereinsoever. ——————————————————————————– Condemn (καταγινώσκῃ) The word occurs only three times in the New Testament; here, v. 21, and Galatians 2:11. It signifies (1.) To note accurately, usually in a bad sense. Hence to detect (Proverbs 28:11); compare Aristophanes: “Having observed (καταγνοὺς) the foibles of the old man” (“Knights,” 46).

To form an unfavorable prejudice against. So Herodotus.

Datis says to the Delians, “Why are ye fled, O holy men, having judged me (καταγνόντεςκατ’ ἐμεῦ) in so unfriendly a way?” (vi., 97). (2.) To note judicially: to accuse: to accuse one’s self. So Thucydides: “No one, when venturing on a perilous enterprise, ever yet passed a sentence of failure on himself” (καταγνοὺςἑαυτοῦμὴπεριέσεσθαι; iii., 45). To give sentence, or condemn. To condemn to death. “Those who had fled they condemned to death” (θάνατονκαταγνόντες; Thucydides, vi., 60). To decide a suit against one. So Aristophanes: “You judges have no maintenance if you will not decide against (καταγνώσεσθε) this suit” (“Knights,” 1360).

In Galatians 2:11, it is said of Peter that, because of his concessions to the Jewish ritualists, κατεγνωσμένοςἦν he stood condemned or self-condemned (not as A.V., he was to be blamed). His conduct was its own condemnation.

This is the sense in this passage, the internal judgment of conscience. ——————————————————————————– Because (ὅτι) This second ὅτι does not appear in the A.V. It is a conjunction. ——————————————————————————– Greater (μείζων) Is this superior greatness to be regarded as related to God’s judgment, or to His compassion? If to His judgment, the sense is: God who is greater than our heart and knows all things, must not only endorse but emphasize our self-accusation. If our heart condemn, how much more God, who is greater than our heart. If to His compassion, the sense is: when our heart condemns us we shall quiet it with the assurance that we are in the hands of a God who is greater than our heart— who surpasses man in love and compassion no less than in knowledge. This latter sense better suits the whole drift of the discussion.

See critical note. There is a play of the words γινώσκει knoweth, and καταγινώσκῃ condemneth, which is untranslatable.

1 John 3:20

1 John 3:201 John 3:20 οτιG3754 THAT εανG1437 IF καταγινωσκηG2607 [G5725] SHOULD CONDEMN ημωνG2257 ηG3588 OUR καρδιαG2588 HEART, οτιG3754 THAT μειζωνG3187 GREATER εστινG2076 [G5748] οG3588 IS θεοςG2316 GOD τηςG3588 καρδιαςG2588 ημωνG2257 THAN OUR HEART καιG2532 AND γινωσκειG1097 [G5719] KNOWS πανταG3956 ALL THINGS. if: Job 27:6, John 8:9, Acts 5:33, Romans 2:14, Romans 2:15, 1 Corinthians 4:4, 1 Corinthians 14:24, 1 Corinthians 14:25, Titus 3:11 God: 1 John 4:4, Job 33:12, John 10:29, John 10:30, Hebrews 6:13 and: Psalms 44:20, Psalms 44:21, Psalms 90:8, Psalms 139:1-4, Jeremiah 17:10, Jeremiah 23:24, John 2:24, John 2:25, John 21:17, Hebrews 4:13, Revelation 2:23 Genesis 3:10 - and I was 1 Samuel 3:13 - which he knoweth 1 Samuel 24:5 - David’s heart 2 Samuel 24:10 - David’s heart 1 Kings 2:44 - Thou knowest Job 9:3 - he cannot Job 9:21 - yet would Job 9:32 - not a man Job 13:15 - but I will Job 22:26 - lift up Psalms 66:19 - General Psalms 119:2 - keep Psalms 119:6 - shall I Psalms 145:18 - call upon Jeremiah 12:3 - knowest Matthew 21:25 - Why 1 Corinthians 11:28 - let a 2 Corinthians 13:5 - Examine 1 Thessalonians 3:13 - he may 1 Timothy 2:8 - lifting Hebrews 10:22 - an evil1 John 3:20 Our heart refers to our mind with its various attributes. Having been instructed to show our love by helpful works, if we do so we will feel assured in connection with the subject. If we fail to do our known duty we will have “ a guilty conscience” and be self-condemned. If our own knowledge of neglect causes us to feel condemned, we may be sure that God will condemn us also because He knows our hearts. Whereinsoever our heart condemn us (hoti ean kataginτskηi hηmτn hη kardia). A construction like hoti an, whatever, in John 2:5; John 14:13. Kataginτskτ occurs only three times in the N.T., here, 1 John 3:21; Galatians 2:11. It means to know something against one, to condemn. ——————————————————————————– Because God is greater than our heart (hoti meizτn estin tηs kardias hηmτn). Ablative kardias after the comparative meizτn. ——————————————————————————– And knoweth all things (kai ginτskei panta). Just so Peter replied to Jesus in spite of his denials (John 21:17).

God’s omniscience is linked with his love and sympathy. God knows every secret in our hearts. This difficult passage strikes the very centre of Christian truth (Brooke).

1 John 3:21

1 John 3:211 John 3:21 αγαπητοιG27 BELOVED, εανG1437 ηG3588 IF καρδιαG2588 HEART ημωνG2257 OUR μηG3361 καταγινωσκηG2607 [G5725] SHOULD NOT CONDEMN ημωνG2257 US, παρρησιανG3954 εχομενG2192 [G5719] WE HAVE προςG4314 τονG3588 TOWARDS θεονG2316 GOD, 1 John 2:28, 1 John 4:17, Job 22:26, Job 27:6, Psalms 7:3-5, Psalms 101:2, 1 Corinthians 4:4, 2 Corinthians 1:12, 1 Timothy 2:8, Hebrews 4:16, Hebrews 10:22 1 Samuel 20:1 - What have 1 Samuel 24:5 - David’s heart 2 Samuel 24:10 - David’s heart 2 Kings 20:3 - in truth Psalms 17:1 - Hear Psalms 99:7 - kept Psalms 119:6 - shall I Isaiah 38:3 - I have Isaiah 58:9 - shalt thou Jeremiah 12:3 - knowest Matthew 7:21 - that Luke 11:28 - General John 9:31 - and doeth John 15:10 - ye keep Romans 8:27 - according Romans 14:22 - Happy 1 Corinthians 11:28 - let a 2 Corinthians 13:5 - Examine 1 Thessalonians 1:3 - in the 1 Thessalonians 3:13 - he may 1 John 3:19 - shall 1 John 5:14 - this1 John 3:21 This verse is virtually a repetition of the preceding one, except that it is considering a person who has carried out the teaching of practical love. If our heart condemn us not (ean hη kardia mη kataginτskηi). Condition of third class with ean mη and present active subjunctive. The converse of the preceding, but not a claim to sinlessness, but the consciousness of fellowship in God’s presence. ——————————————————————————— Boldness toward God (parrηsian pros ton theon). Even in prayer (Hebrews 4:16). See also 1 John 2:28.

1 John 3:22

1 John 3:221 John 3:22 καιG2532 AND οG3739 εανG1437 αιτωμενG154 [G5725] WE MAY ASK, λαμβανομενG2983 [G5719] WE RECEIVE παρG3844 FROM αυτουG846 HIM, οτιG3754 BECAUSE ταςG3588 εντολαςG1785 αυτουG846 HIS τηρουμενG5083 [G5719] WE KEEP, καιG2532 AND ταG3588 THE THINGS αρεσταG701 ενωπιονG1799 BEFORE αυτουG846 HIM ποιουμενG4160 [G5719] WE . whatsoever: 1 John 5:14, Psalms 10:17, Psalms 34:4, Psalms 34:15-17, Psalms 50:15, Psalms 66:18, Psalms 66:19, Psalms 145:18, Psalms 145:19, Proverbs 15:29, Proverbs 28:9, Isaiah 1:15, Isaiah 55:6, Isaiah 55:7, Jeremiah 29:12, Jeremiah 29:13, Jeremiah 33:3, Matthew 7:7, Matthew 7:8, Matthew 21:22, Mark 11:24, Luke 11:9-13, John 9:31, John 14:13, John 15:7, John 16:23, John 16:24, James 1:5, James 5:16 because: 1 John 3:23, 1 John 3:24, Matthew 7:24, Matthew 7:25, Matthew 17:5, John 15:10, Acts 17:30, Acts 20:21 do: John 6:29, John 8:29, John 9:31, Philippians 4:18, Colossians 1:10, Hebrews 13:21 Leviticus 19:37 - General 2 Kings 20:3 - in truth Psalms 78:7 - keep Psalms 99:7 - kept Proverbs 16:7 - please Proverbs 19:16 - keepeth the Isaiah 38:3 - I have Isaiah 58:9 - shalt thou Ezekiel 18:11 - that Matthew 18:19 - That if Mark 3:35 - do Luke 8:21 - which Romans 8:8 - please Romans 8:27 - according 1 Corinthians 7:19 - but Philippians 4:9 - do 1 Thessalonians 4:1 - to please Hebrews 10:22 - in full Hebrews 11:5 - that he James 4:3 - and 1 John 2:3 - if we 1 John 5:2 - General1 John 3:22 Because we keep his com­mandments is the condition on which we will receive what we ask. Keep the commandments includes the obliga­tion of consulting the scriptures to learn what would be right for us to receive. It also includes our doing the things that please Him. Whatsoever we ask (ho ean aitτmen). Indefinite relative clause with modal an and the present active subjunctive, like hoti ean kataginτskηi in 1 John 3:20. In form no limitations are placed here save that of complete fellowship with God, which means complete surrender of our will to that of God our Father. See the clear teaching of Jesus on this subject in Mark 11:24; Luke 11:9; John 14:12-13; John 16:23 and his example (Mark 14:36; Matthew 26:39; Luke 22:42). The answer may not always be in the form that we expect, but it will be better. ——————————————————————————— We receive of him (lambanomen ap’ autou). See 1 John 1:5 for ap’ autou (from him). ——————————————————————————— Because (hoti). Twofold reason why we receive regularly (lambanomen) the answer to our prayers (1) “we keep” (tηroumen, for which see 1 John 2:3) his commandments and (2) “we do” (poioumen, we practise regularly) “the things that are pleasing” (ta aresta, old verbal adjective from areskτ, to please, with dative in John 8:29 with same phrase; Acts 12:3 and infinitive in Acts 6:2, only other N.T. examples) “in his sight” (enτpion autou, common late vernacular preposition in papyri, LXX, and in N.T., except Matthew and Mark, chiefly by Luke and in the Apocalypse), in God’s eye, as in Hebrews 13:21.

1 John 3:23

1 John 3:231 John 3:23 καιG2532 AND αυτηG3778 THIS εστινG2076 [G5748] IS ηG3588 εντοληG1785 αυτουG846 HIS , ιναG2443 THAT πιστευσωμενG4100 [G5661] WE SHOULD BELIEVE τωG3588 ON THE ονοματιG3686 τουG3588 NAME υιουG5207 αυτουG846 OF HIS SON ιησουG2424 JESUS χριστουG5547 CHRIST, καιG2532 AND αγαπωμενG25 [G5725] SHOULD LOVE αλληλουςG240 ONE ANOTHER, καθωςG2531 EVEN AS εδωκενG1325 [G5656] HE GAVE εντοληνG1785 ημινG2254 TO US. his commandment: Deuteronomy 18:15-19, Psalms 2:12, Mark 9:7, John 6:29, John 14:1, John 17:3, Acts 16:31, 1 Timothy 1:15 love: 1 John 3:11, 1 John 2:8-10, 1 John 4:21, Matthew 22:39, John 13:34, John 15:12, Ephesians 5:2, 1 Thessalonians 4:9, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 Peter 4:8 Leviticus 19:37 - General Deuteronomy 30:15 - General Matthew 12:50 - do Mark 3:35 - do Luke 8:21 - which Luke 10:37 - Go John 1:12 - even John 12:50 - his John 16:14 - for Romans 1:3 - his Son Galatians 3:22 - to Colossians 1:4 - faith Colossians 3:14 - charity 1 Thessalonians 3:6 - faith 1 Timothy 1:5 - faith Philemon 1:5 - toward the Lord Hebrews 13:1 - General 1 John 2:3 - if we 1 John 3:14 - because 1 John 3:22 - because 1 John 4:11 - General 1 John 5:13 - believe 2 John 1:5 - that we Revelation 2:26 - keepeth Revelation 22:14 - Blessed1 John 3:23 Believing on Christ and loving the brethren (with practical love) sums up the qualities of an obedient child of God. That is because belief in Christ means more than a mere profession. It includes a working faith that will carry out the teaching in James 2:18, to show our faith by our works. His commandment (hη entolη autou). ——————————————————————————— That (hina). Subfinal use of hina in apposition with entolη (commandment) and explanatory of it, as in John 15:12 (entolη hina). See Christ’s summary of the commandments (Mark 12:28-31; Matthew 22:34-40). So these two points here (1) We should believe (pisteusτmen, first aorist active subjunctive according to B K L, though Aleph A C read the present subjunctive pisteuτmen) either in a crisis (aorist) or the continuous tenor (present) of our lives. The “name” of Jesus Christ here stands for all that he is, “a compressed creed " (Westcott) as in 1 John 1:3. Note dative onomati here with pisteuτ as in 1 John 5:10, though eis onoma (on the name) in 1 John 5:13; John 1:12; John 2:23; John 3:18.

But (2) “we should love one another” (agapτmen allηlous), as he has already urged (1 John 2:7-8; 1 John 3:11) and as he will repeat (1 John 4:7; 1 John 4:11-12; 2 John 1:5) as Jesus (even as he gave us commandment, that is Christ) had previously done (John 13:34; John 15:12; John 15:17). There are frequent points of contact between this Epistle and the words of Jesus in John 13-17.

1 John 3:24

1 John 3:241 John 3:24 καιG2532 AND οG3588 HE THAT τηρωνG5083 [G5723] KEEPS ταςG3588 εντολαςG1785 αυτουG846 HIS , ενG1722 IN αυτωG846 HIM μενειG3306 [G5719] ABIDES, καιG2532 AND αυτοςG846 HE ενG1722 IN αυτωG846 HIM : καιG2532 AND ενG1722 BY τουτωG5129 THIS γινωσκομενG1097 [G5719] WE KNOW οτιG3754 THAT μενειG3306 [G5719] HE ABIDES ενG1722 IN ημινG2254 US, εκG1537 BY τουG3588 THE πνευματοςG4151 SPIRIT ουG3739 WHICH ημινG2254 TO US εδωκενG1325 [G5656] HE GAVE. he that: 1 John 3:22, John 14:21-23, John 15:7-10 dwelleth: 1 John 4:7, 1 John 4:12, 1 John 4:15, 1 John 4:16, John 6:54-56, John 17:21, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 2 Corinthians 6:16, 2 Timothy 1:14 we: 1 John 4:13, Romans 8:9-17, Galatians 4:5, Galatians 4:6 Ezekiel 36:27 - I will Ezekiel 39:29 - for Matthew 12:50 - do Luke 10:37 - Go John 6:56 - dwelleth John 12:50 - his John 14:17 - but John 16:14 - for John 17:22 - that John 17:26 - and I 2 Corinthians 5:5 - the earnest 2 Corinthians 13:14 - the communion Galatians 3:22 - to Ephesians 2:22 - an Ephesians 4:6 - and in Philippians 2:1 - if any fellowship 1 Thessalonians 4:8 - who 1 John 2:5 - hereby 1 John 2:27 - the anointing 1 John 4:4 - greater 1 John 5:19 - we know Revelation 22:14 - Blessed1 John 3:24 Dwelleth in him, and he in him. The matter of dwelling is a mutual affair between the Lord and his people. Since the subject is a spiritual one it is possible for “ two persons to be at the same place at the same time” ; it means they are dwell­ing with each other. Spirit which he hath given us enabled the apostles to speak with knowledge on the affairs of the kingdom. And he in him (kai autos en autτi). That is “God abides in him” as in 1 John 4:15. We abide in God and God abides in us through the Holy Spirit (John 14:10; John 14:17; John 14:23; John 17:21). “Therefore let God be a home to thee, and be thou the home of God: abide in God, and let God abide in thee” (Bede). ——————————————————————————— By the Spirit (ek tou pneumatos). It is thus (by the Holy Spirit, first mention in this Epistle and “Holy” not used with “Spirit” in this Epistle or the Apocalypse) that we know that God abides in us. ——————————————————————————— Which (hou). Ablative case by attraction from accusative ho (object of edτken) to agree with pneumatos as often, though not always. It is a pity that the grammatical gender (which) is retained here in the English instead of “whom,” as it should be.