Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Ver. 1. _Behold what manner_] _Qualem et quantum, _ as 2 Peter 3:11. _See Trapp on "_ Joh 1:12 _"_ If Jacob was at such pains and pati... [ Continue Reading ]
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. Ver. 2. _What we shall be_] Great things we have in hand, but greater in hope; much in possession, but more in reversion. Le... [ Continue Reading ]
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Ver. 3. _Purifieth himself_] That is true hope that runs out into holiness. Faith and hope purge, and work a suitableness in the soul to the things believed and hoped for. _ Even as he is pure_] In quality, though not... [ Continue Reading ]
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. Ver. 4. _Sin is the transgression_] As there is the same roundness in a little ball as in a bigger, so the same disobedience in a small sin as in a great. Papists tell us that concupiscence is not truly an... [ Continue Reading ]
And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Ver. 5. _To take away our sins_] Shall sin live that killed Christ? Shall I drink the blood of these men? said David of those that but ventured their lives for him. Oh that each Christian would turn Jew to himself, and... [ Continue Reading ]
Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Ver. 6. _Sinneth not_] Sin may rebel, it cannot reign in a saint. He sinneth not sinningly; there is no way of wickedness in him, Psalms 139:23,24, he loves not sin, he lies not in it, but riseth again by... [ Continue Reading ]
Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. Ver. 7. _Let no man deceive you_] As if you might pass _e coeno in coelum; _ fly to heaven with dragon's wings; dance with the devil all day, and sup with Christ at night; live all your lives... [ Continue Reading ]
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Ver. 8. _He that committeth sin_] ποιων, that makes a trade of it, and can art it (as the word properly signifieth), not ac... [ Continue Reading ]
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. Ver. 9. _For his seed_] The new nature, which causeth that sin cannot carry it away without some counter buffs. The Spirit quickens the word: as there is a spirit in the natura... [ Continue Reading ]
In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. Ver. 10. _In this the children of God_] As David's daughters were known by their garments of various colours,2 Samuel 13:18; so are God's... [ Continue Reading ]
For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Ver. 11. _That we should love, &c._] This beloved disciple was all for love. _See Trapp on "_ 1Jn 2:9 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ 1Jn 2:5 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
Not as Cain, _who_ was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. Ver. 12. _Who was of that wicked one_] Tertullian calleth Cain the devil's patriarch. Cain is dead, saith another, but I could wish that he did n... [ Continue Reading ]
Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. Ver. 13. _Marvel not, my brethren_] Since it was so from the beginning, and the very first man that died, died for religion; so early came martyrdom into the world.... [ Continue Reading ]
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not _his_ brother abideth in death. Ver. 14. _We know that we have passed_] Not we think, we hope, &c. If we would not have with the merchant an estate hanging upon ropes, _fortunam rudentibus aptam, _ an... [ Continue Reading ]
Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Ver. 15. _Whosoever hateth his brother_] Not to love then is to hate, as not to save a man is to kill him, Mark 3:4 . _ Is a murderer_] Because he wisheth him out of the world, as Caracalla d... [ Continue Reading ]
Hereby perceive we the love _of God_, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down _our_ lives for the brethren. Ver. 16. _Because he laid down_] _See Trapp on "_ Joh 15:13 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Rom 5:8 _"_ We ought also to lay down our lives] If Pylades can offer to die for Orest... [ Continue Reading ]
But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels _of compassion_ from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? Ver. 17. _This world's goods_] Gr. τον βιον, livelihood, which is all that the world looks after. _ And shutteth up his bowels, &c._] Not dra... [ Continue Reading ]
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. Ver. 18. _Let us not love in word_] Words are light and cheap; and there is a great deal of mouth mercy abroad. Julian the Apostate is not presently a friend to Basil, though he write unto him, φιλος φιλω, και... [ Continue Reading ]
And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. Ver. 19. _And shall assure our hearts_] This, saith father Latimer, is the desert of the feast of a good conscience. There are other dainty dishes in this feast, but this is the banquet.... [ Continue Reading ]
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Ver. 20. _If our keart condemn us_] Conscience is God's spy and man's overseer, _Domesticus index, iudex, carnifex; _ God's deputy judge, holding court in the whole soul, bearing witness of all a man's doings and de... [ Continue Reading ]
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, _then_ have we confidence toward God. Ver. 21. _Then have we confidence_] Sincerity is the mother of serenity, _Sine qua, tranquillitas omnis tempestas est, _ without which saith serenity is all a storm. Isidore. Uprightness hath boldness. It is not a peace, bu... [ Continue Reading ]
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. Ver. 22. _And whatsoever we ask_] _sc._ According to his will. _Fiat voluntas mea, quia tua, _ said Luther. I can have what I will of God, said one; for my will shall be c... [ Continue Reading ]
And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. Ver. 23. _And this is his commandment_] This is the sum and substance of the gospel, that we believe and love; and the more we believe God's love to us, the more... [ Continue Reading ]
And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. Ver. 24. _By the Spirit_] Christ hath satisfied the wrath of the Father; and now the Father and Christ both, as reconciled, send the Spirit, as the fr... [ Continue Reading ]