Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. Ver. 1. _Whosoever believeth_] viz. Firmly and fiducially, with assent of mind and consent of will. _See Trapp on "_ 1Co 12:3 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Joh 1:12... [ Continue Reading ]
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. Ver. 2. _That we love the children of God_] Really, aright, and not for self or sinister respects. Godliness begins in the right knowledge of ourselves, and ends in the right knowledge of God. A Christian... [ Continue Reading ]
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. Ver. 3. _For this is, &c._] _See Trapp on "_ Joh 14:15 _"_ His commandments are not] _See Trapp on "_ Mat 11:30 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, _even_ our faith. Ver. 4. _Even our faith_] Which shows a man a better project, puts his head into heaven beforehand, gives him to taste of the hidden manna. Now his mouth will not water after hom... [ Continue Reading ]
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? Ver. 5. _But he that believeth_] A believer walketh about the world as a conqueror. He saith of these things here below, as Socrates did when he came into a fair, and saw there sundry commodities to be sold, _Q... [ Continue Reading ]
This is he that came by water and blood, _even_ Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. Ver. 6. _That came by water and blood_] So to fulfil and answer the legal washings and sacrifices; so to signify that he j... [ Continue Reading ]
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. Ver. 7. _Three that bear record_] viz. That Jesus Christ is the Son of God. These three heavenly witnesses have given testimony hereof in earth. _See Trapp on "_ Joh 5:32 _"_ _See Trap... [ Continue Reading ]
And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. Ver. 8. _The Spirit and the water_] The Spirit of sanctification testified by saving graces and new divine gifts, the water of repentance, and the blood of Christ applied by faith... [ Continue Reading ]
If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. Ver. 9. _If we receive, &c._] If two or three witnesses establish a truth with men, shall we deny that honour to God's testimony?... [ Continue Reading ]
He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. Ver. 10. _Hath the witness in himself_] Carries in his heart the counterpane of all the promises. _ Hath made him a liar_]... [ Continue Reading ]
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Ver. 11. _That God hath given to us, &c._] How plain is the Holy Scripture in things needful to salvation! These God hath written for us, as it were, with the beam of the sun, that none may plead difficulty... [ Continue Reading ]
He that hath the Son hath life; _and_ he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. Ver. 12. _Hath life_] For he is the prince and principle of life; and all out of him are dead while they live. _Non ille diu vixit, sed diu fuit, _ saith Seneca of one; _non multum navigavit, sed multum iactatus es... [ Continue Reading ]
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. Ver. 13. _That ye may know that ye have eternal life_] _sc._ In the pledges and firstfruits of it, in the true graces o... [ Continue Reading ]
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: Ver. 14. _According unto his will_] One said he could have what he would of God; and, _Fiat voluntas mea, _ saith Luther in a certain prayer, but then he finely falls off with _mea volunt... [ Continue Reading ]
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. Ver. 15. _We know that we have_] _Iste vir potuit quod voluit, _ That man could do what he would with God, said one concerning Luther. _See Trapp on "_ Joh 15:16 _"_ We have the petitions... [ Continue Reading ]
If any man see his brother sin a sin _which is_ not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. Ver. 16. _A sin which is not unto death_] When John Frith and Andrew Hewer were at the stake,... [ Continue Reading ]
All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. Ver. 17. _There is a sin not unto death_] All sins and blasphemies shall be forgiven unto men, but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, &c. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 12:31 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Mat 12:32 _"_ Every sin (in the desert consider... [ Continue Reading ]
We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. Ver. 18. _Sinneth not_] _sc._ That sin to death, 1 John 5:16, nor other sins, as other men do. _See Trapp on "_ 1Jn 3:9 _"_ And that wicked one toucheth him not]... [ Continue Reading ]
_And_ we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. Ver. 19. _Lieth in wickedness_] As a lubber in a lake, as a carcase in its slime. _In fermento tota iacet uxor, _ My wife lies down entirely drunk, saith he in Plautus. "This people is wholly set upon wickedness," said Aaron... [ Continue Reading ]
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, _even_ in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Ver. 20. _And we know_] This he brings in here for a corollary and conclusion of al... [ Continue Reading ]
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. Ver. 21. _Keep yourselves from idols_] Negatively at least (as those 7000 in Israel, that had not bowed their knees to Baal), if not positively, by open declaration of your utter dislike, as did Daniel and his associates. Irenaeus reproveth the her... [ Continue Reading ]