Behold [ι δ ε τ ε]. Lit., behold ye. The plural is peculiar. The usual form is the singular ide or ijdou. See John 1:29; John 11:3, etc.; John 4:35; John 19:26; John 19:27. Elsewhere the plural is used of something actually visible (Galatians 6:11). What manner of [π ο τ α π η ν]. The word is of inf... [ Continue Reading ]
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 l... [ Continue Reading ]
Whosoever committeth sin [π α ς ο π ο ι ω ν τ η ν α μ α ρ τ ι α ν]. Rev., better, every one that doeth sin. See on ver. 3, every man that hath, and note the frequent repetition of this form of expression in the present chapter. Compare pav oJ aJmartanwn whosoever sinneth (ver. 6). The phrase to do s... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye know. John's characteristic appeal to Christian knowledge. Compare 1 John 2:20; 1 John 2:21; 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 [ε κ ε ι ν ο ς]. Christ, as always in this Epistle. See on John 1:18. Was m [ Continue Reading ]
Abideth. Compare John 14:4-10. 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 2 6. Sinneth not. John does not teach that believers do not sin, but is speaking of a character, a habit. Throu... [ Continue Reading ]
Little children. See on 2 1. Deceive [π λ α ν α τ ω]. Rev., better, lead astray. See on 1 8. Doeth righteousness. See on ver. 4, and compare 1 John 2:29. Note the article thn, the righteousness, in its completeness and unity. Not merely doing righteous acts. "In his relation to other men he will d... [ Continue Reading ]
The Devil. See on 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 sinne... [ Continue Reading ]
Whosoever is born [π α ς ο γ ε γ ε ν ν η μ ε ν ο ς]. On the form of expression, see on ver. 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 ver. 6. C... [ Continue Reading ]
In this [ε ν τ ο υ τ ω]. See on 2 3. Children of the devil [τ ε κ ν α τ ο υ δ ι α β ο λ ο υ]. The only occurrence of the phrase. Compare Acts 13:10, and see John 8:44. Righteousness. Here the article is wanting, compare ver. 7. Righteousness is regarded, not in its completeness, but as bearing a p... [ Continue Reading ]
From the beginning. See on 1 1. That [ι ν α]. The purport and aim of the message. See on John 14:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
Cain who was [κ α ι ν η ν]. Who is not in the Greek. The construction is irregular. Lit., as Rev., not as Cain was of the evil one. Slew [ε σ φ α ξ ε ν]. 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 suit... [ Continue Reading ]
Brethren [α δ ε λ φ ο ι]. The only occurrence of this mode of address in the Epistle. Hate [μ ι σ ε ι]. Indicative mood, pointing to the fact as existing : if the world hate you, as it does.... [ Continue Reading ]
We know. Emphatic; we as distinguished from the world. Have passed [μ ε α τ β ε β η κ α μ ε ν]. Lit., have passed over. From death [ε κ τ ο υ θ α ν α τ ο υ]. 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... [ Continue Reading ]
Murderer [α θ ρ ω π ο κ τ ο ν ο ς]. 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 h... [ Continue Reading ]
Hereby [ε ν τ ο ι τ ω]. See on 2 3. Perceive [ε γ ν ω κ α μ ε ν]. 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 [τ η ν ψ υ χ η ν α υ τ ο υ ε θ η κ ε ν]. See on John 10:11. We ought [ο φ ε ι λ ο μ ε ν]. See on 2 6.... [ Continue Reading ]
This world's good [τ ο ν β ι ο ν τ ο υ κ ο σ μ ο υ]. Rev., the worlds goods. Biov means that by which life is sustained, resources, wealth. Seeth [θ ε ω ρ η]. Deliberately contemplates. See on John 1:18. Rev., beholdeth. The only occurrence of the verb in John's Epistles. Have need [χ ρ ε ι α ν ε... [ Continue Reading ]
Shall assure [π ε ι σ ο μ ε ν]. 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... [ Continue Reading ]
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 [ο τ ι]. To be rendered not as a conjunction (for, because) but a... [ Continue Reading ]
Beloved. The affectionate address is suggested by the preceding thought of tormenting self - accusation. Confidence [π α ρ ρ η σ ι α ν]. Rev., boldness. See on 2 28.... [ Continue Reading ]
We ask [α ι τ ω μ ε ν]. See on Luke 11:9. We receive of Him [λ α μ β α ν ο μ ε ν α π α υ τ ο υ] On the form of expression, see on 1 5. For the thought, compare John 14:7. We keep [τ η ρ ο υ μ ε ν]. See on 1 Peter 1:5. Note the combination of keep and do. Watchful discernment and habitual practice.... [ Continue Reading ]
Believe on the name [π ι σ τ ε υ σ ω μ ε ν τ ω ο ν ο μ α τ ι]. See on John 1:12; 1 John 1:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
Abideth in Him and He in Him. "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). Spirit. The first mention of the Spirit in the Epistle. Never found with Holy in the Epistles or Revelation. CRITICAL NOTE ON 1 John 3:19-22. The seco... [ Continue Reading ]