Observe here, 1. The person writing and directing this epistle, St. John, styling himself THE ELDER, partly with respect to his age, he being, as it is thought, the only person at that time living upon the earth who bore the name of AN APOSTLE; and partly with respect to his office in the church: th... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. the person rejoicing, St. John, the apostle and minister of Christ Jesus, I REJOICED GREATLY. 2. The mercy rejoiced in, their WALKING IN THE TRUTH. It was not their speculative knowledge of the truth, and their taking upon them. bare profession of Christianity, that he rejoiced in... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, The duty required, together with the profession of the gospel; namely, to love in unity and peace, in amity and concord, one with another. This he calls. COMMANDMENT, in the singular number, to intimate that in this one commandment all the rest are contained, and in keeping this we kee... [ Continue Reading ]
As if our apostle had said, "By this we shall make it evidently appear that there is the true love of God in us, if we endeavour to frame our lives according to his commandments;" and this, he assures them, was the great commandment, which they heard from the beginning, when the gospel was preached... [ Continue Reading ]
Having exhorted them to perseverence in the faith before, he subjoins. reason for that exhortation now, because MANY DECEIVERS ARE ENTERED INTO THE WORLD,. C. Many imposters were gone forth abroad, who denied, some of the divinity, others the humanity of Christ, and so razed the very foundations of... [ Continue Reading ]
Here our apostle resumes his exhortation to them to constancy and perseverance in the faith and obedience of the gospel, from this argument, lest they should lose the fruit of their faith professed, the profit of their afflictions which for the sake of Christianity they had suffered, and their works... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The character given of the gospel, it is THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST: that is, the doctrine relating to Christ, and the doctrine taught by Christ. Observe, 2. What is affirmed of those that apostatize from, and abide not in, the doctrine of Christ, THEY HAVE NOT GOD; that is, say some,... [ Continue Reading ]
In these words our apostle directs them how to carry themselves towards those wicked apostates and heretical seducers, that deny the gospel, or any essential part of Christianity; by no means to give any countenance or encouragement to them, or to hold any familiarity or communion with them, nor to... [ Continue Reading ]
Here our apostle concludes his epistle with an apology for the brevity of it, declaring, that he hoped to come shortly to them, and see them. And though he had many things to write, yet all things were not fit to be written: but, besides,. lively voice affects more than. written letter and he hoped... [ Continue Reading ]