The apostle, in the last verse of the preceding chapter, having declared that every one who _worketh righteousness_ is born of God, begins the chapter with an exclamation expressive of his high admiration of the love of God in calling them his children, although they are not acknowledged to be such... [ Continue Reading ]
_Beloved_ It is a most certain and joyful truth, that _now are we_, who believe on God's Son with our heart unto righteousness; _the children of God_ And, persevering in that faith, we shall be acknowledged as such before men and angels in the day of final accounts; a truth which draws after it a lo... [ Continue Reading ]
_And every man that hath this hope in him_ An expectation of seeing Christ as he is, built on a solid foundation, namely, the foundation of being a child and heir of God; _purifieth himself_ By applying to, and confiding in, the purifying blood of Christ, with a penitent, believing heart; by earnest... [ Continue Reading ]
The truth asserted in the preceding verse is so important, and the apostle knew so well that carnal men would be prone to flatter themselves that they might be admitted into heaven after they die, without being holy while they live, that he here enlarges on the important subject. _Whosoever committe... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whosoever abideth in_ union and fellowship with _him_ By loving faith; _sinneth not_ Doth not commit known sin, while he so abideth: _whosoever sinneth_ Transgresseth any known law of God; _hath not seen him, neither known him_ His views and knowledge of him have been so superficial that they deser... [ Continue Reading ]
_Little_, or _beloved children, let no man deceive you_ In this important matter, by vain words, however serious and plausible they may seem to be. For a being, himself immutably holy, can never dispense with the want of holiness in his intelligent creatures. The apostle's words imply, that some pre... [ Continue Reading ]
_For_, &c. As if he had said, I have just declared that the want of brotherly love is a proof that a man is not of God, and a little consideration may convince you of the truth of the assertion: for _this is the message that ye heard_ of us The apostles and ministers of Christ; _from the beginning_... [ Continue Reading ]
He, I have just said, who loveth not his brother, abideth in death; is void of the life of God: for _whosoever hateth his brother_ And there is no medium between loving and hating him; _is_ In God's account; _a murderer_ Every degree of hatred being a degree of the same temper which moved Cain to mu... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hereby perceive we the love of God_ The word _God_ is not in the original: it seems to be omitted by the apostle just as the name of _Jesus_ is omitted by Mary, when she says to the gardener _Sir, if thou hast borne him hence_, &c., John 20:15; in which place there is a very emphatical language, ev... [ Continue Reading ]
_My beloved children, let us not love_ merely _in word or in tongue_ Contenting ourselves with complimental expressions of regard, or with giving our Christian brethren nothing but fair speeches; _but in deed and in truth_ Let our actions approve the sincerity of our professions, and, by relieving t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Beloved, if our heart condemn us not_ If our conscience, duly enlightened by the word and Spirit of God, and comparing all our thoughts, words, and works with that word, pronounce that they agree therewith; _then have we confidence toward God_ Our consciousness of his favour continues, with liberty... [ Continue Reading ]
_And this is his commandment, That we should believe_, &c. Namely, all his commandments: in one word, _That we should believe and love_ In the manner and degree which he hath taught. This is the greatest and most important command that ever issued from the throne of glory. If this be neglected, no o... [ Continue Reading ]