
- Prologue 1:1-4
- That which was from the beginning
- notice similarity to beginning of John
- That which we have experienced
- We experienced the Word of life
- which we have heard
- which we have seen with our eyes
- which we have looked upon
- and our hands have handled
- cf. deniers that Jesus had come in the flesh
- John is eyewitness to Jesus' flesh/body
- Concerning the Word of Life
- Jesus spoken of in similar terms
- The life appeared
- and we have seen
- and we are testifying and proclaiming to you the eternal life
- The life was with the Father
- And it was revealed to us
- We proclaim also to you
- That which we have seen and heard
- - testimony
- Purpose - So that you may have fellowship with/along with us
- And our fellowship with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ
- Horizontal and Vertical Fellowship
We are writing these things to you - Purpose - so that your joy may be completely fulfilled
- Light and Darkness 1:5-2:2
- Two dangers addressed in this section
- not taking sin seriously enough
- taking it too seriously - without hope of atonement
- The wisdom of comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable
- The Fact, the Message, the reality
- This is the message that we heard from Him and we are proclaiming to you
- God is Light
- In Him is NO DARKNESS AT All
- harp in this – double negative
- The implications, applications for us
- because this is true, all these things are true as well
- Round 1
Neg -if we say that we have fellowship with Him, even though we walk in darkness- we are lying and not doing the truth
- theme of confessing, claiming
- not just to others, but to self – beware of listening to yourself – too easy and too hard on self
claim fellowship with God- while at the same time walking in things that are the opposite of the characteristics of God – not true
- we lie and are not doing the truth
- not only lie to others, but to ourselves
Pos -But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, - walk in the light – defined throughout
- faith working itself out in ethics because of abiding relationship
- standard is Jesus Himself – not culture or other Christians
- be perfect
- we have fellowship with one another (with God)
- we have fellowship – with one another and with God – abiding, friends, cf. prologue
- highlight one another theme
- and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin
- the atoning blood of Jesus takes care of the sins that we do have
- Round 2
Neg - If we deny that we have sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us
deny that we have sin - that we are sinners and commit sin- we deceive ourselves
- lie to ourselves if we think we are sinless
- do not trust yourself – pride before fall
- The truth is not in us
- truth and deceit are mutually exclusive
Pos - If we confess our sin, He forgives and cleanses us because of His character
Confess sin – agree with God- 2 Cor. 7 godly repentance and worldly repentance
- He is faithful and just
- Cross of Christ – justice and grace/mercy meet
- forgive sins – leave them behind
- cleanse us from all unrighteousness – to match His righteousness
- Round 3
Neg - If we deny that we have sinned we make Him a liar and His Word is not in us
deny that we have sinned – pf. tense – deny it is a big deal, minimize it- we claim directly contrary to what God says – opposite of confess
- we claim that God is wrong to make ourselves seem right – claim Him a liar/false
Pos - I am writing so that you do not sin, but if you do, God has it covered- Don’t sin – we can overcome
- John strongly states that we must and will overcome if we are born of God
- but for those times when we do sin – Christ takes care of it
- we have a Paraclete with the Father
- an advocate – defense lawyer
- Jesus Christ – THE RIGHTEOUS ONE
- His righteousness makes Him qualified to defend us and is the basis for our defense
- cf. 2 Cor 5:21
- He is the propitiating sacrifice concerning our sin
- sacrifice that effectively turns away wrath
- And not only for our sins, but for the sins of the whole world
- will whole world be saved?
- probably combatting parochialism reaction to false teachers leaving
- cf. Elijah – only one left
- bigger picture of God’s people – Jew and Gentile beyond the factional dispute in Ephesus
- True and False Believers 2:3-3:24
- Tests for knowing God 2:3-6
First test - - In this we know that we have known Him:
- if we keep His commands
- Elaboration/illustration
Neg - The one saying "I know Him" and not keeping His commands- this one is a liar
- and the truth is not in him
- Pos - whoever keeps His Word
- The love of God truly is perfected in Him
Second test - - In this we know that we are in Him:
The one saying "I am abiding in Him"- He ought to walk/lifestyle
- in the same way as This One (Jesus) walks/lifestyle
- Old & New Commands to not be in the darkness 2:7-11
- An Old Command
I am not writing to you a new command- but an old command
- which you were having from the beginning
- The old command is the Word which you heard
- A New Command
Again, a new command I am writing to you- which is true in Him and in you
- because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining
Hating = Darkness
The one saying "I am in the light" and hating his brother- this one is still in the darkness
- The one hating his brother
- he is in the darkness
- he is walking/lifestyle in the darkness
- and he does not know where he is going
- because the darkness has blinded his eyes
- Encouragements with affection 2:12-14
- Intro matters
- 2 rounds
- change of verb tense
- most likely no real change of meaning - epistlatory aorist
- 3 addressees
- all that is said applies to all groups
- don't make hard fast distinction
- 2 different terms for 'children' flexible
- 4 possibilities
- 3 literal groups
- 3 metaphorical groups - spiritual maturity
- 'children' blanket term - then broken into two groups
- not groups, but addressing all using metaphorical age group appropriate to what is illustrated - i.e. wise father, strong youth, etc.
- last possibility seems best
- major problems pressing distinctions - don't go beyond what is written
- significance of hoti?
- because - giving reason for writing - probably not!
- "That" - giving content of writing - probably - cf. John 16:8-11
- written for encouragement to those who may have been discouraged about their spiritual state
- First Round
- Children
I am writing to you- that your sins are forgiven
- because of His Name
- Fathers
I am writing to you- that you have known the one who is from the beginning
- Youth
I am writing to you- that you have decisively overcome the evil (one)
- Second Round
- Children
I wrote to you- that you have known the Father
- Fathers
I wrote to you- that you have known the One Who is from the beginning
- Youth
I wrote to you- that you are strong
- and the Word of God remains in you
- and you have decisively overcome the evil (one)
- Do not love the world 2:15-17
- Command
- do not love the world
- and do not love the things in the world
- Contrast
if someone loves the world- The love of the Father is not in Him
- cf. No other gods before me, cannot serve God and money, etc.
- God is a jealous God, flee idolatry
- harp on this stark contrast
- Reason
- Because everything in the world is not from the Father
- the desire of the flesh
- and the desire of the eyes
- and the pride of life
- But is from the world
- Result
- And the world and its desires are passing away
- But the one doing the will of God remains/abides forever
- Tests for Truth 2:18-25
- Antichrist
- Children, It is the last hour
- And just as you heard that antichrist was coming,
- definition of Antichrist
- 2 meanings of anti
- against - enemy of Christ
- in place of - substitute false Christ
- typically both, being an enemy of Christ by being a false pretender christ
- alternate means of salvation - many promises, many lies
- both the One ultimate expression
- but also many various historical expressions - Mohammed, Joseph Smith, deodorant salesman, Oprah, politicians, etc.
- all who draw attention away from Christ to themselves - beware of being this type of Christian leader
- also now many antichrists have come
from this we know that it is the last hour
- Defectors
- They went out from us
- but they were not from us
For if they were from us- They would have remained with us
- but [they left] so that they may be revealed that they all were not from us.
- Knowing the Truth
- And you have an anointing from the holy one and you know all
- to assign a person to a task, with the implication of supernatural sanctions, blessing, and endowment
I did not write to you that you did not know the truth but that you do know it- and every falsehood/lie is not from the truth
Who is the liar, if not the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ
Denying/Confessing the Son
This one is the antichrist - the one denying the Father and the Son- cf. Jn ch. 5 same honor to Father and Son
Everyone who denies the Son does not have the Father either
The one confessing the Son also has the Father
- Remain in the truth
- You, let what you heard from the beginning remain in you
If what you heard from the beginning remains in you- Then you will remain in the Son and in the Father
- And this is the message which He proclaimed to us - eternal life
- Stand in the truth 2:26-27
I wrote these things to you concerning those who are deceiving you- Trust your Calling/Provision
- and you - the anointing which you received from Him remains in you
- and you do not have a need for someone to teach you
- but as this same anointing teaches you concerning all
- Your Calling/Provision is True
- and it is true
- and it is not false
- Remain in It/Him
- and just as he/it taught you
- remain in it/him
- Promise of His Revelation 2:28-29
- And now children, remain in Him
- so that if/when he is revealed
- we may have freedom/boldness/confidence
- and not be ashamed from Him/shrink away from Him in shame
- at His revelation
- Our identity in Christ 3:1-3
- What we are
- Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us
- so that we may be called the children of God
- And this is what we are
- Because of this, the world does not know us
- Because it did not know Him
- What we will be
- Beloved, we are now children of God
- and it has not yet been revealed what we will be
- we know that if/when He is revealed
- we will be like Him
- because we will see Him just as He is
- The implication
and everyone who has this hope upon him sanctifies himself- Just as this one is holy
- The seriousness of sin 3:4-10
- Sin is a big deal
Everyone who is doing sin is also doing lawlessness- connecting the more (but not really) neutral term 'sin' ('missing the mark') with the wholly negative term 'lawlessness'
- to show that sin cannot be downplayed
- it is not just a mistake or indiscretion or failure
- it is rebellion
- And sin is lawlessness
- Jesus dealt with sin
- and you know that this One was revealed
- so that He may take away the sins
- and there is no sin in Him
- Christians don't continue in sin
And everyone who remains in Him does not sin
everyone who is sinning has not seen Him and does not know Him- children, let no one deceive you
The one who is doing righteousness is righteous- Just as this One [Jesus] is righteous
- Those who continue in sin are not Christians
The one who is doing sin is from the devil- because the devil was sinning from the beginning
- Jesus dealt with sin
- The Son of God was revealed for this reason
- so that He might destroy the works of the devil
- Christians don't continue in sin
Everyone who has been born from God is not doing sin- possible translation - "continue in sin" bringing out significance of present tense
- because His seed is remaining in him
- and he is not able to sin
- because he has been born from God
- The test
- The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed in/by this
everyone who is not doing righteousness and who does not love his brother is not from God
- Love one another 3:11-18
- the command
- Because this is the message which you heard from the beginning
- that we may/should love one another
- poss. 'so that' = purpose
- poss. 'that' = content of message
- The alternative
- Not just as Cain was from the evil (one)
- and he murdered his brother
- And for what reason did he murder him?
- because his works were evil
- but the works of his brother were righteous
- do not marvel brothers if the world hates you
- the test
- positive
we know that we have passed from death into life- cf. Jn 5:24, 13:1
- departed one place/reality and entered another
- border crossing
- because we love the brothers
- negative
the one who is not loving is remaining in death- everyone who hates his brother is a murderer
And we know that every murderer does not have eternal life remaining in them
- the standard
- In this we know love - that this One lay down His life for our sakes
- and we ought to lay down our lives for the sake of the brothers
- the illustration
whoever has the means of life of this world and sees his brother having a need and closes his compassion from him- how can the love of God remain in him?
- the implication
- children, do not love (only) with words or (only) with tongue, but in work and truth
- Tests if we are in Him and He in us 3:19-24
- confidence vs. condemnation
- The test
In this we know that we are from the truth- and we will persuade/reassure our hearts before Him/in His presence
- If condemnation
- that if our hearts condemn us
- God is greater than our hearts
- and He knows all things
- If no condemnation
brothers, if our hearts do not condemn us - we have confidence toward/before God
- ask and receive
- Ask and Receive
- And whatever we ask,
- we will receive from Him
- cf. upper room discourse
- reason
- because we are keeping His commands
- and we are doing the things that are pleasing to Him
- elaboration on commands
- And this is HIs command
- that we believe in the Name of His Son - Jesus Christ
- notice including the title "Christ"
- and we love one another
- just as He gave (this)command to us
- i.e. with washing feet and laying down His life
- Remaining in Him
and the one who is keeping His commands is remaining in Him- and He (is remaining) in him
and in this we are knowing that He is remaining in us - from the Spirit which He gave to us- cf. another paraclete = presence of Jesus remaining
- True and False Faith 4:1-5:12
- Test the Spirits 4:1-6
- Test the Spirits
- Beloved, do not believe every spirit
- But test the spirits - if they are from God
- How do we test the spirits?
- Orthodox Theology
- Righteousness
- Love
- Because many false prophets have gone out into the world
- First test - Orthodox Theology
In this we know the Spirit of God
Every Spirit that confesses that Jesus came in the flesh is from God- qualifications
- written for that time and controversy, not blanket test
- must include other tests for current spirits and controversies
Every Spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God- And this one is the spirit of the antichrist
- which you have heard was coming
- and now is already in the world
- God is greater than false spirits
- You are from God, children
- And you have overcome them
- because the One in you is greater than the one in the world
- Second test - Close to the World or to Orthodox Teachers
- They are from the world
- For this reason, they speak from the world
- and the world hears them
- But us - we are from God
- The one who knows God listens to us
Whoever is not from God does not hear us
In this we know the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of deception
- Love One Another 4:7-12
- Beloved, love one another
- Reason
- Because love is from God
and everyone who loves has been born from God and knows God- qualification - not the only test
- must define 'love' by Christian standard
The one who does not love does not know God- because God is love
- Standard - God's Love
- In this the love of God is revealed in us:
- That God sent His One and Only Son into the world
- So that we may live through Him
- In this love is:
- not that we loved God
- but that He loved us
- and sent His Son - propitiation concerning our sin
- Implication
- Beloved, if God loved us in this way
- We also ought to love one another
- No one has ever seen God
- if we love one another -
- God remains in us
- and His love is perfected in us
- Two tests 4:13-15
- test 1
In this we know that we are remaining in Him and He in us- that He has given to us His Spirit
- What He has given us is from His Spirit (source)
- and of His Spirit (content/partitive)
- And we have seen and we are testifying that the Father sent the Son - the Savior of the world
- test 2
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God- God is abiding in him
- and He is abiding in God
- The Love of God 4:16-21
- We experience God's love
- And we have known and we have believed the love which God has in us
- God is love
and the one who is abiding in love is abiding in God and God is abiding in Him- In this, the love is perfected/completed with us
- so that we have confidence in the day of judgment
- because just like this one is - so also we are in this world
- i.e. following Jesus' example in the world
- Love vs. Fear
- There is no fear in love
- but perfected/completed love throws out fear
- because fear has to do with punishment
and the one fearing has not been perfected/completed in love- cf. freedom brought by atonement
- cf. Heb. 2:14-15
- so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-
- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
- The accuser has no weapon when the crime is out in the open and paid for.
- if you want more freedom from fear/doubt
- meditate more on the Cross to combat doubts about God's intentions toward you
- meditate more on God's sovereignty to combat doubts about God's ability on your behalf
- We practice God's love
- We love because He first loved us
If someone says "I love God" and he hates his brother- he is a liar
- because the one who is not loving his brother whom he has seen
- he is not able to love God Whom he has not seen
- And we have this command from Him
that the one who is loving God must love his brother
- Faith and Love 5:1-5
- Everyone who is believing that Jesus is the Christ has been born from God
- And everyone who is loving the One who gives birth (begets) loves the one born from Him
- i.e. if you love God, you will love His children,
- b/c they come from Him
In this we know that we are loving the children of God- when we love God
- and we are doing His commands
- This is the love of God
- obedience
- that we are keeping His commands
- beware of those who define the Love of God in a way that leads to libertinism and license
- and His commands are not burdensome
- cf. Mt. 11:30 - yoke is easy, burden light
because everyone who has been born from God is overcoming the world
- faith
- and this is the victory (cognate) which is victorious (overcomes) the world - our faith
Who is the one who is overcoming the world except the one who is believing that Jesus is the Son of God- defines the faith that overcomes
- orthodox theology that results in passion and holiness of life
- one who claims to have assent to facts but they do not impact life, does not really know the facts, does not have orthodox theology
- rant on both and heart and head, cannot settle for either
- orthodox theology extremely important
- orthodox theology always leads to joy and success if you pursue it and apply it.
- The testimony 5:6-12
- Three witnesses
- This one is the one who came through/by water and blood - Jesus Christ
- Not by water only, but by water and by blood
- water and blood most likely baptism and crucifixion
- cf. gnostic denials in the incarnation and crucifixion of the Christ
- And the Spirit is the one testifying because the Spirit is the truth
- cf. Spirit of Truth, testifying to Jesus Jn ch. 16
- For there are three that are testifying
- the Spirit and the water and the blood
- excursus on the text of KJV /NKJV
- "The Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit and these three are one.
- Scribal purposeful change during Trinitarian controversy
- probably thought helping the side of truth, but not
- never help truth by falsehood
- Doctrine of Trinity did not and still does not need the help of falsehood
- and the three are unified in their testimony
- God's testimony
- If we are receiving the testimony of man, the testimony of God is greater
- for this is the testimony of God that He has testified concerning His Son
The one who is believing in in the Son of God is having the testimony in himself
The one who is not believing God has made Him (to be) a liar- because he has not believed the testimony which God testified concerning His Son
- And this is the testimony:
- That God has given to us life eternal
- and this life is in His Son
- The bottom line
The one who has the Son has life
The one who does not have the Son of God, does not have life
- Conclusion 5:13-21
- Purpose 5:13
- Purpose Statement
I am writing these things to you- to those who are believing in the Name of the Son of God
- All of these encouragements only apply to those who have faith in Christ - not everyone is an overcomer
- purpose: so that you may know
- Content: that you have eternal life
- Requests to God 5:14-15
- This is the confidence that we have toward Him
- that whatever we ask according to His will - He hears us
- And if we know that He hears us - whatever we ask (still subject to His will)
- We know that we have the requests which we asked from Him
- Intercession for a brother 5:16-17
- If someone sees his brother sinning a sin not unto death
- 4 main possibilities
- more serious vs. less serious sin
- deliberate vs. unintentional sin - cf. Torah
- Sin which has already led to death - i.e. Don't bother praying for the dead
- In context - apostasy from the community - all that the false teachers are and do
- He will ask and He (God) will give him life
- That is to the sin which does not lead to death
- There is a sin unto death
- I am not saying that you should ask concerning this
- All unrighteousness is sin
- And there is sin not unto death
- What we know 5:18-20
We know that everyone who has been born from God is not sinning (continuing in sin)- But the one being born from God is keeping himself
- And the evil (one) does not touch him
- We know that we are from God
- And the whole world lies in the power of the evil one
- We know that the Son of God has come and He has given us understanding
- so that we are knowing the truth
- and we are in the truth in His Son - Jesus Christ
- This is the True God and Eternal Life
- The charge 5:21
- Children, Keep yourself from Idols