1 John For Anyone

Introduction to the Epistles of John
THE AUTHOR
John the disciple was a fisherman. He was the son of Zebedee and his elder
brother was James, son of Zebedee, who was another of the Twelve Apostles.
He was one of Jesus inner circle. He had an older brother, James, and they were
disciples of John the Baptist before following Jesus.

The nickname of him and his brother was Sons of thunder because of their
storming personality; most of the time they were clam but in certain circumstance
they will abrupt just as a storm. In the book of Luke, there is the story that tells us
that he and his brothers wanted to call for fire from heaven to destroy a
Samaritan town for their unbelief, but Jesus kindly rebuke them.

John was sentenced to the mines on the prison island of Patmos. Then, he was
freed and returned to what is now modern-day Turkey. He died as an old man,
the only apostle to die peacefully in Ephesus sometime after 98 AD. He was the
only one not to die a martyr's death.

Early Christian tradition and the great majority of modern scholars have agreed
on the common authorship of the Gospel of John, 1 John, 2 John and 3 John.

DATE
Some scholars date the epistles right after the Gospel of John published before
70 AD; however other group of scholars dates the epistle after the completion of
the book of Revelation in the late years of the first century.

PLACE OF WRITING
These books were written in Asia Minor, likely Ephesus.

ADDRESSEES/AUDIENCE
These letters have been a circular letter to a group of people possible of an
Asiatic community where the author had has certain relationship. This people
apparently had been infiltrated with false teachers. The audience of these books
is very likely that were Gentile Christians because it contains a few quotes form
the Old Testament.

OCCASION/PURPOSE
According to 1 John 2:19, false teaching had crept into and some of the members
had believed and now they were harassing the church. Johns possible intentions
were to assure his audience about the truth of the Gospel, by affirming that he
was an eyewitness of Jesus Christ (1 John 1:13) and that the Spirit bore witness
to their spirit that all this things were the truth (1 John 2:20; 27).

John's stated in this book his purposes in writing this book:
1. Fellowship with God and with His children
2. Joy
3. Assurance
4. To equip the believers against the false theology of the Gnostic teachers

BACKGROUND
These books were addressing a group of believers, probably Gentiles Christians
that were familiar to John. It apparent from the epistle, that false teachers were
causing some struggles to the Christian community. The author refers of them as
Antichrists, because of the seriousness of their departure from the apostolic
teaching about Jesus.

During the time when these letters were written, there was a belief system
prevalent called Gnosticism. Gnostics believed that matter is evil and the spiritual
cannot mix. Therefore, Gnosticism rejected the idea of God becoming incarnate
(God becoming a man), dying and rising bodily. Most Gnostics believe that
whoever entered Jesus at his baptism left him before he died on the cross.

Apparently, Gnosticism had influenced some members of the Christian
community and this false teaching has been pounding the church.

!"#$%&'
I. Prologue: the reality of Jesus incarnation (1:1-4)

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard,
which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and
have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life.

II. Fellowship with God (1:5-2:17)

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have
fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son
cleanses us from all sin.

III. The Antichrist; False teachers harassing the church (2:18-27)

22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?
This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.

IV. Children of God (2:28-3:10)

1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we
should be called children of God; and so we are.

V. Love one another (3:11-24)

16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and
we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

VI. Test the Spirit (4:1-6)

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to
see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have
gone out into the world.

VII. God is love (4:7-21)

9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that
God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live
through him.

VIII. Our faith; helps us over comes the world (5:1-12)
4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the
world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world
our faith.

IX. Conclusion and last advice (5:13-21)

13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the
Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.

!"#$% '("$%)* +, !"#$ !

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which
we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have
touched with our hands, concerning the word of life 2 the life was
made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to
you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made
manifest to us 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim
also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed
our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
The pre-existence of Jesus (vss 1-4)
1. John begins the book by asserting Jesus preexistence; ergo, he was
affirming and proclaiming Jesus Deity. He declares that Jesus was in the
beginning before creation and this always was Gods plan of redemption.
However, he highlights that he was not the only one who has heard, saw,
looked and touch Him but he used the pronoun we implying that this was
collective testimony.
The word of life, logos in Greek, was use to catch the attention of the
false teachers. John is using this term to refer to both the content of the
Gospel and the person of the Gospel.
2. The life was manifest implies that it was brought to light; however it was
already present. In this verse, John made an emphasis on the incarnation of
Jesus because the false teachers were trying to deny.
He also highlight once more that he is testifying of something that he has
personally experience. Therefore, there is a need to proclaim and revealed
his own experience with the rest of us.
He concluded this verse remarking the fact that Jesus was with the Father
and to know Jesus is to know God.
3. In this verse, John keep mention the fact that his teaching is not just a
doctrinal thing, instead this proclamation is based in a real thing because he
had seen and heard personally. This is not just his personal testimony but
also a collective testimony of those who were with him. This in order to
counteract the errors and the false teaching that had emerged.
John also emphasizes and explains that in order to fully know God; we are
required to have fellowship with His children.
This verse also teaches us that it is impossible to have fellowship or have the
Father without the Son Jesus Christ. This was one of the multiple false
teachings of the time.
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4. This verse is very similar to John 15:11 These things I have spoken to you,
that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full probably this quote from
Jesus stuck on to his mind.

The sense here is, that full and clear image of the Lord Jesus, and the fellowship
with him and the Father, and with each other would be a source of deep
happiness found in our Savior. This was an important truth to highlight because
of the misguidance of the false teachers.

5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you,
that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have
fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not
practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we
have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son
cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive
ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a
liar, and his word is not in us.
Fellowship with the Father (vss 1:5-2:17)
5. John continues his explanation that this was not just his only experience
but of John and other eyewitness (we) that heard and followed Jesus.
John has a great announcement, an especial message (!"#$$%&'#
epangelia) for all of us, his readers, which it was delivered by Him, Jesus.
This is the message of the Gospels: God is light; this signifies purity, truth,
knowledge, prosperity, and happiness, and in Him is no darkness at all.
Therefore, He is himself all light, and is the source and fountain of light to the
worlds. He is perfectly pure, without a mixture of sin. He has all knowledge,
with no mixture of ignorance on any subject. He is infinitely happy, with

1
Baines, Albeit. "Commentaiy on 1 }ohn 1:S" "Baines' Notes on the New Testament".
"http:www.stuuylight.oigcommentaiiesbnbview.cgi.bk=61&ch=1. 187u.
nothing to make him miserable. He is infinitely true, never stating or
countenancing error; he is blessed in all his ways, never knowing the
darkness of disappointment and adversity.
Light implies every essential excellence, especially wisdom, holiness,
and happiness.
Darkness implies all imperfection, and principally ignorance,
sinfulness, and misery.
God is to human soul, what the light is to the world; without the latter all would
be miserable and uncomfortable, and terror and death would universally
prevail.
John affirms that God is absolutely perfect without anything in him in any way
imperfect, or which would diminish His pure splendor of his character. This is an
assertion of the unchanging holy character of God. Probably, John was trying to
guard the mind from an error that of charging God with being the Author of the
sin and misery which exist on the earth.

6. John stresses that Christians must live a Christ-like live. Therefore, if a person
confesses that he has communion with God, but walk in the darkness (living a
sinful life), this person is a liar and does not live in the truth. In other words, there
is an irreconcilable contradiction between a life of sin and fellowship with
God.

One of the Gnostics claim was that fellowship with God was based just on
knowledge. Knowledge was the highest degrees of the Divine illumination,
and the nearest communion with the fountain of holiness, while their
behavior and live was excessively corrupt.
2
This is the influence of Greek
philosophy from Plato.
3

7. We are suppose to live a life that reflects Him, the light. Therefore, we suppose
to live a life in holiness and purity. We need to live in the truth and this is not just
something we know!

As result of living in the light, it is possible to have fellowship with each other,
because we have a something in common. Therefore, the lack of love toward one
another is an evident sign of a problem with our relationship with God.

One of the practices of the Gnostics was their tendency toward
exclusivism.

2
Claike, Auam. "Commentaiy on 1 }ohn 1:6". "The Auam Claike Commentaiy".
http:www.stuuylight.oigcommentaiiesaccview.cgi.bk=61&ch=1. 18S2.
S
Bi. Bob 0tley. "Commentaiy on 1 }ohn 1:1-2:2 " "Bible Lessons Inteinational"
http:www.fieebiblecommentaiy.oignew_testament_stuuiesv0Lu4v0Lu4_2S.html 2u14.

This portion of the verse echoes the formal way to cleanse us from sin. According
to the Law prescribed by Moses, on the Day of Atonement only the blood of
bulls and goats was offered in order to remove sin and purify us before God.
However, the power of the blood of Jesus is able to forgive all past, present and
future sin and ultimately purify us from all transgression; as a consequence, it
makes us holy. Therefore Jesus Christ is not a partial Savior, He saves to the
uttermost, and he cleanses from ALL sin. There is not any sin or transgression
that His blood cannot remove and make it pure. This was a provision made by
God, so that we can be able to have fellowship with Him.

Probably, John remarks this point, because the early Gnostics denied
Jesus humanity.

8. We live in a fallen world where sin is a spiritual reality for everyone, including
the believers. Consequently, if we denied that we are sinners, we deceived
ourselves.

In other words, if we believe that we have no guilt or sinfulness; we have no need
of the blood of Christ as an atoning sacrifice.

Then, if we have this kind of believe, we have no knowledge of the Gospel. This
was the main reason for Jesus Christ should become incarnated, and
suffer and die to bring men to God.

This verse rejects all ancient and modern claims that deny individual moral
responsibility.
4

Gnostics denied the suffering of Christ. According to them, the Aeon, or
Divine Being that dwelt in the man Christ Jesus left him when the Jews
took him; and he, being but a common man, his sufferings and death had
neither merit nor efficacy.
5

9. John gives the formula for us to be forgiven. This is fundamental and
irreplaceable.

In order to obtain forgiveness, we must acknowledge our guilt, our iniquity and
humble ourselves before God. Then and only then is when the Holy God will
come and cleanses of all sin as He had promise (Psalm 32.5; Proverbs 28:13).

4
S
Claike, Auam. "Commentaiy on 1 }ohn 1:8". "The Auam Claike Commentaiy".
http:www.stuuylight.oigcommentaiiesaccview.cgi.bk=61&ch=1. 18S2.
This is just possible because Jesus Christ has died for us making atonement to
the Divine justice; so that the justice of God can be apply on us.

God the Father is faithful because He is unchangeable, merciful and this is our
assure hope. God takes our sins seriously; however He has provided the means
for our forgiveness through the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ on the cross.

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As a consequence, we have been forgiven and cleanse, at this point it is when
we are able to have fellowship with God (Isaiah 1:18; 43:25; 44:22; Psalm
103:11-13; Micah 7:19). This is the reason that those who are continually sinning
need restoration their fellowship with God.

! Sin exists in the our soul:
1. In guilt; therefore it requires forgiveness in order to be remove.
2. In uncleanness; therefore it requires to be cleaning in order to be
remove

10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in
us.
10. John concludes this chapter by emphasizing that if we claim to be perfect or
without sin, we are calling God a liar and therefore this will manifest our lack of
knowledge of His word (logos). This refers to both as a message and the
Person.

Christianity is based on the fact that man is a fallen being in need of a Savior;
therefore unless man admits this important truth, it is impossible for him to be a
Christian.

!"#$% '("$%)* +, -+./ !
1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may
not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and
not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not
sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus
Christ the righteous.

John uses a term of endurance by addressing the church as children, probably to
demonstrate his affection for them and that what was sharing in the previous
chapter was very valuable and important to believe and to live.

In this verse, he expresses that because of our sinful nature, we have the
tendency for sin. We should have to live a lifestyle free of sin and without
practicing.

However, if for any reason we succumb into sin, we have somebody who will
advocate on our behalf. Jesus is in ongoing intercessions as our heavenly
Advocate.

WARNING!
This does not give us a green light to sin freely

Apparently, there was a group of Gnostics that taught that salvation
was an intellectual matter; it did not matter how one lived because
the body was evil. Another group believed that the body was evil;
therefore had to be limited in its desires.

2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for
the sins of the whole world.
The word propitiation is translated from the Greek word: Hilasmos.
Hilasmos was used in the Septuagint as the word used to describe the lid
of the Ark of the Covenant. In this case, the lid of the Ark of covenant is
translated into English as the mercy seat or the place of the atonement.

According to the law, the high priest will enter in the tabernacle to sprinkle
blood of the mercy seat or the place of atonement in order for the sin of
the high priest and the congregation to be cleanse.

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In the same way, Jesus became the sin offering demanded on the Law in order
to remove and cleanse the sins of the congregation of the children of Israel an
the sins of the people of all the world from the past, present and future (1 John
4:14; John 1:29; 3:16,17; 12:47; Rom. 5:18; 1 Tim. 4:10; Titus 2:11; Heb. 2:9;
7:25).

The Greco-Romans worldview of this word conveys the concept of restoration of
fellowship with an estranged deity by means of a price being paid. Moreover, this
concept does not lessen God understanding of sin; rather it express his positive
redemptive attitude towards sinners.

Therefore, the term propitiation implies that Jesus satisfied the wrath of God
toward mankinds sin. The only thing that keeps the whole world from being
saved is not sin, but unbelief. However, humans must respond and continue to
respond by faith, repentance, obedience, and perseverance!
6

3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep
his commandments. 4 Whoever says I know him but does not keep
his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but
whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By
this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in
him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his
commandments.

In Matthew 7:15-20, Jesus gave an important lesson that John carried along
this concept on his epistle. Jesus says: you will recognize them by their
fruit; similarly, John instructs us that the only way that we can prove that we
are His followers is by obeying and putting on practice His commandments
daily. This means that our lifestyle will show if we are real Christians or just
religious people.

6
4 Whoever says I know him but does not keep his commandments is a
liar, and the truth is not in him,

John emphasizes strongly that we are liars and there is not truth in us if we
choose not to follow His commandments. Therefore, our lifestyle reveals our
spiritual condition.

John also is clarifying this point because of the false teachers that claimed to
know God, while trying to separate salvation from godly living. In their
concept, there was a separation between justification and sanctification. They
expressed their superior knowledge of God; however, their lifestyle was
despicable.

5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.
By this we may know that we are in him:

The person who truly knows God cannot reject the living Word of God and the
written Word of God by his/her sinful lifestyle. The love of God is in his/her heart
and it fills up by his obedience to the will of God.
6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he
walked.
If our lifestyle remains in Him, our belief and practice will reflect it. This will
express our communion with Him by walking as Christ walked.
7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old
commandment that you had from the beginning. The old
commandment is the word that you have heard. 8 At the same time, it
is a new commandment that 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. 9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his
brother is still in darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother abides in
the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever
hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and
does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded
his eyes.
7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old
commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is
the word that you have heard.
John clarifies that this was not a new revelation or that this (the Gospel) was
nothing that he had originated, rather that it was in fact the same system of
doctrines established in the beginning.
8 At the same time, it is a new commandment that 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.
John indicates that this was not new but the whole concept is new and
revolutionary. Jesus is the fulfillment of the previous commandments
Therefore, the former system of error of hatred against each other has
finished and that we have brought into the light. Now, the light of the
Gospel shines around us.
9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.
John introduces a WARNING for us. If hatred is still in our heart, we live
in the darkness without God.
10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no
cause for stumbling.
Love is the clear indication of believers salvation and his/her personal
relationship with God without stumble.
11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the
darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has
blinded his eyes.
In this verse, hatred is the same as living in the darkness without God. As in
physical darkness, this person will wander about knowing truth or ignorant of
the truth. Therefore, if this person has not proper knowledge of God or eternal
things the most probable is that darkness has blinded his eyes.
12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven
for his name's sake. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you
know him who is from the beginning.I am writing to you, young
men, because you have overcome the evil one.I write to you,
children, because you know the Father. 14 I write to you,
fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.I write to
you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God
abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his
name's sake.

John is addressing probably those people who were his own converts and
members of his church. However, this is applicable to every believe in every
generation that their and our sins are forgiven in the account of Jesus,
because He has died on our behalf and He is our Mediator at the right hand
of the Father.

13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the
beginning.I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the
evil one.I write to you, children, because you know the Father.

He is emphasizing that this message is for everyone. Johns message
continues expressing Jesus pre-existence and therefore He is God. This is
the true doctrine of the Gospel.

John is addressing by fathers to those who are mature in the faith and by
young men to those who are babies or immature in the faith.

He also states the reality of every believer of all ages that we all are victors
over Satan. It is true that we still struggle with sin, temptation, persecution
and death, but the final battle has been determined.

14 I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the
beginning.I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word
of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

There is a relationship between been strong or mature in the faith and
abiding in the Word of God; and because of this we can overcome the evil
one.

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves
the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the
worldthe desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride
of lifeis not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the
world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the
will of God abides forever.

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the
world, the love of the Father is not in him.

John exhorts us to stop aiming to follow the patterns of the world. John refers
by the using of the word world her to the human society organized and
function apart from God.

In other words, John seems to refer to a love to material things that the world
has to offer like power, prestige, influence, etc. The fallen world system
attempts to meet all of our needs apart from God and it structures our life in
such a way that we appear to be independent from God.

Therefore, if our priority is in the world, we never will be able to completely
love God.

16 For all that is in the worldthe desires of the flesh and the desires of
the eyes and pride of lifeis not from the Father but is from the world.

John describes the meaning of the world

The desires or lust of the flesh: this refers the pleasures of life; this
includes but not limited to sensual and impure desires that looks for
self-gratification.
The desires or lust of the eyes: our eyes are the windows of our
soul. Sin begins in our thought; therefore, when we yield to that
thought and act on it; this becomes sin.
The boastful pride of life: this is human reaction when their trust is
only in their own resources.

And this does not come from God the father, as we have read before there is
not darkness on Him. Therefore, this solely originates in the fallen world and
mature Christians shouldnt practice them.

17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does
the will of God abides forever.

The system of the world, the vain pursuits, pleasures, etc., eventually will pass
away and disappear; however, those things that come from God will remain for
eternity.

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18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist
is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know
that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not
of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.
But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of
us. 20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all
have knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the
truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.
22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is
the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who
denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the
Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you.
If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too
will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise
that he made to useternal life.

18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is
coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is
the last hour.

John was alerting us that the last hour has arrived long ago because of the
presence of false teacher, prophets, doctrines, etc.,

John uses the term the last hour to describe the closeness of the Second
Coming of Jesus. The Bible tells us that no one knows the time for Jesus
return but we must need to be eager and expectant to this. Basically, the
last hour began at the incarnation and will last until the day that God
determines.

The antichrist or antichrists describes the person or people, thing or
things, doctrine or doctrines, etc., that is opposed or against Jesus Christ
or the Gospel message.

19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of
us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might
become plain that they all are not of us.

John denounces that this false teachers come from the church; however they
never were born again believers. They never learned the sound doctrine or the
healthy teaching of the Gospel. They werent children of God.

These false teachers probably drew many sincere souls away with them; and to
this it is probable the apostle alludes when he says, they were not All of us.
Some were; others were not.
7

20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have
knowledge.

7
Clarke, Adam. "Commentary on 1 John 2:19 ". "The Adam Clarke Commentary".
http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/acc/view.cgi?bk=61&ch=2. 1832.
John asserts that they have been set apart by God and that they have every truth
of God necessary for salvation and the salvation of man in general.

21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you
know it, and because no lie is of the truth.

John explains to then the reason of this epistle and this was not because
they were ignorant of these things, but because they know them (false
teachers), and can by these judge their doctrines, and clearly perceive that
they are liars; for they contradict the truth that they have already received,
and consequently their doctrine is a lie, and no lie can be of the truth.

22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the
antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.

John finally describes who is a liar, or in this context, a false teacher that denies
the deity of Jesus Christ and His relationship with God the Father.

Based on the writings of the Gnostics from the second century, the
comments within the New Testament, and the early church fathers, the
following beliefs emerge:

1. The Gnostics tried to mix Christianity to Greek philosophy (Plato) and
the eastern mystery religions.

2. They taught that Jesus was divine but not human because spirit was
good, but matter (flesh) was evil. Therefore, there was no possibility of
a physical incarnation of deity.

3. They taught two things about salvation

a. One group asserted that a special knowledge of angelic spheres
(aeon) brought a salvation of the spirit unrelated to the actions of
the body on the physical plain.

b. Another group accentuated physical asceticism (cf. Col. 2:20-23).
They asserted that a total denial of bodily wants and needs was
crucial to a true salvation.

23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son
has the Father also.

He who denies Jesus to be the Son of God, and consequently the Christ or
Messiah, he does not have the Father. Therefore, he is not a born again believer
or a children of God. This is because He is the only way to the Father (John 5:23;
14:6; Luke 10:16).

24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard
from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in
the Father.

John exhorts us to continue in the doctrines concerning the incarnation, passion,
death, resurrection, ascension, and intercession of the Lord Jesus. As a
consequence, we will have fellowship with the Son and with the Father.

25 And this is the promise that he made to useternal life.

John explains us that God has promised eternal life to all who believe on Christ
Jesus. Therefore, they who receive this doctrine, and continue in communion
with the Father and the Son, will have eternal life.

26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive
you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you,
and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his
anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie
just as it has taught you, abide in him.

26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.

John explains his reasoning for writing to them, and to us; this was because he
wanted to alert them respecting their character of the false teachers, and in
order to guard us against their trickery. He refers to the fact that there was
danger that they might deceive us.

27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you
have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches
you about everything, and is true, and is no liejust as it has taught you,
abide in him.

John continue encouraging them by explaining that the influence on your heart
and life, that is the results from the fact that you are anointed of God,
permanently abides with you, and will keep you from dangerous error.

28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he
appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in
shame at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you
may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has
been born of him.

28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may
have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.

John explains that it is necessary to continually abide in him, and have
communion with the Father and the Son. By having all our hopes taken away; by
being held up to the universe as guilty and condemned. We feel ashamed when
our hopes are disappointed; when it is shown that we have a character different
from what we professed to have; when our pretensions to goodness are stripped
off, and the heart is made bare. Many will thus be ashamed in the last day, but it
is one of the promises made to those who truly believe on the Savior, that they
shall never be ashamed or confounded.

29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who
practices righteousness has been born of him.

Everyone who has any true acquaintance with God must have the fullest
conviction that He is a righteous Being. But, if this be so, John says, then it must
follow that only those who are truly righteous can regard themselves as begotten
of Him.

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1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we
should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason
why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has
not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall
be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone
who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
1. It is impossible to describe the immeasurable love of God for us. There is no
length, breadth, depth, or height that can describe it. Through this immeasurable
love of God, we are able to claim to be called His sons and daughters.
The word agape has a deeper meaning than just plain love. This actually
means: unconditional love or an abiding love. This term is often used in
the epistle in connection with believers loving believers.
As consequence of this, the world does not have pleasure in or with us;
therefore, persecution and rejection by the world will be a consequence and an
evidence of our position in Christ. John explains that the reason for the world
does not know us is because the world does not know Him.
2. John reaffirms our honorific role as Gods children. Every person that has
placed his or her faith in Jesus Christ and has born of the Spirit has become a
child of God. It does not matter his/her ethnicity, age, etc.
Before our conversion, we were children of the wicked one and mere
creatures. In other words, the un-descriptive and immeasurable love
(agape) of God bought us from such of depth of misery into a place of
honor as His children.
He continues this verse trying to describe our future reality and what will be the
full result of being regarded as the children of God. The only thing that is clear is
that we will be like the Son of God; but what is fully involved in this is not made
known (2 Cor. 3:18; Phil. 3:21; and Col. 3:4).
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And when finally He reappears in His Second Coming, we will see Him as He
really is in all His splendor and His infinite majesty.
The book Romans (8:28-30) describes this process as glorification; this is the
end process of our salvation to be restored to Gods image. We were created into
His likeness (Genesis 1:26; 5:1,3; 9:6).
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8

3. Every person that has placed his/her trust or hope in Jesus Christ will abstain
and refrain of the practice of evil in the world. This is a purification process that
began by the Father; however John is not saying that man is involve in this
process because it is impossible to do it. The only responsibility that we have is
to persevere and keep his/her purity. This is the goal for all believers to remain
and to live a pure life as Him.

4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices
lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared
in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one
who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on
sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let
no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is
righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of
sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the
beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to
destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a
practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he
cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.
10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who
are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice
righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love
his brother.
4. Anyone that his/her style of life characterizes in sinning practice
lawlessness that in context is describes as the attitude of rebellion against
not just the Law given by Moses but all sort of regulations.
The true nature of sin is lawlessness or transgression of the law. It is
important to understand that God gave the Law to regulate or guide their
conduct and the transgression is considered sin.

8
A few things that we should consider as believers:
1. All sin is a violation of the law of God
2. The main purpose of Jesus First Coming was to deliver us from the
power of sin
3. Born again believers do not practice sin
4. Those who practice sin are under the control of Satan
5. In Gods plans, the incarnation of Jesus was with the purpose to remove
sin. This was possible because of His atonement sacrifice on the cross on
our behalf and He did once for all. As it was prescribed, the penalty for sin
is death and because of His sinless nature this payment was possible.
Notices that in the first portion of the verse the word sin is in plural;
however it is singular at the end of the verse. The first one refers to the
acts of sin, but the second one is of His righteous nature. In Christ, the
believer share both positions sanctification and progressive
sanctification.
6. To abide means to remain, to continue. John uses abide to describe
quality and intentionality of the relation between a believer and the Lord. In
other words, to being united or being with Him in heart, mind and will. This
is a lifestyle that every born again believer should life.
Therefore, if any person practices sin, this reveals the lack of knowledge
of Jesus. He or she never has met Him.
7. John begins this verse with a clear warning; righteousness is the
outward mark of a born again believer, because we reflect the
righteousness of God with our lifestyle.
Apparently, the false teachers were claiming that:
o You can not be saved from sin in this life
o If you have been adopted into Gods family, sin will do you
no harm and cannot alter this state. Basically, your adoption
cannot be nullified.

We need to clarify:
o God offers us salvation as result of Jesus work on the cross
o Our efforts do not bring us to God or to salvation
We are not save by good works, but unto good works.
9

9
8. There are two groups of people: the children of God and the children of
Satan or the devil. You are able to recognize each of them for their
lifestyle. This does not imply that Christians are perfect; however for those
who has the habitual and willfully practice of sin belongs to the devil.
John describes the devil; he was in the beginning and introduced
sin into the world, and it is in his nature to continually commit sin.

Lucifer, according to Job 1-2; Zechariah 3 and 1 King 22:19-23,
was a servant of God that chose to rebelled against God. For the
context of Isaiah 14:13-14 and Ezek. 28:12-16, we can understand
that in a specific time he was full of pride, ambition and arrogance,
and a consequence he rebelled. Jesus explains in Luke 10:18 that
He saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven
John concludes this verse expressing the purpose of Jesus manifestation
or became incarnate. He explains that Jesus was manifested to destroy
the bonds and dissolve the power, influence, and connection of sin. From
that moment in Calvary, the work of the devil was destroyed; therefore a
person cannot be a true believer, if this person lives in sin.
It is necessary clarify that the devil has been defeated; however, he
is and will be in control of the world until the full implementation of
the Kingdom of God.
9. It is clear from this verse that a born again believer does not have the
habitual and willingness to practice sin, but to practice righteousness. With
this in mind, it is important to clarify that John does not imply that the
children of God are perfect. We will achieve perfection in that day when
we get into His presence with a new body (Philippians 3:20-21; 1
Corinthians 15:49).
This is in contrast to the doctrine from the false teachers that reduce
salvation to just an intellectual concept or exercise without the need
of a radical change of lifestyle.
John continues by explaining that there is something abiding in the heart
of a born again believer that help the believer to prevent and to stop
sinning. All of this is because he or she has born of God; God has given
the believer the new birth and this spiritual life cannot be extinct.
There are several possibilities of what is the seed:
o According to Augustine and Luther, it refers to Gods Word
(Luke 8:11; John 5:38; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23)

o According to Calvin, it refers to the Holy Spirit (John 3:5,6,8; 1
John 3:24; 4:4,13)

o Others argue, it is refers to the Divine Nature or new self (2
Peter 1:4; Ephesian 4:24)

o Or, it refers to Christ Himself as the seed of Abraham (Luke
1:55; John 8:33,37; Galatians 3:16)

Another possibility is that John just used the word seed to refute
the teaching of the false teachers. The Gnostics believe in the
divine spark at is in all human.
10. John finishes this portion by summarizing the true reality of men. For
those who have born from God do not have the habitual practice of sin;
and those who choose to have a habitual practice of sin belong and are
the children of the devil. Therefore, those who practice unrighteousness
do not belong to God and this includes those who hate his/her brother.
11 For this is the message that you have heard from the
beginning, that we should love one another. 12 We should not
be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his
brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds
were evil and his brother's righteous.
11. John amplifies the last portion of verse 10. From the beginning of time,
the Lord had commanded that we should love one another. We all are
dependent upon each other, all upon each other, and each other
upon all.
10
This is the true evidence of a born again believer.
12. John recalls Cain, the first murderer. He was an unrighteous person
that chooses to murder his brother and therefore he was a child of the
devil.
Cain chose to act under the influence of envy. He was dissatisfied that his
own offering was not accepted by God as his brothers was.
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13 Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.
14 We know that we have passed out of death into life,
because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides
in death. 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and
you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
13. As we have seen before, the devil is in control of the world and he
hates the Lord and anyone that belong to Him. Therefore, the world
system does not like our lifestyle. But this should not be a surprise. We
should expect neither justice nor mercy from anyone that does not belong
to God. People that belong to the devil are either full of malice, envy,
hatefulness, false and deceitful.
14. As a consequence of our change of mind and heart, from spiritual
death to spiritual life, we are able to love one another.
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11

As Love is a clear outward evidence of the believer, Hatred is the outward
mark of unbeliever. These are the evidence of ones spiritual orientation.
Therefore, for those who choose to continue in the practice hatred, he/she
remains spiritually dead in sins. He is by nature dead in sin, and unless he has
evidence that he is brought out of that state, he remains or abides in it.
15. All who choose to hate his/her brother is a murderer, because sin begins first
in our mind. Remember that Jesus told this in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew
5:21-22)
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Therefore, if anyone chooses to hate or to live a life with hatred in his/her heart
will not be able to obtain eternal life in His presence. Consider that Love and hate
are mutually exclusive and that hate takes a life , but love gives its life.

11
16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and
we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if
anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need,
yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in
him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in
deed and in truth.
16. The greatest expression of love is what Jesus did on the cross. Love in itself,
its true reality and nature, power, sacrifice, influence, was seen in its highest form
when Jesus Christ gave Himself to die as the atonement sacrifice in our behalf.
Therefore, we should be imitators of His example. We should be willing to lay
down our lives if it is necessary for our brothers.
However, this does not only signify that we should give our own life on behalf of
our brothers and sisters but to die to our self-centeredness.
17. John gives us a clear example of laying down ones life for others. He exhorts
us that if we are in the condition to help our brothers and sisters, we should help
him/her. Therefore, if we choose to ignore this need, this will be evidence that the
love of God is not in us.
18. As a born again believers, we are ought to walk the talk. Therefore, our
lifestyle needs to show our belief.
19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure
our heart before him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us,
God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.
21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have
confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive
from him, because we keep his commandments and do what
pleases him.

19 - 20. In these verses, John encourages us to stop our doubts or
troubles in our mind and to remain in peace by the evidence that we are of
the truth.

For time to time, our consciences become restless in view of our past guilt.
This is quite normal; however it can become unhealthy in our spiritual
growth. We should pacify the accusation of our minds and conciliate our
own hearts by remind ourselves our true reality as children of God and
that we will not be condemned. We need to remain and reminisce in the
evidence that we are children of God and therefore everything will be
okay.
Another thing that we need to keep in considerations is that Satan is the
accuser of the brethren (Revelations 12:10) and came to steal and kill and
destroy (John 10:10). Therefore, we need to be alert, because the devil
prowls around, seeking for someone to devour. He will come to try to inflict
doubt or trouble in our mind, at that time we should stand firm believing in
the changes that the Lord has began a good work in us (Philippians 1:6).
We need to choose to live by the standard of love, even though we still
struggling with sin.

God knows all the sins that we are conscious and He is able to see all our
guilt. In addition, He also knows the sins that we have forgotten. If we
have sin in our life hidden or not, He is able to confront us so that we can
repent from them. Therefore, we should calm our hearts with the evidence
that we are of the truth and that our sins have been forgiven and this is a
present and future condition.

21. If we live a lifestyle of righteousness, without practicing sin, we should
have the confidence or boldness to access the presence of His throne of
grace to obtain mercy and find grace in time of need. This confidence is
solely on the evidence when graciously He accepts us as His children.
This is not based on our own merits or because we deserve His favor.

It is very important that as part of our daily routing to search our hearts for
sin with the help of the Holy Spirit. Sin is like a big and thick wall that
blocks our access to God. This will obstruct our communication and our
relationship with Him.

22. Therefore, if our lives are according to His will, we are able to request
anything, according to His will, and we can believe that He will give to us
(Matt. 7:7; 18:19, John 9:31; 14:13-14; 15:7,16; 16:23; Mark 11:24; Luke
11:9-10).

John explains that the main reason for this is because we keep His
ordinances and He is pleased with our lives.

! We need to be aware of an important truth: God is not our genie. God
knows our needs, our desires, etc.; however, He knows what is
convenience for us. Therefore, this verse does not say that we can ask
anything contrary to His will and He is obligated to give it to us.

It is important to highlight two important requirements for answered prayer:
1. Obedience
2. Practice the things that pleases God

23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name
of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has
commanded us. 24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides
in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in
us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

23. John finalizes this chapter by giving us Gods commandment. We are
commanded to:

1. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ: that for the sake of his passion
and death we may be justified from all things from which we could
not be justified by the law of Moses; and being through him
redeemed from the guilt of sin, restored to the Divine favor, and
made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and therefore we able

2. Love one another

It is important to notice that the term commandment is in singular; however it is a
twofold one. Therefore, the first aspect is personal faith and the second is an
ethical aspect. The Gospel needs to be believed and to act into this believe with
a renewed lifestyle.

24. John teaches us that there is a deep relationship between keeping His
commandment or obedience in order to remain or abide in Him. Our Love is the
evidence that we are in God and that He is in us.

The presence of the Holy Spirit in our life is the evidence that we are true
believers. Jesus Christ, just before his ascension, promised that He will send
another Helper to be with us forever (John 14:15, 23). The Holy Spirit is now our
Helper; He helps us in times of trouble, instructs when we read the word of God,
help us to improve our temper, etc. Therefore, whenever these exist in our lives,
we need to be certain that the Spirit of God is living in us

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1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to
see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have
gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God:
every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the
flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess
Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which
you heard was coming and now is in the world already. 4 Little
children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he
who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are
from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the
world listens to them. 6 We are from God. Whoever knows God
listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us.
By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
1. John begins this chapter with another warning and exhortation. There is many
people that they are very attractive to us: maybe because of their strong
personalities, logical arguments, or miraculous events. Sometimes, we believe
that these people come from God. However, it is our responsibility to test and
challenge everything and everyone.
Energetically, John says, do not believe, this is not just an advice but a direct
order to us. Apparently, his readers were listening and accepting some of the
doctrines and arguments of the false teachers. They were clamming their alliance
with God or that they speaking for God or that they have a special revelation from
God.
He teaches us that there are different two different spiritual sources from: God
and Satan. Therefore, it is our own responsibility and necessity for every believer
to test the spiritual sources with the view toward approval. We must be alert at all
the time, because there are many false teachers all over the world claiming that
they are speaking on behalf of God, when they are alone. This is not an
exhortation just of this time when John wrote the epistle, but it is a problem from
all ages Jeremiah 14:14; 23:21; 29:8; Matthew 7:15; 24:11,24; Acts 20:28-30; 2
Peter 2:1; 1 John 2:18-19,24; 3:7; 2 John 7).
2. According to John, there is own high requirement to believe to accept and to
listen the teachings of anyone. This requirement is the acknowledgement that the
Son of God, Jesus Christ, came to earth and become a man; to live a righteous
life and to die on the cross on our behalf. There is not other gospel or message
apart from this, because the Spirit of God testifies and exult the name of Jesus (1
Corinthians 12:3).
3. However, if anyone does not exult and/or testify that Jesus is the Son of God
who came to earth, this person is has been influence by the spirit of the
antichrist.
The spirit of the antichrist refers to anyone who is against, a mayor doctrine in
Christianity, the incarnation of Jesus Christ and therefore His passion, death,
resurrection.
At end of this verse, there is the possibility that John were talking about the
prophecy that Daniel spoke where predicted. According to Daniel 7:8, 20, in the
last time there will be the antichrist or the antichristian. These are evil men with
evil teachings; however these are his (the Antichrist) forerunners. This Antichrist
is the man of sin, the son of perdition (2 Thessalonians 2:3); the beast
ascending out of the bottomless pit (Revelations 11:7; 17:8) or rather the false
prophet the same as the second beast coming up of the earth (Revelations
13:11-18; 16:13).
12

4. John encourage his readers emphasizing that the One who lives inside of us
has overcome the power of darkness and death. Therefore, we are able to live a
victorious Christian life.
We must keep in mind that because the One who live in us, we are able to have
victory over sin and the devil. In other words, the indwelling presence of our
Father (John 14:23; 2 Corinthians 6:16); the indwelling presence of the Son
(Matthew 28:20; Colossians 1:27); and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit
(Romans 8:9; 1 John 4:13) are the One who is greater and had overcome the
world system and its master, Satan.
5. John reveals that the false teachers are part of the world system where they
are trying to achieve all their goals or needs apart from God. There message
appeal the people of the world and the world system gladly embrace them.
6. John remarks that we all belong to the Lord and those who are willing to listen
our message lifting up the name of Jesus, they also belong to Him. However,
those who choose not to listen our message, they do not belong to the Lord.
Therefore, it is easy differentiate by discerning the source of the message. One
will proclaim the truth that does not contradict the message of the Gospel. The
one will lift up Jesus name, the other will lift up the human way to achieve things.
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and
whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God
is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us,

12
}amieson, Robeit, Fausset, A.R. anu biown, Baviu "Commentaiy on 1 }ohn 2:18 ". " A Commentaiy,
Ciitical, Piactical, anu Explanatoiy on the 0lu anu New Testaments".
http:biblehub.comcommentaiiesjfb1_john2.htm 1882.
that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live
through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but
that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our
sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one
another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another,
God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. 13 By this we
know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given
us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the
Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

7. John exhort all the believers love each other, because love is the common
denominator of all believers. However, John highlights that the main source of
Love is God. Love is not primary an emotion or a feeling, but a purposeful
action (John 3:16).
Therefore, anyone who is a born again believer or has born of God knows God.
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8. According to John, the lifestyle based in love is the true mark of knowing the
Lord. Therefore, if a person does not express love to anyone, it is more likely that
this person never has known God.

Agape Love is the mark of the true believer; we are His reflection on earth and
He is Love.

9. As a consequence of Gods extravagant love for us; He chose to send His Son
to die in our behalf. Jesus incarnation was for our benefit. Now, we can live a
better life reflecting Gods love to others, because of His presence in us. The
purpose of the incarnation of Jesus was for us to obtain eternal life (future time)
and abundant life (present time).

The phrase: only Son or begotten Son is monogenes, that implies His
uniqueness or that He is one of a kind; rather than begotten as a
consequence of a sexual relationship. John uses this term to express Jesus
uniqueness (John 1:14, 18; 3:16; 1 John 4:9).

10. John is making a clear statement that the Love of God was demonstrated
when He sent Jesus to die on the cross on our behalf. In other words, the love of
God was manifested to us as a willful act toward us; this love always has
existed, but now it has been demonstrated it.

God was not expecting humanity to make the first move by trying to seek for God
first; rather God chose to seek for fallen humanity. This is the uniqueness of
Christianity and a great reality. The glorious truth of Christianity is that God loves
fallen mankind and has initiated and maintained a life-changing contact.
13

11. John highlight that because of the great magnitude of the love of God for us,
we must love one another. Basically, this is an attack to the teachings of the false
teachers.

12. The idea of this verse is that He has never been seen by anyone. We are
not, then, to expect to become familiar with what He is in that way. But there is a
method by which we may be assured that we have a true knowledge of him, and
that is, by evidence that we love another. Obviously, this is as a consequence of
our new nature in Him and by the presence of his Spirit in our hearts. We cannot
become acquainted with him by sight, but we may by love.
14

In addition, this love toward others is the proper reflection of our love toward him.
Therefore, if we claim that the love of God is in our hearts, we must love our
Christian brothers and sisters. This verse proves that love to God is not
complete, or fully developed, unless it leads those who profess to have it to love
each other.

13. The best testimony or witness of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit
and His transforming influence are evident in our expression of love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23). This is the
clearest evidence that shows that we are children of God.

14. John clearly declares that the other apostles and he bear witness to us of this
great truth, that God has sent His Son to die on our behalf on the cross for the
forgiveness of our sins and therefore this is a true reality, a real fact. He is the
real Savior of the world.

1S
14
Baines, Albeit. "Commentaiy on 1 }ohn 4:12" "Baines' Notes on the New Testament".
"http:www.stuuylight.oigcommentaiiesbnbview.cgi.bk=61&ch=1. 187u.
The false teachers believe in supposed dualism between the spirit (good)
and matter (evil). They also believe that salvation is obtain through
special, secret knowledge related to the angelic levels or realms of
angelical authority between the high God and the lesser god who formed
the world out of preexisting matter.

In addition, John uses the title Savior of the world for Jesus, because this
was that a tittle of the gods (Zeus, etc) and a common tittle for Caesar.
15

.
15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God
abides in him, and he in God. 16 So we have come to know
and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and
whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have
confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also
are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect
love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and
whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love
because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, I love God, and
hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his
brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not
seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever
loves God must also love his brother.

15. Anyone that acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God has an
abiding relationship with God. As John mentioned before people without
the Spirit of God live a life of blindness, but soon after the indwelling
present of the Holy Spirit come in peoples lives their blindness disappear
and they are able to recognize the reality of the Gospel.

16. As a consequence of our encounter with God, we have assurance of
the love of God. John delights to repeat this important truth that God is
love! This is an important truth that we believers need to ponder every
time that we may feel a dark cloud hanging over us.

Therefore, we must love and abide in God and therefore to love one
another. This will be the testimony that God remains with us.

17. As result of God abiding in us and we in him, love is perfected in us. In this
way love becomes what it should be, and will prepare us to appear with
confidence before the judgment-seat without fear of the wrath to come. In other
words, the person who has true abiding love with God will have nothing to fear in

1S
the Day of Judgment. The person may even approach the tribunal where the
person is to receive the sentence that will determine the persons everlasting
destiny without alarm and this is because we are His reflection and we are
resembling Him in the world.
18. Because of our new position as children of God, we come to know God as
the Father and no longer fear Him as judge; our fear for eternal punishment has
been defeated. At this point, love has been made perfected and fear does not
have any grip on us.

In other words, the born again believers have become confident in our assurance
of salvation and knowing that our final destination will be with Him.

" Something to keep in mind, this verse does not imply that the love of God
will take away all kind of fear. It only will remove the fear that torments us.

o God created us with a specialized mechanism: fear and this will not
be removed by the love of God, because these are necessary to
our well-being.

! Filial fear or reverent fear, this is consistent with the highest
degrees of love; and even necessary to the preservation of that
grace. This is like our guardian; and, without this, love would
soon degenerate into listlessness, or presumptive boldness.

! Nor does it cast out that fear that is indispensable for our
survivable; this is the fear that makes us flee from danger.

! Nor does it cast out that fear that may be caused by a suddenly
alarm.

o However, it will destroy all the fears that bring torment and
inconsistent with perfect love:

! The fear of want (Matthew 6:25-34)

! The fear of death

! The fear of eternal judgment

All these fears bring torment, and are inconsistent with this
perfect love.

19. The only and may reason for us to love (agape) towards Him is because of
His perfect love for us first. This is the basic ground, reason or foundation.
Therefore, we love God because we have recognized His love for us when we
understood that His love was manifest to us when He sent His Son to redeem us.

In other words:

# We love Him because we find He has loved us first.

# We love Him from a sense of obligation and gratitude.

# We love Him from the influence of His own love.
20. John remarks again the importance of love towards others. It is impossible for
anyone to be a born again believer unless this person loves others. Therefore,
those who hate others are liars, because the truth from God does not dwell in
them. This was the false behavior of the false prophets.
21. John concludes explaining one simple truth; in order to love God, we must
love one another. If love is not evident in the live of a person, it is likely that this
person is not a child of God. Therefore, it is an obligation our love toward others
in the same way as we love God.

!"#$% '("$%)* +, -+./ 0
1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been
born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves
whoever has been born of him. 2 By this we know that we love
the children of God, when we love God and obey his
commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his
commandments. And his commandments are not
burdensome. 4 For everyone who has been born of God
overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has
overcome the worldour faith.
1. John begins this chapter with an objective pronoun that denotes that no one is
excluded. Therefore, anyone who has placed his/her trust, committed his/her life
and believe that Jesus is the appointed messiah has been born of the Spirit. As
we have seen before, John explains that the only way for a person to get into the
realization that Jesus is the Christ is because this person is a child of God and
had borne from the Spirit.
In addition, John remarks his recurrent theme of Christians love for one another.
It is clear for John that the only possible way for a person to love another is by
the power of the Holy Spirit. In other words, the person who is child of God loves
the children of God and they now can live in harmony and in the same way
forever.
2. As faith is express with actions, love similarly. Love (agape) is not a feeling
that is fuelled by our emotions or our mood but it is a reality that it is
demonstrated with the love that we have towards God and it is also manifested
every time that we keep and obey His commandments.
The true love is evident in the believer when:
1. Loves God
2. Loves Gods son, Jesus (1 John 5:1)
3. Loves Gods children (1 John 5:2)
4. Obey His commandments (1 John 5:2, 3)
5. Overcomes the world (1 John 5:4-5)
3. John continues the idea of previous verse, love is an action and it is not
sentimental or emotional. One of the greatest manifestations of love is shown by
obedience to His will; however, because of the Holy Spirit in us, this obedience to
His commands or His will are not oppressive and tedious. They become natural
and spontaneously.
4. Anyone who has placed his/her trust in Jesus has been born of God;
therefore, this person is a freeman without any attachment to the ruling and
power of the customs of the people of this world. As we have seen previously,
there is a conflict between the ways that world behaves and the way that every
true Christian lives his/her life.
Therefore, any person that has gone through the regeneration process given by
the power of the Holy Spirit in us has the victory and overcome the world. This is
just because the Lord Jesus Christ has already conquered the world and its ways
and our faith on Him is the one that give us victory.
Our faith brings us the victory because:
1. Our faith is related to Jesus victory
2. Our faith is related to our new relationship with God
3. Our faith is related to the power of the indwelling present of the Holy Spirit
5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who
believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is he who came
by water and bloodJesus Christ; not by the water only but
by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who
testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three
that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these
three agree. 9 If we receive the testimony of men, the
testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God
that he has borne concerning his Son. 10 Whoever believes in
the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does
not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not
believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his
Son. 11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life,
and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life;
whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
5. John uses this rhetorical question to assert that there is no one in this world
that can pretend to have obtained the victory over world, but Jesus.
6. John begins to explain the previous verse by emphasizing the incarnation of
Jesus and His death, probably because of the doctrines of the false teachers of
his time.
Apparently, one of the teachings of the false teachers is that Jesus just came by
the water, and John is refuting this charge by testifying that Jesus came from
water and blood.
There are many speculations to the real meaning of water and blood; however it
almost impossible to assert the real meaning of them. We need to keep in mind
that John was writing against the doctrines of the false teachers of his time.
Therefore, it is impossible to arrive to a clear conclusion of the meaning of this
two, because it is necessary to have the background knowledge and information
that the actual readers would clearly have known to understand what John was
talking about.
Among the several interpretations we have:
There is the common interpretation that sees the water as reference to
Jesus baptism, while the blood is a reference to Jesus death on the cross.

16

There is a second interpretation that sees the water as a reference of
Jesus physical birth and that blood may refer to His physical death.
17

Another interpretation is that water and blood may refer to the outpouring
of blood and water that came form the side of Jesus after His death on the
cross.
16

In context, these interpretations have validation because the Gnostic reject
Jesus true humanity. They also assert that the Spirit of the Christ came upon
the man Jesus at his baptism (water) and left before upon his arrest just
before his death on the cross.
In addition to the water and the blood there is another witness and this is the Holy
Spirit. He is the greatest witness that confirms all other because the Spirit is truth.
7. The Father, who bears testimony to his Son; the Word or Logos, who bears
testimony to the Father; and the Holy Ghost, which bears testimony to the Father
and the Son. And these three are one in essence, and agree in the one
testimony, that Jesus came to die for, and give life to, the world.
C(+- <)*-) +- %&# 31%+.)-#)0 +% 3&-# &. #() .+*-# ?)%#"*A 31%"-?*+4#
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&. I :&(%6 %&* &. #() !+25) 1- +% '(&5)=

8. Like in verse 6 there are various interpretations of who or what are the
three witnesses (the Spirit and the water and the blood).
In the Old Testament, it was necessary the presence of two or three
witnesses to confirm the truth or to confirm a matter (Deuteronomy
17:6; 19:15); it is probable that John wanted to manifest Jesus full
humanity and deity.
17

16
W. Ball Baiiis III. "Exegetical Commentaiy on 1 }ohn S:4b-12"
https:bible.oigseiiespageexegetical-commentaiy-1-john-S4b-12 u82uu4
17
Some say that this three are in reference to the power of Jesus to
make the believers alive (the Spirit), the power to cleanse the
believer from sin (the water) and the power to atone or pay for our
sins (the blood). These are considered witnesses because of the
effects of the transformation of the lives in the believers.
16

9. John emphasis that fact that if we are able to accept the testimony of common
men, how much we should receive the divine testimony. This may refer to the
vocal manifestation and affirmation at Jesus baptism (Matthew 3:17) and/or at
His transfiguration (Matthew 17:5; John 5:32, 37; 8:18).
10. The best testimony of the transforming power of the Son of God is life
transformed and regenerated of a born again believer. Our lives change as soon
as we place our trust in Jesus, and soon after the fruits begin to been manifested.
Therefore, God has become the witness of the Lord Jesus was sent to save the
world and if anyone choose to doubt or deny it, he/she is liar. Lies is part of the
character of those who are not been regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit.
11. This is the great truth and testimony is that we have received eternal life from
the Father in the moment when we meet the only criteria: place our trust in Jesus
Crist as the Son of God.
12. Therefore, if anyone has place his/her trust in the Son of God has life or
salvation and those who choose not to believe and have the Son of God does not
life.
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the
Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.
14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if
we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we
know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we
have the requests that we have asked of him.
13. John declares the reason for writing this epistle remarking the testimony of
the Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He is addressing everyone who believes on his
name and on himself. He assures and remarks that the evidences about our
eternal life has been provided in his letter and with that evidence we can examine
ourselves if we possess eternal life.

14. One of the many privileges that the children received after conversion is the
assurance and confidence that our Dad in heaven listen and answer our prayers
according to His will. It is important to mention that because of the indwelling
presence of the Holy Spirit our wishes and will are harmony with His will.

15. We can have the confidence that the Lord hears and answer our prayers;
however, it is important to understand that if our request is in agreement with His
will, the answer may occur immediately or not. Gods timetable is much
difference that ours, but in Him there is perfection.

16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to
death, he shall ask, and God will give him lifeto those who
commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads
to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. 17 All
wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.

16. Intersession for our brothers and sisters is the first line of defense against the
attack of the enemy. Therefore, our duty is to pray for those who sin and to try to
encourage and present an escape to those who have gone astray.

It important to mention that this verse is very difficult to interpreted. According to
Adam Clarke commentary
18
, there are three main possibilities:

I. According to the law of Moses there are two kind of sin:
a. A sin that the law has prescribe death as a punishment. This are:
Idolatry
Incest
Blasphemy
Break of the Sabbath

b. A sin that is not punishable with death. For example:
Transgression of ignorance
Inadvertence

II. Transgressions of the civil law of an specific location, where the
punishment for this transgression is death; however the judge or
magistrate has the power to change the punishment that for reasons that
might appear to him satisfactory, or at the intercession of powerful friends
and therefore, they must pray for it. Nevertheless, there are some cases
where the law cannot be change; they do not have the need pray for it. If
this was the case, John is motivating believers to feel for each others
distress and use their influence on behalf of the person in anguish and to
no leave anyone behind.

III. There is another possibility that sin unto death may refer to a doctrine
related to the false teachers.

IV. There is another interpretation where the word brother is extended to

18
the realm of all humanity. In this case, our role is to intercede for our
fellow mankind. God is the giver of life and He is willing to give to anyone
who confesses that Jesus is the Lord. The ultimate sin leading to death or
eternal damnation is the rejection of trust in Jesus Christ.

However, as I stated before there is not a straight interpretation of this verse.

17. John remind us that all unrighteousness is sin; in other words, sin is as
anything that we do contrary to the will of God. We can assume because of the
context that John is referring to sins committed by believers (sin that does not
lead to death). Therefore, we can affirm that if any believer sins, the believer is
able to repent, pray and ask for forgiveness.

18 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not
keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him,
and the evil one does not touch him. 19 We know that we are
from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil
one. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has
given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true;
and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is
the true God and eternal life.

18. John gives us a clear statement that believers do not have the habitual
lifestyle of sinning. This does not mean that we are or we need to be perfect; it
means that because of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in us, our
tendency for our willingness to sin has diminish.

John also affirms that the wicked on (Satan) does not have power to influence or
control the born again believer.

19. John keeps assuring that if we have place our trust and faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ, we belong to God. Therefore, this makes a distinction from the born
again believer and the rest of mankind. On the other hand, the evil one, Satan
has influence over the rest of the world and people.

Very important!
It is a reality that Satan or the evil one has influence and power over the
whole world but this does not take away the personal responsibility of
each individuals actions.

20. Johns motto throughout the whole epistle is to declare that he and other has
been witness to the incarnation of Jesus, the Son of God. He was a hundred
percent man and He is a hundred percent God. Jesus has provided a new
understanding of the person of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. He has
reveled this by means of His life, His teachings, His actions, His death and His
resurrection. This was the message of the Gospel that Jesus Christ is the Son of
God and through this message we can obtain everlasting live.

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

21. John finishes this masterpiece with a strong warning; however, it is difficult to
try to determine the exact meaning of the word idols. We can assume that
John and his readers understood about this matter. Here are different
interpretations of this warning from John:

1. Many has approach this issue by looking into the literal meaning of the
word. As we know the culture surrounding John was prompt to idol
worshipping. Some scholar presume that there was a persecution
where some of the believers succumb to the demands to sacrifice to
idols in order to avoid martyrdom while other remained faithful until
death.

2. Others, including myself, understand this term idols metaphorically
According to the context of the letter; John has been fighting the false
teachers because they have been harassing the Christian community.
John use the word idols to identify their course of their pursue.
Therefore, it seems best to conclude that when the author gives his
readers a final warning to avoid idolatry, he is warning them once more
to avoid the false teachers with their heretical and dangerous false
teaching, as he has done previously.
19

In summary, John provides a list of seven things (1 John 5:13-20) that all
believers of all ages need to know. In order to remain firm, we must cling to our
faith in Christ and the knowledge of the benefits of the Gospel, and this will
provide a clear assurance of our salvation.

1. All believers have eternal life (1 John 5:13)
2. God hears all believers prayer (1 John 5:15)
3. God answer believers prayers according to His will (1 John 5:14)
4. All believers are children of God and born of Him (1 John 5:18)
5. All believers are of God (1 John 5:19)
6. All believers know that Jesus the Messiah has come and given them
understanding (1 John 5:20)
7. All believers know the true one (1 John 5:20)

19
W. Ball Baiiis III. "Exegetical Commentaiy on 1 }ohn S:1S-21"
https:bible.oigseiiespageexegetical-commentaiy-1-john-S1S-21 u82uu4

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Introduction to the Epistles of John

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