1:1–2:6 God Is Light and Christ Is the Way. John begins by emphasizing Christ’s deity, incarnation, saving death, and continuing ministry. He also stresses God’s nature as “light” (1:5) and the darkness of human sin.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 1:1–4 Several first-person plural references (“we,” “our,” “us”) highlight the eyewitness testimony of John and other early Christians.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 1:1 From the beginning likely refers to Christ’s existence before the dawn of time (see John 1:1). The Greek OT uses the same expression about the Lord and the Promised One in Hab. 1:12 and Mic. 5:1. seen . . . looked upon . . . touched. John was an eyewitness to the physical and historical reality of Jesus’ life on earth.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 1:2 made manifest. Jesus was publicly seen and known. He was sent from and revealed by God. Life . . . eternal life refers to the nature and quality of life in fellowship with God (see John 5:24). It was revealed in the life of Christ and then experienced by Christians.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 1:3 proclaim. The purpose of this proclamation is not just forgiveness of people’s sins. It is that you (other believers) too may have fellowship with us. Believers also have fellowship with the Father and with his Son.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 1:4 writing . . . so that. One of 1 John’s goals is to promote joy. It is difficult to decide between “our joy” (esv text) and “your joy” (esv footnote). Very early and reliable manuscripts exist with each reading (the only difference is one letter in Greek). “Our” probably includes the readers (with the sense “all of our”; compare v. 3).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 1:5–10 “God is light” (v. 5) reflects the OT, where “light” symbolizes both knowledge and purity (see notes on John 1:4–5; 8:12).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 1:6 If we say. John may be summarizing what some were falsely claiming. If God is light (v. 5), then those who walk in darkness do not walk with God, no matter what they say.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 1:7 Walk in the light means to reflect God’s perfection (see v. 5) in daily life. It includes both correct doctrine (truth) and moral purity (holiness). This phrase also implies that when Christians “walk in the light” their lives will not be characterized by hidden sins, lies, or deception.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 1:8 have no sin. See note on 3:9–10. we deceive ourselves. Some sin remains in every Christian’s life (“have” is present tense).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 1:9 Christians must confess (their) sins, first to receive salvation and then to stay in fellowship with God and one another (v. 3).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 1:10 have not sinned. See note on 3:9–10. his word is not in us. Until a person recognizes sin and the need for salvation, the gospel has not changed him.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 2:1 My little children. This way of addressing his readers shows John’s great love for them (see also vv. 12, 28; 3:7, 18; 4:4; 5:21). may not sin. See note on 3:9–10. Jesus is an advocate. He takes up the believer’s cause before God the Father (see 1 Tim. 2:5). Otherwise their sin would bring judgment upon them.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 2:2 Propitiation means “a sacrifice that bears God’s wrath and turns it to favor” (see note on Rom. 3:25). As the perfect sacrifice for sin, Jesus turns away God’s wrath (see also 1 John 4:10). For the sins of the whole world does not mean every person will be saved. John clearly teaches that God forgives only those who repent and believe the gospel (see 2:4, 23; 3:10; 5:12; compare John 3:18; 5:24). But Jesus’ sacrifice is available to anyone who does this.
Propitiation (2:2) is the appeasement of wrath. God’s holy anger against sin needed to be appeased before sin could be forgiven. By dying on the cross, Christ bore God’s wrath for all who trust in him (see also Rom. 3:25), anywhere in the world, giving us the ultimate example of love (1 John 4:10).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 2:3 by this we know. Assurance of salvation is possible (see note on 2 Pet. 1:10). First John mentions several tests that give assurance (see 1 John 1:7; 2:5; 3:14; 4:13; 5:2). Here the test is ethical: do professing Christians have a changed life and keep the Lord’s commandments? To know him involves a personal relationship that changes one’s behavior.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 2:5 love of God is perfected. This love is not only a feeling. It is also an ethical response (keeps his word). may know. See note on v. 3.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 2:6 walk in the same way. Believers can imitate Christ’s faith, love, devotion, obedience, and selflessness (v. 5).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 2:7–17 The Unchanging Commandment in a Changing World. John emphasizes the love commandment. He then describes the challenge of living as a Christian in a dark world (vv. 8, 9, 11) dominated by “the evil one” (vv. 13, 14).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 2:7 Beloved. A strong term of godly affection for his readers. John uses the same word at 3:2, 21; 4:1, 7, 11. See also note on 2:1, “my little children.” The old commandment is love for God and love for others (Lev. 19:18; Deut. 6:5). Jesus confirmed (Matt. 22:34–40) but also renewed these teachings. Therefore they are also a new commandment (John 13:34).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 2:8 the darkness is passing away. The age to come has not yet fully arrived (see 3:2), but it is getting closer.
The terms light and darkness come up often in John’s writing. The light of God’s truth is shining on the darkness of ignorance and sin—and the darkness is passing away (2:8–11).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 2:9–11 hates his brother. John often uses strongly contrasting terms for emphasis (e.g., light vs. darkness, truth vs. lies). darkness has blinded his eyes. “Darkness” and “blindness” in Scripture often symbolize rejecting God’s truth and continuing in sin (see John 3:19; 12:39–40; 2 Cor. 4:4). On love, see note on John 13:34–35.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 2:12–14 John knows his message is greater than the evil he describes. Some view little children, fathers, and young men as symbolizing the stages of spiritual maturity in a Christian’s life. Others think “little children” refers to all John’s readers (see note on 2:1), while “fathers” refers to older believers and “young men” to newer believers.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 2:15 Do not love the world warns against loving a world system that is opposed to God (compare John 12:31; James 4:4; 1 John 5:19). Love of the Father probably refers both to God’s love for his people and their love for him.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 2:16 all that is in the world. John does not consider the whole created order evil (see Gen. 1:31). Rather, he gives examples of what believers should avoid (desires of the flesh, etc.). Human desires are part of God’s creation. They are evil only when they are expressed in ways for which God did not create them.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 2:17 the world is passing away. History is speeding toward a conclusion planned by God.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 2:18–3:10 Overcoming the Antichrist by Confessing the Son. John describes the challenges Christians face and how these may be met.
The “last days” (the day of salvation, 2 Cor. 6:2) have already come but the “last day” (the day of salvation and wrath, 1 Thess. 5:1–11) has not yet arrived. The following are equivalent expressions for the “last days” (the period of time between Jesus’ death and resurrection and the final judgment).
| “the last days” | Acts 2:17; 2 Tim. 3:1; Heb. 1:2; James 5:3 |
| “the last hour” | 1 John 2:18 |
| “the last time” | Jude 18 |
| “the last times” | 1 Pet. 1:20 |
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 2:18–27 The existence of “antichrist” (v. 18) and those trying to deceive Christians (v. 26) is alarming. But John is confident that they can find the resources to abide in Christ (v. 29).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 2:18 The last hour began with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. His second coming could occur at any time (see notes on 1 Cor. 7:29–31; 2 Tim. 3:1). Antichrist is mentioned with this name here and in 1 John 2:22; 4:3; 2 John 7 (compare 2 Thess. 2:1–10; see note on 2 Thess. 2:3). An “antichrist” is anyone “who denies that Jesus is the Christ” (1 John 2:22). More specifically, John considers such a person to be a representative of the “evil one” (John 17:15).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 2:19 Some people had recently left the church (out from us). Their leaving showed that they were not truly of us. That is, they did not have genuine faith.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 2:20 anointed by the Holy One. Spiritually transformed by the Holy Spirit.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 2:23 Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also (compare 5:13; see note on John 3:18). The world’s religions do not offer many different paths to the one God. Only Christianity confesses that Jesus is God’s Son (see 1 John 4:3; 4:15).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 2:24 what you heard from the beginning. The authentic message of Christ’s death for sin and his defeat of death.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 2:27 anointing. See note on v. 20. This anointing abides, giving Christians the discernment to recognize doctrinal error. no need that anyone should teach you. They have no need for any instruction that differs from the gospel message.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 2:28–3:3 Having reaffirmed his readers’ commitment to the true Son of God, not the Antichrist (vv. 18–27), John urges them to strive for the ethical integrity and sense of urgency appropriate to their spiritual identity.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 2:28 abide in him. See notes on John 8:31; 15:4.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 2:29 To know that he is righteous means the believer has placed his faith in Christ, not in his own moral virtue.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 3:1 the world does not know us. There is an ultimate division between those who know and serve Christ and those who do not.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 3:2 what we will be. After Christ’s return, believers will have bodies that will never be sick, grow old, or die. They will be completely without sin. we shall be like him. “Like” does not mean “identical to.” Believers will never be exactly like Christ, since he is both man and God, but our perfected humanity will match his.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 3:6–7 No one who abides . . . keeps on sinning. True followers of Christ do not make a practice of sinning. When they sin, they confess the sin to God. Thus they keep a strong relationship with him (see note on vv. 9–10). On “abides,” see notes on John 8:31; 15:4.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 3:8 The reason the Son of God appeared restates v. 5. the works of the devil. That is, the practice of sinning.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 3:9–10 born of God. See John 3:3–8. God’s seed. Some take this to be the Word of God that causes new birth (compare James 1:18, 22; 1 Pet. 1:23, 25). Others think it refers to the Holy Spirit’s transforming presence within the believer. Both of these ideas are likely intended here. This does not mean Christians are ever completely free from sin in this life (see 1 John 1:8–10). By this it is evident. See Matt. 7:16.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 3:11–4:6 Overcoming Evil by Listening to the Apostle. This section describes how to avoid the “practice of sinning” and “lawlessness” (see 3:4).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 3:11–24 John uses Cain (Gen. 4:1–16) as an example of what Christians must avoid and what they should pursue.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 3:13 Do not be surprised. Abel did the right thing and was strongly opposed (v. 12). John knows this happens in every age (see John 16:2–3, 33).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 3:15 is a murderer. John echoes Jesus’ teaching (Matt. 5:22, 28) that even a desire to disobey God’s command (Ex. 20:13) breaks that command (see Ex. 20:17).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 3:16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us. Jesus’ willingness to die is an example of the selfless attitude his followers should have.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 3:20 whenever our heart condemns us. Whenever one has an inward conviction of sin. The fact that God is greater than our heart assures us that he has forgiven us through the atoning death of Christ.
Giving to those in need. Jews in the time of Christ were generous in giving to the needy. In fact, the Jewish historian Josephus remarked that no Jew ever needed to depend on the charity of outsiders. John encourages generosity among Christians as well (3:17).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 3:21 A clear conscience leads to boldness and confidence before God in prayer.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 3:22 whatever we ask we receive. See note on 5:15. Because we keep his commandments implies a direct connection between obeying God and receiving answers to prayer.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 3:23 his commandment, that we believe. Personal trust in Christ leads to the ethical behavior stressed in vv. 11–22.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 3:24 the Spirit. The letter’s first clear mention of the third person of the Trinity (see also 4:2, 6, 13; 5:6, 8).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 4:1–6 It is not only Cain’s bad example that John wants his readers to avoid (3:11–24); it is also the forces of spiritual deception. John furnishes a litmus test for detecting these evil spirits.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 4:1 test the spirits. One can test the spiritual influences that guide people by observing their doctrine and conduct. God has also provided the gift of spiritual discernment for this purpose (compare 1 Cor. 12:10; 14:29). False prophets actually speak by demonic influence (1 John 4:3–4).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 4:2 By this you know. Any spirit (or person moved to speak by such a spirit) that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh misleads God’s people. Apparently many false teachers were saying that Jesus only “appeared” to be human.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 4:3 every spirit that does not confess Jesus. That is, whoever refuses to admit that Jesus “has come in the flesh” (v. 2).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 4:4 he who is in you. The Holy Spirit (see vv. 2, 6). he who is in the world. Satan and his demons (see v. 3; 5:19).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 4:5 they speak from the world. Their speech is influenced by the world’s viewpoint and values.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 4:6 does not listen to us. People who are not true believers resist sound doctrine (compare 1 Cor. 2:14).
4:7–21 The Assurance of God through the Love of God. John’s teaching in these verses is like the apostle Paul’s “love chapter,” 1 Corinthians 13.1 JOHN—NOTE ON 4:7 whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. This does not remove the need for faithful confession of Christ (2:23; 4:2) and for ethical integrity (3:16), but love completes a life in fellowship with God.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 4:8 does not know God, because God is love. The person who lacks love shows himself to be unchanged by the gospel message. “God is love” means that God continually gives of himself to others and seeks their benefit.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 4:9 might live. That is, receive eternal life.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 4:10 not that we have loved God. God’s love sets the standard for the love Christians should show. propitiation. See note on 2:2.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 4:12 No one has ever seen God. See note on John 1:18.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 4:14 we have seen and testify. See note on 1:1.
To abide in Jesus means living in a daily, close relationship with him, characterized by trust, prayer, obedience, and joy. The Holy Spirit’s presence and activity within Christians gives evidence that they are abiding in Christ (John 8:31, 6:56, 15:4; 1 John 2:6, 27–28; 3:6).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 4:15 Jesus is the Son of God. He is unique. He is divine and shares every attribute of God (see note on John 1:14). In 1 John 4:2, John required that true teachers affirm Christ’s full humanity. Here he requires that they affirm Christ’s full deity.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 4:16 we have come to know and to believe. See note on 2:3.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 4:17 By this refers to the previous verse. confidence for the day of judgment. Either eternal life or eternal punishment awaits every person (see John 3:36). God’s love provides a sure hope for those who have trusted in him. as he is so also are we in this world. Jesus pleased the Father while on earth; believers do so as well.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 4:18 God’s perfect love for believers casts out the fear of wrath and eternal punishment.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 4:19 We love because. God’s love was demonstrated in the cross (see Rom. 5:8). God loves humanity first, and the love Christians show is a response to that love.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 5:1–12 Faith in the Son as the Way to Life. So far, John has written much about love and obedience, but not so much about faith. He now shifts to the importance of believing in the Son. Of 1 John’s 10 references to believing, seven are in ch. 5.
John wants his readers to know about eternal life. Whoever knows and believes in God’s Son and believes he is the Christ, no matter what their cultural or social background, has been born of God and has eternal life (5:1–12).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 5:1 Everyone who believes that. Saving faith is a wholehearted trust in the saving work of Christ. Everyone who believes has been born of God (see 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; note on Eph. 2:5).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 5:2 Obeying God’s commandments in Scripture is the way to love the children of God. God’s commandments show believers the way to do good for others (see Rom. 13:9; Gal. 5:14).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 5:3 not burdensome. God’s love existing in his people gives them the desire to love and please him. Rightly understood and followed, God’s commandments bring believers great joy and freedom (compare Matt. 11:28–30).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 5:4 overcomes the world. See John 16:33. Genuine Christians do not let the world turn them away from following Christ.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 5:6 Water most likely refers to Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist. Blood signifies Christ’s atoning death on the cross. the Spirit is the one who testifies. The Holy Spirit bears witness to the fact that Christ came. The Spirit works in believers’ hearts. He convicts them of sin and opens their eyes to who Christ is. He helps them understand the meaning of Christ’s atoning death for their sins (compare v. 10). He lives in believers, teaching them the truth of God’s Word (2:27; 4:13).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 5:7–8 The gospel is not based merely on human testimony. There are in fact three that testify. These are the witness of the Spirit (see note on v. 6), the water baptism of Jesus, with the voice from heaven (Mark 1:10–11; John 1:32–34), and the blood of Jesus (see note on 1 John 5:6). these three agree. They confirm that Jesus is the “Son of God” (v. 10). The OT taught that every charge must be confirmed by “two or three witnesses” (Deut. 19:15). This principle continued in the NT (Matt. 18:16; 2 Cor. 13:1).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 5:9 the testimony of God. John claims divine authority for his teaching.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 5:10 has the testimony in himself. Christians have the Holy Spirit’s presence and work within them.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 5:11 The testimony supporting faith in Christ is the message of Jesus’ incarnation, death, and resurrection. Through these, eternal life is available through faith in his Son.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 5:12 Has the Son implies a faith that is evident through love for others and devotion to God. Whoever does not have life faces eternal punishment (John 3:36). On Jesus as the one and only way to God, see notes on John 14:6; 1 John 2:23.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 5:13–21 Final Call to Faith and Understanding. “Know” occurs seven times in these verses. This indicates John’s focus on the assurance of Christian faith and salvation.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 5:13 that you may know. See note on 2:3.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 5:14 To ask God according to his will means Christians should pray in line with what the Bible teaches about God’s will for his people (compare Matt. 6:10; Eph. 5:17).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 5:15 we have the requests. Christians do not receive everything they ask for from God, even things that seemingly agree with his will. This verse must be understood in light of other passages of Scripture: praying according to God’s will includes the need to pray in faith (Matt. 21:22; James 1:6), with patience (Luke 18:1–8), in obedience (Ps. 66:18; 1 Pet. 3:12), and in recognition that God knows what is best in all circumstances (Luke 22:42; Rom. 8:28; 1 Pet. 4:19).
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 5:16 Sin not leading to death is sin for which forgiveness is possible because (1) forgiveness is sought and (2) God is willing to grant it. Death and eternal life are present spiritual states. They are also ultimate actual destinies (hell, heaven). Sin that leads to death is probably sin that is (1) unrepented of and (2) of the kind or nature that John has warned about throughout the letter. Such sin includes rejection of the true doctrine about Christ, ongoing disobedience to God’s commandments, and persistent lack of love for fellow believers. These all indicate a lack of saving faith, which will not be forgiven. I do not say. John leaves open whether to pray for that situation if it arises. It would be best in such cases to pray for repentance.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 5:17 All wrongdoing is a matter of grave concern, in light of God’s utter perfection and zealous love. However, not all sin leads to death (see note on v. 16), so Christians should pray for their own and others’ forgiveness.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 5:18 does not keep on sinning. See notes on 3:6–7; 3:9–10. He who was born of God refers to Jesus Christ. In his physical birth, Jesus was “born of God” in that he was sent from God the Father and was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35). In his resurrection from the dead, Jesus was “born of God” in that God brought him back to life (Col. 1:18). The evil one does not touch believers in the sense of causing permanent spiritual loss. See 1 John 4:4.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 5:19 we are from God. Christians have been spiritually reborn. In that sense they are children of God. the whole world. See note on 2:15.
1 JOHN—NOTE ON 5:20 Has come points to the incarnation. given . . . understanding. Christians receive grace to help them understand biblical teaching and put it into practice.