New Spirit-Filled Life Bible

Author and Recipients

Although this epistle is anonymous, its style and vocabulary clearly indicate that it was written by the author of the Gospel of John. Internal evidence also points to John as the author, and ancient testimony unanimously ascribes the epistle to him.

Lack of a special dedication and salutation indicates that the letter was circular, probably sent to the churches near Ephesus, where John spent his latter years.

Date

The weight of early and strong Christian tradition that John spent his latter years at Ephesus, together with the fact that the tone of the writings suggests that they are the product of a mature man who has enjoyed profound spiritual experience, points to a date near the end of the first century. In addition, the character of the heresy combated in the letter points to the same time, approximately A.D. 90.

Occasion and Purpose

John states that he wrote to give assurance of eternal life to those “who believe in the name of the Son of God” (5:13). The uncertainty of his readers about their spiritual status was caused by an unsettling conflict with the teachers of a false doctrine. John refers to the teachings as deceitful (2:26; 3:7) and to the teachers as “false prophets” (4:1), liars (2:22), and antichrists (2:18, 22; 4:3). They had once been within the church, but had withdrawn (2:19) and had “gone out into the world” (4:1) to propagate their dangerous heresy.

The heresy was a forerunner of second-century Gnosticism, which taught that matter is essentially evil and spirit is essentially good. This dualistic viewpoint caused the false teachers to deny the Incarnation of Christ and, hence, the Resurrection. The true God, they taught, could never indwell a material body of flesh and blood. Therefore, the human body that Jesus supposedly possessed was not real, but merely apparent. John wrote vigorously against this error (see 2:22, 23; 4:3).

They also taught that since the evil human body was merely an envelope for the spirit within, and since nothing the body could do could affect the inner spirit, ethical distinctions ceased to be relevant. Hence, they had no sin. John answered this error with indignation (see 2:4, 6, 15–17; 3:3, 7, 9, 10; 5:18).

“Gnosticism” is a word derived from the Greek gnosis, meaning “knowledge.” Gnostics later taught salvation by mental enlightenment, which came only to elite spiritual initiates, not to the ordinary rank and file of Christians. Hence, they substituted intellectual pursuits for faith and exalted speculation above the basic tenets of the gospel. John again reacted strenuously (see 2:20, 27), declaring that there is no private revelation reserved for a few intellectuals, and that the whole body of believers possesses the apostolic teaching.

John’s purpose in writing, then, was to expose the heresy of the false teachers and to confirm the faith of the true believers.

Characteristics

There are strong similarities between the Gospel of John and 1 John. The tone of the epistle is friendly and fatherly, reflecting the authority that age and apostleship bring. The style is informal and personal, revealing the apostle’s intimate relationship with God and God’s people.

Content

First John stresses the themes of love, light, knowledge, and life in its warnings against heresy. These major elements are repeated throughout the letter, with love being the dominant note. Possessing love is clear evidence that one is a Christian, and lack of love indicates that one is in darkness (2:9–11; 3:10–23; 4:7–21).

John affirms that God is light, and fellowship with Him causes one to walk in the light in true fellowship with other believers. Fellowship with God and the brethren enables one to recognize, through the anointing of God, false doctrine and the spirit of the antichrist.

Fellowship with God necessitates walking in the light and obeying the commandments of God (1:6, 7; 2:3–5). The one “who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous” (3:7), while “whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God” (3:10). The love of the Father and the love of the world are totally incompatible (2:15–17), and no one born of God is in the habit of practicing sin (3:9; 5:18). Christ is the antithesis of sin, and He has appeared that He might take away all of our sins (3:5).

Chapter 4 continues the theme of understanding the rival spirits—the false prophets who have gone out into the world (v. 1). In order to test the spirits we must find whom they acknowledge as savior and lord. Every spirit that does not acknowledge that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh is not from God (v. 3).

The epistle ends with the testimony of Jesus the Son of God. Jesus is the One who came. The technical title of the Messiah is “He who comes” or “He who is to come” (Matt. 11:3; 1 John 5:6). John identifies Him as the One who came by water and by blood, the God who came and dwelt among us, the Word that was made flesh.

Personal Application

Prominent in 1 John is the positive note of Christian certainty. Thirty-nine times the verb “know” occurs. Christian truth is beyond the realm of speculation, because it is irrevocably moored to the historical event of Jesus Christ and the apostolic witness to that event. In addition, Christians possess the anointing and witness of the Holy Spirit to assure them of the truth about God, Christ, and their own spiritual standing.

Three tests prove the genuineness of Christianity: the test of belief (4:2), the test of obedience (2:3), and the test of love (4:20). The same affirmations are stated negatively. The one who professes to be a Christian, but who cannot pass the test of belief (2:22), the test of obedience (1:6), and the test of love (4:20), is a liar. John brings all three tests together in 5:1–5, where he indicates that a profession of Christianity is false unless it is characterized by correct belief, godly obedience, and brotherly love. The same tests are valid today.

Christ Revealed

John emphasizes both the deity and the humanity of Jesus, declaring that in Him God fully entered into human life. A test of Christianity is correct belief about the Incarnation (4:2, 15; 5:1).

Jesus is our Advocate with the Father (2:1). Sin is incongruous in the life of a Christian; but if he does sin, Jesus pleads his case.

Jesus is the propitiation for our sins (2:2; 4:10). See note on Romans 3:25.

Jesus is also Savior, sent by God to rescue us from sin (1:7; 3:5; 4:14). Only through Him can we have eternal life (5:11, 12).

John presents the Second Coming of Jesus as an incentive to remain firm in the faith (2:28), and he gives assurance that our complete transformation into Christ’s likeness will occur at His return.

The Holy Spirit at Work

John describes a threefold ministry of the Holy Spirit in this epistle. First, God’s gift of the Spirit to us assures us of our relationship to Christ, both that He abides in us (3:24) and that we abide in Him (4:13). Second, the Holy Spirit testifies to the reality of the Incarnation of Christ (4:2; 5:6–8). Third, the Spirit leads true believers into a full realization of the truth concerning Jesus, that they may successfully oppose the heretics who deny that truth (2:20; 4:4).

Outline of 1 John

I. The Incarnation 1:1–10

A. God became flesh in human form 1:1–4

B. God is light 1:5–10

II. The life of righteousness 2:1–29

A. Walking in the light 2:1–17

B. Warning against the spirit of antichrist 2:18–29

III. The life of the children of God 3:1—4:6

A. Righteousness 3:1–12

B. Love 3:13–24

C. Belief 4:1–6

IV. The source of love 4:7–21

V. The triumph of righteousness 5:1–5

VI. The assurance of eternal life 5:6–12

VII. Christian certainties 5:13–21

What Was Heard, Seen, and Touched

1 THAT ^awhich was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have ^bseen with our eyes, ^cwhich we have looked upon, and ^dour hands have handled, concerning the ^eWord of life—

2 ^athe life ^bwas manifested, and we have seen, ^cand bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was ^dwith the Father and was manifested to us—

3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have ^*fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is ^awith the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

4 And these things we write to you ^athat ¹your joy may be full.

Fellowship with Him and One Another

5 ^aThis is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that ^bGod is light and in Him is no ^*darkness at all.

6 ^aIf we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

7 But if we ^awalk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and ^bthe blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all ^*sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the ^*truth is not in us.

9 If we ^aconfess our sins, He is ^bfaithful and just to forgive us our sins and to ^ccleanse us from all ^*unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we ^amake Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, ^awe have an ^*Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

2 And ^aHe Himself is the ^*propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but ^balso for the whole world.

The Test of Knowing Him

3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.

4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a ^aliar, and the truth is not in him.

5 But ^awhoever keeps His word, truly the love of God ¹is perfected ^bin him. By this we know that we are in Him.

6 ^aHe who says he abides in Him ^bought himself also to walk just as He walked.

7 ¹Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had ^afrom the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard ²from the beginning.

8 Again, ^aa new commandment I write to you, which thing is ^*true in Him and in you, ^bbecause the ^*darkness is passing away, and ^cthe true light is already shining.

9 ^aHe who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.

10 ^aHe who loves his brother abides in the light, and ^bthere is no cause for ^*stumbling in him.

11 But he who ^ahates his brother is in darkness and ^bwalks in ^*darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Their Spiritual State

12 I write to you, little children,

Because ^ayour sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.

Kingdom Dynamics

2:12–14 Growth in Stages, GROWTH. When a baby is born, biologically he has everything he needs for adulthood. He just has to grow into it. The same is true with our spiritual progress. Godly growth is a providential journey of becoming what we already are. These verses do not refer to ages as much as to stages of godly development. As infants, or “little children,” we are excited about the newness of a relationship with God. But as we feed on the milk of the Word (1 Pet. 2:2), we see that there is more to salvation than the forgiveness of our sins. We grow beyond our infancy into young adult lives of challenge and victory as people who live daily by faith (2 Cor. 5:7). Finally, “fatherhood” is that designation given to saints who have come to know God as friend. Fathers know the joy and peace of intimacy with the Lord and endeavor to begin producing spiritual offspring through the loving process of discipleship (Matt. 28:19, 20). It is important to ask ourselves if we are progressing to new levels of spiritual growth.

(*/Lev. 20:7, 8) K.U.

13 I write to you, fathers,

Because you have known Him who is ^afrom the beginning.

I write to you, young men,

Because you have overcome the wicked one.

I write to you, little children,

Because you have ^bknown the Father.

14 I have written to you, fathers,

Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.

I have written to you, young men,

Because ^ayou are strong, and the word of God abides in you,

And you have overcome the wicked one.

Do Not Love the World

15 ^aDo not love the world or the things in the world. ^bIf anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, ^athe lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

17 And ^athe world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Deceptions of the Last Hour

18 ^aLittle children, ^bit is the last hour; and as you have heard that ^cthe¹ Antichrist is coming, ^deven now many antichrists have come, by which we know ^ethat it is the last hour.

Kingdom Dynamics

2:18 The Prophecies of Last Things, PROPHECY. Eschatology is that aspect of biblical doctrine dealing with “last things” (from Greek eschatos, “final”). In this text, John describes the times in which he wrote as “the last hour,” evidencing that he, as vital Christians in every generation, both lived in immediate anticipation of Christ’s Second Coming and saw his era as one in which the present evidence seemed to argue that his was possibly the concluding generation. This is not an unhealthy attitude. Christ Jesus desires that people expectantly anticipate His return (Matt. 25:1–13; 2 Tim. 4:8).

John not only addresses the lateness of the hour of history as he views it; he also addresses the subject of Antichrist, a commonly discussed theme when eschatology is studied. The spirit of antichrist, the Rapture of the church, the Great Tribulation, the restoration of national Israel, and the millennial reign of Christ on Earth are all among the many subjects the Bible describes as “last things.” The Bible clearly says these things shall occur. However, it is not clear about the exact time; and in many cases it does not conclusively give the sequence or exact manner of the fulfillment of such events.

The New Spirit-Filled Life Bible does not embrace any conclusive point of view concerning these popularly discussed subjects. We do affirm these things: 1) God is the Sovereign of the Universe and the God of History, which is His-Story. 2) As such, He knows the end from the beginning and at the end of history will have been verified as All-Wise and vindicated as All-Just. 3) His Son, Jesus Christ, shall come to Earth again for His church (John 14:1–3; Acts 1:11; 1 Cor. 15:50–58; 1 Thess. 4:16, 17) and shall rule on Earth (Is. 9:7; 11:6–9; Rev. 20:1–6). 4) There is a final judgment, with the reward of eternal life in heaven promised to the redeemed and the judgment of eternal loss in hell the portion of the unregenerate (Rev. 20:11–15; 21:22—22:5).

We affirm the value of the study of last things and equally declare our conviction that differences of opinion on such matters as the Rapture, the nature of the Millennium, and so on, neither give us an advantage nor hinder us with reference to our life in Christ, as we choose to serve in His love, walk in His truth, and expect His return.

(Deut. 28:1/Rev. 4:1) J.W.H.

19 ^aThey went out from us, but they were not of us; for ^bif they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out ^cthat they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

20 But ^ayou have an anointing ^bfrom the Holy One, and ^cyou¹ know all things.

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

22 ^aWho is a liar but he who denies that ^bJesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.

23 ^aWhoever denies the Son does not have the ^bFather either; ^che who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

Let Truth Abide in You

24 Therefore let that abide in you ^awhich you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, ^byou also will abide in the Son and in the Father.

25 ^aAnd this is the ^*promise that He has ^*promised us—eternal life.

26 These things I have written to you concerning those who try to ¹deceive you.

27 But the ^aanointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and ^byou do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing ^cteaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you ¹will abide in Him.

The Children of God

28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that ¹when He appears, we may have ^aconfidence and not be ashamed before Him at His ^*coming.

29 ^aIf you know that He is righteous, you know that ^beveryone who practices righteousness is born of Him.

1 Behold ^awhat manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that ^bwe should be ^*called children of ¹God! Therefore the world does not know ²us, ^cbecause it did not know Him.

2 Beloved, ^anow we are children of God; and ^bit has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, ^cwe shall be like Him, for ^dwe shall see Him as He is.

3 ^aAnd everyone who has this ^*hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

Sin and the Child of God

4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and ^asin is lawlessness.

5 And you know ^athat He was manifested ^bto ^*take away our sins, and ^cin Him there is no sin.

6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor ^*known Him.

7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices ^*righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.

8 ^aHe who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, ^bthat He might destroy the works of the devil.

9 Whoever has been ^aborn of God does not sin, for ^bHis seed remains in him; and he ^*cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

The Imperative of Love

10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are ^*manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.

11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, ^athat we should love one another,

12 not as ^aCain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.

13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if ^athe world hates you.

14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love ¹his brother abides in death.

15 ^aWhoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that ^bno murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

The Outworking of Love

16 ^aBy this we know love, ^bbecause He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

17 But ^awhoever has this world’s goods, and ^*sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

18 My little children, ^alet us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

19 And by this we ¹know ^athat we are of the truth, and shall ²assure^* our hearts before Him.

20 ^aFor if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.

21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, ^awe have confidence toward God.

22 And ^awhatever we ^*ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments ^band do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ ^aand love one another, as He gave ¹us commandment.

The Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error

24 Now ^ahe who keeps His commandments ^babides in Him, and He in him. And ^cby this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but ^atest the spirits, whether they are of God; because ^bmany false prophets have gone out into the world.

Kingdom Dynamics

4:1–6 Prophecy Not Christ-Centered Is Disqualified, PROPHECY. Since the heart of true prophecy is Christ Himself (Rev. 19:10), the word “prophecy” not only defines the Bible, but confines all prophesying that claims to be true. This text shows that John distinguished the spirit of truth and error by whether the sinless glory and saviorhood of our Lord Jesus Christ was the focus. Paul pronounced a curse upon anyone who violated this sound word of the gospel (Gal. 1:6–9). Both men were addressing the early church community and confronting the encroachment of teachers or teachings that claimed prophetic authority, but failed to present and honor Jesus Christ in a way consistent with the whole of the Scriptures.

Likewise, we should be cautious regarding groups or individuals who claim a Christian foundation: What place is Jesus Himself given? We should also reject any prophesying that preoccupies itself with mystical ideas or secondary issues. All true prophecy rests in and upon Christ, the Foundation. If that Foundation is soundly built upon, the shape of all that rises will look and sound like Jesus, God’s Son.

(Rev. 19:10/Eph. 1:17–19) J.W.H.

2 By this you know the Spirit of God: ^aEvery spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,

3 and every spirit that does not confess ¹that Jesus ²Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than ^ahe who is in the world.

5 ^aThey are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and ^bthe world hears them.

6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. ^aBy this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of ^*error.

Knowing God Through Love

7 ^aBeloved, let us love one another, for ^*love is of God; and everyone who ^bloves is born of God and knows God.

8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

9 ^aIn this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has ^*sent His only begotten ^bSon into the world, that we might live through Him.

10 In this is love, ^anot that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son ^bto be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, ^aif God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Seeing God Through Love

12 ^aNo one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.

13 ^aBy this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.

14 And ^awe have seen and testify that ^bthe Father has sent the Son as ^*Savior of the world.

15 ^aWhoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and ^ahe who abides in love abides in God, and God ^bin him.

The Consummation of Love

17 Love has been ^*perfected among us in this: that ^awe may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.

18 There is no fear in love; but ^*perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

19 ^aWe love ¹Him because He first loved us.

Obedience by Faith

20 ^aIf someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, ¹how can he love God ^bwhom he has not seen?

21 And ^athis commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

1 Whoever believes that ^aJesus is the Christ is ^bborn of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and ^akeep His commandments.

3 ^aFor this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And ^bHis commandments are not burdensome.

4 For ^awhatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that ^bhas overcome the ^*world—¹our faith.

5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but ^ahe who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

The Certainty of God’s Witness

6 This is He who came ^aby water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. ^bAnd it is the Spirit who bears ^*witness, because the Spirit is truth.

7 For there are three that bear witness ¹in heaven: the Father, ^athe Word, and the Holy Spirit; ^band these three are one.

8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: ^athe Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.

9 If we receive ^athe ^*witness of men, the witness of God is greater; ^bfor this is the witness of ¹God which He has testified of His Son.

10 He who believes in the Son of God ^ahas the witness in himself; he who does not believe God ^bhas made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.

11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal ^*life, and this life is in His Son.

12 ^aHe who has the Son has ¹life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have ¹life.

13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, ¹and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

Confidence and Compassion in Prayer

14 Now this is the ^*confidence that we have in Him, that ^aif we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and ^aHe will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. ^bThere is sin leading to death. ^cI do not say that he should pray about that.

17 ^aAll ^*unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.

Knowing the True—Rejecting the False

18 We know that ^awhoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God ^bkeeps¹ ²himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.

19 We know that we are of God, and ^athe whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.

20 And we know that the ^aSon of God has come and ^bhas given us an ^*understanding, ^cthat we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. ^dThis is the true God ^eand eternal life.

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

1:1, 2 As the eternal Son of God, Jesus existed before His manifestation in time (see John 1:1). When He came to Earth, He assumed real manhood, a fact that was verified by those who knew Him in the flesh.

1:5 As light, God reveals Himself in His perfect holiness and majesty.

1:6, 7 Our walk in the light is a test of fellowship with God, since the life of fellowship is a life that is continually cleansed from sin by the blood of Jesus. It also involves our relationship with one another, which indicates that a walk “in the light” is lived accountably before both God and man.

1:8 Anyone who walks in the light that God has revealed cannot fail to note his own sinfulness.

1:9, 10 To persevere in the false pride that denies one’s sins is not only to deceive oneself (v. 8) but to accuse God of lying, since His Word declares the universality of sin. However, to confess our sins is a prerequisite to receiving the Lord’s forgiveness and cleansing.

2:1, 2 Although John’s purpose is to keep his readers from sinning, realistically he knows that at some time they will commit an act of sin. In His grace, God has made a twofold provision to restore sinning Christians. First, He has appointed Jesus as an Advocate to plead the case of sinners. He is certain to secure their pardon because He is righteous. Second, God has provided Jesus as the propitiation for our sins. See note on Rom. 3:25.

2:3–6 See section 1 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 1 John.

2:3–6 Obedience to the commandments of God tests one’s knowledge of Him. Genuine love for God (v. 5) and a true relationship with Him (v. 6) must be evidenced by loyalty.

2:7 Another test of fellowship with God is love for the brethren, an old commandment that they had known since their first acquaintance with Christ.

2:8 The commandment to love is also new because Jesus gave it a new standard and a new motive (see John 13:34). John affirms the fact that the true light, which the gospel reveals, dispels the darkness of moral ignorance and satanic bondage.

2:9–11 See section 3 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 1 John.

2:9–11 Love is characteristic of light, and hate is characteristic of darkness. Those two are mortal enemies. Therefore, a person reveals the genuineness of his relationship with God by his relationship with others.

2:12–14 John addresses different groups in the church, not according to physical age, but according to their levels of spiritual growth. His purpose is to encourage them to further progress and to warn them against the temptations that are certain to come (vv. 15–17).

2:15–17 See section 3 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 1 John.

2:15 The world does not refer to the physical creation, but to the sphere of evil operating in our world under the dominion of Satan (see 4:4; 5:19; John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11).

2:18–27 Another test of true fellowship with God is that of true belief. John distinguishes between heretics and genuine believers (vv. 18–21), describes the nature and result of the heresy (vv. 22, 23), and reminds his readers of the resources available to meet the heresy (vv. 24–27).

2:18, 19 The last hour was introduced by the First Coming of Christ (see Acts 2:17; Heb. 1:1, 2; 1 Pet. 1:20). At the end of this period, the one known as the Antichrist will come (see 2 Thess. 2:3–9), but there are already many such persons at work in the world. John identifies other antichrists as the heretics (deceitful, destructive, divisive “believers”) who withdrew from the church (v. 19). Their withdrawal is evidence that they never really shared in the life and fellowship of the church.

2:20, 21 In contrast to the false teachers who claimed superior knowledge, true Christians possess an understanding of spiritual realities through the illuminating ministry of the Holy Spirit.

2:22, 23 The particular error of these heretics was a denial of the Incarnation, which created a gospel of mysticism and obstructed a true understanding of the Father and personal relationship with Him (John 14:7–11).

2:24–27 Two things will protect the readers from falling victim to the seductive teachings of the heretics: 1) constantly abiding in the truth concerning Christ, which they had received from the apostles; 2) the anointing of the Holy Spirit, whose illuminating power will enable them to distinguish truth from error. To receive spiritual knowledge under the guidance of the Holy Spirit is to know truth in a way that human instruction cannot provide. The text is not an argument against the ministry of teaching (Rom. 12:7; Eph. 4:11), but an emphasis that only the Holy Spirit is able to bring revelation to the human heart (Eph. 1:17, 18).

2:25 See section 4 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 1 John.

2:26, 27 See section 2 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 1 John.

2:28, 29 Abiding in Christ is not only by faith, but by obedience.

2:29 See section 1 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 1 John.

3:1 See section 4 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 1 John.

3:1 John expresses astonishment at God’s love in regenerating believers, an experience the world cannot understand.

3:2, 3 The prospect of being transformed into the likeness of Christ motivates Christians to live righteously.

3:4–9 See section 1 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 1 John.

3:4 Sin is the spirit of rebellion against God’s Law.

3:6–9 John does not teach perfectionism; otherwise, he would contradict himself (see 1:8, 9). Although interpretations of this text vary, John’s argument seems grammatically based. By using the Greek present tense, he does not declare that Christians are unable to commit an occasional act of sin (see 1:8–10; 2:1), but that they are not characterized by the spirit of lawlessness (v. 4), powerlessly led into a habitual practice of sin. Sin is natural to children of the Devil, who has sinned from the beginning, but unnatural to children of God, who cannot sin without the Spirit’s conviction. A constant indulgence in sin contradicts the claim to have a personal knowledge of Christ. Sin is not a way of life for the person who is righteous in Christ; it is a way of life for the one who is unrighteous.

3:10–15 See section 1 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 1 John.

3:10–15 Love for fellow Christians is just as much a characteristic of the new nature of believers as righteous living (see John 13:35). For hates and murderer, see Matt. 5:21, 22.

3:16–18 See section 1 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 1 John.

3:16 The sacrifice of Christ is both the proof of His love and the standard of our own love (see Phil. 2:4–8).

3:17 Love is shown, not only in a heroic deed of self-sacrifice but in a daily life of compassion.

3:18 See James 2:15, 16.

3:19, 20 Even when true Christians are discouraged and self-condemning, they can receive assurance that they are children of God from the objective test of God’s Word.

3:21–24 See section 4 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 1 John.

3:21–23 Assurance of our standing before God gives boldness in prayer. Our prayers are not answered as a reward for obedience, but when we keep His commandments we give evidence that we are in harmony with God’s will (see John 15:7) and thus pray accordingly.

3:23 Compare with Jesus’ answer to the scribe’s question, “Which is the great commandment?” in Matt. 22:34–40.

3:24 The indwelling Holy Spirit manifests His presence outwardly in our life and conduct, giving evidence of our relationship with God.

4:1–6 See section 4 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 1 John.

4:1 Believers are not to be so gullible that they indiscriminately accept the pronouncements of all prophets who claim to be of God, that is, to speak with divine authority and under divine inspiration. A spirit is indeed behind every prophet, but it may be a false spirit, described as “the spirit of the Antichrist” (v. 3) and “the spirit of error” (v. 6), rather than “the Spirit of God” (v. 2), who is “the spirit of truth” (v. 6). Therefore, since there are many cultic and heretical teachers claiming to be spokespersons for God, we must test the spirits possessing them to determine their origin. Paul gives similar instructions in 1 Thess. 5:19–22.

4:2 The crux of the test is a spirit’s acknowledgment or rejection of Jesus Christ as the incarnate Son of God. A confession of Jesus involves more than an admission of His identity (see Matt. 8:28, 29; Mark 1:24; 3:11). It is a profession of faith in Him and submission to His sovereignty. The Holy Spirit testifies to and glorifies Jesus (see John 15:26; 16:14; 1 Cor. 12:3). Therefore, a confession proclaiming the truth that Jesus is the incarnate Christ is of God testifies to both His full humanity as our Savior-Redeemer and His full deity as Lord and Sovereign King.

4:3 On the other hand, a denial of the truth concerning Jesus reveals that any claim of divine inspiration is false and that the true origin is the spirit of the Antichrist. See note on 2:18, 19.

4:4–6 That which fundamentally distinguishes the people of the world and the people of God is their respective attitudes toward Jesus Christ. By the illumination of the Holy Spirit, who is greater than Satan (the spirit of error), true believers may overcome deceiving teachers.

4:7–21 For the third time John stresses love as a test of the Christian life (see 2:7–11; 3:10–18). Here he traces love to its source in the nature of God as revealed at the Cross. Christians show that they are God’s children by manifesting sacrificial attitudes and actions like His.

4:7–10 See section 1 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 1 John.

4:12 Although God is invisible (1 Tim. 1:17; 6:16), we manifest His nature through life-styles that reflect His love.

4:13–16 See section 2 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 1 John.

4:13 The Spirit does not indwell us because of our love; on the contrary, He enables us to love.

4:15 See vv. 1–3; 1 Cor. 12:3.

4:17–19 In 2 Tim. 1, Paul exhorts his young disciple to remain steadfast to the gospel through faith and the love of God. Possessing God’s love results in fearless confidence toward God and love for the brethren. The one who knows this love has no dread of facing God at the judgment. Even now in this world we are as He [Christ] is. The comparison is that of positions, not characters. Jesus is well-pleasing to God as His Son, and we are God’s children (3:1), acceptable to Him.

4:17, 18 See section 4 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 1 John.

4:19 See section 2 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 1 John.

4:20, 21 Love for God must express itself in love for fellow believers. The “perfect love” that “casts out fear” (v. 18) sweeps away hate.

5:1–5 John shows how faith, love, and obedience are related to each other. Faith brings us into a loving relationship with God, and love for Him leads to love for other Christians and to obedience of His commandments. They are not burdensome, for the practical benefits of obedience to all God’s laws are entirely contributive to human good and fulfilling to those who learn their application to life. Our faith brings victory over the world, providing a spiritual weapon by which we can combat both the temptations and the persecutions of a godless society.

5:4 See section 4 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 1 John.

5:6–13 In the previous paragraph (vv. 1, 5), John spoke of faith in the divine-human Jesus. Now he presents the basis of such belief, especially in answer to the heretics who suggested that the Spirit came upon Jesus at His Baptism but left Him at His Crucifixion. John insists that Christ possessed the indwelling Holy Spirit during His entire earthly life (since He was born by the power of the Spirit).

5:6 Water probably refers to the Baptism of Jesus, when the Father declared His identity as the Son and anointed Him for His ministry. Blood refers to the Crucifixion, by which Christ completed His work. The Spirit testifies concerning Christ at every point of His life.

5:7, 8 The Law demanded the testimony of two or three witnesses (see Deut. 19:15; John 8:17, 18).

5:9 Behind the united testimony of the three witnesses is God Himself.

5:10 The assurance that comes to those who trust in Jesus is from the indwelling Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:16). To refuse to believe is equivalent to calling God a liar.

5:11–13 See section 4 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 1 John.

5:11–13 John states the content of the testimony given by the witnesses mentioned in the previous verses. Eternal life signifies not only endless life but a quality of life that comes only to those who have faith in Jesus. This life is a present possession of which we can have confident assurance.

5:14, 15 See section 4 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 1 John.

5:14, 15 Children of God may have confidence of free access and boldness of speech in presenting their requests to Him. There is, however, a limitation to the assurance that our prayers will be answered. The NT elsewhere bases the assurance on asking in Jesus’ name (John 14:13, 14; 15:16; 16:23, 24), abiding in Christ and allowing His words to abide in us (John 15:7), having faith (Matt. 21:22; James 1:6), and being righteous in life and fervent in prayer (1 John 3:21, 22; James 5:16). Here John says that we must ask according to His will, which inclusively states the fundamental condition for assurance in prayer. One who abides in Christ and whose words abide in him; who prays in the name of Jesus, that is, in accord with His character and nature; and who is full of faith and righteousness is not inclined to pray anything contrary to His will. But more than how we pray, God wills and cares that we pray. Genuine prayer is not an attempt at precise means of getting God to meet our desires and demands; but rather, in subordinating our will to His, we open the doorway to His fullest blessings being released in our lives.

5:16, 17 See section 1 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 1 John.

5:16, 17 A specific example of prayer is intercession for a brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death. On the other hand, John does not encourage prayer for the restoration of those who are sinning a sin leading to death. These are the ones who, like the false teachers, have manifested the spirit of the Antichrist (2:18) in denying the Father and the Son (2:22, 23). They reveal themselves to be “children of the devil” (3:10), and they forfeit life in rejecting Christ (v. 12).

5:18 Does not sin: See note on 3:6–9, where John teaches that anyone whose life is unrepentantly characterized by sin does not belong to the family of God. The reason that a Christian does not persist unrepentantly in sin is that he who has been born of God keeps himself, or, as this may also be translated, “He [Jesus] who was born of God keeps him [the believer] from the relentless temptation and snare of the wicked one.”

5:19 John has given tests by which believers may know that they are of God as distinguished from those who belong to the wicked one. World: See note on 2:15. Satan exercises dominion over the world as its ruler (see John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 2:2; 6:12).

5:21 See section 3 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 1 John.

5:21 Any god, object, or pursuit other than that directed by God’s revealed will and way declared in His Son (v. 20) is an idol.