King James Version
1 John 5
21 verses with commentary
Faith in the Son of God
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.</strong> John connects faith, regeneration, and love. "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ" (<em>pas ho pisteuōn hoti Iēsous estin ho Christos</em>)—<em>pisteuōn</em> (present participle) indicates ongoing, habitual faith. "Jesus is the Chr...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
**V.**
(8.)FAITH THE TEST OF LOVE (1John 5:1-12).
(*a*)*Its power* (1John 5:1-5).
(*b*)*The evidence on which it rests* (1John 5:6-10).
(*c*)*What it contains* (1John 5:11-12).
(8 *a.*) St. John has been setting love in the supreme place which it held in our Lord’s teaching and in St. Paul’s. But there is another faculty which has to regulate, purify, direct, and stir up our weak and imperfect lov...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**5. kept--**Greek, "who are being guarded." He answers the objection, Of what use is it that salvation is "reserved" for us in heaven, as in a calm secure haven, when we are tossed in the world as on a troubled sea in the midst of a thousand wrecks? [Calvin]. As the inheritance is "kept" (1Pe 1:4) safely for the far distant "heirs," so must they be "guarded" in their persons so as to be sure of r...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
The judgments of God denounced against rich unbelievers.(1-6)
Exhortation to patience and meekness under tribulations.(7-11)
Cautions against rash swearing Prayer recommended in afflictive and prosperous circumstances, Christians to confess their faults to each other.(12-18)
The happiness of being the means of the conversion of a sinner.(19-20)
**Ver...
Read full commentary →By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.</strong> This verse presents a profound reciprocal relationship between vertical love (toward God) and horizontal love (toward fellow believers). The Greek word <em>ginōskō</em> (γινώσκω, "we know") indicates experiential, relational knowledge—not mere intellectual assent but lived reality that p...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6. Wherein--**in which prospect of final salvation.
**greatly rejoice--**"exult with joy": "are exuberantly glad." Salvation is realized by faith (1Pe 1:9) as a thing so actually present as to cause exulting joy in spite of existing afflictions.
**for a season--**Greek, "for a little time."
**if need be--**"if it be God's will that it should be so" [Alford], for not all believers are affli...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
The judgments of God denounced against rich unbelievers.(1-6)
Exhortation to patience and meekness under tribulations.(7-11)
Cautions against rash swearing Prayer recommended in afflictive and prosperous circumstances, Christians to confess their faults to each other.(12-18)
The happiness of being the means of the conversion of a sinner.(19-20)
**Ver...
Read full commentary →For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.</strong> John defines love for God in terms of obedience. "For this is the love of God" (<em>autē gar estin hē agapē tou theou</em>)—the phrase could mean either our love for God or God's love, but context indicates the former: our love toward God. "That we keep his commandments" (<em>hina ta...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
7. Aim of the "temptations."
**trial--**testing, proving. That your faith so proved "may be found (aorist; once for all, as the result of its being proved on the judgment-day) unto (eventuating in) praise," &c., namely, the praise to be bestowed by the Judge.
**than that of gold--**rather, "than gold."
**though--**"which perisheth, YET is tried with fire." If gold, though perishing (1Pe ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
The judgments of God denounced against rich unbelievers.(1-6)
Exhortation to patience and meekness under tribulations.(7-11)
Cautions against rash swearing Prayer recommended in afflictive and prosperous circumstances, Christians to confess their faults to each other.(12-18)
The happiness of being the means of the conversion of a sinner.(19-20)
**Ver...
Read full commentary →For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.</strong> John introduces the theme of Christian victory. "For whatsoever is born of God" (<em>hoti pan to gegennēmenon ek tou theou</em>)—the perfect participle emphasizes the completed state of being born of God. The neuter gender ("whatsoever" rather than "whosoever") fo...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8. not having seen, ye love--**though in other cases it is knowledge of the person that produces love to him. They are more "blessed that have not seen and yet have believed," than they who believed because they have seen. On Peter's own love to Jesus, compare Joh 21:15-17. Though the apostles had seen Him, they now ceased to know Him merely after the flesh.
**in whom--**connected with "believ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
The judgments of God denounced against rich unbelievers.(1-6)
Exhortation to patience and meekness under tribulations.(7-11)
Cautions against rash swearing Prayer recommended in afflictive and prosperous circumstances, Christians to confess their faults to each other.(12-18)
The happiness of being the means of the conversion of a sinner.(19-20)
**Ver...
Read full commentary →Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?</strong> John poses a rhetorical question identifying the world-overcomer. "Who is he that overcometh the world" (<em>tis estin ho nikōn ton kosmon</em>)—the present participle indicates habitual, continuous victory, not one-time achievement. <em>Nikaō</em> (νικάω) means to conquer or prevail. The ques...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**9. Receiving--**in sure anticipation; "the end of your faith," that is, its crowning consummation, finally completed "salvation" (Peter here confirms Paul's teaching as to justification by faith): also receiving now the title to it and the first-fruits of it. In 1Pe 1:10 the "salvation" is represented as already present, whereas "the prophets" had it not as yet present. It must, therefore, in th...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
The judgments of God denounced against rich unbelievers.(1-6)
Exhortation to patience and meekness under tribulations.(7-11)
Cautions against rash swearing Prayer recommended in afflictive and prosperous circumstances, Christians to confess their faults to each other.(12-18)
The happiness of being the means of the conversion of a sinner.(19-20)
**Ver...
Read full commentary →Witnesses to the Son
This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.</strong> John emphasizes Jesus Christ's coming "by water and blood"—a difficult phrase with several interpretations. "This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ" (<em>houtos estin ho elthōn di' hydatos...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
10. The magnitude of this "salvation" is proved by the earnestness with which "prophets" and even "angels" searched into it. Even from the beginning of the world this salvation has been testified to by the Holy Spirit.
**prophets--**Though there is no Greek article, yet English Version is right, "the prophets" generally (including all the Old Testament inspired authors), as "the angels" similarl...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
The judgments of God denounced against rich unbelievers.(1-6)
Exhortation to patience and meekness under tribulations.(7-11)
Cautions against rash swearing Prayer recommended in afflictive and prosperous circumstances, Christians to confess their faults to each other.(12-18)
The happiness of being the means of the conversion of a sinner.(19-20)
**Ver...
Read full commentary →For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.</strong> This verse appears in some manuscripts (Textus Receptus, basis for KJV) but is absent from most ancient manuscripts and modern critical texts. Most scholars consider it a late addition, not original to John's epistle. However, the theological truth it expresses—the Tr...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11. what--**Greek, "In reference to what, or what manner of time." What expresses the time absolutely: what was to be the era of Messiah's coming; what manner of time; what events and features should characterize the time of His coming. The "or" implies that some of the prophets, if they could not as individuals discover the exact time, searched into its characteristic features and events. The G...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 7-11**
Consider him that waits for a crop of corn; and will not you wait for a crown of glory? If you should be called to wait longer than the husbandman, is not there something more worth waiting for? In every sense the coming of the Lord drew nigh, and all his people's losses, hardships, and sufferings, would be repaid. Men count time long, because they measure it by their own lives...
Read full commentary →And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.</strong> John provides earthly witnesses complementing heavenly testimony (v. 7, if authentic). "And there are three that bear witness in earth" (<em>kai treis eisin hoi martyrountes en tē gē</em>) identifies terrestrial witnesses accessible to human observation. "The Spi...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
12. Not only was the future revealed to them, but this also, that these revelations of the future were given them not for themselves, but for our good in Gospel times. This, so far from disheartening, only quickened them in unselfishly testifying in the Spirit for the partial good of their own generation (only of believers), and for the full benefit of posterity. Contrast in Gospel times, Re 22:10...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 7-11**
Consider him that waits for a crop of corn; and will not you wait for a crown of glory? If you should be called to wait longer than the husbandman, is not there something more worth waiting for? In every sense the coming of the Lord drew nigh, and all his people's losses, hardships, and sufferings, would be repaid. Men count time long, because they measure it by their own lives...
Read full commentary →If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.</strong> John argues from lesser to greater. "If we receive the witness of men" (<em>ei tēn martyrian tōn anthrōpōn lambanomen</em>)—we routinely accept human testimony in daily life. Courts rely on witnesses, we believe testimony about events we didn't see, c...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13. Wherefore--**Seeing that the prophets ministered unto you in these high Gospel privileges which they did not themselves fully share in, though "searching" into them, and seeing that even angels "desire to look into" them, how earnest you ought to be and watchful in respect to them!
**gird up ... loins--**referring to Christ's own words, Lu 12:35; an image taken from the way in which the Is...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 7-11**
Consider him that waits for a crop of corn; and will not you wait for a crown of glory? If you should be called to wait longer than the husbandman, is not there something more worth waiting for? In every sense the coming of the Lord drew nigh, and all his people's losses, hardships, and sufferings, would be repaid. Men count time long, because they measure it by their own lives...
Read full commentary →He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.</strong> John presents two responses to God's testimony. "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself" (<em>ho pisteuōn eis ton huion tou theou echei tēn martyrian en heautō</em>)—the believer poss...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
14. From sobriety of spirit and endurance of hope Peter passes to obedience, holiness, and reverential fear.
**As--**marking their present actual character as "born again" (1Pe 1:3, 22).
**obedient children--**Greek, "children of obedience": children to whom obedience is their characteristic and ruling nature, as a child is of the same nature as the mother and father. Contrast Ep 5:6, "the chi...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-12**
Jesus Christ was the main subject of the prophets' studies. Their inquiry into the sufferings of Christ and the glories that should follow, would lead to a view of the whole gospel, the sum whereof is, That Christ Jesus was delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justification. God is pleased to answer our necessities rather than our requests. The doctrine of the ...
Read full commentary →And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.</strong> John summarizes God's testimony. "And this is the record" (<em>kai autē estin hē martyria</em>)—the definite article identifies the specific content of God's witness. "That God hath given to us eternal life" (<em>hoti zōēn aiōnion edōken hēmin ho theos</em>). The aorist tense indicates com...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
15. Literally, "But (rather) after the pattern of Him who hath called you (whose characteristic is that He is) holy, be (Greek, 'become') ye yourselves also holy." God is our grand model. God's calling is a frequently urged motive in Peter's Epistles. Every one that begets, begets an offspring resembling himself [Epiphanius]. "Let the acts of the offspring indicate similarity to the Father" [Augus...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-12**
Jesus Christ was the main subject of the prophets' studies. Their inquiry into the sufferings of Christ and the glories that should follow, would lead to a view of the whole gospel, the sum whereof is, That Christ Jesus was delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justification. God is pleased to answer our necessities rather than our requests. The doctrine of the ...
Read full commentary →He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.</strong> John presents the starkest possible contrast. "He that hath the Son hath life" (<em>ho echōn ton huion echei tēn zōēn</em>)—possessing Christ means possessing life. "Having the Son" means union with Christ through faith, not mere intellectual assent to facts about Him. The present tenses indicate cu...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
16. Scripture is the true source of all authority in questions of doctrine and practice.
**Be ye ... for I am--**It is I with whom ye have to do. Ye are mine. Therefore abstain from Gentile pollutions. We are too prone to have respect unto men [Calvin]. As I am the fountain of holiness, being holy in My essence, be ye therefore zealous to be partakers of holiness, that ye may be as I also am [Di...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-12**
Jesus Christ was the main subject of the prophets' studies. Their inquiry into the sufferings of Christ and the glories that should follow, would lead to a view of the whole gospel, the sum whereof is, That Christ Jesus was delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justification. God is pleased to answer our necessities rather than our requests. The doctrine of the ...
Read full commentary →Confidence in Prayer
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.</strong> John states his epistle's purpose. "These things have I written unto you" (<em>tauta egrapsa hymin</em>)—the aorist tense refers to the completed letter. "That believe on the name of the Son of God" (<em...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
[**4.The Conclusion** (1John 5:13-21).
(1)FRESH STATEMENT OF THE PURPOSE OF WRITING, equivalent to that at the beginning of the Epistle, but differing from it (1John 5:13).
(2)WHAT CAN BE DONE FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT COME UP TO THE STANDARD ASSUMED THROUGHOUT THE EPISTLE (1John 5:14-17).
(3)SOME PRACTICAL POINTS RECAPITULATED (1John 5:18-20).
(*a*)*God’s sons do not sin* (1John 5:18);
(*b*)*Personal ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17. if ye call on--**that is, "seeing that ye call on," for all the regenerate pray as children of God, "Our Father who art in heaven" (Mt 6:9; Lu 11:2).
**the Father--**rather, "Call upon as Father Him who without acceptance of persons (Ac 10:34; Ro 2:11; Jas 2:1, not accepting the Jew above the Gentile, 2Ch 19:7; Lu 20:21; properly said of a judge not biassed in judgment by respect of person...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 13-16**
As the traveller, the racer, the warrior, and the labourer, gathered in their long and loose garments, that they might be ready in their business, so let Christians do by their minds and affections. Be sober, be watchful against all spiritual dangers and enemies, and be temperate in all behaviour. Be sober-minded in opinion, as well as in practice, and humble in your judgment ...
Read full commentary →And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: in: or, concerning him
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.</strong> This verse establishes the foundation for bold, assured prayer. "Confidence" (<em>parrēsia</em>) means boldness, freedom of speech, or fearless access—used for citizens' right to address governing authorities. Believers have <em>parrēsia</em> before God, not because of m...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
18. Another motive to reverential, vigilant fear (1Pe 1:17) of displeasing God, the consideration of the costly price of our redemption from sin. Observe, it is we who are bought by the blood of Christ, not heaven. The blood of Christ is not in Scripture said to buy heaven for us: heaven is the "inheritance" (1Pe 1:4) given to us as sons, by the promise of God.
**corruptible--**Compare 1Pe 1:7, ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 13-16**
As the traveller, the racer, the warrior, and the labourer, gathered in their long and loose garments, that they might be ready in their business, so let Christians do by their minds and affections. Be sober, be watchful against all spiritual dangers and enemies, and be temperate in all behaviour. Be sober-minded in opinion, as well as in practice, and humble in your judgment ...
Read full commentary →And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.</strong> This verse builds logically on verse 14, moving from confidence that God hears to assurance that He grants our requests. The structure is conditional but assumes the condition is met: "if we know that he hear us" presumes we do know (based on praying according to His will,...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**19. precious--**of inestimable value. The Greek order is, "With precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish (in itself) and without spot (contracted by contact with others), (even the blood) of Christ." Though very man, He remained pure in Himself ("without blemish"), and uninfected by any impression of sin from without ("without spot"), which would have unfitted Him for being our atoning Redee...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 13-16**
As the traveller, the racer, the warrior, and the labourer, gathered in their long and loose garments, that they might be ready in their business, so let Christians do by their minds and affections. Be sober, be watchful against all spiritual dangers and enemies, and be temperate in all behaviour. Be sober-minded in opinion, as well as in practice, and humble in your judgment ...
Read full commentary →Prayer for Sinners
If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.</strong> John addresses prayer for sinning believers. "If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death" (<em>ean tis idē ton adelphon autou hamartanonta hamartian mē pros than...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
20. God's eternal foreordination of Christ's redeeming sacrifice, and completion of it in these last times for us, are an additional obligation on us to our maintaining a holy walk, considering how great things have been thus done for us. Peter's language in the history corresponds with this here: an undesigned coincidence and mark of genuineness. Redemption was no afterthought, or remedy of an un...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 13-16**
As the traveller, the racer, the warrior, and the labourer, gathered in their long and loose garments, that they might be ready in their business, so let Christians do by their minds and affections. Be sober, be watchful against all spiritual dangers and enemies, and be temperate in all behaviour. Be sober-minded in opinion, as well as in practice, and humble in your judgment ...
Read full commentary →All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.</strong> John clarifies that while he's discussed sin leading to death, all unrighteousness qualifies as sin. "All unrighteousness is sin" (<em>pasa adikia hamartia estin</em>)—<em>adikia</em> (ἀδικία) means unrighteousness, injustice, or wrongdoing. Any violation of God's righteous standards constitutes sin. There are no innoc...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**21. by him--**Compare "the faith which is by Him," Ac 3:16. Through Christ: His Spirit, obtained for us in His resurrection and ascension, enabling us to believe. This verse excludes all who do not "by Him believe in God," and includes all of every age and clime that do. Literally, "are believers in God." "To believe IN (Greek, 'eis') God" expresses an internal trust: "by believing to love God, ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 17-25**
Holy confidence in God as a Father, and awful fear of him as a Judge, agree together; and to regard God always as a Judge, makes him dear to us as a Father. If believers do evil, God will visit them with corrections. Then, let Christians not doubt God's faithfulness to his promises, nor give way to enslaving dread of his wrath, but let them reverence his holiness. The fearless...
Read full commentary →We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.</strong> John returns to earlier themes with assuring conclusion. "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not" (<em>oidamen hoti pas ho gegennēmenos ek tou theou ouch hamartanei</em>)—this restates 3:9. The perfect participle emphasizes completed r...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) SOME PRACTICAL POINTS RECAPITULATED (1John 5:18-21).
(*a*)*God’s sons do not sin* (1John 5:18).
St. John refers back to “that ye may know” in 1John 5:13, and sums up three points from former portions of the Epistle, describing the true consciousness of the Christian. Each begins with “We know.”
(18) **Sinneth not.**—There is no reason to supply “unto death.” (Comp. the Note on 1John 3:9.) St. ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**22. purified ... in obeying the truth--**Greek, "in your (or 'the') obedience of (that is, 'to') the truth (the Gospel way of salvation)," that is, in the fact of your believing. Faith purifies the heart as giving it the only pure motive, love to God (Ac 15:9; Ro 1:5, "obedience to the faith").
**through the Spirit--**omitted in the oldest manuscripts. The Holy Spirit is the purifier by bestow...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 17-25**
Holy confidence in God as a Father, and awful fear of him as a Judge, agree together; and to regard God always as a Judge, makes him dear to us as a Father. If believers do evil, God will visit them with corrections. Then, let Christians not doubt God's faithfulness to his promises, nor give way to enslaving dread of his wrath, but let them reverence his holiness. The fearless...
Read full commentary →And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.</strong> John contrasts believers with the world. "And we know that we are of God" (<em>kai oidamen hoti ek tou theou esmen</em>)—certain knowledge expressed with <em>oida</em>. "We are of God" means belonging to God, born of Him, sharing His family. This isn't arrogant presumption but humble assurance based on the ev...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
23. Christian brotherhood flows from our new birth of an imperishable seed, the abiding word of God. This is the consideration urged here to lead us to exercise brotherly love. As natural relationship gives rise to natural affection, so spiritual relationship gives rise to spiritual, and therefore abiding love, even as the seed from which it springs is abiding, not transitory as earthly things.
...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 17-25**
Holy confidence in God as a Father, and awful fear of him as a Judge, agree together; and to regard God always as a Judge, makes him dear to us as a Father. If believers do evil, God will visit them with corrections. Then, let Christians not doubt God's faithfulness to his promises, nor give way to enslaving dread of his wrath, but let them reverence his holiness. The fearless...
Read full commentary →And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.</strong> John concludes with Christological affirmation. "And we know that the Son of God is come" (<em>oidamen de hoti ho huios tou theou hēkei</em>)—the perfect tense emphasize...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
24. Scripture proof that the word of God lives for ever, in contrast to man's natural frailty. If ye were born again of flesh, corruptible seed, ye must also perish again as the grass; but now that from which you have derived life remains eternally, and so also will render you eternal.
**flesh--**man in his mere earthly nature.
**as--**omitted in some of the oldest manuscripts.
**of man--**T...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 17-25**
Holy confidence in God as a Father, and awful fear of him as a Judge, agree together; and to regard God always as a Judge, makes him dear to us as a Father. If believers do evil, God will visit them with corrections. Then, let Christians not doubt God's faithfulness to his promises, nor give way to enslaving dread of his wrath, but let them reverence his holiness. The fearless...
Read full commentary →Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.</strong> John concludes with urgent warning. "Little children" (<em>teknia</em>) is his affectionate address throughout the letter, emphasizing pastoral care. "Keep yourselves from idols" (<em>phylaxate heauta apo tōn eidōlōn</em>). <em>Phylassō</em> (φυλάσσω) means to guard, protect, or keep watch. The command is present imperative indica...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
25. (Psa 119:89.)
**this is the word ... preached unto you--**That is eternal which is born of incorruptible seed (1Pe 1:24): but ye have received the incorruptible seed, the word (1Pe 1:25); therefore ye are born for eternity, and so are bound now to live for eternity (1Pe 1:22, 23). Ye have not far to look for the word; it is among you, even the joyful Gospel message which we preach. Doubt not...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 17-25**
Holy confidence in God as a Father, and awful fear of him as a Judge, agree together; and to regard God always as a Judge, makes him dear to us as a Father. If believers do evil, God will visit them with corrections. Then, let Christians not doubt God's faithfulness to his promises, nor give way to enslaving dread of his wrath, but let them reverence his holiness. The fearless...
Read full commentary →