\id 1JN - The English New Testament According to Family 35 
\h 1 John 
\toc3 1 Jn. 
\toc2 1 John 
\toc1 The First Epistle of John 
\mt2 The First Epistle of  
\mt1 JOHN  
\c 1  
\s1 Prologue  
\m
\v 1 \w That|strong="G3739"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* beginning, \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* heard, \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w witnessed|strong="G3708"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w eyes|strong="G3788"\w*, \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* contemplated \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w hands|strong="G5495"\w* \w handled|strong="G5584"\w*\f + \fr 1:1 \ft John could hardly be more emphatic as to the certainty of what he is going to write—he is an eye-witness, an ear-witness, a hand-witness, a mind-witness…\f* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* reference \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w word|strong="G3056"\w* \w of|strong="G4012"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Life|strong="G2222"\w*\f + \fr 1:1 \ft The text has the definite article with “life”, and from the next verse it seems clear that the reference is to the Son (compare John 1:4).\f*  
\v 2 —oh yes, \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Life|strong="G2222"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w manifested|strong="G5319"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w seen|strong="G3708"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w testify|strong="G3140"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* declare \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* eternal \w Life|strong="G2222"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* presence \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w manifested|strong="G5319"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*—  
\v 3 \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w seen|strong="G3708"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* heard \w we|strong="G2249"\w* declare \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w fellowship|strong="G2842"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*;\f + \fr 1:3 \ft Note that the fellowship is to be based on historical fact, not someone's subculture.\f* \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w*, \w our|strong="G2424"\w* \w fellowship|strong="G2842"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w His|strong="G3708"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w*, \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*.  
\v 4 Yes, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w write|strong="G1125"\w* \w these|strong="G3778"\w* \w things|strong="G3778"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G1510"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w*\f + \fr 1:4 \ft The manuscript evidence is badly divided between “our” and ‘your’, roughly 60:40%. The best line of evidence, in my view, is with the majority in favor of “our”; it is easy to see how many copyists could make the change (a change in only one letter). The more people we bring into the fellowship, the greater our joy.\f* \w joy|strong="G5479"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w fulfilled|strong="G4137"\w*.   
\ms1 The conditions of fellowship  
\s1 God is light  
\p
\v 5 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* message \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* heard \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* declare \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w light|strong="G5457"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w there|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w darkness|strong="G4653"\w*\f + \fr 1:5 \ft I suppose that “darkness” here refers to sin and Satan; presumably it follows that there is no light in Satan. Also, “walking in the darkness” (next verse) refers to living according to the world's values, a world controlled by Satan.\f* \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w all|strong="G2532"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*.  
\v 6 \w If|strong="G1437"\w* \w we|strong="G1437"\w* claim \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G1437"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w fellowship|strong="G2842"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w while|strong="G1722"\w* \w walking|strong="G4043"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w darkness|strong="G4655"\w*, \w we|strong="G1437"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w lying|strong="G5574"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w living|strong="G2192"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* truth.  
\v 7 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w walk|strong="G4043"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w light|strong="G5457"\w* \w just|strong="G5613"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w light|strong="G5457"\w*, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w fellowship|strong="G2842"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w one|strong="G3956"\w* \w another|strong="G3588"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* blood \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5613"\w*\f + \fr 1:7 \ft Perhaps 5% of the Greek manuscripts omit “Christ” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f* \w His|strong="G3956"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \w cleanses|strong="G2511"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* sin.\f + \fr 1:7 \ft Cleansing is not the same as forgiveness. If a mother forgives her boy for playing in the mud, he escapes punishment, but that does not wash the clothes. Forgiveness takes care of the consequences of our sin in heaven, but for the consequences down here we need cleansing (although some consequences cannot be undone). As we walk in the light we will be progressively cleansed.\f*   
\s1 God forgives confessed sin  
\p
\v 8 \w If|strong="G1437"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* claim \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* sin,\f + \fr 1:8 \ft I take the reference here to be to the sin nature; of course someone without a sin nature would have no need of a Savior, nor of regeneration. Anyone who really thinks that he does not have one is most certainly self-deceived, if not satanically deceived.\f* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w deceiving|strong="G4105"\w* \w ourselves|strong="G1438"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* Truth \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w us|strong="G3004"\w*.  
\v 9 \w If|strong="G1437"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w confess|strong="G3670"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* sins, \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w faithful|strong="G4103"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w righteous|strong="G1342"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w as|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* forgive \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* sins \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w cleanse|strong="G2511"\w*\f + \fr 1:9 \ft If He forgave without cleansing us, we would still be dirty. But He only forgives when we confess. (Do not forget Proverbs 29:1).\f* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* unrighteousness.  
\v 10 \w If|strong="G1437"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* claim \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* sinned,\f + \fr 1:10 \ft The reference here is to individual acts of sin. To contradict God, who affirms that we do in fact commit sins, is to make Him out to be a liar—probably not a good idea.\f* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w call|strong="G3004"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w liar|strong="G5583"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w His|strong="G1722"\w* \w Word|strong="G3056"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w us|strong="G3004"\w*.   
\c 2  
\s1 Jesus Christ is our Advocate  
\m
\v 1 \w My|strong="G1473"\w* dear \w children|strong="G5040"\w*, \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w am|strong="G1473"\w* \w writing|strong="G1125"\w* \w these|strong="G3778"\w* \w things|strong="G3778"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* sin; \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w someone|strong="G5100"\w* \w does|strong="G2192"\w* sin, \w we|strong="G1437"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w an|strong="G2192"\w* \w Advocate|strong="G3875"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w*'\w s|strong="G2192"\w* presence, \w righteous|strong="G1342"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*—  
\v 2 \w also|strong="G2532"\w*, \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w Himself|strong="G3441"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w propitiation|strong="G2434"\w* \w for|strong="G4012"\w* \w our|strong="G2251"\w* sins;\f + \fr 2:2 \ft Now there is a good deal! Having Himself paid my debt, when the Son pleads my case before the Father, I will be cleared. Thank you, Lord! The term ‘propitiation’ is not so well known these days, but it has a specific theological content that needs to be preserved. It refers to an atoning sacrifice that is required to satisfy God's outraged character, outraged by our sin.\f* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w concerning|strong="G4012"\w* \w ours|strong="G1473"\w* \w only|strong="G3440"\w* \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w concerning|strong="G4012"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w of|strong="G4012"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w whole|strong="G3650"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*.\f + \fr 2:2 \ft “The whole world” cannot be limited to the elect, if language has verifiable meaning. Just because many do not avail themselves of the propitiation (most have never heard about it) does not mean it is not available.\f*   
\s1 We must keep His commandments  
\p
\v 3 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w we|strong="G1437"\w* \w know|strong="G1097"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G1437"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w come|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w know|strong="G1097"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*, \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w we|strong="G1437"\w* \w keep|strong="G5083"\w* \w His|strong="G1722"\w* \w commandments|strong="G1785"\w*.  
\v 4 \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w says|strong="G3004"\w*, “\w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w come|strong="G1510"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w know|strong="G1097"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*,” \w yet|strong="G2532"\w* \w does|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w keep|strong="G5083"\w* \w His|strong="G1722"\w* \w commandments|strong="G1785"\w*, \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w liar|strong="G5583"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* Truth \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w*.\f + \fr 2:4 \ft A statement both strong and uncomfortable, yet true. Deliberate sin indicates an inadequate knowledge of God.\f*  
\v 5 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w whoever|strong="G3739"\w* \w keeps|strong="G5083"\w* \w His|strong="G1722"\w* \w Word|strong="G3056"\w*, \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s love \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w truly|strong="G1161"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* \w perfected|strong="G5048"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w*: \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w know|strong="G1097"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*.  
\v 6 \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w claims|strong="G3004"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w abiding|strong="G3306"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* really \w needs|strong="G3784"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* act \w just|strong="G2531"\w* \w like|strong="G3779"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* acted.\f + \fr 2:6 \ft I imagine John was remembering the upper room—John 14:12.\f*   
\s1 An old/new commandment  
\p
\v 7 Brothers,\f + \fr 2:7 \ft Some 15% of the Greek manuscripts have ‘beloved’ (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w am|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w writing|strong="G1125"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w new|strong="G2537"\w* \w commandment|strong="G1785"\w* \w to|strong="G3756"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w but|strong="G3588"\w* \w an|strong="G2192"\w* \w old|strong="G3820"\w* \w one|strong="G3739"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w had|strong="G2192"\w* \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* beginning; \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w old|strong="G3820"\w* \w commandment|strong="G1785"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w word|strong="G3056"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* heard \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* beginning.  
\v 8 \w Again|strong="G3825"\w*, \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \nd \+w am|strong="G1510"\+w*\nd* \w writing|strong="G1125"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w new|strong="G2537"\w* \w commandment|strong="G1785"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w thing|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w true|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w darkness|strong="G4653"\w*\f + \fr 2:8 \ft I take “the darkness” to be a reference to Satan's kingdom, while “the true Light is already shining” would refer to the outworking of Christ's victory, which in a certain sense turned all old commandments into new ones—the indwelling Holy Spirit enables us to do what we could not, before. Darkness is merely the absence of light; to introduce light in any situation reduces the darkness, which is why the world hates us.\f* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w passing|strong="G3855"\w* \w away|strong="G3855"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w true|strong="G3588"\w* \w Light|strong="G5457"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w already|strong="G2235"\w* \w shining|strong="G5316"\w*.  
\v 9 \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w claims|strong="G3004"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Light|strong="G5457"\w* \w while|strong="G1722"\w* \w hating|strong="G3404"\w* \w his|strong="G1722"\w* brother \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w darkness|strong="G4653"\w* \w until|strong="G2193"\w* \w now|strong="G2532"\w*.  
\v 10 \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* keeps \w on|strong="G1722"\w* loving \w his|strong="G1722"\w* brother \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w staying|strong="G3306"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Light|strong="G5457"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w there|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* occasion \w for|strong="G1722"\w* \w stumbling|strong="G4625"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w*.  
\v 11 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* keeps \w on|strong="G1722"\w* \w hating|strong="G3404"\w* \w his|strong="G1722"\w* brother \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w darkness|strong="G4653"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* keeps \w walking|strong="G4043"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w darkness|strong="G4653"\w*; \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w does|strong="G1492"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w where|strong="G4226"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w going|strong="G5217"\w* \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w darkness|strong="G4653"\w* \w has|strong="G3748"\w* \w blinded|strong="G5186"\w* \w his|strong="G1722"\w* \w eyes|strong="G3788"\w*.   
\ms1 Look out for the enemy!  
\s1 A bit of poetry  
\p
\v 12 Dear \w children|strong="G5040"\w*, \w I|strong="G3754"\w* \w am|strong="G3588"\w* \w writing|strong="G1125"\w* \w to|strong="G3588"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w your|strong="G1223"\w* sins \w have|strong="G3748"\w* been forgiven \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w His|strong="G1223"\w* \w name|strong="G3686"\w*'s \w sake|strong="G1223"\w*\f + \fr 2:12 \ft Verse 12 is an introductory cover statement; in verse 13 John divides the cover group into three subgroups; in verse 14 he returns to the first two categories [I confess that I do not understand the purpose of verse 14, unless it be that John wanted to enlarge on what he says to the young men but did not want to pass over the fathers].\f*  
\v 13 —\w fathers|strong="G3962"\w*, \w I|strong="G3754"\w* \w am|strong="G3588"\w* \w writing|strong="G1125"\w* \w to|strong="G3962"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w have|strong="G3748"\w* \w come|strong="G1097"\w* \w to|strong="G3962"\w* \w know|strong="G1097"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*\f + \fr 2:13 \ft An increasingly adequate knowledge of God has everything to do with spiritual maturity.\f* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* beginning; \w young|strong="G3495"\w* \w men|strong="G3495"\w*, \w I|strong="G3754"\w* \w am|strong="G3588"\w* \w writing|strong="G1125"\w* \w to|strong="G3962"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w have|strong="G3748"\w* \w overcome|strong="G3528"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w evil|strong="G4190"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w*;\f + \fr 2:13 \ft Spiritual warfare is not for ‘children’.\f* \w children|strong="G3813"\w*, \w I|strong="G3754"\w* \w am|strong="G3588"\w* \w writing|strong="G1125"\w* \w to|strong="G3962"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w have|strong="G3748"\w* \w come|strong="G1097"\w* \w to|strong="G3962"\w* \w know|strong="G1097"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w*—  
\v 14 \w fathers|strong="G3962"\w*, \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w come|strong="G1510"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w know|strong="G1097"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* beginning; \w young|strong="G3495"\w* \w men|strong="G3495"\w*, \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w strong|strong="G2478"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Word|strong="G3056"\w* \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w remains|strong="G3306"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*,\f + \fr 2:14 \ft For the Word to abide in you, you have to abide in it (John 8:31).\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w overcome|strong="G3528"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w evil|strong="G4190"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w*.   
\s1 We must not love the world  
\p
\v 15 \w Do|strong="G3361"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* love \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*, \w neither|strong="G3756"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*;\f + \fr 2:15 \ft The crucial issue is the values that the surrounding culture seeks to impose on us—materialism, relativism, humanism; these values are directly opposed to the Father's values, and therefore to His love.\f* \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w anyone|strong="G5100"\w* loves \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*, \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w*'s love \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w*.  
\v 16 \w Because|strong="G3754"\w* \w everything|strong="G3956"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*—\w the|strong="G1722"\w* craving \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* craving \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w eyes|strong="G3788"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* pretension \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w life|strong="G4561"\w*—\w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w* \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*.\f + \fr 2:16 \ft The world system is controlled by Satan (5:19 below), so that system with its values is against the Creator. As the Sovereign said in Matthew 6:24, it is impossible to serve two masters—the more so if one is God and the other is Satan!\f*  
\v 17 \w The|strong="G2532"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*, \w with|strong="G2532"\w* its craving, \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w passing|strong="G3855"\w* \w away|strong="G3855"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w does|strong="G4160"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w will|strong="G2307"\w* \w remains|strong="G3306"\w* \w forever|strong="G1519"\w*.\f + \fr 2:17 \ft Note that we have to do the will. “Whoever does the will of God, the same is my brother, my sister, my mother” (Mark 3:25). The Sovereign also said that it is a \+nd son\+nd* who abides in the house forever (John 8:35).\f*   
\s1 A bunch of little antichrists  
\p
\v 18 \w Children|strong="G3813"\w*, \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w last|strong="G2078"\w* \w hour|strong="G5610"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w just|strong="G2531"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w you|strong="G3754"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w heard|strong="G1097"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* Antichrist \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w coming|strong="G2064"\w*, \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w now|strong="G3568"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w* antichrists \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w appeared|strong="G1096"\w*, \w by|strong="G2532"\w* \w which|strong="G3748"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w know|strong="G1097"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w last|strong="G2078"\w* \w hour|strong="G5610"\w*.\f + \fr 2:18 \ft One gets the impression that the early Christians expected the Lord's return within their lifetime. The Creator is not bound by our notions of time.\f*  
\v 19 \w They|strong="G3754"\w* \w went|strong="G1831"\w* \w out|strong="G1831"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w but|strong="G1487"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*,\f + \fr 2:19 \ft Those who have left the Christian community are often nastier than those who have never been a part of it. Notice that John calls them “antichrists”! There have always been defectors from the Faith, and they have always been bad news.\f* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w they|strong="G3754"\w* \w had|strong="G1510"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*, \w they|strong="G3754"\w* \w would|strong="G1510"\w* \w have|strong="G1473"\w* \w continued|strong="G3306"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*—\w they|strong="G3754"\w* \w left|strong="G1831"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w they|strong="G3754"\w* \w might|strong="G3956"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* exposed, \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w none|strong="G3756"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w them|strong="G3956"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*.   
\p
\v 20 \w You|strong="G5210"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w an|strong="G2192"\w* \w Anointing|strong="G5545"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* Holy \w One|strong="G3956"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w understand|strong="G1492"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w*.\f + \fr 2:20 \ft Presumably the “Anointing” refers to the Holy Spirit; to receive understanding we need to listen to Him.\f*  
\v 21 \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w do|strong="G1492"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* truth, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w do|strong="G1492"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w lie|strong="G5579"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* Truth.\f + \fr 2:21 \ft The Spirit of the Truth cannot lie (John 14:17, 15:26, 16:13; Titus 1:2), just as Satan cannot tell the truth (John 8:44) [if he ever does it is distorted so as to deceive].\f*   
\s1 We must abide in the truth  
\p
\v 22 \w Who|strong="G5101"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w liar|strong="G5583"\w*\f + \fr 2:22 \ft The Text has the definite article—behind every liar is the father of lies. Those who claim that Jesus was only a good man, a great teacher, are on Satan's side.\f* \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* denying \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*? \w This|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* Antichrist, \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* denying \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w*.  
\v 23 \w Whoever|strong="G3588"\w* denies \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \w does|strong="G2192"\w* \w not|strong="G3761"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w* \w either|strong="G3761"\w*.\f + \fr 2:23 \ft Some 20% of the Greek manuscripts add, “whoever confesses the Son has the Father also”, as in most versions. I take it that John is making the point that to deny either the Father or the Son is to deny them both—the addition is unnecessary. The 80%, including the best line of transmission, are correct. Note that John rejects Unitarianism (Sabellianism, modalism). Also, this verse is directly relevant to how one should present the Gospel to Muslims.\f*  
\v 24 \w So|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w let|strong="G3306"\w* \w what|strong="G3739"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* heard \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* beginning \w abide|strong="G3306"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*; \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w what|strong="G3739"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* heard \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* beginning \w abides|strong="G3306"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w abide|strong="G3306"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w*.   
\p
\v 25 \w This|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w promise|strong="G1860"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* Himself \w promised|strong="G1861"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*—\w the|strong="G2532"\w* eternal \w life|strong="G2222"\w*.  
\v 26 \w I|strong="G3778"\w* \w have|strong="G5210"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w* \w these|strong="G3778"\w* \w things|strong="G3778"\w* \w to|strong="G3778"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w concerning|strong="G4012"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \it are trying to\it* \w deceive|strong="G4105"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*;  
\v 27 \w but|strong="G2532"\w* really, \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w need|strong="G5532"\w* \w anyone|strong="G5100"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w teach|strong="G1321"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w because|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Anointing|strong="G5545"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w received|strong="G2983"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w abides|strong="G3306"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*; further, \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w same|strong="G3739"\w* \w Anointing|strong="G5545"\w* \w teaches|strong="G1321"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w concerning|strong="G4012"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w*,\f + \fr 2:27 \ft Compare John 16:13.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w true|strong="G3588"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w lie|strong="G5579"\w*—\w well|strong="G2532"\w* \w just|strong="G2531"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w has|strong="G2192"\w* \w taught|strong="G1321"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w abide|strong="G3306"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*.   
\s2 Remember the accounting at our Lord's return  
\p
\v 28 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w now|strong="G3568"\w*, dear \w children|strong="G5040"\w*, \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w abide|strong="G3306"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w whenever|strong="G1437"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w appears|strong="G5319"\w* \w we|strong="G1437"\w*\f + \fr 2:28 \ft One might expect ‘you’ instead of “we”, but evidently John is concerned about the results of his labors, as was Paul (1 Thessalonians 2:19).\f* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w confidence|strong="G3954"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* ashamed \w before|strong="G1722"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w His|strong="G1722"\w* \w coming|strong="G3952"\w*.  
\v 29 \w If|strong="G1437"\w* \w you|strong="G1437"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w understood|strong="G1097"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w righteous|strong="G1342"\w*, \w you|strong="G1437"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w everyone|strong="G3956"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w practices|strong="G4160"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w has|strong="G3748"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* \w begotten|strong="G1080"\w* \w by|strong="G1537"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*.\f + \fr 2:29 \ft Do you find this statement to be uncomfortable? You probably know people who live moral, upright lives, but have never gotten ‘saved’ according to our definition of the procedure. Might there be something lacking in our definition?\f*   
\c 3  
\s1 “We are children of God”  
\m
\v 1 Consider \w how|strong="G3754"\w* \w great|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* love \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w bestowed|strong="G1325"\w* \w on|strong="G3756"\w* \w us|strong="G1325"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w should|strong="G2316"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w called|strong="G2564"\w* \w children|strong="G5043"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*!\f + \fr 3:1 \ft Some 15% of the Greek manuscripts add ‘and we are’ (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.). The addition is out of place here, since John takes up that point in the next verse. The Father took the initiative in bestowing His great love upon us; it is up to us to “consider” and respond. Do please “consider”: for the Father to call you His child is a privilege beyond compare.\f* \w The|strong="G2532"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w* \w does|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w acknowledge|strong="G1097"\w* \w us|strong="G1325"\w*\f + \fr 3:1 \ft Although perhaps 64% of the Greek manuscripts read ‘you’, the best line of transmission is with the 36% in reading “us”. John is making a general statement, so it is properly inclusive—first person.\f* \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w reason|strong="G1223"\w*: \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w acknowledge|strong="G1097"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*.\f + \fr 3:1 \ft John is probably remembering John 15:18-24. He was there.\f*   
\p
\v 2 Dear \w ones|strong="G3748"\w*, right \w now|strong="G3568"\w* \w we|strong="G1437"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w children|strong="G5043"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w not|strong="G1510"\w* \w yet|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* \w revealed|strong="G5319"\w* \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w we|strong="G1437"\w* \w shall|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w we|strong="G1437"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w when|strong="G2532"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w revealed|strong="G5319"\w* \w we|strong="G1437"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w like|strong="G3664"\w* \w Him|strong="G3708"\w*, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G1437"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w see|strong="G3708"\w* \w Him|strong="G3708"\w* \w just|strong="G2531"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w*\f + \fr 3:2 \ft This verse is directly relevant to the interpretation of 1 Corinthians 13:10-12.\f*  
\v 3 —\w everyone|strong="G3956"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w has|strong="G2192"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w* \w upon|strong="G1909"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* purifies \w himself|strong="G1438"\w*, \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* pure.\f + \fr 3:3 \ft We will be completely exposed in His presence, and be fully conscious of it, so to avoid a bad scene we need to get a head start on the purifying.\f*   
\s1 “Whoever abides in Him does not sin”  
\p
\v 4 \w Everyone|strong="G3956"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w commits|strong="G4160"\w* sin \w commits|strong="G4160"\w* lawlessness \w as|strong="G2532"\w* \w well|strong="G2532"\w*; yes, sin \w is|strong="G1510"\w* lawlessness.\f + \fr 3:4 \ft Lawlessness is rebellion against a known standard. It follows that John is not referring to the ‘sins of ignorance’ in the OT\f*  
\v 5 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G3754"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w revealed|strong="G5319"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w order|strong="G2443"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* remove \w our|strong="G2532"\w* sins—\w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w there|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* sin.\f + \fr 3:5 \ft An important statement—that is why He can be our Savior.\f*  
\v 6 \w Whoever|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w abiding|strong="G3306"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w does|strong="G1097"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* sin;\f + \fr 3:6 \ft In order to sin one must stop abiding.\f* indeed, \w whoever|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* sinning \w has|strong="G3708"\w* \w neither|strong="G3761"\w* \w seen|strong="G3708"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w nor|strong="G3761"\w* \w known|strong="G1097"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*.\f + \fr 3:6 \ft An uncomfortable statement; again, deliberate sin indicates an inadequate knowledge of God.\f*   
\p
\v 7 Dear \w children|strong="G5040"\w*, \w let|strong="G1510"\w* \w no|strong="G3367"\w* \w one|strong="G3367"\w* \w mislead|strong="G4105"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*; \w he|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w keeps|strong="G4160"\w* \w doing|strong="G4160"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w righteous|strong="G1342"\w*, \w just|strong="G2531"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w He|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w righteous|strong="G1342"\w*.  
\v 8 \w He|strong="G3754"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w keeps|strong="G4160"\w* \w doing|strong="G4160"\w* sin \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w devil|strong="G1228"\w*,\f + \fr 3:8 \ft God \+nd demands\+nd* holiness. Belonging to God involves living a holy life (see verse 10 below).\f* \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w devil|strong="G1228"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* sinning \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* beginning. \w The|strong="G1519"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w manifested|strong="G5319"\w* \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* purpose: \w to|strong="G1519"\w* undo\f + \fr 3:8 \ft Many versions render ‘destroy’, but I prefer ‘undo’—to undo a work involves undoing its consequences as well. In John 20:21 Sovereign Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, I also send you”. So we are here to undo Satan's works—there is certainly no lack of opportunity or challenge! However, Satan does not take kindly to any such attempt, so you need to know who you are in Christ, and be living in submission to the Holy Spirit.\f* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w devil|strong="G1228"\w*'s \w works|strong="G2041"\w*.  
\v 9 \w Whoever|strong="G3748"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* \w begotten|strong="G1080"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w does|strong="G4160"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w commit|strong="G4160"\w* sin, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w His|strong="G3956"\w* \w seed|strong="G4690"\w* \w remains|strong="G3306"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w*; \w actually|strong="G2532"\w*, \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w able|strong="G1410"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* sin, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* \w begotten|strong="G1080"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.\f + \fr 3:9 \ft This statement appears to be so contrary to our experience that it has given rise to all sorts of evasive action. When explaining this verse in a church I ask all who have been born of God to raise a hand (raising my own)—most do. I then ask, “\+nd When\+nd* were you born of God, from your mother's womb?” “Oh no”, they will say, “it was when I was saved/born again.” I then ask for a volunteer who was saved as an adult—‘John Doe’ offers, saying he was saved when he was 30. So I say, “Tell me, John, for the first 29 years of your life you were John Doe, right? Your family, your friends, everybody knew you.” “That's right.” “So when you were saved at 30 did you stop being John Doe? Nobody knows you any more?” “Everybody still knows me.” “So for 29 years you were John Doe and you continue to be John Doe?” “That's right.” “Okay, so what do you have that was born of God? It can't be anything that was there during the first 29 years.” Well, the answers will vary according to the theological sophistication of the person, but the Bible speaks of a ‘new man’ or ‘new nature’ that the Holy Spirit produces in us. It is that new nature that is God's “seed” within us, and that seed cannot sin. But the old nature still exists, and it does indeed sin—recall the Apostle Paul's struggle (Romans 7:13-25).\f*   
\s1 Children of God X children of the devil  
\p
\v 10 \w In|strong="G1722"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w children|strong="G5043"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w children|strong="G5043"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w devil|strong="G1228"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* distinguished: \w whoever|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w doing|strong="G4160"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w whoever|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* loving \w his|strong="G3956"\w* brother.  
\v 11 \w Because|strong="G3754"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* message \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* heard \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* beginning, \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w should|strong="G3588"\w* love \w one|strong="G3739"\w* \w another|strong="G3739"\w*  
\v 12 —\w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w like|strong="G2531"\w* \w Cain|strong="G2535"\w*, \w who|strong="G5101"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w evil|strong="G4190"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w*\f + \fr 3:12 \ft Satan got Cain.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w murdered|strong="G4969"\w* \w his|strong="G2532"\w* brother. \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w why|strong="G5101"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* murder \w him|strong="G3588"\w*? \w Because|strong="G3754"\w* \w his|strong="G2532"\w* \it own\it* \w works|strong="G2041"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w evil|strong="G4190"\w*, \w while|strong="G1161"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w his|strong="G2532"\w* brother \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w righteous|strong="G1342"\w*.   
\p
\v 13 \w My|strong="G2532"\w* brothers, \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w surprised|strong="G2296"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w* \w hates|strong="G3404"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.  
\v 14 \nd \+w We|strong="G2249"\+w*\nd* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G1473"\w* transferred \w out|strong="G1537"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w life|strong="G2222"\w*\f + \fr 3:14 \ft “The death” refers to Satan's kingdom; “the life” refers to Christ's Kingdom.\f* \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* love \w our|strong="G1722"\w* brothers; \w he|strong="G3754"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w does|strong="G1492"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* love \w his|strong="G1519"\w* brother\f + \fr 3:14 \ft Some 4% of the Greek manuscripts omit “his brother” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f* \w remains|strong="G3306"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w*.  
\v 15 \w Whoever|strong="G3748"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w hating|strong="G3404"\w* \w his|strong="G1438"\w* brother \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* murderer, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G3754"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* murderer \w has|strong="G2192"\w* eternal \w life|strong="G2222"\w* \w abiding|strong="G3306"\w* \w within|strong="G1722"\w* \w himself|strong="G1438"\w*.\f + \fr 3:15 \ft Note the “is hating”—someone who murdered in the past can repent and be saved.\f*   
\s1 Love in deed and truth  
\p
\v 16 \w We|strong="G2249"\w* \w know|strong="G1097"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* Love \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w*: \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w laid|strong="G5087"\w* \w down|strong="G5087"\w* \w His|strong="G1722"\w* \w life|strong="G5590"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w behalf|strong="G5228"\w*; \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w obligated|strong="G3784"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w lay|strong="G5087"\w* \w down|strong="G5087"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w lives|strong="G5590"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w behalf|strong="G5228"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* brothers.  
\v 17 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w whoever|strong="G3739"\w* \w has|strong="G2192"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*'\w s|strong="G2192"\w* goods \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w sees|strong="G2334"\w* \w his|strong="G1722"\w* brother \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w need|strong="G5532"\w*, \w yet|strong="G2532"\w* \w closes|strong="G2808"\w* \w his|strong="G1722"\w* \w heart|strong="G4698"\w* \w toward|strong="G1722"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w*—\w how|strong="G4459"\w* \w does|strong="G2192"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* love \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w abide|strong="G3306"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w*?   
\p
\v 18 \w My|strong="G1722"\w* dear \w children|strong="G5040"\w*, \w let|strong="G2532"\w* \w us|strong="G1722"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* love \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w word|strong="G3056"\w* \w or|strong="G2532"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w tongue|strong="G1100"\w* \it only\it*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w deed|strong="G2041"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* truth  
\v 19 —yes, \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w know|strong="G1097"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* Truth \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w put|strong="G3982"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w hearts|strong="G2588"\w* \w at|strong="G1722"\w* ease \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w His|strong="G1722"\w* \w presence|strong="G1715"\w*,  
\v 20 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w*, \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w heart|strong="G2588"\w* \w should|strong="G2316"\w* \w condemn|strong="G2607"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*, \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w greater|strong="G3173"\w* \w than|strong="G3173"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w heart|strong="G2588"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w knows|strong="G1097"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w*.\f + \fr 3:20 \ft Well, the heart is ‘deceitful above all things’ (Jeremiah 17:9), so presumably Satan can use it to accuse us falsely, but the Righteous Judge has all the facts. He knows whether or not we were loving “in deed and truth”.\f*   
\s1 Confidence toward God  
\p
\v 21 Dear ones, \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w heart|strong="G2588"\w* \w does|strong="G2192"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w condemn|strong="G2607"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w confidence|strong="G3954"\w* \w toward|strong="G4314"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*,  
\v 22 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w whatever|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* ask \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w receive|strong="G2983"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w keep|strong="G5083"\w* \w His|strong="G4160"\w* \w commandments|strong="G1785"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* pleasing \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w His|strong="G4160"\w* \w sight|strong="G1799"\w*.\f + \fr 3:22 \ft I take the point to be this: if we are doing “the things that are pleasing in His sight”, then we will not ask for something that will \+nd dis\+nd*please Him.\f*  
\v 23 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w His|strong="G2532"\w* \w commandment|strong="G1785"\w*, \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w believe|strong="G4100"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w name|strong="G3686"\w*\f + \fr 3:23 \ft With reference to salvation the Text always has ‘believe \+nd into\+nd* Jesus/His name’—a change of position is involved, from being outside to being inside, which also involves commitment. Here John is writing to those who are already inside, so it is “believe \+nd in\+nd* the name”. John was with Peter in Acts 3:6, 16 and 4:10, and may be calling on us to make similar use of the Name.\f* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w His|strong="G2532"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w*, \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* love \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w another|strong="G3588"\w*, \w just|strong="G2531"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w commanded|strong="G1785"\w*.  
\v 24 \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w keeps|strong="G5083"\w* \w His|strong="G1722"\w* \w commandments|strong="G1785"\w* \w abides|strong="G3306"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w*.\f + \fr 3:24 \ft Note that the reciprocal abiding depends on our keeping His commandments. When we stop, He stops. If you are not sure that you have the Holy Spirit, there is something wrong.\f* \w This|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w how|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w know|strong="G1097"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w remains|strong="G3306"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w us|strong="G1325"\w*: \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w gave|strong="G1325"\w* \w us|strong="G1325"\w*.   
\c 4  
\ms1 Various instructions  
\s1 Test the spirits  
\m
\v 1 Dear \w ones|strong="G3748"\w*, \w do|strong="G4100"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w believe|strong="G4100"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w*, \w but|strong="G1487"\w* \w test|strong="G1381"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w spirits|strong="G4151"\w*, \w whether|strong="G1487"\w* \w they|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w* \w false|strong="G5578"\w* \w prophets|strong="G5578"\w* \w have|strong="G3748"\w* \w gone|strong="G1831"\w* \w out|strong="G1831"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*.  
\v 2 \w By|strong="G1722"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w known|strong="G1097"\w*:\f + \fr 4:2 \ft Both the \ft \+it Textus Receptus\+it* and the eclectic (‘critical’) text have ‘ye know’, with 25% of the Greek manuscripts, so almost all versions so read. I wonder if this has contributed to the use of this passage as a ‘litmus’ test for demonization in some quarters. A better procedure is to use the discernment the Holy Spirit gives us. If we are to test spirits, then they most certainly exist! In today's world we desperately need the gift of discerning spirits (plural).\f* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w acknowledges|strong="G3670"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w as|strong="G1722"\w* \w having|strong="G2316"\w* \w come|strong="G2064"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*,  
\v 3 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w does|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w acknowledge|strong="G3670"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* Christ\f + \fr 4:3 \ft Some 6% of the Greek manuscripts omit “Christ” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f* \w as|strong="G1722"\w* \w having|strong="G2532"\w* \w come|strong="G2064"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* flesh\f + \fr 4:3 \ft Some 2.5% of the Greek manuscripts, of objectively inferior quality, omit “as having come in flesh” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*; \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w*, \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* Antichrist, \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* heard \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w coming|strong="G2064"\w*—\w actually|strong="G2532"\w*, \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w already|strong="G2235"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w* \w right|strong="G3756"\w* \w now|strong="G3568"\w*.\f + \fr 4:3 \ft The “spirit” of antichrist, an expression of Satan himself, has been around for a long time, but in our day is becoming ever stronger.\f*   
\p
\v 4 Dear \w children|strong="G5040"\w*, \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w overcome|strong="G3528"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*,\f + \fr 4:4 \ft What is the antecedent of “them”? Presumably either the false prophets in verse one or the spirits of antichrist in verse two, or both. Well, the next verse seems to point to the false prophets.\f* \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w greater|strong="G3173"\w* \w than|strong="G2228"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w one|strong="G1438"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*.\f + \fr 4:4 \ft Jesus is greater than Satan.\f*  
\v 5 \w They|strong="G2532"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*; \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w why|strong="G1223"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w speak|strong="G2980"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w* listens \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*.  
\v 6 \w We|strong="G2249"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*: \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w knows|strong="G1097"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* listens \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*; \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w does|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* listen \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*—\w by|strong="G1537"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w know|strong="G1097"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* Truth \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w deception|strong="G4106"\w*.\f + \fr 4:6 \ft Well now, this \+nd would\+nd* make a good litmus test, but we had better be walking with God if we try to use it!\f*   
\s1 Love one another  
\p
\v 7 Dear \w ones|strong="G3748"\w*, \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w must|strong="G3588"\w* love \w one|strong="G3956"\w* \w another|strong="G3588"\w*, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* love \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w everyone|strong="G3956"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* loves\f + \fr 4:7 \ft Of course this refers to \ft \+it agape\+it* love, not emotional or physical love. The world knows nothing of \+it agape\+it* love, and Satan represents the opposite.\f* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* \w begotten|strong="G1080"\w* \w by|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w knows|strong="G1097"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.  
\v 8 \w He|strong="G3754"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w does|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* love \w does|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w know|strong="G1097"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* love.  
\v 9 \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s love \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w made|strong="G5319"\w* real \w within|strong="G1722"\w* \w us|strong="G1519"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w*: \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w sent|strong="G2316"\w* \w His|strong="G1223"\w* \w only|strong="G3439"\w* \w begotten|strong="G3439"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w order|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w might|strong="G2316"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*.  
\v 10 \w In|strong="G1722"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* love, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* loved \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* loved \w us|strong="G2249"\w*—\w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w sent|strong="G2316"\w* \w His|strong="G4012"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \w as|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w propitiation|strong="G2434"\w* \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* sins.\f + \fr 4:10 \ft Oh praise God! Thank you, Jesus! The only adequate response is to live our lives for Him.\f*  
\v 11 Dear ones, since \w God|strong="G2316"\w* loved \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w way|strong="G3779"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w obligated|strong="G3784"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* love \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w another|strong="G3588"\w*, really.   
\s1 As He is so are we in this world  
\p
\v 12 \w No|strong="G3762"\w* \w one|strong="G3762"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w ever|strong="G4455"\w* \w looked|strong="G2532"\w* \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*. \w If|strong="G1437"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* love \w one|strong="G3762"\w* \w another|strong="G3588"\w*, \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w remains|strong="G3306"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w His|strong="G1722"\w* love \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w being|strong="G1510"\w* \w perfected|strong="G5048"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*.  
\v 13 \w By|strong="G1722"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w know|strong="G1097"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w remain|strong="G3306"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w us|strong="G1325"\w*, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w has|strong="G3778"\w* \w given|strong="G1325"\w* \w us|strong="G1325"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w His|strong="G1722"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*.  
\v 14 Yes, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* observed \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w testify|strong="G3140"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w* \w has|strong="G3962"\w* \w sent|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \w as|strong="G2532"\w* \w Savior|strong="G4990"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*.  
\v 15 \w Whoever|strong="G3739"\w* \w confesses|strong="G3670"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w abides|strong="G3306"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.\f + \fr 4:15 \ft There is a big difference between ‘profess’ and ‘confess’; to confess Jesus is to submit to Him.\f*  
\v 16 Yes, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w come|strong="G1510"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w know|strong="G1097"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w believe|strong="G4100"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* love \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w has|strong="G2192"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*. \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* love, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w abides|strong="G3306"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* love \w abides|strong="G3306"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w*.  
\v 17 \w The|strong="G1722"\w* love \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w perfected|strong="G5048"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w*: \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w confidence|strong="G3954"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Day|strong="G2250"\w* \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w judgment|strong="G2920"\w*,\f + \fr 4:17 \ft This is an interesting concept; we may face the judgment with confidence, especially if our thoughts and actions have been oriented by \ft \+it agape\+it* love.\f* \w since|strong="G3754"\w* \w just|strong="G2531"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*.\f + \fr 4:17 \ft An important statement—note that it is in \+nd this\+nd* world, not the next. But who is the antecedent of “He”? Verse 13 mentions the Holy Spirit, while verse 14 mentions the Father and the Son, so perhaps it is God the Trinity. As the body of Christ we represent the triune God in this world. And we individually should reflect God's character in this world.\f*   
\s1 There is no fear in love  
\p
\v 18 \w There|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w fear|strong="G5401"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* love; \w rather|strong="G3756"\w* \w perfect|strong="G5046"\w* love casts \w out|strong="G1854"\w* \w fear|strong="G5401"\w*, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w fear|strong="G5401"\w* \w involves|strong="G2192"\w* \w punishment|strong="G2851"\w*; \w so|strong="G1161"\w* \w he|strong="G1161"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w fears|strong="G5401"\w* \w has|strong="G2192"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* \w perfected|strong="G5048"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* love.\f + \fr 4:18 \ft So why do we fear? Usually fear is directly tied to our self-centeredness—it is because of what may happen to \+nd us\+nd* that we are afraid. To the extent that we identify with the interests of God and His Kingdom, we will be less concerned about ourselves.\f*  
\v 19 \w We|strong="G2249"\w* love Him\f + \fr 4:19 \ft Perhaps 2.5% of the Greek manuscripts, of objectively inferior quality, omit “Him” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f* \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w He|strong="G3754"\w* \w first|strong="G4413"\w* loved \w us|strong="G2249"\w*.   
\p
\v 20 \w If|strong="G1437"\w* \w anyone|strong="G5100"\w* \w says|strong="G3004"\w*, “\w I|strong="G3739"\w* love \w God|strong="G2316"\w*,” \w while|strong="G1510"\w* \w hating|strong="G3404"\w* \w his|strong="G3708"\w* brother, \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w liar|strong="G5583"\w*. \w Well|strong="G2532"\w*, \w how|strong="G3754"\w* \w can|strong="G1410"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* love \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w seen|strong="G3708"\w*, \w while|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* loving \w his|strong="G3708"\w* brother \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \nd \+w has|strong="G2316"\+w*\nd* \w seen|strong="G3708"\w*?  
\v 21 \w Indeed|strong="G2532"\w*, \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w commandment|strong="G1785"\w* \w we|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*: \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* loves \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w must|strong="G2192"\w* love \w his|strong="G2192"\w* brother \w also|strong="G2532"\w*.   
\c 5  
\s1 Our faith overcomes the world  
\m
\v 1 \w Whoever|strong="G3748"\w* \w believes|strong="G4100"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* \w begotten|strong="G1080"\w* \w by|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*;\f + \fr 5:1 \ft I suppose that John would say that ‘knowing’ and ‘believing’ are different things. Satan certainly ‘knows’ that Jesus is the Christ, but it does not do him any good. How we act shows what we really believe, so to “believe” that Jesus is the Christ requires that we submit to Him.\f* \w also|strong="G2532"\w*, \w whoever|strong="G3748"\w* loves \w the|strong="G2532"\w* Begetter \w should|strong="G2316"\w* love \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w one|strong="G3956"\w* \w begotten|strong="G1080"\w* \w by|strong="G1537"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w as|strong="G2532"\w* \w well|strong="G2532"\w*.  
\v 2 \w In|strong="G1722"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w know|strong="G1097"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* love \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w children|strong="G5043"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w whenever|strong="G3752"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* love \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w keep|strong="G4160"\w* \w His|strong="G1722"\w* \w commandments|strong="G1785"\w*.  
\v 3 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* love \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w keep|strong="G5083"\w* \w His|strong="G2532"\w* \w commandments|strong="G1785"\w*;\f + \fr 5:3 \ft The appropriate ways to demonstrate love differ according to the specific relationship involved; to demonstrate love for \+nd God\+nd* is to obey Him.\f* \w His|strong="G2532"\w* \w commandments|strong="G1785"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* burdensome,  
\v 4 \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w whatever|strong="G3956"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* \w begotten|strong="G1080"\w* \w by|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w overcomes|strong="G3528"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*;\f + \fr 5:4 \ft To overcome the world on a personal level is to reject its values and live according to Christ's values. It is the ‘new nature’ that has been “begotten by God”; the ‘old nature’ cannot overcome the world. To receive a new nature one must believe into Jesus.\f* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w victory|strong="G3529"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w overcome|strong="G3528"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*: \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*.  
\v 5 \w Who|strong="G5101"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w he|strong="G1161"\w* \w who|strong="G5101"\w* \w overcomes|strong="G3528"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w he|strong="G1161"\w* \w who|strong="G5101"\w* \w believes|strong="G4100"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*?   
\s1 Receive the witness of God  
\p
\v 6 \w This|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w came|strong="G2064"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w water|strong="G5204"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* blood, \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*—\w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w water|strong="G5204"\w* \w only|strong="G3440"\w*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w water|strong="G5204"\w*\f + \fr 5:6 \ft I suppose that “the water” stands for the Scriptures.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* blood. \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* bears \w witness|strong="G3140"\w*, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* Truth;  
\v 7 actually \w there|strong="G3754"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w three|strong="G5140"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w bear|strong="G3140"\w* \w witness|strong="G3140"\w*\f + \fr 5:7 \ft Those who use the AV or NKJV are used to: “There are three that bear witness \+it in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth:\+it* the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.” The words in italics are only found in five late Greek manuscripts (less than 1% of the total) and part of the Latin tradition, from which they came. To be more precise, the manuscripts are: (61)[16\+sup th\+sup*], (629)[14\+sup th\+sup*], (918)[16\+sup th\+sup*], 2318 [18\+sup th\+sup*], 2473 [17\+sup th\+sup*], wherein the cursives in ( ) all differ from each other; the two that agree verbatim with TR were probably copied from it. The only one that is clearly early enough to have served as TR's exemplar, 629, is far too different—it lacks the seven last words in TR, omits another five, changes five and adds two—19 out of 40 words is too much; the \ft \+it Textus Receptus\+it* is not based on cursive 629, so it must be a translation from the Latin (or its exemplar is lost). The shorter reading makes excellent sense. [Those who make ‘the three heavenly witnesses’ a litmus test for orthodoxy are either ignorant or perverse (or both).]\f*  
\v 8 —\w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*, \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w water|strong="G5204"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* blood—\w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w three|strong="G5140"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w* effect.  
\v 9 \w If|strong="G1487"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w receive|strong="G2983"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w testimony|strong="G3141"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w men|strong="G3778"\w*, \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w testimony|strong="G3141"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w greater|strong="G3173"\w*; \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w testimony|strong="G3141"\w* \w which|strong="G3588"\w* \w He|strong="G3754"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w testified|strong="G3140"\w* \w concerning|strong="G4012"\w* \w His|strong="G4012"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w*.  
\v 10 \w He|strong="G3739"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w believes|strong="G4100"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w has|strong="G2192"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w witness|strong="G3140"\w* \w within|strong="G1722"\w* \w himself|strong="G1438"\w*; \w he|strong="G3739"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w does|strong="G4160"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w believe|strong="G4100"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w has|strong="G2192"\w* \w made|strong="G4160"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \it out to be\it* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w liar|strong="G5583"\w*, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w he|strong="G3739"\w* \w has|strong="G2192"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w believed|strong="G4100"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w testimony|strong="G3141"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w has|strong="G2192"\w* \w testified|strong="G3140"\w* \w concerning|strong="G4012"\w* \w His|strong="G1438"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w*.  
\v 11 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w testimony|strong="G3141"\w*: \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w given|strong="G1325"\w* \w us|strong="G1325"\w* eternal \w life|strong="G2222"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w life|strong="G2222"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w His|strong="G1722"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w*.  
\v 12 \w He|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w has|strong="G2192"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \w has|strong="G2192"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w life|strong="G2222"\w*; \w he|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w does|strong="G2192"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w does|strong="G2192"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w life|strong="G2222"\w*.\f + \fr 5:12 \ft Here is a plain statement.\f*   
\p
\v 13 \w I|strong="G3754"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w* \w these|strong="G3778"\w* \w things|strong="G3778"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w believe|strong="G4100"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w name|strong="G3686"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w may|strong="G2443"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* eternal \w life|strong="G2222"\w*, really \w believing|strong="G4100"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w name|strong="G3686"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'\w s|strong="G2192"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w*.\f + \fr 5:13 \ft A person's name represents that person. Some 4.5% of the Greek manuscripts omit “really believing into the name of God's Son” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f*   
\s1 Our confidence  
\p
\v 14 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w confidence|strong="G3954"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w toward|strong="G4314"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*: \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w should|strong="G5100"\w* ask \w anything|strong="G5100"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w His|strong="G2192"\w* \w will|strong="G2307"\w*, \w He|strong="G2532"\w* hears \w us|strong="G2249"\w*.  
\v 15 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* hears \w us|strong="G2249"\w*, \w whatever|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* ask, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* requests \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* asked \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*.\f + \fr 5:15 \ft Again, in order to be ‘heard’ we must ask “according to His will”.\f*   
\s1 Sins not leading to death  
\p
\v 16 \w If|strong="G1437"\w* \w anyone|strong="G5100"\w* \w should|strong="G5100"\w* \w see|strong="G3708"\w* \w his|strong="G4012"\w* brother sinning \w a|strong="G2532"\w* sin \w not|strong="G3756"\w* leading \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w*, \w let|strong="G2443"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* \w ask|strong="G2065"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w give|strong="G1325"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* \w life|strong="G2222"\w* \w for|strong="G4012"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* sin \w unto|strong="G4314"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w*. \w There|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* sin leading \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w*; \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w am|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w saying|strong="G3004"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w should|strong="G5100"\w* \w make|strong="G1325"\w* \w request|strong="G2065"\w* \w about|strong="G4012"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w*.  
\v 17 \w All|strong="G3956"\w* unrighteousness \w is|strong="G1510"\w* sin, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w there|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* sin \w not|strong="G3756"\w* leading \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w*.\f + \fr 5:17 \ft The way John phrases this, “there is sin not leading to death”, almost gives the impression that most sin does lead to death. Well, ‘the wages of sin is death’, both physical and spiritual. Christ's sacrifice can save us from spiritual death, but not the physical. So is John referring to a premature physical death? But verse 16 is about a “\+nd brother\+nd*” sinning. Consider what is said in Hebrews 10:26-31. 
\fp \fv \ft 26\+fv* Because, if we deliberately keep on sinning after having received the real knowledge of the Truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, \+fv 27\+fv* just a certain fearful anticipation of judgment and fierce fire that is ready to consume the hostiles. \+fv 28\+fv* Anyone who rejected Moses' law died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. \+fv 29\+fv* Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be deemed worthy who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has regarded as unholy the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? \+fv 30\+fv* For we know Him who said, “ ‘Vengeance is up to me’, says the Lord, ‘I will repay’.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” \+fv 31\+fv* It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God! 
\fp Note the ‘after having received the real knowledge of the Truth’ and ‘by which he was sanctified’ (see also verses 32-36). I fear that what I was taught in Seminary on this subject does not square with the Text. I am not aware of any passage that spells out the sins that do and/or those that do not. I suppose that a request about a sin leading to death simply will not be granted. We ignore this area of truth at our peril.\f*   
\p
\v 18 \w We|strong="G3754"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w whoever|strong="G3748"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* \w begotten|strong="G1080"\w* \w by|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w does|strong="G1492"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* sin;\f + \fr 5:18 \ft This statement is very similar to the one in 3:9 above—please refer back to the note there.\f* \w rather|strong="G3756"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w one|strong="G3956"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w begotten|strong="G1080"\w* \w by|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* preserves himself,\f + \fr 5:18 \ft Instead of “himself”, perhaps 8% of the Greek manuscripts have ‘him’ (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.). This changes the interpretation of the statement.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w evil|strong="G4190"\w* \w one|strong="G3956"\w* \w does|strong="G1492"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* touch \w him|strong="G3588"\w*.\f + \fr 5:18 \ft “The evil one does not touch him” has given rise to the catastrophic idea that Christians cannot be demonized; but let us analyze the situation a bit. Wherein might the “touch” in the Text consist? It cannot be temptation, because Christ Himself was tempted (Matthew 4:1-11); it cannot be an attack on the body, because the Apostle Paul was so attacked (2 Corinthians 12:7); it cannot be an attack on the mind, because the Apostle Peter was so attacked (Matthew 16:22-23). So wherein might the “touch” consist? 
\fp Consider Ephesians 6:12—“\+nd our\+nd* wrestling match” is against wicked spirits (wrestling is direct, physical, violent—it is impossible to be in a wrestling match and not be ‘touched’). Consider also 1 Peter 5:8—why ‘be vigilant’ if that lion cannot touch us? You may be absolutely certain that believers can be and are demonized! The crucial thing is a \ft \+bd conscious\+bd* submission to the Holy Spirit (while controlled by the Spirit you will never be controlled by a demon). 
\fp But just who is it that the evil one does not touch? The one begotten by God, or born of God—but who is the “born of God”? Since only Jesus was literally born of God from His mother's womb, the rest of us receive the ‘new man’ at regeneration, so the believer as a whole person is not in view. Please refer back to the note at 3:9 above.\f*   
\p
\v 19 \w We|strong="G3754"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w whole|strong="G3650"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w* \w lies|strong="G2749"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \it the power of\it* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w evil|strong="G4190"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w*.\f + \fr 5:19 \ft The verb ‘lie’ here is used for lying on a bed—your whole weight is resting on it. A bed has no volition, but Satan does; the picture is one of control. All human cultures have features that serve Satan's purposes, but some have more than others. Any true follower of Sovereign Jesus needs to evaluate the culture that surrounds him and reject those features that are contrary to God's values.\f*   
\ms1 Conclusion  
\p
\v 20 \w We|strong="G2249"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w come|strong="G2240"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w given|strong="G1325"\w* \w us|strong="G1325"\w* \w understanding|strong="G1271"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w true|strong="G3588"\w*; \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w true|strong="G3588"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w His|strong="G1722"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*. \nd \+w He|strong="G2532"\+w*\nd* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* genuine \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Life|strong="G2222"\w* eternal.  
\v 21 Dear \w children|strong="G5040"\w*, \w guard|strong="G5442"\w* \w yourselves|strong="G1438"\w* \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w idols|strong="G1497"\w*.\f + \fr 5:21 \ft The most dangerous “idols” are not made of wood, plaster or stone. Things like money, power, prestige, social standing and non-biblical worldviews are more dangerous.\f* Amen.