Senior Class Notes – September 12, 2021

Fall 2021 Unit 1 Session 2 – Sure of a Relationship – 1 John 2:3-11, 15-17 PSG p. 24 – 33

September 12, 2021 Please also read “INTRODUCING 1 JOHN” PSG p 34-37

The Point: My relationship with God is reflected in how I live.

Inspirational verses: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another” (John 13:34-35).

1 John 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. John taught an understanding of Christian faith that includes profound assurance, not just the “maybe” of spiritual optimism. (KJV). And hereby: means “in this way,” and is used often in the epistle. We do know that we know him: The last occurrence of “know” is in the perfect tense in the original stressing the certainty of the action; we should translate, “In this way we know that we really know Him,” or “By this we may be sure that we know Him.” If we keep his commandments: This is another simple syllogism (major premise, minor premise, and conclusion): John writes so that his readers may not sin (v. 1). Now he sets forth a characteristic of genuine knowledge of God: Obedience to His commandments. This is a major teaching of Jesus “And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it” (2 John 6). For some, Love has little to do with obedience. Yet John, following Jesus, stresses that to love is to obey. (see John 14:15, 21, 23, 24; 15:10, 14). As one of Jesus’ closest disciples, John would have heard the Master raise the question, “And why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say” (Luke 6:46) (KJSB). Do we really know Jesus? There is an easy way to answer that question. If we consistently shape our lives by His commandments, that is convincing evidence that we know him. This is true even if sometimes we are tricked into disobedience (KJVTSB). John answers the question, “How do we know that we know God?”. John’s answer is that obedience to God’s commands gives the assurance that one has come to know God (KJVCRSB). The New Testament speaks of knowing God in two senses. One who has trusted Christ knows Him (John 17:3), that is to say, has met Him. One who has previously met the Lord can also come to know him intimately (Phil. 3:10). In this verse John is talking about knowing the Lord intimately (KJVFSB).

1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. According to John, this person’s claim to know God is false; it’s those who obey God’s Word who truly know Him. In this case, God’s Word is a reference not only to the facts of the scriptures but to God’s ethical demands. It is these demands a believer will attempt to obey (but presumably the false teachers would not be concerned about obeying) (KJVCRSB). “Everyone who truly knows Christ keeps His commandments; a certain person does not keep His commandments (regardless of his verbal claim that he truly knows Him); conclusion? Simple: he is a liar!” (KJBC).

1 John 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. His commandments mean the same thing as his word and Jesus’ example (as he walked). (KJV). One who follows God’s rules shows that his or her love of God is perfected, is made complete (KJVTSB). Perfected is in the perfect tense. John refers to the decisive and enduring effect of the indwelling love of God. But the test of knowing God’s love is keeping His Word (KJSB). Next, John shows how the syllogism applies with a positive minor premise: keeping His commandments (living according to His moral standards) means not only that we have true knowledge of Him, but also that love of God (objective genitive) is perfected in Him (that is, he is a true Christian) (KJBC). Keepeth his word translated by the NIV as obeys his word. To do so had always been a way of showing love for God (Dt. 6:5-6; 10:12; 11:1) (NIVCBSB).

1 John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. KEY WORD: Abideth – This refers to remaining in God or Christ and reveals a permanent relationship. We cannot claim to abide in Christ unless we live like Him (PSG p 26). Abiding is habitual obedience. It has the idea of settling down in Christ or resting in Him. It is evidenced by a life modeled after Christ. Ought himself also so to walk. The admonition to live by the teaching of Jesus reveals that this conformity comes from us. The Christian, as a child of God, ought to obey God because of a sincere desire to do so. It should be a joy to follow in the footsteps of the One who died for us (KJVFSB). That perfected love (v. 5) is demonstrated by the way we walk; that is, the way we conduct ourselves, the way we behave (KJVTSB). Jesus tells us “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love” (John 15:7, 10) (KJV). Even as he walked refers to Jesus’ earthly days. While no one can or need duplicate Jesus’ atoning ministry, His disciples are called on to imitate His devotion to God and compassion for others. (See John 13:15; 1 Peter 2:21) (KJSB). He that saith he abideth in him (talk is cheap) ought to walk (live) even as he (Christ) walked. John may here allude to Jesus’ example cited also in John 13:14-15, 34-35; 15:12 (NIVCBSB).

1 John 2:7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. The love commandment was intensified and perfected in its expression by Jesus (John 13:34). Yet it is old, rooted in God’s love and His commandments in the Old Testament (Lev. 19:18; Deut. 6:5) (KJV). This verse refers to the teaching specified as the “new commandments” of John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (KJVCRSB). As members of the church, we must submit to all commands of God. John reminded his readers that an important rule of behavior is a commandment that is as old as Leviticus 19:18: “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.” See also Deuteronomy 6:5 “And thou love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (KJVTSB). John’s commandment is both old and new. This commandment is to love one another. Jesus called it new but by late in John’s life it is no longer so new; yet in the sense that it continually transforms and renews the lives of Christians, it is and ever shall be new indeed (KJSB).

1 John 2:8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and true light now shineth. God is light (1:5), and Christ has come into the world. This means the gloom of present evil and sin is giving way as the true light is already shining (KJV). A new commandment: This refers to love (v.10). It may be that John is simply repeating the statement of Christ in John 13:34 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another”. The command to love reached its truest and fullest expression in the life of Christ. He demonstrated what true love is by coming into our world and giving His life for us (KJVFSB). The light/darkness contrast is a little broader here than in John’s Gospel “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:5). In the Gospel, the light refers to Jesus Himself. In this context, though, the obedience of John’s readers is a part of the light that is shining (KJVCRSB). The person who follows Jesus tries to imitate the greater love of Jesus, remembering how Jesus laid down His life for His friends “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13) (KJVTSB).

1 John 2:9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. The sharp contrast between light and darkness serves to reveal who a person really is. The one who hateth his brother is not at all like Jesus, such a person is more like Cain. Compare 1 John 3:12 “Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous” (KJVTSB). The use of the verb hateth may seem strong, but for John, the failure to show love for others in the Christian community to which one belongs is a very serious matter. Such a person may be described as spiritually blind (John 9:39-41). Some see the description here as a reference to Proverbs 4:19, with its description of the wicked who stumble in the darkness (KJVCRSB). Doctrinal truth about spiritual matters means nothing without compassion for others. For John, hateth seems to mean simply “fails to love” (KJSB).

1 John 2:10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18). He who truly loves (not “he that saith,” v.9) abideth in the light, that is, the presence of God. He does not stumble, nor does he cause others to stumble. John stresses actions, not mere words (cf. 3:18) (KJSB).

1 John 2:11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. Relationships with fellow believers are key indicators of whether one is walking – that is, conducting one’s life – in the light or in darkness (KJV). He that hateth his brother: Hating one’s brother opposes the teaching of Christ to love one another. The idea that one could hate a brother and yet claim fellowship with God shows the utter darkness that has blinded the Christian to the truth (KJVFSB). Some see the description here as a reference to Proverbs 4:19 “The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble”, with its description of the wicked who stumble in the darkness (KJVCRSB). Walketh means “lives.” He habitually spends his life in darkness, or sin. See 2 Corinthians 4:4 “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them”, for the blinding effects of Satan and sin (KJSB).

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Things associated with the world are not just material objects. They are things that absorb human love for the Father to an undue degree, even to the point of supplanting God “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” (1 John 5:21) (KJV). Love not the world is a command implying that action now in progress must cease: “Stop loving the world!” There is, of course, one sense in which Christians should love the world, since God Himself did and does (John 3:16). But in the sense of pledging personal loyalty and devotion of one’s whole being and means, Christians are to “Love” God first and foremost (Deut. 6:5; Mark 12:30) (KJSB). John presents only two alternatives: A person either loves the world or loves the Father. In this case, the world does not refer merely to creation or to the world’s population for whom Christ died “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Instead, this use of the world represents those who stand against John and the teachings of Christ (KJVCRSB).

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. John warned against what the body desires, what the eyes itch to see, and what people work hard to acquire (KJV). World for John signifies the evil desire and sin so much a part of human existence (KJSB). The physical world is not the issue but, rather, the values of a godless world. John divided these values into three broad concerns: (KJVTSB)

The lust of the flesh. Indicates satisfying natural appetites in sinful ways (KJVTSB). This probably does not refer simply to sensual desires (lustfulness or promiscuity). It refers to everything that is the desire of human beings – all that meets their wants and needs (KJVCRSB). Lust of the flesh refers to desires of sinful sensual pleasure (KJVFSB).
The lust of the eyes. Is covetousness, wanting to possess what we see (KJVTSB). This is more than merely human desires; this is related to what we want for ourselves. We see it, and we want to have it (KJVCRSB). The lust of the eyes refers to covetousness or materialism (KJVFSB).
The pride of life. Is the arrogance of the self-centered person (KJVTSB). This has to do with our possessions and accomplishments, those things we brag about, even if only in our minds (KJVCRSB). The pride of life refers to being proud about one’s position in this world (KJVFSB).

A person can be in love with God or in love with the world, but not both (KJVTSB).

1 John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. Like the darkness in verse 8, the world with its lust is passing away because of the coming of Christ. This opens the way for doing God’s will and establishing fellowship with Him for ever (KJV). Passeth away: John highlights the brevity of life. To be consumed with this life is to be unprepared for the next (KJVFSB).

References: Fall 2021

(CWB) – Commentary on the Whole Bible by Matthew Henry – Marshall, Morgan & Scott, Ltd. Copyright © 1960. Copyright 1961 by Zondervan Publishing House – Grand Rapids, Michigan.
(ESVSB) – The English Standard Version Study Bible, Personal size. Copyright © 2008 by Crossway. Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway.
(ETB) – Explore The Book by J Sidlow Baxter. Copyright © 1960 by J. Sidlow Baxter. Published 1960 by Zondervan Publishing House – Grand Rapids, Michigan.
(IMO) – On occasion, with the prayerful guidance of the Holy Spirit, I will make comments of my own, based on my understanding of the events. I will indicate such times with – In My O
(KJSB #2) – The King James Study Bible, (previously published as The Liberty Annotated Study Bible and as The Annotated Study Bible, King James Version) © 1988 by Liberty University.
(NIDNTT) – The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology Copyright © 1967, 1969, 1971 by Theologisher Verlag Rolf Brockhaus, Wuppertal. English Language edition Volume 1 Copyright © 1975, 1986, The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.A. and The Paternoster Press, Ltd. Exeter, Devon, U.K.
(NIVBTSB) – The New International Version Biblical Theology Study Bible Copyright © 2018 by The Zondervan Corporation. Text from the Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. previously published as The New International Version Zondervan Study Bible.
(NIVCBSB) – The New International Version Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible Copyright © 2016 by The Zondervan Corporation text from the Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. published by the Zondervan Corporation.
(NIVJSB) – The New International Version Jeremiah Study Bible, Copyright © 2016 by David Jeremiah, Inc. Using the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan.
(NIVMEB) – The New International Version Ministry Essentials Bible, Copyright © 2014 by Hendrickson Publishers Marketing, LLC. Based on The Holy Bible, New International Version NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
(NIVSB) – The New International Version Study Bible Copyright © 1985 by the Zondervan Corporation text from the Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the New York International Bible Society.
(NIVZSB) – The New International Version Zondervan Study Bible Copyright © 2015 by the Zondervan Corporation. Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
(NCBD) – The Nelson’s Compact Bible Dictionary Copyright © 2004 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. with Scripture Quotations from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, 1990 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
(NKJVSB) – Holman Study Bible, New King James Version Edition Copyright © 2013 by Holman Bible Publishers Nashville, Tn. Text from the New King James Version Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
(PSG) – Bible Studies For life – King James Version Adults Personal Study Guide Fall 2021 Vol. 9, No. 1
(QNBD) – Quick Notes Bible Dictionary based on text from the King James Version of the Bible and cross referenced with the NIV and NRSV Bibles. Copyright © 1998 by George W. Knight and Rayburn W. Ray.
(SEC) – Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible with Dictionaries of the Hebrew Bible and the Greek Testament words. Copyright © 1890 by James Strong. Based on the King James Version of the Bible.
(TDNT) – Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
(THBC) – Today’s Handbook of Bible Characters Copyright © 1979 by E.M. Blaiklock, published by Bethany House Publishers.
(TZPEB) – The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, copyright © 1975, 1976 by the Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan

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