Recipients, Author and Time of Writing. "John's Divine Logic"). In connection with John's gospel all of this points to the Apostle John as author of the epistle (compare with notes on John's Gospel). Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. He provided the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ, opening the way for obedient humans to be freed from sin and death inherited from Adam. Most researchers date the epistle towards the end of the first century that is between 90 and 100 AC (the Gospel of John is dated at around the same time). (Gen. 3:1-5) Though Jehovah permitted Satan to try to prove his side of the issue, such permission was temporary. 37:34. The miserable record of mankind shows that neither humans nor Satan can provide what we need in the way of good rulership. “I am convinced,” wrote Paul, “that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”—Rom. The following statements we find in First John only: "God is light" (chap. The Bible tells us: “He will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. 18. (Rev. 10 Because he is a God of love and he hates wickedness, Jehovah has purposed to rid the earth—as well as the rest of the universe—of evil when the issue regarding rulership is settled to his satisfaction. . 7:9, 13, 14) How large is the great crowd now? Οὐκ ἔγνω, knoweth not) Is not born of God, and knoweth not God.— ὁ Θεὸς ἀγάπη ἐστὶν, God is love) ἀγάπη, without the article, as in 1 John 4:16. 1:1; 2:7.13.14.24; 3:11; compare with 2 John 1:5-6). 1:6.8.10; 2:4.9; 4:20). John also shows tests for the practical life of the Christians who are distressed by false teachers. What has mankind’s history clearly demonstrated? God is love - See on 1 John 4:8; (note). 1 Juan 4:8 Spanish: La Nueva Biblia de los Hispanos El que no ama no conoce a Dios, porque Dios es amor. 4:8.16). Jude. Click the Bible for the all new StudyLight.org!! Chapter 4 . JOHN'S FIRST LETTER. The first to cite from John's First Epistle is Polycarp of Smyrna (around 70 to 155 AC) who himself knew John personally. The first epistle does not mention any addressees. 1 John 3:11 - For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; on StudyLight.org 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 17 What a contrast there is between Jesus’ loving heavenly kingship and the rulership by humans who have led many millions of people to their death in warfare! God is Love. The logic of such a sentence is that it does not bear any similarity to a Christian's practical state. What is God’s dominant quality, and how does knowing this make you feel about him? Let your Kingdom come. Today, world conditions keep getting worse. As the epistle of Jude so John's First Epistle address all believers. 1 Johannes 4:8 Norwegian: Det Norsk Bibelselskap (1930) Den som ikke elsker, kjenner ikke Gud; for Gud er kjærlighet. 2:18; 4:3), that is forerunners of the great opponent of Christ in the last days after the rapture of the church (compare with 2 Thessalonians 2; Revelation 13:11 ff; Revelation 19:20). Sepia. 14, 15. 3:1, 13) History has demonstrated beyond any doubt the truthfulness of what the Bible says: “I well know, O Jehovah, that man’s way does not belong to him. He challenged the rightfulness and righteousness of God’s universal sovereignty. How amazing to realise the outpouring of His unique love.. flows through us, to … Thus only will the genuineness of our confession be seen. 10:23) No, Jehovah did not create humans with the ability or the right to direct their affairs independent of him. Thus this epistle has rightly been called a continuation of the gospel of John (of chapters 1 to 19) especially. 6 In addition to showing how futile human rule is, God’s temporary permission of wickedness serves another long-range purpose. 1 John 4:8(NASB) Verse Thoughts. 2 The warm, benevolent affection that God has for his creatures assures us that all his purposes for the human family will be fulfilled in the best possible way and will result in the greatest benefit to all who come under his rulership. More resources, better tools and easier navigation Test drive it and tell us about your experience. All Rightes Reserved, Larry Pierce, Winterbourne, Ontario. In addition, the Epistle contains a third expression indicating the relation between God and his children (chap. 21:4) What a marvelous future awaits all of us who truly appreciate Jehovah’s love and obey him as our Ruler! 14 Jesus maintained his integrity and upheld Jehovah’s sovereignty under the severest of tests, dying as a faithful servant of his Father. (Read Romans 5:12; 6:23.) The phrase "know God" uses the Greek root word ginosko. Home > Commentaries > Coffman Commentaries > 1 John. [He is the originator of love, and it is an enduring attribute of His nature.] 4:4; 1 John 5:19; read Revelation 12:9, 12.) For my yoke is kindly, and my load is light.” (Matt. 2:13.18; Greek paidion: "little child") is striking. (Psalms 85:10), 1 John 1:1-4 Introduction: The Word of Life, 1 John 1:5-10; 1 John 2:1-12 Characteristics of True Fellowship with God, 1 John 2:28-29; 1 John 3; 1 John 4:1-6 Characteristics of the Children of God, To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, Although the First Epistle of John does not bear any author's name it was never seriously doubted that the apostle John is the author of this epistle as well as of the fourth gospel. 13. 1 John 3:22 - and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. The words of the psalmist do already point to it: "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other." . 5:6-8) The apostle John wrote: “By this the love of God was revealed in our case, that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world so that we might gain life through him. This is why some have suggested that it is no epistle but a written sermon (or homily) or tract. Terms such as. In his great wisdom, Jehovah has allowed enough time to pass to expose very clearly the inadequacy of any rule other than his. (See opening image.). In what way will God’s love affect the future of those who are rightly disposed and obedient? True love proves itself by deed. Test drive it and tell us about your experience. The wide recognition in the early church does also confirm the above. 1:5) and "God is love" (chap. If we turn the sentence round it becomes evident: "One who has no possessions is poor.". Both characteristics of God stand always in total agreement to each other. 3:1.10; 5:2; Greek tekna theou: "children of God"). Home > Study Desk. John contrasts these attacks of the Christian faith with the facts of salvation. (chap. On Denying the Incarnation - Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. Jehovah has already placed this government in the hands of his Son, who loves mankind and is superbly qualified to rule. The frequent address "children" (chap. Click the Bible for the all new StudyLight.org!! 2:3.5.18.20.21.29; 3:2.5.14.15; 5:2.13.15.18.19.20). THE WATCHTOWER—STUDY EDITION November 2015, The Watchtower—Study Edition | November 2015, Show Appreciation for Jehovah’s Generosity. The First Epistle of John shows the revelation of this life in those who believe in the Son of God. 18 Bible prophecy shows that God’s heavenly Kingdom was established when Christ’s presence began in 1914. He expresses the personal assurance of faith by frequently repeating the words "we know" (chap. John 1:4-5. He that loveth not, knoweth not God If a man loves not the children of God, those that are born of him, he does not know, so as to love God, the Father of them; for to pretend love to God, the begetter of them, whom he sees not, and not love those who are begotten by him, and are visible objects of respect, is a contradiction, and cannot be reconciled: see ( 1 John 4:20) . Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more . 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Choose a verse from '1 John 4' to begin your 'Verse-by-Verse' study of God's Word using the more than 100 commentaries available on StudyLight.org Probably every Christian has a problem with these words when thinking of his practical life. What is God’s dominant quality, and how does knowing this make you feel about him? For rightly disposed and obedient humans, favorable judgment will result in a truly blessed future that will go on and on throughout all eternity. But there also the light of God's holiness and righteousness shone in its fullest brightness when Christ the Son of God became the propitiation for our sins. Read verse in English Standard Version Everything he does is guided by that quality. The love is in this respect, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins.”—1 John 4:9, 10. 1 John 1, William Barclay's Daily Study Bible, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, as set of 17 volumes on the New Testament, the result of Barclay's dedicated work Verse 1. Both parts of the sentence are identical in contents and therefore reversible for they are divine principles. (Read Revelation 4:11.) There are billions of galaxies, each containing many billions of stars and planets. At the same time he refers to the tests by which one can recognize whether someone has true life of God. Add Bookmark. PRIVACY POLICY, https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/m/2015841/univ/art/2015841_univ_sqr_xl.jpg, THE WATCHTOWER—STUDY EDITION November 2015, https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/a/w/E/20151115/wpub/w_E_20151115_lg.jpg, Share Of what does God’s love assure us? 6. Sometimes it masquerades as wholesome and clean. Light and love found their upmost development on the cross of Calvary. 3:6). (Read John 17:3.) Search examples: John 3:16 "Love of God" peace AND mercy. One Hundred Years Under Kingdom Rulership. (a) How will Jehovah deal with wicked people? . For example, out of love Jehovah “has set a day on which he purposes to judge the inhabited earth in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed,” Jesus Christ. One example is: "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin." The first speaks of God's holiness, truth and righteousness and the second of His grace and mercy. 8 On earth, Jehovah created everything for the benefit of his creatures designed for earthly life. JEHOVAH’S inspired written Word, the Bible, tells us that “God is love.” It says not merely that love is one of his many admirable qualities but that “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) It is his dominant quality, his most important one. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. (chap. on StudyLight.org 37:11) This will come to pass because our loving God always does what is in the best interests of his faithful servants. This brief sentence imparted to John, even during the mere time which he took in writing it, more delight than the whole world can impart. Footnotes. It is rather a fundamental statement on the nature of a man born of God who is, therefore, able to live a life according to God. Both characteristics of God stand always in total agreement to each other. Hide Footnotes. 4. The apostle stresses invariability and certainty of the Christian message by the repeated expression "from the beginning" (chap. We merely have to look at the awful history of this world with its human rulerships under its unloving and wrathful god, Satan the Devil. Verse 1. The expressions "brethren" (chap. He that dwelleth in love - he who is full of love to God and man is full of God, for God is love; and where such love is, there is God, for he is the fountain and maintainer of it. 4:8.16). 4:1-3) and the necessity of a life of faith in practical righteousness and brotherly love. The apostle does not mean to say that it has been manifested in no other way, but that this was so prominent an instance of his love, that all the other manifestations of it seemed absorbed and lost in this. The enemies of Jehovah will vanish like glorious pastures; they will vanish like smoke.”—Ps. Current Book: 1 John Select a chapter: Chapter 1 Chapter 2: Chapter 3 Chapter 4: Chapter 5 HOME TOP: Dead links, typos, or … The exhortation contained in this verse is, on the one hand, a deduction from the foregoing (especially from 1 John 3:16-17); but, on the other hand, it forms the basis of the further development. It is probably not possible to state whether the Epistle or the Gospel of John has been written first. This is where the love of God to lost sinners was revealed in giving His own Son. The first speaks of God's holiness, truth and righteousness and the second of His grace and mercy. 8:31) At their resurrection, Jesus’ 144,000 heavenly joint heirs take with them the experience of human life. The former things have passed away.” (Rev. As applied to the Lord, the phrase marks him as the author of perfect Redemption and perfect Revelation. Suggested by ABS-CBN Corporation (Music) Sapagkat Diyos ay Pag ibig - Erik Santos 8:38, 39. He could use what has happened in mankind’s history as the just reason to remove such rebels quickly, not allowing them to establish wickedness once again. 1 John 4:8, CSB: "The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1:4; 2:1.7.8.12.13.14.21.26; 5:13). They were fully revealed in Christ, the Son of God: "Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (John 1:17). Greetings and other personal messages are missing also. They were fully revealed in Christ, the Son of God: "Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" The practice of our lives of faith has to agree with our confession. 1 John 4:8. By the epistle we learn that towards the end of the first century heretics arose among the Christians who denied the divine sonship of Christ (chap. 1 John 4:8 AMP The one who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love. Since then, there has been a gathering of the remaining ones who will rule with Jesus in heaven as well as of “a great crowd” of people who will survive this system’s end and be ushered into the new world. The following statements we find in First John only: "God is light" (chap. For hardly would anyone die for a righteous man; though perhaps for a good man someone may dare to die. Test drive it and tell us about your experience. 1 John 3:10 - By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. Default. 17. The next article will examine such questions. 2 John. Terms such as light and darkness, life and death, truth and lie as well as the only begotten son are typical for both books. 3 Imagine what life would be like if God did not have love for mankind. 1 John 5. In our own Milky Way galaxy, one of those stars is our sun, without which the multitude of life forms on earth would not exist. The First Epistle does not bear any indication of an author nor of an addressee. The author calls himself an eyewitness of Jesus' life (chapter 1:1-3) and expresses himself with the authority of a respected, elder spiritual leader. 37:37, 38) “The blameless one” comes to know Jehovah and his Son and obediently does God’s will. 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