|
The Book of 1st
John |
J. Deering, AncientPath.net
| 1. The Visualized Text |
| 2. Questions To Be Explored |
| 3. Brief Outline |
| 4. Cross References |
| 5. Commentary |
| 6. The Horizontal Chart |
THE VISUALIZED TEXT (NASB)
(conjunctions & prepositions underlined,
words not in original text in italics) (alternate
text in purple)[1]
(2:7)
Beloved,
I am writing
not a new commandment
to you,
but
an old commandment
which you have had
from the beginning;
the old commandment is the word which you have heard.
(2:8)
On the other hand,
I am writing a new commandment
to you,
which is true
in Him and
in you,
because
the
darkness is passing away,
and
the
true light is already shining.
(2:9)
The one who
says he is
in the light and
yet hates his brother
is
in the darkness until now.
(2:10)
The one who
loves his brother
abides
in the light
and
there is no
cause for stumbling
in him.
(2:11)
But
the one who
hates his brother
is
in the darkness and
walks
in the darkness,
and
does
not know where he is going
because the darkness
has blinded his eyes.
QUESTIONS TO BE EXPLORED:
(1 John 2:7)
I. Introduction: The Purpose of the Letter, 1:1-4
II. Conditions for Fellowship, 1:5-2:2
A. Conformity to a Standard, 1:5-7
B. Confession of Sin, 1:8-2:2
III. Conduct in Fellowship, 2:3-27
A. The Character of Our Conduct - Imitation, 2:3-11
B. The Commandment of Our Conduct - Separation, 2:12-17
C. The Creed for Our Conduct - Affirmation, 2:18-27
IV. Characteristics of Fellowship, 2:28-3:24
A. In Relation to Our Prospect: Purity, 2:28-3:3
B. In Relation to Our Position: Righteousness and Brotherly Love, 3:4-18
C. In Relation to Our Prayers: Answers, 3:19-24
V. Cautions of Fellowship, 4:1-21
A. Concerning False, Lying Spirits, 4:1-6
B. Concerning a True, Loving Spirit, 4:7-21
1. The ground of brotherly love, 4:7-10
2. The glories of love, 4:11-21
VI. Consequences of Fellowship, 5:1-21
A. Love for the Brethren, 5:1-3
B. Victory over the World, 5:4-5
C. Verification of Christ's Credentials, 5:6-12
D. Assurance of Eternal Life, 5:13
E. Guidance in Prayer, 5:14-17
F. Freedom from Habitual Sin, 5:18-21
COMMENTARY: (1 John 1:1-4)[3]
(1:1)
What was from the beginning?
John opens these verses with an explanation of the teaching of the previous verses and the introduction of two tests of the "true believer," the tests of RELATIONSHIP to God.
The First Test: OBEDIENCE
John wants his readers to be assured that the teaching of the relationship between knowing Him and keeping His commandments is not a new teaching (cp. 2:3-5). He reveals that he new that commandments of Christ are no different that the old commandments of the Law. At the same time he assured them that their "walk" was prescribed by Christ Himself, when they were first in the faith.
"You must not measure the antiquity of the Gospel by the date at which it was brought to you"
The difference here that the readers may initially have objected to was that the Law seemed to prescribe personal conformity to rules. What Christ (through the Holy Spirit, through John) prescribed was that the New Commandment prescribed a walk, faith in action, as the demonstration of their relationship to God. John continues by stating that this was the original intent of the Law.
The Second Test: "WALK IN THE LIGHT AS HE IS IN THE LIGHT."
Problem: There are those who have no fellowship with God and claim that they do. The proof is in their performance in LOVING ALL.
(2:8)
True in Him and in you:
His love resulted in His walk. Our love results in our walk. Our love should be such that it results in a walk AS His walk.
Darkness is passing away:
With the coming of Jesus Christ comes the light. It comes like a sunrise not like a light switch.
(2:9)
The one who
says he is in the light
and yet hates his brother
is in the darkness until now.
Says "Love," but hates:
Love is Light. Hate is darkness.
(2:10)
The one who
loves his brother
abides in the light and
there is no cause for stumbling in him.
No Cause: Abiding in the light brings about no cause for stumbling.
(2:11)
But
the one who
hates his brother
is in the darkness and
walks in the darkness, and
does not know where he is going
because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
CROSS REFERENCES
(2:07)
Deuteronomy 6:5 - You shall love the Lord your God
Leviticus 19:18 - You shall love thy neighbor
Mark 12:28
Galatians 5:14
Romans 13:8-10
John 13:34
(2:10)
cp. Romans 14:15, 1 Corinthians 8:11, 1 Corinthians 8:3, 1 John 1:5, 1 John 4:8, 1 John 4:16
References:
[1]
"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962,
1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988. Used by permission."
[3] Deering, Jim, AncientPath.net
3. F.F. Bruce, "The Epistles Of John," Revell, Old Tappen, NJ, 1970, p. 57
"Profession must be tested by the presence or absence of Love in action." (3)
| 1. The Visualized Text |
| 2. Questions To Be Explored |
| 3. Brief Outline |
| 4. Cross References |
| 5. Commentary |
| 6. The Horizontal Chart |
2012-11-23