LOVE FINDS THE TRUTH; FEAR TAKES UP WITH ERROR _CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ IN the first three verses the apostle guards his readers against being misled by false pretensions to the possession of the Spirit (see chap. 1 John 2:24). 1 John 4:1. BELOVED.—Indicating the affectionate relations in w... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ 1 John 4:7.—The previous verses are in some sense an “aside.” The apostle now resumes his proper theme. His main truth is this—Love is the mark of the children of God, who is love. Love to God is a delusion if it does not find expression in love toward one another as... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ 1 John 4:15. SON OF GOD.—St. John was jealous of the double truth of the person of Jesus—His Divinity and His humanity. 1 John 4:17. MADE PERFECT.—Or reaches its purpose and end. The sign of its being fully developed in us will be the removal of fear in relation to... [ Continue Reading ]