He shows, first, that life has been exhibited to us in Christ; which, as it is an incomparable good, ought to rouse and inflame all our powers with a marvelous desire for it, and with the love of it. It is said, indeed, in a few and plain words, that life is manifested; but if we consider how misera... [ Continue Reading ]
2_For _(or, _and_) _the life was manifested _The copulative is explanatory, as though he had said, “We testify of the vivifying Word, as life has been manifested.” The sense may at the same time be twofold, that Christ, who is life and the fountain of life, has been manifested, or, that life has bee... [ Continue Reading ]
3_That which we have seen. _He now repeats the third time the words, _seen _and _heard_, that nothing might be wanting as to the real certainty of his doctrine. And it ought to be carefully noticed, that the heralds of the Gospel chosen by Christ were those who were fit and faithful witnesses of all... [ Continue Reading ]
4_That your joy may be full _By full joy, he expresses more clearly the complete and perfect happiness which we obtain through the Gospel; at the same time he reminds the faithful where they ought to fix all their affections. True is that saying, “_Where _your treasure is, there will be your heart... [ Continue Reading ]
5_This then is the message_, or _promise_. I do not disapprove of the rendering of the old interpreter, “This is the annunciation,” or _message_; for though ἐπαγγελία means for the most part a promise, yet, as John speaks here generally of the testimony before mentioned, the context seems to require... [ Continue Reading ]
6_If we say _It is, indeed, an argument from what is inconsistent, when he concludes that they are alienated from God, who walk in darkness. This doctrine, however, depends on a higher principle, that God sanctifies all who are his. For it is not a naked precept that he gives, which requires that ou... [ Continue Reading ]
7_But if we walk in the light. _He now says, that the proof of our union with God is certain, if we are conformable to him; not that purity of life conciliates us to God, as the prior cause; but the Apostle means, that our union with God is made evident by the effect, that is, when his purity shines... [ Continue Reading ]
8._If we say. _He now commends grace from its necessity; for as no one is free from sin, he intimates that we are all lost and undone, except the Lord comes to our aid with the remedy of pardon. The reason why he so much dwells on the fact, that no one is innocent, is, that all may now fully know th... [ Continue Reading ]
9_If we confess _He again promises to the faithful that God will be propitious to them, provided they acknowledge themselves _to be sinners_. It is of great moment to be fully persuaded, that when we have sinned, there is a reconciliation with God ready and prepared for us: we shall otherwise carry... [ Continue Reading ]
10_We make him a liar _He goes still further, that they who claim purity for themselves blaspheme God. For we see that he everywhere represents the whole race of man as guilty of sin. Whosoever then tries to escape this charge carries on war with God, and accuses him of falsehood, as though he cond... [ Continue Reading ]