BELOVED (αγαπητο). Three times in this chapter (1 John 4:1; 1 John 4:7; 1 John 4:11) we have this tender address on love.BELIEVE NOT EVERY SPIRIT (μη παντ πνευματ πιστευετε). "Stop believing," as some were clearly carried away by the spirits of error rampant among them, both Docetic and Cerinth... [ Continue Reading ]
HEREBY KNOW YE (εν τουτω γινωσκετε). Either present active indicative or imperative. The test of "the Spirit of God" (το πνευμα του θεου) here alone in this Epistle, save verse 1 John 4:13. With the clamour of voices then and now this is important. The test (εν τουτω, as in 1 John 3:19) follows.T... [ Continue Reading ]
CONFESSETH NOT (μη ομολογε). Indefinite relative clause with the subjective negative μη rather than the usual objective negative ου (verse 1 John 4:6). It is seen also in 2 Peter 1:9; Titus 1:11, a survival of the literary construction (Moulton, _Prolegomena_, p. 171). The Vulgate (along with Ire... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE OVERCOME THEM (νενικηκατε αυτους). Perfect active indicative of νικαω, calm confidence of final victory as in 1 John 2:13; John 16:33. The reference in αυτους (them) is to the false prophets in 1 John 4:1.BECAUSE (οτ). The reason for the victory lies in God, who abides in them (1 John 3:20;... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THE WORLD (εκ του κοσμου). As Jesus is not and as the disciples are not (John 17:14).AS OF THE WORLD (εκ του κοσμου). No "as" (ως), but that is the idea, for their talk proceeds from the world and wins a ready hearing. The false prophets and the world are in perfect unison.... [ Continue Reading ]
WE (ημεις). In sharp contrast with the false prophets and the world. We are in tune with the Infinite God. Hence "he that knoweth God" (ο γινωσκων τον θεον, present active articular participle, the one who keeps on getting acquainted with God, growing in his knowledge of God) "hears us" (ακουε ημ... [ Continue Reading ]
OF GOD (εκ του θεου). Even human love comes from God, "a reflection of something in the Divine nature itself" (Brooke). John repeats the old commandment of 1 John 2:7. Persistence in loving (present tense αγαπωμεν indicative and αγαπων participle) is proof that one "has been begotten of God" (εκ... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT LOVETH NOT (ο μη αγαπων). Present active articular participle of αγαπαω "keeps on not loving."KNOWETH NOT GOD (ουκ εγνω τον θεον). Timeless aorist active indicative of γινωσκω, has no acquaintance with God, never did get acquainted with him.GOD IS LOVE (ο θεος αγαπη εστιν). Anarthrous... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS MANIFESTED (εφανερωθη). First aorist passive indicative of φανεροω. The Incarnation as in 1 John 3:5. Subjective genitive as in 1 John 2:5.IN US (εν ημιν). In our case, not "among us" nor "to us." Cf. Galatians 1:16.HATH SENT (απεσταλκεν). Perfect active indicative of αποστελλω, as again i... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT THAT (ουχ οτ)--BUT THAT (αλλ' οτ). Sharp contrast as in John 7:22; 2 Corinthians 7:9; Philippians 4:17.WE LOVED (ηγαπησαμεν). First aorist active indicative, but B reads ηγαπηκαμεν (perfect active, we have loved).HE (αυτος). Emphatic nominative (God).TO BE THE PROPITIATION (ιλασμον). M... [ Continue Reading ]
IF GOD SO LOVED US (ε ουτως ο θεος ηγαπησεν ημας). Condition of first class with ε and the first aorist active indicative. As in John 3:16, so here ουτως emphasises the manifestation of God's love both in its manner and in its extent (Romans 8:32).OUGHT (οφειλομεν). As in 1 John 2:6. _Noblesse... [ Continue Reading ]
NO ONE HATH BEHELD GOD AT ANY TIME (θεον ουδεις πωποτε τεθεατα). Perfect middle indicative of θεαομα (John 1:14). Almost the very words of John 1:18 θεον ουδεις πωποτε εωρακεν (instead of τεθεατα).IF WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER (εαν αγαπωμεν αλληλους). Third-class condition with εαν and the present act... [ Continue Reading ]
HEREBY KNOW WE (εν τουτω γινωσκομεν). The Christian's consciousness of the fact of God dwelling in him is due to the Spirit of God whom God has given (δεδωκεν, perfect active indicative here, though the aorist εδωκεν in 1 John 3:24). This gift of God is proof of our fellowship with God.... [ Continue Reading ]
WE HAVE BEHELD (τεθεαμεθα). Perfect middle of θεαομα as in verse 1 John 4:12, though the aorist in 1 John 1:1; John 1:14 (εθεασαμεθα). John is qualified to bear witness (μαρτυρουμεν as in 1 John 1:2) as Jesus had charged the disciples to do (Acts 1:8).HATH SENT (απεσταλκεν). As in verse 1 John... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSOEVER SHALL CONFESS (ος εαν ομολογηση). Indefinite relative clause with modal εαν (=an) and the first aorist active subjunctive, "whoever confesses." See 1 John 2:23; 1 John 4:2 for ομολογεω.THAT (οτ). Object clause (indirect assertion) after ομολογεω. This confession of the deity of Jesus C... [ Continue Reading ]
WE KNOW (εγνωκαμεν). Perfect active indicative, "we have come to know and still know" as in John 6:9, only there order is changed (πεπιστευκαμεν coming before εγνωκαμεν). Confession (ομολογεω) follows experimental knowledge (γινωσκω) and confident trust (πιστευω). Believers are the sphere (εν ημι... [ Continue Reading ]
HEREIN (εν τουτω). It is not clear whether the ινα clause (sub-final use) is in apposition with εν τουτω as in John 15:8 or the οτ clause (because) with the ινα clause as parenthesis. Either makes sense. Westcott argues for the latter idea, which is reinforced by the preceding sentence.WITH US ... [ Continue Reading ]
FEAR (φοβος). Like a bond-slave (Romans 8:15), not the reverence of a son (ευλαβεια, Hebrews 5:7) or the obedience to a father (εν φοβω, 1 Peter 1:17). This kind of dread is the opposite of παρρησια (boldness).PERFECT LOVE (η τελεια αγαπη). There is such a thing, perfect because it has been per... [ Continue Reading ]
HE FIRST (αυτος πρωτος). Note πρωτος (nominative), not πρωτον, as in John 20:4; John 20:8. God loved usBEFORE we loved him (John 3:16). Our love is in response to his love for us. Αγαπωμεν is indicative (we love), not subjunctive (let us love) of the same form. There is no object expressed here... [ Continue Reading ]
IF A MAN SAY (εαν τις ειπη). Condition of third class with εαν and second aorist active subjunctive. Suppose one say. Cf. 1 John 1:6.I LOVE GOD (Αγαπω τον θεον). Quoting an imaginary disputant as in 1 John 2:4.AND HATETH (κα μισε). Continuation of the same condition with εαν and the present ac... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT (ινα). Sub-final object clause in apposition with εντολην as in John 13:34; John 15:13.FROM HIM (απ' αυτου). Either God or Christ. See Mark 12:29-31 for this old commandment (1 John 2:7).... [ Continue Reading ]