Whosoever (1) believeth that Jesus is the (a) Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth (b) him also that is begotten of him. (1) He advances in the same argument, showing how both those loves come to us, from that love with which God loves us, that is, by Jesus our med... [ Continue Reading ]
(2) By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his (c) commandments. (2) The love of our neighbour depends on the love with which we love God, that this last must go before the first: of which it follows, that that is not to be called love, when men agree together... [ Continue Reading ]
(3) For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: (4) and his commandments are not (d) grievous. (3) The reason: to love God, is to keep his commandments, which being so, and seeing that both the loves are commanded by the same lawmaker, (as he taught before) it follows also, that we... [ Continue Reading ]
(5) For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: (6) and this is the victory that (e) overcometh the world, [even] our (f) faith. (5) A reason: Because by regeneration we have received strength to overcome the world, that is to say, whatever strives against the commandments of God. (6) He de... [ Continue Reading ]
(7) Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? (7) Moreover he declares two things, the one, what true faith is, that is, that which rests on Jesus Christ the Son of God alone: on which follows the other, that is, that this strength is not proper to fai... [ Continue Reading ]
(8) This is he that came by water and blood, [even] Jesus Christ; (9) not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the (g) Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. (8) He proves the excellency of Christ, in whom only all things are given us by six witnesses, three heavenly,... [ Continue Reading ]
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the (h) Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are (i) one. (h) See (John 8:13) (i) Agree in one.... [ Continue Reading ]
(10) If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for (k) this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. (10) He shows by an argument of comparison, of what great weight the heavenly testimony is, that the Father has given of the Son, to whom agrees both the Son... [ Continue Reading ]
(11) He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. (11) He proves the sureness of the earthly witness by every man's conscience having that testimony in itself, whose con... [ Continue Reading ]
(12) And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (12) Now at length he shows what this testimony is that is confirmed with so many witnesses: that is, that life or everlasting happiness is the gift of God, which is the Son, and proceeds from him to u... [ Continue Reading ]
(13) These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (13) The conclusion of the epistle, in which he shows first of all, that even they who already believe, need this... [ Continue Reading ]
(14) And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: (14) Because we do not yet in effect obtain that which we hope for, the apostle combines invocation or prayer with faith, which he will have proceed from faith, and moreover to be co... [ Continue Reading ]
(15) If any man see his brother sin a sin [which is] not unto death, (l) he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. (15) We have to make prayers not only for ourselves, but also for our brothers who s... [ Continue Reading ]
(16) All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. (16) The taking away of an objection: indeed all iniquity is comprehended under the name of sin: but yet we must not despair therefore, because every sin is not deadly, and without hope of remedy.... [ Continue Reading ]
(17) We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. (17) A reason why not all, or rather why no sin is mortal to some: that is, because they are born of God, that is to say, made the sons of God in Christ, and... [ Continue Reading ]
(18) [And] we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. (18) Every man must particularly apply to himself the general promises, that we may certainly persuade ourselves, that whereas all the world is by nature lost, we are freely made the sons of God, by the sending of Jesus... [ Continue Reading ]
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, [even] in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true (m) God, and eternal life. (m) The divinity of Christ is most clearly proved by this passage.... [ Continue Reading ]
(19) Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. (19) He expresses a plain precept of taking heed of idols: which he contrasts with the only true God, that with this seal he might seal up all the former doctrine.... [ Continue Reading ]