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The Letters of John
BC Weekly Digest Monday, March 16 1998 In this issue: 1 John 1:1 1 John 1:1-3 1 John 1:1-3 1 John 1:1-4 1 John 1:4 1 John 1:5 1 John 1:5 1 John 1:1 Introduction to First John On the basis of internal and external evidence there is no reason to doubt the early conviction that the Apostle John wrote this letter, although his name is not mentioned in the text. The writer expects his readers to know who he is. He speaks as a witness of Christ (1:1-3; 4:14). The lack of specific addressees indicates that the letter was intended for general distribution. It is addressed to believers (1:4; 2:1), young and old (2:12-14). Even general letters were sent to a specific area first, and John deals with certain false doctrines that were being taught among his readers(2:26; 3:7). He does not mention the false teachings in detail, but refutes them by forcefully stating the truths that are being denied. These truths apply for all times and for all believers. We do not know where this letter was written, nor do we know to whom it was first sent. His statement "many antichrists have arisen, by which we know that it is the final hour" (2:18) substantiates the widely held view that this letter was written near the close of the first century. He was likely the only Apostle still living. As in the Gospel, John expresses grand truths with simple words that burn into your soul forever. "God is light" (1:5); "God is love" (4:8); "If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another" (4:11). He contrasts light and darkness, life and death, love and hate, flesh and spirit, truth and lie. Although he refutes certain false teachings, he does so almost in passing, as he forcefully sketches eternal truths of the Christian faith. He explains: "I have written these things to you so you may know that you have eternal life -- to the ones who believe in the name of the Son of God." (5:13). Roy Davison ------------------------------ 1 John 1:1-3 1 John 1:1-3 (OPV) 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we observed and our hands handled regarding the Word of Life -- 2 and the life was revealed, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father and was revealed to us -- 3 what we have seen and heard we also proclaim to you so you may also have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. === 1:1 "That which was from the beginning" As in the Gospel, John begins at the beginning, and uses words that call Genesis 1:1 to mind. In both cases he exalts Christ by affirming His existence in the beginning, in the Gospel as "the Word" and here as "the eternal life." Later he will affirm the humanity of Christ, but first he affirms His deity. "The Word," "the Word of Life," "the eternal life," was with the Father in the beginning. In the Gospel he teaches indirectly that Christ is from eternity by stating that He was God. Here he states specifically that He "was from the beginning." John uses "that" rather than "He" because Christ is being described as "the eternal life." 1:1 "Which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we observed and our hands handled" Faith in the true God (5:20) is founded on reliable eye- witness accounts of His deeds in the history of the world and in sending His Son. John expands on this in chapter 5:6-11. John knows. He was there. He knew Jesus Christ "the way, and the truth, and the life" (John 14:6 ASV). Also in the Gospel, he emphasizes the reliability of his testimony (John 19:35; 21:24). 1:1 "The Word of Life" "In him was life; and the life was the light of men" (John 1:4 ASV). To Martha Jesus said: "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live" (John 11:25 ASV). What other man who ever lived could say that without sounding absolutely ridiculous? When Jesus says it, it sounds absolutely true. And John knew. He was there when Jesus called Lazarus forth from the tomb (John 11:43). He was there after the resurrection of Christ and saw the empty tomb (John 20:8). He ate with Jesus after His resurrection (Luke 24:36-43). Jesus appeared to him and the other Apostles for forty days after His resurrection. He explained the Messianic prophesies (Luke 24:44-48) and instructed them about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:1-3). 1:2 "The life was revealed" ... "the eternal life which was with the Father and was revealed to us" The gospel was revealed to the Apostles, "the mystery of Christ; which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit" (Eph 3:4,5 ASV). 1:2 "Proclaim to you the eternal life" The Apostles were commissioned by Christ as witnesses to proclaim what they had seen in the whole world (Luke 24:48; Acts 1:8; 2:32; 3:15; 5:32; 10:39-41; 13:31). They were also commanded to make the gospel known to all the nations by means of prophetic Scriptures (Rom 16:25,26). 1:3 "So you may also have fellowship with us" After 3000 were baptized for the forgiveness of their sins on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38-41) we read: "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers" (Acts 2:42 ASV). Only by remaining in fellowship with the Apostles of Jesus Christ by "continuing steadfastly" in their doctrine are we also in fellowship with the Father and the Son. Roy Davison ------------------------------ 1 John 1:1-3 1:2 "was revealed." According to Arndt and Ginrich, the Greek passive voice suggests that Christ revealed Himself. That occurred when He literally "became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). He will one day come again in another manifestation when the dead will be raised and everyone judged. "And now, little children, remain in Him, so when He is revealed we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming" (1 John 2:28 OPV). Charles Hess. ------------------------------ 1 John 1:1-4 John's concern is the WORD OF LIFE, which was with the Father and which has been made made known (revealed). John's authority to speak is from firsthand knowledge as having been one among those who saw, heard, and touched Him who is LIFE! Not everyone could recognize Him, but those who did are blessed, as well as those who did not see or hear Him directly, but who believe the message of these witnesses. Please read and carefully Luke 10:21-24 and John 17:6-21. Through their message of the WORD OF LIFE, we too can partake of this divine joy and fellowship! J.Lee Roberts ------------------------------ 1 John 1:4 1 John 1:4 (OPV) 4 And we are writing these things so our joy may be complete. == 1:4 "So our joy may be complete" Some early manuscripts have "your" rather than "our" which explains the variation in translations. The difference is of no great consequence. All Christians are included in this "our" since the blessings which bring the joy are theirs. You might read through First John looking for sources of joy for a believer. As the angel announced to the shepherds after the birth of Christ: "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10,11 ASV). Jesus told His disciples: "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy may be in you, and [that] your joy may be made full" (John 15:11 ASV). While praying for His disciples He said: "But now I come to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves" (John 17:13 ASV). Many people destroy themselves in a vain search for worldly pleasure. The teachings of Christ are the only source of complete joy, the joy of Christ within us. The writings of John are an extension of the teaching of Christ through inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Prayer is also a source of joy. Jesus told His disciples: "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be made full" (John 16:24 ASV). The word "gospel" means good news. The preaching of the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ brings joy to those who accept the message. After many had responded to the preaching of Philip in Samaria we read: "And there was much joy in that city" (Acts 8:8 ASV). Belief in Christ brings joy: "whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Peter 1:8 ASV). The kingdom of God is "righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rom 14:17 ASV). The fruit of the Spirit includes joy (Gal 5:22). "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit" (Rom 15:13 ASV). Roy Davison ------------------------------ 1 John 1:5 1 John 1:5 (OPV) 5 And this is the message that we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light, and there is in Him no darkness at all. == 1:5 "The message that we have heard from Him" John emphasizes the source of the message. As a reliable witness he is merely reporting what he has seen and heard. The writer of Hebrews says: "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard" (Heb 2:3 ASV). 1:5 "And declare to you" This is an emphatic statement of truth from a reliable source and a reliable witness. 1:5 "God is light" In the Gospel of John, Christ is called the light. "In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not" (John 1:4,5 ASV). "There was the true light, [even the light] which lighteth every man, coming into the world" (John 1:9 ASV). 1:5 "There is in Him no darkness at all" "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning" (James 1:17 ASV). Roy Davison ------------------------------ 1 John 1:5 God is light. The creation of light was the initial step in the creation of life. "Let there be light" (Gen 1:3) was the first word of God spoken after His creative Spirit "moved" upon the primary material out of which He created the heavens and the earth, and which lay, until the utterance of that word, in the chaos of darkness and desolation. The origin of light thus finds its explanation in the purpose and very nature of God whom John defines as not only the Author of light but, in an all-inclusive sense, as light itself: "God is light" (1 Jn 1:5). What light is in the natural world, that God (the source of even material light) is in the spiritual -- the fountain of wisdom, purity, beauty, joy, and glory. As all material life and growth depend on light, so all spiritual life and growth depend on GOD. As God here, so Christ in 1 John 2:8 is called "the true light." Grover Hastings