Chapter five continues the themes of obeying God’s commandments and loving one another on the basis of God’s love for us (1 John 5:1-4). Adding to this, John introduced the concept of the opposing world system. This system, he declared, wholly “lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). This is not […]
Chapter four picks up on John’s mention of the Holy Spirit in 1 John 3:24. Paul wrote that the Spirit is God’s seal of salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14) and assurance of our relationship with God (Romans 8:16); John agreed. The Spirit is the internal evidence of knowing God, while our obedience is the external (3:24). One
Chapter three is the most troublesome part of the letter for many people, especially the first half. John’s declarations are bold, even harsh, and leave no room for mistakes. “Everyone who sins has neither seen him nor known him” (1 John 3:6). “Everyone who does not practice righteousness…is not of God” (1 John 3:10). However,
