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PHall | September 22, 2009
1 Beloved [three times in this chapter (vv.1,7,11)], do not believe [negative present imperative; “Credulity means gullibility and some believers fall easy victims to the latest fads in spiritualistic humbuggery” – Robertson] every spirit [i.e. prophet], but test [present imperative] the spirits [i.e. prophets] to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets […]
PHall | September 22, 2009
I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus.
PHall | September 22, 2009
1 See [aorist imperative; lit. See you (plural)] how [lit., what kind of love] great [potapos – primarily, from what country, then, of what sort, as in wonderment] a love [“Within this section there are forty-six occurrences of some form of the root word for love.” (J.W. Roberts, The Letters of John, p.76)] the Father […]
PHall | September 22, 2009
Vv.1-2 – Jesus is Our Advocate 1 My little children [teknion (5040); Jn.13:33; 1 Jn.2:12,28; 3:7,18; 4:4; 5:21; Extended Notes], I [more personal than “we” in 1:4] am writing these things to you so that you may not sin [aorist; What John said earlier concerning being in the light consisting of confessing sins (1:7) […]
PHall | September 22, 2009
Vv.1-4 – Introduction 1 What [ho; Notice the use of the neuter (instead of masculine – He who) in reference to Jesus through verse one – “what.” Probably this was to emphasize the fact, the details, the reality “concerning the Word.”] was from the beginning [Jn.8:44; 15:27; 9 times (2:13 )in 1 Jn.; twice in […]
PHall | September 22, 2009
False humility is repugnant – we’ve all seen it, and possibly shown it. Misguided piety is not false humility, but is wrong and unscriptural. And even worse, it is an indictment against God. What is misguided piety? Preachers, trying to get us to repent emphasize our learned depravity (Eph.2:1-3); and quote scriptures such as Isaiah’s For […]
PHall | September 22, 2009
Why did John choose Cain as his example? One reason might be the continued use of that “from the beginning.” Cain definitely fits that time period. Also, “There is a possibility, which cannot be definitely proved, that John’s selection of Cain as a representative of those who hate was due to the existence of a […]
PHall | September 22, 2009
Interpretations given of what John means by sperma here include: nature, descendant, Holy Spirit, word of God. I lean towards this last interpretation (1 Peter 1:23) because of John’s emphasis on the revealed word they’ve had “from the beginning.” This seed would therefore be equivalent to the anointing of chapter two. Why did John use […]
PHall | September 22, 2009
Who, in O.T. times, were anointed? Prophets (1 Kgs.19:16), Priests (Ex.28:41; 40:13-15), and Kings (1 Sam.10:1; 1 Kgs.1:39). “Ordinary Measure of the Holy Spirit” Baptism (Tertullian) What is the Anointing? “Extraordinary Measure of the Holy Spirit” (Guy N. Woods, 1 and 2 Peter, 1,2, and 3 John, and Jude, pp.245-247,251-254.)
PHall | September 22, 2009
How is the command both not a new commandment (v.7), and yet is new (v.8)? To resolve this paradox, some opine that John is referring to two separate commands. I am sure there is not a simple answer, but I believe the answer is found in the explanation of v.8 – because the darkness is […]