Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | September 22, 2009
In commenting on difficult times, William McCumber, in an editorial entitled “Leadership Paradoxes” has listed ten conclusions about people in general. He found the letter in a newspaper article about Howard Ferguson, a wrestling coach, who initially formulated the list: People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway.
PHall | September 22, 2009
The major interpretations are: 1) the water and blood which poured from Jesus’ side at His death (Jn.19:34) – Augustine; 2) the ordinances of baptism and communion – Calvin, Luther; 3) purification and redemption; 4) the water of Jesus’ baptism and the blood shed in His death. Remember, whichever interpretation is correct; it must be […]
PHall | September 22, 2009
1 Whoever [Lit., everyone that] believes that Jesus [emphasis on Humanity] is the Christ [emphasis on Deity – “The Cerinthian antichrist denies the identity of Jesus and Christ – 2:22] is born [perfect; or begotten; “The Divine Begetting is the antecedent, not the consequent of the believing” – Law] of God; and whoever loves the […]
PHall | September 22, 2009
Here is an example of where we let familiar words in the verse itself define the more unfamiliar words. Testing the spirits is testing the prophets. Also through this method we learn what a prophet is – one who speaks directly by the Spirit (or claimed spirits) through the prophet. Since John was dealing with […]
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
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 […]