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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 […]
PHall | September 22, 2009
“Though the general thought here is quite plain, the specific meaning of the word translated expiation (Greek hilasmos) is disputed. The word occurs again in 4:10 of Christ, whom God sent to be the expiation for our sins. The older versions generally have `propitiation,’ a word which means an appeasement, some gift or deed which […]
PHall | September 22, 2009
Most likely John used this term endearingly, and definitely not snidely. By this time, John was old. There is tradition that towards the end of John’s life, when he was too feeble to walk, he would be carried to services saying, “little children, love one another.”
PHall | September 22, 2009
What does walking in the light mean? On one side proponents claim walking in darkness happens when the Christian commits even one sin ‑ “sin is darkness, after all.” The opposing side counters, walking in light describes a life‑style, not each punctiliar action ‑ “its a walk, not one step.” Contextually, “walking in light” is […]