The Answer
The Answer:
A Study of I John
The Church of Grace was founded on the day of Pentecost
and with its founding began a new administration.
John addressed his first epistle to those newly-born into
the fellowship to inform them of their position, rights
and responsibilities in the sight of God. When the
words “from the beginning” are used in the first verse,
it does not refer to the “in the beginning” as in Genesis
1:1. “The beginning,” is found seven times in this epistle;
six times it refers to the beginning of this administration,
the period of the Church of Grace; the seventh
time it refers to the time of beginning when iniquity
was found in the devil.
I John 1:1:
That which was from the beginning, which we have
heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which
we have looked upon, and our hands have handled,
of the Word of life.
Hearing, seeing and handling are in the realm of the
five senses. The Word can be known to the natural man
through his five senses—he has no other way by which
to become knowledgeable.
Verse 2:
(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it,
and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal
life, which was with the Father, and was manifested
unto us.)
John is informing the people that he is going to make
known his revelation concerning this “Word of life.”
Verse 3:
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto
you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and
truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his
Son Jesus Christ.
A child cannot have fellowship in an earthly family
until after his birth. This is true of God’s spiritual family
also. We must be born again of God before we can have
fellowship with God in His family. John is writing not
to the unbelievers but to those who are sons, to those
who are born again so that they may have fellowship
with God and with the other believers.
Verse 4:
And these things write we unto you, that your joy
may be full.
Joy is also a fruit of the spirit as mentioned in Galatians
5:22 where it says, “But the fruit of the Spirit
is. . .joy. . . .” The fruit of the spirit does not include
happiness. A man may have happiness from the material
things around him; an abundance of things may make him
happy. But joy is an inside job. Joy is a spiritual quality.
The revelation in I John is written that the born-again
believer may not only have joy within, but that his
renewed-mind joy may be full.
Verse 5:
This then is the message which we have heard of
him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in
him is no darkness at all.
If God is light, then there can be no darkness in Him.
Everything negative, evil, harmful, sinful and death-provoking
must be from a source other than the true God
of light.
Verse 6:
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk
in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.
After a person is a son in the household of God, he
can have fellowship in the family as he follows The Word
as his guidebook. If we as sons say that we have fellowship
with God, and yet do not follow the rule book and
walk ungodly, we lie. When we stray outside the guidelines,
we are out of fellowship, yet we remain sons
in the household. We must clearly note the difference
between fellowship and sonship. To “walk in darkness”
does not break the Father–son relationship; it breaks the
fellowship.
Verse 7:
But if we walk in the light, as he [God] is in the
light, we have fellowship one with another, and the
blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all
sin.
Walking in the light gives us fellowship with God.
When we are out of fellowship, we walk in darkness
which is sin, since all broken fellowship is sin. However,
when we confess our broken fellowship, the blood of
Jesus Christ cleanses us, makes us without blemish. “The
blood” is a figure of speech referring to Jesus Christ’s
giving His life. It is the figure metalepsis which includes
synecdoche. “Blood” is put by the figure synecdoche for
“blood-shedding” indicating the death of Jesus Christ as
distinct from his life. Then it goes beyond his death as
an act, indicating the merits he accomplished for us
which he effected by his death and are thus logically
associated with it. The word “cleanseth” denotes cleansing
through and through, leaving no imperfection or
impurity.
Verses 8-10:
If we say that we have no sin [broken fellowship],
we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins [broken fellowship], he [God]
is faithful and just to forgive us our sins [broken
fellowship], and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say that we have not sinned [broken fellowship],
we make him [God] a liar, and his [God’s]
word is not in us [in our minds].
No man can live in fellowship with God if he lives
according to any other principles than those of God’s
Word. When we walk in other paths we sin, which is
unrighteousness. If, when we are out of fellowship, we
confess our sins to God, God is true to His promise to
provide legal justice. God is able to absolve us of all
broken fellowship, a sin of which all sons are guilty.
I John 2:1, 2:
My little children, these things write I unto you, that
ye sin not [that you do not break fellowship]. And
[but] if any man sin [breaks fellowship], we have an
advocate [a defense attorney] with the Father, Jesus
Christ the righteous:
And he [Jesus Christ] is the propitiation [payment]
for our sins [broken fellowship]: and not for ours
only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Jesus Christ is the propitiation for our sins, meaning
that He not only paid for them but He also wins us back
into favor with God when we break fellowship. Our
confession of sin brings forgiveness of our broken fellowship.
God can remit our sin only once and that is at
the time of salvation. Remission of sins is for the unsaved
sinner; forgiveness of sin is for the saved sinner
who is out of fellowship with God.
Verse 3:
And hereby we do know that we know him [God],
if we keep his [God’s] commandments.
We are to prove to ourselves that we know God. The
two Greek forms for “know” in verse 3 are used with
precision as follows: “We do know [present tense—by
being well-acquainted personally] that we know [perfect
tense—by an initial meeting, salvation, with God]. . . .”
What are His commandments? To do those things which
He has just instructed—to walk in the light. We are to
hold forth The Word after our minds have been illuminated
by it.
Verse 4:
He [the man] that saith, I know [by a personal
acquaintance] him [God], and keepeth not his commandments,
is a liar, and the truth is not in him [the
man].
If a person is not born again, the truth is not in him
spiritually. But if a born–again believer says that he
knows God intimately and does not observe the commandment
to walk in the light, the truth of The Word is
not in that man’s mind. The truth remains in the believer’s
spiritual being, but that person has not put on the truth
in his mind.
Verse 5:
But whoso keepeth his [God’s] word, in him [the
man] verily is the love of God perfected: hereby
know we that we are in him [God by Jesus Christ].
To keep God’s Word is to live according to His will.
We do the keeping of His Word, and in the keeping of
it, the love of God is perfected in us. Love, agapē in
Greek, comes with spiritual birth. “Love [agapē] of
God” is outwardly manifested when we walk in the
light. Having the spirit from God in us plus walking in
His love makes possible the perfect fellowship.
Verse 6:
He [the man] that saith he abideth in him [God by
Christ Jesus] ought himself also so to walk, even as
he [Jesus Christ] walked.
Anyone who says that he is abiding or continuing in
the presence of God, must have his mind renewed according
to The Word and walk with this renewed mind as
Jesus Christ did. The born-again believer can, because
of freedom of will, choose to live according to this world;
but, to be in fellowship, a believer must choose to renew
his mind and act according to the Word of God.
Verses 7, 8:
Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you,
but an old commandment which ye had from the
beginning. The old commandment is the word which
ye have heard from the beginning.
Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which
thing [entire transaction of word and deed] is true
in him [God] and in you: because the darkness is
past, and the true light now shineth.
A newly-made precept is now given. The whole transaction
of God was made genuine and applicable, and
therefore is, and can be, manifested in the senses-world.
The darkness is past because God in Christ in us is
light. This light cannot be seen by others, however,
unless we manifest it, show it forth by our walk.
Verse 9:
He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother,
is in darkness even until now.
Hate is possible only when someone is born of the seed
of the devil, just as agapē love is possible only when
someone is born of God’s seed. The two Greek words
for “hate,” miseō and sturgētos, must be understood by
their usage in the context. They may mean “dislike,” or
“dislike issuing in the absolute hate of the devil.” This
hate, the opposite, of agapē, is a spiritual quality brought
into a person when he is born of the seed of the serpent.
Verses 10, 11:
He [the man] that loveth his brother abideth in the
light [walking in the renewed mind according to The
Word], and there is none occasion of stumbling in
him [the man].
But he that hateth [dislikes] his brother is in darkness,
and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither
he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
If we keep our minds renewed on God’s Word, the
love of God is perfected in our minds, and we give no
opportunity to the flesh to dislike or slight a brother in
Christ. He who slights or dislikes his brother has not renewed
his mind on God’s Word. Satan constantly tries
to dissuade us from walking in the truth of the light and
thus causes us to walk in darkness. In order to continue
steadfast in the light, a believer must have a knowledge
of God’s Word. Without such knowledge, a believer is
uprooted and is easily swayed into darkness because of
ignorance.
Verse 12:
I write unto you, little children, because your sins
are forgiven you for his [God’s] name’s sake.
A person cannot be a child of God until he is born
again of God’s seed. A man’s sin, broken fellowship, is
forgiven on account of God’s name’s sake, because the
man is in God’s family. Literally, all sins were laid on
Jesus Christ when he made his sacrifice.
Verses 13, 14:
I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known
him that is from the beginning. I write unto you,
young men, because ye have overcome the wicked
one [Satan]. I write unto you, little children, because
ye have known the Father.
I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have
known him [God] that is from the beginning. I
have written unto you, young men, because ye are
strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye
have overcome the wicked one [Satan].
The Word of God can only dwell in men after they are
born again and have eternal life. Believers abide in The
Word as they renew their mind according to that Word.
This is the only way to overcome the wicked one.
Verse 15:
Love not the world, neither the things that are in
the world. If any man love the world, the love of
the Father is not in him.
If the love of the Father is not in a person, that person
does not have eternal life. If a man truly loves the
things of the world (which refers to Satan who rules and
legally owns the world), the love of the Father cannot
be in him.
Verse 16:
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and
the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of
the Father, but is of the world.
Lust (desire for more than one needs), possessive desires
(“lust of the eyes”) and boastings (“pride”) are all
qualities of men in whom The Word does not abide.
Verses 17, 18:
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but
he that doeth [practices] the will of God abideth forever.
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have
heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there
many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last
time.
Any person who is born of the seed of the serpent is
called “antichrist” because he is in opposition to Christ.
Verse 19:
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for
if they had been of us, they would no doubt have
continued with us: but they went out, that they might
be made manifest that they were not all of us.
The antichrists, those born into the household of the
devil, wanted to separate themselves from the believers,
those of the household of the true God.
Verses 20-24:
But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye
know all things [because we have His written Word].
I have not written unto you because ye know not the
truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the
truth.
Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the
Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and
the Son.
Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the
Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath
the Father also.
Let that therefore abide in you [in your mind], which
ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye
have heard from the beginning shall remain in you
[in your mind], ye also shall continue [to walk] in
the Son, and in the Father.
If that which we have heard from the beginning, eternal
life, is in us spiritually and we walk in fellowship by
renewing our minds, we shall continue in the Father.
Renewing our mind takes three steps: (1) know the Word
of God, (2) put it into our mind and (3) manifest it in
actions. Salvation gives us sonship; the renewed mind
gives us perfect fellowship with the Father.
Verses 25-27:
And this is the promise that he [God] hath promised
us, even eternal life.
These things have I written unto you concerning
them that seduce you [cause you to doubt].
But the anointing [the new birth] which ye have received
of him abideth in you, and ye need not that
any man teach you [instruct you]: but as the same
anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth,
and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye
shall abide in him [God].
The anointing which we have from God is the anointing
of holy spirit. It is receiving the fullness of the gift
from the Holy Spirit who is God. We need no man to
teach us because we have The Word and the power and
manifestations of the holy spirit.
Verse 28:
And now, little children, abide in him [in God through
Christ Jesus]; that, when he [Christ] shall appear, we
may have confidence [boldness], and not be ashamed
before him [God] at his [Christ’s] coming.
At the return of Christ, we are going to be judged
and rewarded for our walk with God. If we live with the
renewed mind in manifestation and are in fellowship with
God, we will not be ashamed or feel dishonorable. Rather,
we shall have confidence.
Verse 29:
If ye know that, he [God] is righteous, ye know that
every one that doeth righteousness is born of him
[God].
“Doeth” is the key word. It means to practice a skill
such as a professional surgeon, painter or musician. We
are to practice in the senses-realm that which we have
received in the spirit. We are righteous because God made
us righteous; but our righteousness is manifested to the
world as we practice the will of God, and the will of
God is known only from the Word of God.
I John 3:1:
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed
upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:
therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew
him [God] not.
The world will never understand our being “sons of
God.” Salvation is an internal, spiritual working and
natural men cannot understand spiritual matters. The world
does not know God, for as I Corinthians 2:14 explains,
“. . .the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit
of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can
he know them, because they [spiritual matters] are spiritually
discerned.”
Verse 2:
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and [but] it
doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know
that, when he [Christ] shall appear, we shall be like
him: for we shall see him as he is.
Starting with the words “and it doth not yet appear”
in verse 2 through verse 4 is a parenthetical section dealing
with Christ. Then in verse 5 we return to the subject,
God. To be like him [Christ] is to be as he will be in
his resurrected body at his return. When Christ returns,
we shall be like him because we are joint-heirs with
Christ* and sons of the same Father.
Verse 3:
And every man that hath this hope [Christ’s return]
in him purifieth himself, even as he [Christ] is pure.
We have hope for Christ’s second coming. Thus, we
who have this hope should purify ourselves by renewing
the mind. Our minds should be made as pure by us
as our spirits are pure, the gift from God.
Verse 4:
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the
law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
The phrase “transgression of the law” is the Greek
word anomia, “lawlessness.” One who practices illegalities,
thereby not observing the law, is a transgressor. To
fulfill the law, man must follow the instructions given
in Galatians 6:2 where it says, “Bear ye one another’s
burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Verses 5, 6:
And ye know that he [God] was manifested [in Christ
and shown to the world] to take away our sins; and
in him [God] is no sin.
Whosoever abideth in him [God] sinneth not: whosoever
sinneth hath not seen him [God], neither known
[beyond initial acquaintance] him [God].
Verse 6 is speaking of a believer abiding in God (fellowship),
not God abiding in a believer (salvation). A
believer sins by breaking fellowship with God, not in
the spiritual life which he received when he was born
again, for that life is perfect and cannot sin. If one has a
perfectly renewed mind, he does not sin because he does
not break fellowship.
Verse 7:
Little children, let no man deceive you: he [the man]
that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he [God
in Christ in you] is righteous.
No one can do righteousness until the person himself
is righteous. Righteousness is of God and is therefore included
in the gift, spirit. Righteousness is God in Christ
within, which makes it possible to manifest righteousness
without.
Verse 8:
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil
sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son
of God was manifested, that he [Jesus Christ] might
destroy the works of the devil.
Every sin is due to the influence of Satan over the
person committing the sin. Jesus Christ was manifested
that He might break the power of Satan. In His first
coming He did defeat the devil’s work; however, the
total destruction is yet to take place with Christ’s second
coming.
The Son of God has defeated Satan for those who are
born again and have renewed their minds according to
The Word. If a person does not renew his mind, Satan
is not defeated in that person’s life. In such a case, Satan
thwarts this person with diseases, worries, fears and other
satanic negatives.
The words “from the beginning” in verse 8 refer to
the beginning of iniquity found in Lucifer, the devil. Note
Ezekiel 28:15: “Thou [both Adam and the devil] wast
perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created,
till iniquity was found in thee.”
Verse 9:
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin [in
the spirit]; for his [God’s] seed [Christ] remaineth in
him [the man]: and he cannot sin [in that of which
he is born, the seed of God, Christ in him], because
he is born of God.
In this seed of which a man is born again, he cannot
sin. It is perfect spiritual seed.
Verse 10:
In this the children of God are manifest, and the
children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness
is not of God, neither he that loveth not his
brother.
Note the sharp line of demarcation between the two
spiritual seeds. The children follow the pattern of their
respective fathers.
Verses 11, 12:
For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning,
that we should love one another.
Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew
his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because
his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
Cain was “of that wicked one”; he was born of the
seed of the serpent and manifested the devil’s hate and
evil works.
Verses 13, 14:
Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
We know that we have passed from death unto life,
because we love the brethren. He that loveth not
his brother abideth in death.
The word “brethren” has the connotation of “saints”
as sons of God. We know that we have passed from death
unto life when our deeds are motivated by the love of
God. Our salvation is manifested to ourselves and to the
other saints as we love with the love of God in our renewed
minds. No one has this agapē love until he is born
again of God. The natural man at best can only have
philēs, human love.
In the last part of verse 14 the words “his brother” are
not in the oldest texts. “He that loveth not” refers to
the unsaved man. The unsaved person cannot love with
agapē love and remains in darkness.
Verse 15:
Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye
know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in
him.
Some churches have taught that anyone who commits
murder, one who actually takes another’s life, does not
have eternal life abiding in him. The Word of God does
not say this. “Whosoever hateth [hate is of the devil and
only the devil’s children can have it] his brother [in the
flesh] is a murderer.” The brother is not killed, but the
man who hates, who is born of the seed of the serpent,
is causing his own death. “No murderer [who causes his
own death because he is born of the seed of the serpent]
hath eternal life abiding in him.” He cannot have eternal
life, he is born of the serpent.
Verse 16:
Hereby perceive [understand] we the love of God,
because he [Jesus Christ] laid down his life for us:
and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren
[saints].
We ought to lay down our lives, put our selfish desires
in subjection to our spirit, to help our fellow-believers.
Verse 17:
But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his
brother [saint] have need, and shutteth up his bowels
of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of
God in him?
We have frequently been taught that we are to help
the unsaved who are starving. This Scripture tells us that
our primary responsibility is to our brothers in Christ.**
Verses 18-22:
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in
tongue; but in deed and in truth [Let us love and not
just talk about it].
And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and
shall assure our hearts before him [God].
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our
heart, and knoweth all things.
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we
confidence toward God.
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him [God],
because we keep [in our minds] his [God’s] commandments,
and do [in our actions] those things that
are pleasing in his [God’s] sight.
If our hearts are condemning us, we are out of fellowship
with God. We have sinned by not walking in
the renewed mind. When we are out of fellowship, we
have no confidence toward God, and we cannot get our
prayers answered.
Verse 23:
And this is his [God’s] commandment, That we
should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ,
and love one another, as he [God in Christ Jesus]
gave us commandment.
We can stake our very lives on the goodness which
God has provided for us if we practice His will. Here
we have a command, not a demand; we should believe
on the name of His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus, the first-born,
and we, his brethren, are to manifest the love from the
Father within His family.
Verse 24:
And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth
in him [God], and he [God] in him. And hereby we
know that he [God] abideth in us, by the Spirit which
he hath given us.
The person who keeps the commandments not only
has sonship but also fellowship. We can know that God
in Christ dwells in us by manifesting the spirit which
He has given to us.
I John 4:1-3:
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits
whether they are of God: because many false prophets
are gone out into the world.
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that
confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is
of God:
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ
is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that
spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it
should come; and even now already is it in the world.
We are not to believe every supernatural manifestation
but are to test the spirits whether they be from the true
God. To do this we need to operate the manifestation of
discerning of spirits. The spirit of a false prophet will
not be able to confess that Jesus Christ is come in the
flesh. The same is antichrist but not the Antichrist.
Verse 4:
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome
them: because greater is he [God in Christ] that is
in you, than he [the devil and his devil spirits] that
is in the world.
God in Christ in us, the holy spirit, is greater than the
spirits of the devil in the world. When we believers begin
to practice our legal sonship rights with the use of the
name of Jesus Christ, we will truly live with power and
will overcome the forces of Satan in our lives.
Verses 5-12:
They [antichrists] are of the world: therefore speak
they of the world, and the world heareth them.
We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he
that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we
the spirit of truth [God], and the spirit of error [a
devil spirit].
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God;
and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth
God.
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
In this was manifested the love of God toward us,
because that God sent His only begotten Son into
the world, that we might live through him.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he
loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation
[payment] for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love
one another [with the renewed mind].
No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one
another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected
in us.
No man has ever seen God for God is Spirit. God’s
love is perfected in our walk as our minds are renewed.
Verses 13-15:
Hereby know we that we dwell in him [God], and
he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit [his
gift, holy spirit].
And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent
the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of
God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
When God dwells in a man, he has received a new
creation, eternal life. When a man dwells in God, the man
is walking in fellowship in the renewed mind.
Verse 16:
And we have known and believed the love that God
hath to us. God is love [agapē]; and he that dwelleth
in love [agapē] dwelleth in God, and God in him.
God’s love is perfected in our minds to the extent
that we dwell in God, and thereby manifest His gift to
the world.
Verse 17:
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have
boldness in the day of judgment: because as he [God]
is, so are we in this world.
As God is, so are we who are born again and who
demonstrate love. We then have boldness and power in
a time of crisis for we have put on the armor of God.
Verses 18, 19:
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out
fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not
made perfect in love.
We love him, because he first loved us.
God first loved us and gave us eternal life which made
it possible for us to love (agapē). Now we ought to renew
our minds according to the Spirit, God, and walk
before Him in love.
Verses 20, 21:
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he
is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he
hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not
seen?
And this commandment have we from him, That
he who loveth God love his brother also.
“To hate,” as in this Scripture, is “not to love.” The
proof to ourselves and others that we love God is to manifest
the love of God to the saints.
I John 5:1:
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born
of God: and every one that loveth him [God] that
begat loveth him [Christ and the brethren] also that
is begotten of him.
Everyone who loves God in the renewed mind loves
the brethren for it is impossible to have the love of God
in the renewed mind without loving the brethren. Both
Christ and we are begotten of God. Christ is our brother
and we are all, along with him, God’s children.
Verse 2:
By this we know that we love the children of God,
when we love God, and keep his commandments.
We keep His commandments by renewing our minds
according to His Word. As we walk in this light, we prove
to ourselves that we are the children of God.
Verses 3, 4:
For this is the love of God, that we keep his [God’s]
commandments: and his commandments are not
grievous [burdensome].
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world:
and this is the victory that overcometh the world
[Satan], even our faith.
The word “world” refers to Satan throughout this epistle.
The world includes all of Satan’s realm and the things
in it. We have the God-given ability to overcome all
oppression because “greater is he that is in you, than he
that is in the world.” Our victory comes with (1) our
believing in the Word of God and (2) renewing our minds
according to it.
Verse 5:
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that
believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Jesus overcame the world and the same power belongs
to us as we minister and operate the manifestations of
the spirit.***
Verses 6-8:
This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus
Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood.
And it is the Spirit that beareth witness [with our
spirit, the inner man], because the Spirit is truth.
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the
Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these
three are one.
And there are three that bear witness in earth, the
spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three
agree in one.†
According to verse 6, Jesus Christ came by water and
blood. We know that Jesus was conceived in Mary by
the Holy Spirit. At the time of Jesus’ birth, the amniotic
sac surrounding the embryo was broken and therefore
water came forth. Blood also comes forth at birth with
the mother’s delivery of the child. Thus Jesus “came by
water and blood,” just as all of us do.
I, too, by natural birth, was born of water and blood.
But the spirit within me, which came at the time of my
spiritual birth, indicates that I am no longer just a natural
man for I have eternal life which is spirit. These three
—water, blood and spirit—witness to the same God who
was witnessed to when Jesus was born.
Verses 9-12:
If we receive the witness of men [regarding our birth
of blood and water], the witness of God is greater:
for this is the witness of God which he hath testified
of his Son.
He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness
in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him
[God] a liar; because he believeth not the record that
God gave of his Son.
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal
life, and this life is in his Son.
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not
the Son of God hath not life.
When we believed on the Son of God, we received the
witness of eternal life within. “He that hath the Son hath
life,” according to the text. We do not earn this life given
to us by God; we do not beg for it; we cannot steal it;
and we cannot lose it because God gave it to us as seed.
Verses 13, 14:
These things have I written unto you that believe on
the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that
ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the
name of the Son of God.
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that,
if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth
us.
However, by the same token, if we ask anything which
is not God’s will, we will receive nothing. We must know
His will in order to know what properly and rightfully
to ask for.
Verse 15:
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask,
we know that we have [present tense] the petitions
that we desired [past tense] of him.
We have our requests before we have the manifestation
of them. This is tremendous. Why? The Bible is
the Word of God, and the Word of God is the Will of
God. Therefore, if we know the Word of God, we know
the will of God. If The Word says, “Pray for the sick,”
then we know that we are to pray for the sick; we are
doing God’s will. We need no longer pray the pitiful “If
it be Thy will.” Only someone unlearned or ignorant of
the Word of God will pray “If it be Thy will.” The man
who knows the Word of God knows what is God’s will.
Verse 16:
If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto
death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for
them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto
death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
The “sin unto death” is the unforgivable sin.† † If a man
commits this sin, prayer will avail nothing for that man
is born of the seed of the serpent. However, if a brother
in the flesh has not committed the unforgivable sin, God
will give that brother eternal life if we ask. The word
“brother” in verse 16 specifically refers to a brother by
birth. We can pray for salvation for a family member
who wills to hear and believe God’s promise. Praying
for eternal life for a relative, brother or sister, who has
not committed the unforgivable sin is a key which we
can lay hold on for members of our families who are not
saved.
Verse 17:
All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not
unto death.
Anything in thought, word or deed which is not in
harmony with God’s Word is unrighteousness. The unrighteousness
of those who are born again is not unto
death because God has promised forgiveness.
Verse 18:
We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not
[in the spirit, inner man]; but he that is begotten of
God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth
him not.
If this verse were translated, “We know that that which
is born of God within the believer sinneth not,” people
could understand more easily. “Whosoever is born of
God” remains in fellowship with God by renewing his
mind. The believer with a renewed mind cannot be
touched by the wicked one. The key to keeping ourselves
is in living according to God’s Word. By positive action
we will allow no opportunity for Satan to interfere in
our lives. As Ephesians 4:27 admonishes, “Neither give
place to the devil.”
Verses 19, 20:
And we know that we are of God, and the whole
world lieth in wickedness.
And we know that the Son of God is come, and
hath given us an understanding, that we may know
him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even
in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and
eternal life.
The whole world lies, not walks or stands but lies,
helpless as a babe or a dead body, before the wicked
one, Satan. He is the prince of this world according to
John 14:30, and the god of this world according to II
Corinthians 4:4. However, we who are born again have
been enlightened for we know God, who is true.
Verse 21:
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
“Little children” is a term of endearment, as to students
from a concerned and loving teacher. To “keep from
idols” means to seek no help, guidance or instruction
from any source other than our heavenly Father, who is
the true and living God. We should not be swayed from
keeping our minds on God and His Word. Our victorious
living, after receiving sonship, comes in direct proportion
with our remaining in fellowship by thinking and
acting according to the will of God, which can only be
known by the Word of God.