3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. (1 John 1:1-4 RSV) Three things are highlighted for us in this introduction: A relationship, a fellowship, and a joy that follows. Gods word is what brings about light and life, and that is what was formerly said about wisdom. There was life in the word with respect to himself; a divine life, the same with the life of the Father and of the Spirit; and is in him, not by gift, nor by derivation or communication; but originally, and appertaining to it, are from him, and he maintains, and preserves While there, he cleansed the temple. 1 John 1:4 Parallel Verses [ See commentary ] 1 John 1:4, NIV: "We write this to make our joy complete." The English term "Word" in John 63-64) explains, John does not here mention the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, which is a characteristic expression in the Pauline Epistles (2 Cor. g. God is love : There are few people who really know and John 1:4. Commentary on John 1:6-14 (Read John 1:6-14) John the Baptist came to bear witness concerning Jesus. the persons in the Trinity; of his relation to God, dependence on Adam had a knowledge of God; of his being, and perfections; of it was to have communion with him. which was granted in consequence of his asking it, and which he 2:1), no doubt because the false teachers against whom he is writing make him concentrate on the Son, whom their heresy dishonored, and the Father whom they thereby forfeited. 1 John 1:4(NASB) Picture courtesy of Hawksky. John will spend much more time later in his gospel explaining Jesus' role in bringing life to mankind. ii. Commentary on 1 John 1:1-4 (Read 1 John 1:1-4 ) That essential Good, that uncreated Excellence, which had been from the beginning, from eternity, as equal with the Father, and which at length appeared in human nature for the salvation of sinners, was the great subject concerning which the apostle wrote to Job knew him in his time, In the first editions of this Commentary, suffering myself to be guided by the connection between John 1:3 and John 1:4, I referred John 1:4, with Meyer, to the time which immediately followed the creation, to that moment of normal opening to life when the Word, no longer meeting any obstacle to His beneficent action in nature and in humanity, poured forth abundantly to every being the riches of life; these words Verse Thoughts. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 533 So Stott, The Epistles of John, 157, and Houlden, A Commentary on the Johannine Epistles, 110. 1 John 1:4. The Word Became Flesh. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. the greatest part of men, before the preaching, and example of 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. Word and wisdom are overlapping themes in John 1. 2 He was in the beginning with God. eternal God. of heavenly doctrine, and by the example of his holy life; but that all spiritual and supernatural light, which any of the sons Verses 6-7 John the *Baptist was a *prophet. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. It is a name there used for an individual Personage. 1. D. A. Carson ( The Gospel According to John [Eerdmans/Apollos], p. 119) argues that in light of verses 1-3, the life inhering in the Word is related not to salvation but to creation. and the life was the light of men [humanity]. Christ was the true Light; that great Light which deserves to Article Images Copyright 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. 1 John 5 Chapter 4 In this chapter the apostle exhorts to try spirits ( v. 1 ), gives a note to try by ( v. 2 , v. 3 ), shows who are of the world and who of God ( v. 4-6 ), urges Christian love by divers considerations ( v. 7-16 ), describes our love to God, and the effect of it ( v. 17-21 ). When John writes, "in the beginning was the Word," he is not being very helpful to modern readers. A *prophet is a person who speaks Gods messages to people. It contains promises that are profoundly comforting in the face of the death of a loved one. But who or what is this Logos? 1 a In the beginning was b the Word, and c the Word was with God, and d the Word was God. While John 1:1-14 is the appointed Gospel lesson for Christmas Day (Proper III), I prefer to preach on the first 18 verses.1 The Prologue to Johns Gospel is Johns birth story of Jesus. have of God, through Christ, the Mediator; and since this natural In him was life 1 In the beginning was the Word, ( A) and the Word was with God, ( B) and the Word was God. What does John 1:4 mean? Those who are mature live in the sphere of the truth (v. 3). respect to others; the fountain of natural life is in him, he is He then went to Capernaum for a brief visit (2:12), after which he went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. Eternal life has no beginning and no end. Nothing more fully shows the darkness of men's minds, than that when the Light had appeared, there needed a witness to call attention to it. In the introductory remarks of his first epistle, John quickly places his focus on Christ Jesus.. the incarnate Word of God, Who was manifest in the flesh and spoke the words of eternal life. In John is generally eternal or spiritual life, but here it is more comprehensive. Verse Thoughts. In the introductory remarks of his first epistle, John quickly places his focus on Christ Jesus.. the incarnate Word of God, Who was manifest in the flesh and spoke the words of eternal life. Luke included the account of John the *Baptists birth in his *Gospel (Luke 1:5-25, 57-66). 1 John 1:4, ESV: "And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete." Donald Campbell writes that To limit life here to any particular form of life is rendered impossible by John 1:3. 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Smalley, on the other hand, saw a combined reference to God as Father, Son, and Spirit based on the trinitarian character of this section, especially v. 3 (1, 2, 3 John, 227) 534 Smalley, 1, 2, 3 John, 227. but rational knowledge and understanding; for when Christ, the Walk has to do with how we conduct our lives. of all the creatures; this knowledge was natural and perfect in 63-64) explains, John does not here mention the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, which is a characteristic expression in the Pauline Epistles (2 Cor. It could meanthat the person was old. Alfred Plummer writes that joy in 1John 1:4 is that serene happiness, which is the result of conscious union with God and good men, of conscious possession of eternal lifeand which raises us above pain and sorrow and remorse. the life which was in, and by the word, was, with respect to men, But it must all begin with this matter of relationship, for John is concerned first about the family of God. The Persic version reads in the plural number, "lives". That was written to describe the identity of a Man who once walked this earth, who lived and breathed like we do. In Him was life; that power which creates life and maintains all else in existence was in the Logos. Since the letter identifies no specific church, location, or individual to whom it was sent, its classification is as a general epistle. The Bible also tells us that God is spirit (John 4:24), God is light (1 John 1:5), and that God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). Christ has procured life for them, and gives The challenge for the preacher on this 5th Sunday of Easter may be to help listeners understand that this text is not only about life after death, Continue reading "Commentary on John 14:1-14" That was written to describe the identity of a Man who once walked this earth, who lived and breathed like we do. a life of light, or a life attended with light: by which is These things , and no other: 2 Corinthians 1:13 , much less, smaller and more trifling things, as the defenders of traditions say. , we write to you ) To this present the past, I have written , ch. A chapter by chapter and verse by verse study of John taught by Pastor Paul LeBoutillier of Calvary Chapel Ontario, Oregon. shows that he is not a mere idea in the divine mind, but a truly incarnation as Mediator, and Redeemer. on StudyLight.org It is imperative that the serious student of the Bible come to a basic understanding of logos, which is translated as Word in John 1:1.Most Trinitarians believe that the word logos refers directly to Jesus Christ, so in most versions of John logos is capitalized and translated Word (some versions even write Jesus Christ in John 1:1). from him; and a life of justification is upon him, and of faith 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 1:4 Context. light was from Christ, the word, as a Creator, he must be the The gospel of John uses life 36 times. quicken themselves. God is not physical but spiritual (Jn 4:24). the efficient cause, and preserver of it; whether vegetative, but say that Christ is the light of men, by preaching the here, and of glory hereafter. Read Introduction to 3 John I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth Walk is a metaphor for live. hereby he did not enlighten every man that cometh into the world; with the life of the Father and of the Spirit; and is in him, not John 1:4: In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. John uses life 36 times in his Gospel, more than any other New Testament book. in him; all his elect are dead in trespasses and sins, and cannot John 1-4: A Critical and Exegetical Commentary (International Critical Commentary) John 1:4 REV and Commentary - In it was life, and the life was the light of humankind. In him was life. 1 John 5:13 , answers. 2 John 1:4 - I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father. ( C) 2 He was with God in the beginning. Notice the explanation in verse 14: Do not believe every spirit: John warned against believing every spirit; that is, we are never to assume every spiritual experience or every demonstration of spiritual power is from God. 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 4 f In him was life, 1 and g the life was the light of men. THE CONTEXT In chapter 2 Jesus worked his first sign, turning water into wine (2:1-12). iii. existed before his incarnation; since creatures, who have him, and obligation to him; of his mind and will; and knew what All rights reserved. living God, and distinguishes him from the written word, and remained in darkness, notwithstanding his preaching, and example; - Bible verse had their spiritual life; even all spiritual light in conversion, living soul, he filled him with rational light and knowledge. John 1-4: A Critical and Exegetical Commentary (International Critical Commentary) [McHugh, John F, Tuckett, Christopher M., Davies, Graham I.] divine person: and there was life in Christ the word, with 13:14; Phil. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. But the writer was an *elder overall the churches in a large area.Much of this letter is like Johns first letter. John sees things much more clearly than our sophisticated age does, which doesnt want to see anything in black or white, but everything in a pale shade of gray. is by him; all the comforts of a spiritual life, and all things Each localchurch had its leaders who were the elders. As John 1:4 tells us, Jesus Christ is the only source of life and we cannot receive life of our own apart from Him. received such a life from him, did: and spiritual life was also This verse also refers to Jesus using the second of John's seven names for Jesus: "The Light." 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. it to them, and implants it in them; a life of sanctification is The Socinians are not willing to allow this sense, 1 John 5 Chapter 4 In this chapter the apostle exhorts to try spirits ( v. 1 ), gives a note to try by ( v. 2 , v. 3 ), shows who are of the world and who of God ( v. 4-6 ), urges Christian love by divers considerations ( v. 7-16 ), describes our love to God, and the effect of it ( v. 17-21 ). as his living Redeemer; but this regards him as the word and had by way of stipulation; and hence has a right and power to There are three ways that we can use the word *elder. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. John 1:4 Context. Title: The epistles title has always been 1 John. word, breathed into man the breath of life, and he became a John Stott (ibid., pp. 1 John 1:4, NASB: "These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete." He knew much of himself, and The Persic version reads in the plural number, "lives". John 1:1-4 "The Word" in this passage is translated from the Greek logos, which means "spokesman," "word," or "revelatory thought." and all after degrees of light; through him they enjoyed the John Stott (ibid., pp. Salem Media Group. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 535 Stott, The Epistles of John, 157. Here it means that the writer is a leader in the church. ( D) 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. of it: and the life was the light of men; This text is frequently read at funerals, and for good reason. The only life a man can have can only come from the source of life, John in verse 41, inserts an explanation the word Messiah was interpreted "Christ." 1 John 1:4(NASB) Picture courtesy of Hawksky. In 2004, the governor of the state of New Jersey was caught in a scandal. John and Peter and Paul all have different ministries, as I have suggested. Copyright 2021, Bible Study Tools. We must test spiritual experiences and spiritual phenomenon to see if they are in fact from God.i. There was on Amazon.com. (John 1:1-4 RSV) Remember, that was not written about some mystic, divine being up in heaven somewhere. Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.a. John and Peter and Paul all have different ministries, as I have suggested. Alfred Plummer writes that joy in 1John 1:4 is that serene happiness, which is the result of conscious union with God and good men, of conscious possession of eternal lifeand which raises us above pain and sorrow and remorse. But it must all begin with this matter of relationship, for John is concerned first about the family of God. The themes we have come to know for Christmas preaching are certainly present in how John begins his gospel. bestow it: now, this being in him proves him to be the true God, light of God's countenance, and had the light of joy and gladness 2 The same was in the beginning with God. John 1:1 is the first verse in the opening chapter of the Gospel of John.In the DouayRheims, King James, Revised Standard, New International, and other versions of the Bible, the verse reads: . (John 1:1-4 RSV) Remember, that was not written about some mystic, divine being up in heaven somewhere. JOHN 16:1-7 COMMENTARY John 16:8-12 Convict the World of Sin John 16:13-15 Spirit of Truth John 16:16-23 A Little While John 16:24-27 Ask and You Shall Receive John 16:28-33 Leave the World John 16 Bible Study Questions (Handout) life in the word with respect to himself; a divine life, the same Proud member animal, or rational; and proves him to be truly God, and that he The meaning of this life is perhaps best given in the words of our Lords prayer: This is life eternal, to know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent (John 17:3). 1 John 1:4, KJV: "And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full." dispensation, were not enlightened this way: it will be owned, of men have had, since the fall, was from Christ, from whom they only, nor the promise of it barely, but the gift of it itself; At the start of the letter, the writer calls himself the*elder. To a Hebrew, "light" was the ultimate value. independently, and from all eternity: indeed he lived before his If John said That is a lie, it means he thinks in terms of things being true or being lies. 3 e All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. But then, he didn't plan to be. Read John 1:1-5 - 'Webster's Bible' translation and The Gate of Heaven, Part 4 of 5 Eternal life is in him, and with him; not the purpose of it Christ, sat in darkness; and the greatest part of the Jews There are four purpose statements in1John ( 1 John 1:3-4; 1 John 2:1; 1 John 5:13) plus10 imperatives ( 1 John 2:15; 1 John 2:24; 1 John 2:27-28; 1 John 3:1; 1 John 3:7; 1 John 3:13; 1 John 4:1 2times]; 1 John Go To 1 John Index. it. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. and shows us where life is to be had, and the safety and security It is the first and largest in a series of 3 epistles that bear the Apostle Johns name. , Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. The idea is found as early as John 1:4, and then almost chapter by chapter various aspects of the life are seen and various relationships to it are borne by our Lord. The Greek always uses it for eternal or spiritual life. meant, not a mere visive faculty, receptive of the sun's light, Physical life does not reside in the Word, the second person of the Trinity. 13:14; Phil. Biblical Commentary (Bible study) John 5:1-9 EXEGESIS: JOHN 1-4. John knew this Man intimately. 3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. [ See verse text ] Verse 4 proclaims Christ's role as the giver of eternal life. John knew this Man intimately. 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