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Things To Know in First John
Things to know in 1John.
As you read through the letters of John there are a few basic concepts that can help you understand what he is saying. First, John makes a constant use of the present tense verbs in order to indicate 'on-going' action. This can often be contrasted with the aorist verb tense that is used to show punctiliar action. Hence while we sin (aorist, punctiliar), we do not 'practice sins' or, using KJ English, 'sinneth not'. The newer translations try in various ways to indicate such continuing action while the KJ added the 'eth' endings to such verbs.
John also will speak of 'cannot' to indicate a moral impossibility rather than an absolute impossibility. Hence he can speak of the idea that believers cannot sin. (cp. 3.9; 4:20).
John also often states things in a 'black and white' type of declaration. For example, God is love. Such is true but it is not the whole of God's being and nature. He states "By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,…" (4:2). That is not the ONLY means of knowing, but if they fail this test they have failed the test.
John's uses the word 'whoever' some 25 times. Such emphasizes the universality of the gospel but also the universal rule of God. These concepts and principles of conduct apply unto all.
John also reveals an interesting concept of Love. It again is a very practical concept that implies, demands corresponding actions.
- God is love.
- God loved US. When we didn't deserve it.
- WE then must love not only God, but God's people (our brethren).
- Such love is shown in our actions.
Here is one of my favorite 'summaries' of 1 John.
His special vocabulary tells the whole story: To remain/continue/abide (24x) in the truth (9x) means to believe in (9x) or confess (5x) the Son (22x), to whom the Father (14x) and Spirit (8x) bear witness (12x); it means further to be born of God (10x), so as to walk (5x) in the light (6x), to hear (14x) and to know (40x) God, to keep (7x) the commandment (14x) to love (46x) the brothers and sisters (15x), and thus to have life (13x), which is from the beginning (8x), and finally to overcome (6x) the world. All of this is in contrast to the lie (7x), deceit (4x), denying Christ (3x), having a false spirit (4x), thus being antichrist (4x), walking in darkness (6x), hating (5x) one’s brothers and sisters but loving the world (23x), thus being in sin (27x), which leads to death (6x). [How To Read The Bible Book By Book, by Fee and Stuart, Logos Edition].
For being one of the shortest of the New Testament letters, it is packed with profound statements of truth. Hugh DeLong
