The BibleTexts.com Bible Commentary

The BibleTexts.com Bible Commentary

FIRST LETTER OF JOHN

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First Letter of John
- Bible dictionary explanations of this book of the Bible at http://www.bibletexts.com/glossary/1jo.htm.
- Topical index of other resources for this book of the Bible at http://www.bibletexts.com/topical.htm#1jo.

Chapter 1

Other resources

1Jo 1:1

S&H 268:-7--2 [This verse introduces the chapter titled, "Science of Being."]

1Jo 1:3

S&H 268:-7--2 [This verse introduces the chapter titled, "Science of Being."]

1Jo 1:6,8 - the truth
- To explore additional New Testament references to "THE TRUTH," browse http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/t.htm#the-truth.

Chapter 2

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Books of Bible

1Jo 2:1 - KJV wording: advocate <3875, same Greek word (parakleton) translated as "Comforter" in John 14, 15, and 16>

In the KJV the same Greek word parakletos <3875> is translated "Comforter" in Joh 14:16 and is translated "advocate" in 1Jo 2:1, which also is translatable as "the defense attorney," "advocate," or "counsellor." To read a detailed explanation of this word, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/terms/comforter.htm.

1Jo 2:4 - the truth
- To explore additional New Testament references to "THE TRUTH," browse http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/t.htm#the-truth.
1Jo 2:6 - Jesus as our example

See many other references to "Example of Jesus" at http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/e.htm#example-of-jesus.

1Jo 2:12 - your sins are forgiven

See many other references to "forgiveness of sins" at http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/f.htm#forgiveness-of-sins.

1Jo 2:15 - Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world

To further explore this issue, browse a topical index of web articles on "possessions" at http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/substance.htm.

1Jo 2:16 - a/r: LUST or: desire
1Jo 2:16

Ret 79:13

1Jo 2:21 - the truth
- To explore additional New Testament references to "THE TRUTH," browse http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/t.htm#the-truth.
1Jo 2:24 - KJV wording: remain <3306> - more consistent wording: abide

Note: "remain" was translated from the same Greek word <3306> from which "abide" was translated earlier in this verse.

1Jo 2:24 - KJV wording: continue <3306> more consistent wording: abide

Note: "continue" was translated from the same Greek word <3306> from which "abide" was translated earlier in this verse.

Chapter 3

Other resources

1Jo 3:1-3

To read an article by Hermann S. Hering in CSS, 1906, January 6, Vol 8, page 291, which is an explanation of the meaning and reading of 1 John 3:1-3, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/articles/s008p291.htm. (Mary Baker Eddy personally approved the contents of this article.)

1Jo 3:1 - KJV wording: sons <5043> corrected translation: children
1Jo 3:1 - children of God

To explore additional references, browse: CHILDREN OF GOD at http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/c.htm.

1Jo 3:1 (after "sons of God") - add to KJV wording: -- and <2532> we are <2070> - (based on a needed correction of the KJV's Greek text)
1Jo 3:2
- Un 41:19
- Mis 196:22
1Jo 3:3 - he <#1565, Greek: ekeinos> or: 'that one' [refers to Jesus or Christ]

Johannes P. Louw and Eugene A. Nida (Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains, New York: United Bible Societies, 1989) write regarding the Greek word ekeinos, <#1565>: "a reference to an entity regarded as relatively absent in terms of the discourse setting - ‘that, that one.’ "
Rudolph Bultmann (The Johannine Epistles - translated by O'Hara, McGaughy, and Funk, Philadelphia: Fortress Press, Hermeneia Series, 1973, page 49) writes: "Ekeinos, of course refers to Jesus, who is designated as ekeinos here, in 2:6, 3:5,7,16; 4:17, and often in John."
J.L. Houlden (The Johannine Epistles, New York: Harper & Row, Harper New Testament Commentaries, 1973, page 91) writes: "'Him' almost certainly refers to Christ, who is himself the Son of God -- and so like God. Just as in [1Jo 2:29] the subject shifted from Christ... to God, so now, again without clear indication, it seems to shift back. This obscurity of reference has a backing in Johannine thought: 'He who has seen me has seen the Father' [Joh 14:9]."

1Jo 3:8

S&H 5:30
S&H 474:30
No 31:14

1Jo 3:9 - a/r: HIS SEED or: His seed (or: God's seed)
1Jo 3:9

1Jo 5:18

1Jo 3:11 - love one another

To explore additional references, browse "LOVE ONE ANOTHER" at http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/l.htm#love-one-another.

1Jo 3:13 - Gr: [kai] me - See TCGNT p. 642-643. {C}
- With strong support from very early ancient manuscripts, the ESV [book review] omits the UBS4's bracketed wording as not having been part of the original text. The removal of that wording has virtually no impact on the meaning of the verse, as shown below in the comparison with the NRSV [book review] (which rarely uses brackets, even when it retains the UBS4's bracketed wording) and the NAB [book review] ( which consistently retains all of the UBS4's bracketed wording within parentheses).
  - ESV - 13 Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.
  - NRSV - 13 Do not be astonished, brothers and sisters, that the world hates you.
  - NAB - 13 Do not be amazed, (then,) brothers, if the world hates you.
1Jo 3:14 (after "loveth not") - omit KJV wording: his brother - (based on a needed correction of the KJV's Greek text)
1Jo 3:14

Joh 5:24

1Jo 3:17 - a/r: BOWELS or: heart
1Jo 3:17 - a/r: GOOD or: goods
1Jo 3:17 - Helping others in need

To further explore this issue, which was very important in the teaching and practice of first century Christianity, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/wealth&poverty.htm

1Jo 3:18 - love <25> (Greek: agapao)

To further explore the topic of Christian love, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/Christianlove.htm.

1Jo 3:18

S&H 203:13

1Jo 3:18 - love in action

To read a thought-provoking, call-to-action article on "Love in action," browse http://www.bibletexts.com/terms/love-in-action.htm. This is another of the many webpages on BibleTexts.com that reflect a commitment to reinstate earliest Christian thinking, teachings, and practices.
To further explore the issue of helping others in need, which was very important in the teaching and practice of first century Christianity, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/wealth&poverty.htm

1Jo 3:19 - Gr: [kai] en touto - See TCGNT p. 643. {C}
- With strong support from very early ancient manuscripts, the ESV [book review] omits the UBS4's bracketed wording as not having been part of the original text. The removal of that wording has virtually no impact on the meaning of the verse, as shown below in the comparison with the NRSV [book review] (which rarely uses brackets, even when it retains the UBS4's bracketed wording) and the NAB [book review] ( which consistently retains all of the UBS4's bracketed wording within parentheses).
  - ESV - 19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him;
  - NRSV - 19 And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him
  - NAB - 19 (Now) this is how we shall know that we belong to the truth and reassure our hearts before him
1Jo 3:19 - the truth
- To explore additional New Testament references to "THE TRUTH," browse http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/t.htm#the-truth.
1Jo 3:22 - Keeping God's commandments

To explore what Jesus said about those 4 Commandments that he specifically singled out and commented on -- the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th Commandments, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/terms/10commandments-Jesus-comments.htm.

1Jo 3:23

S&H 572:6

Chapter 4

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Books of Bible

1Jo 4:1

Mis 171:10

1Jo 4:1 - false prophets <5578, pseudoprophetes> or false spokesman

To explore the texts of additional references in the Bible and other writings, browse "False prophets" at http://www.bibletexts.com/terms/false-prophets.htm.

1Jo 4:7 - love one another

To explore additional references, browse LOVE ONE ANOTHER at http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/l.htm.

1Jo 4:8 - God is love

To explore additional biblical and other references, browse "God is love" at http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/g.htm#god-is-love.

1Jo 4:9

Joh 4:16

1Jo 4:11 - love one another

To explore additional references, browse "Love one another" at http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/l.htm.

1Jo 4:12

Joh 1:18

1Jo 4:14

Joh 3:17

1Jo 4:15

1Jo 5:5

1Jo 4:16 - God <2316> is <1510> love <26>

To explore additional biblical and other references, browse "God is love" at http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/g.htm#god-is-love.
To further explore "love" (Greek: agape) as understood by Jesus and the earliest Christians, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/christianlove.htm.

1Jo 4:16 (immediately after the last "God") - add to KJV wording: : abides <3306, or: remains, stays, dwells> - (based on a needed correction of the KJV's Greek text)
1Jo 4:18

S&H 373:14
S&H 406:1
S&H 410:14
Mis 229:24
Peo 6:14-19
Ret 61:3-17
Un 20:1-21 [Note especially Un 20:15-17.]

1Jo 4:18 - fear

To read additional texts on "FEAR NOT," browse http://www.bibletexts.com/terms/fear-not.htm.

1Jo 4:19 - omit KJV wording: him <846> - (based on a needed correction of the KJV's Greek text)
1Jo 4:20

S&H 366:14

Chapter 5

Other resources

1Jo 5:1 - Gr: [kai] ton - See TCGNT p. 646. {C}
- With strong support from very early ancient manuscripts, the ESV [book review] omits the UBS4's bracketed wording as not having been part of the original text. The removal of that wording has virtually no impact on the meaning of the verse, as shown below in the comparison with the NRSV [book review] (which rarely uses brackets, even when it retains the UBS4's bracketed wording) and the NAB [book review] ( which consistently retains all of the UBS4's bracketed wording within parentheses).
  - ESV - 1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.
  - NRSV - 1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child.
  - NAB - 1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the father loves (also) the one begotten by him.
1Jo 5:2 - a/r: KEEP <5083> in KJV, change to: do <4160> - (based on a needed correction of the KJV's Greek text)
1Jo 5:3

Mat 11:30
Joh 14:15,23,24

1Jo 5:4 - born of God

For biblical and other references to this, browse "Born of God" at http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/b.htm#born-of-god.

1Jo 5:4-5 - overcometh

Joh 16:33
1Co 15:57
"Overcome" and words derived therefrom are used 24 times in the KJV New Testament. In Mary Baker's writings, it is used 46 times in S&H, 53 times in her Prose Works, and 3 times in the Church Manual.

1Jo 5:5

See 1Jo 5:4-5

1Jo 5:6 - the truth
- To explore additional New Testament references to "THE TRUTH," browse http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/t.htm#the-truth.

1Jo 5:7-8 - omit KJV wording: in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth - (based on a needed correction of the KJV's Greek text)

This text is not found in any modern English versions, i.e., not found in those versions that are translated from the current representations of the original texts. (The NKJV is not such a modern translation. It is still totally dependent upon the KJV and the same faulty Hebrew and Greek texts from which the KJV was translated. )
Even up to the fifth and final edition of Erasmus' Greek text in 1535, Erasmus fell prey to pressure and manipulation from church authorities to add to subsequent editions phrases and entire verses that he strongly (and rightly) suspected were not part of the original text. (The Text of the New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption, and Restoration, Second Edition, Oxford University Press, 1968, pages 100-101, which document how Erasmus was conned to include what is translated in the KJV in 1Jo 5:7-8, the following text: "in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth." Erasmus' 1535 edition still relied upon no more than six Greek manuscripts, the oldest (but least used!) of which was from the tenth century.
In Biblical Hermeneutics (edited by Bruce Corley, Steve W. Lemke, and Grant Lovejoy, Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2002, page 388), Harold Freeman, in his chapter on "Biblical Criticism and Biblical Preaching" writes:

Textual criticism is the discipline that seeks to identify the original wording of an ancient document. Textual criticism of the Bible benefits preaching by preventing nonbiblical sermons. ...We regret giving up a nice doctrinal sermon on the Trinity based on 1 John 5:7b (KJV). Nevertheless, if it is determined that these are additions to the original writings, whether intentional or accidental, biblical preaching based on these texts cannot occur... Sermons based on spurious or corrupted texts cannot be genuinely biblical. The determination of exactly what the Scripture said is the starting point for biblical preaching.
For additional details regarding the corruption of this verse and of the entire so-called Textus Receptus, which was the basis of the Greek text used by the KJV translators, browse

1Jo 5:11 - eternal life

In the KJV New Testament, the phrase "eternal life"or "life eternal" is used 30 times. In Mary Baker Eddy's writings the phrase "eternal Life/life" or "Life/life eternal" is used 32 times in S&H and 28 times in Prose Works, and 2 times in the Church Manual.

1Jo 5:13 - eternal life
- (In the KJV New Testament, the phrase "eternal life"or "life eternal" is used 30 times. In Mary Baker Eddy's writings the phrase "eternal Life/life" or "Life/life eternal" is used 32 times in S&H and 28 times in Prose Works, and 2 times in the Church Manual.)
1Jo 5:13 - omit KJV wording: and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God - (based on a needed correction of the KJV's Greek text)
1Jo 5:13
- Joh 20:31
1Jo 5:13 - KJV wording: 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. - corrected wording: These things I wrote to you so that you may know that you have eternal life -- for those believing in the name [authority, character, or cause] of the Son of God. - (based on a needed correction of the KJV's Greek text)
1Jo 5:13

Joh 20:31

1Jo 5:18 - KJV wording: himself - corrected wording: him - (based on a needed correction of the KJV's Greek text)
1Jo 5:18 - KJV wording: that wicked one - corrected translation: the evil one (this uses the exactly same Greek word that is used in the Matthew's version of the Lord's Prayer, Mat 6:12 (KJV: "evil" - most modern translations: "the evil one"). See also S&H 16:15.
1Jo 5:20 - true God

To explore Web page links to additional references and explanations, browse: http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/god.htm.
To explore the relationship of this verse to the teaching of the Trinity in the Nicene Creed, see http://www.bibletexts.com/topical.htm#trinity.

1Jo 5:20 - eternal life

To read additional texts from the Bible and other writings that mention "eternal life," browse http://www.bibletexts.com/terms/eternal-life.htm.

For an explanation of the Greek word commonly translated into English as "eternal," browse http://www.bibletexts.com/qa/qa088.htm.

1Jo 5:20

Joh 17:3

1Jo 5:21 - omit KJV wording: Amen - (based on a needed correction of the KJV's Greek text)
1Jo 5:21

Mis 307:20

Abbreviations
Copyright 1996-2004 Robert Nguyen Cramer
Bibliography

www.bibletexts.com
editor@bibletexts.com

Abbreviations	Copyright 1996-2004 Robert Nguyen Cramer	Bibliography
www.bibletexts.com	Copyright 1996-2004 Robert Nguyen Cramer	editor@bibletexts.com