1 John 2:28–29

 ²⁸ And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. ²⁹ If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.

Commentary

In the verse twenty eight the Apostle John in light of those who went out from them now exhorts us all to continue to abide in Christ, in His teachings and commandments given us in the N.T. Scriptures; but yes we still need the Old Testament, and yes I still regularly read and study it (and learn much from it) because it is apart of the Word of God, and it puts the N.T. (and all of human history) into context, as well there are many things written in it that are not only personally edifying and instructive, but also are still to be fulfilled. And so, let no one think that the O.T. Scriptures are any less important than the New Testament Scriptures, because they both support and depend upon each other. That said and returning to our focus we are to abide in Jesus Christ (who is in both Testaments) so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed at His appearing. For there will be those who are saved, and yet will be ashamed when He appears, because they were not steadily abiding in Him. And so, in verse twenty-nine the Apostle John makes a very clear and simple statement to help us little children who are naïve of the devil and all of his works in sowing false brethren amongst us, to know that the test of anyone’s testimony is simply do they practice righteousness, because Jesus Christ Himself is Righteous and all who are born of Him likewise practice righteousness, not sinlessness, but righteousness as a course of their lives. Living good and doing good then is the mark of every Christian, and not what others slanderously say or evil thoughts they have and propagate about us as being true. True Christians then don’t bear false witness against others, nor do they heed those who do.

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.

1 John 2:24–27

 ²⁴ Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. ²⁵ And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life. ²⁶ These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. ²⁷ But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

Commentary

Vs. 24 “Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.”

 

The Apostle John now tells us to abide in that which we heard from the beginning, which is the Gospel our salvation, and thus not become preoccupied with the proliferation of false doctrines which will only increase as the end draws near. For though there is a time when one must rebuke such things, one’s meditation should never be upon them. Rather let the Gospel’s truth abide in you, then you will also abide in the Son and the Father. 

Vs. 25 “And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.” 

This then is the hope and joy of every believer of having eternal life by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ! For this is God, who cannot lie, Promise to us! 

Vs. 26 “These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you.” 

Again, the Apostle John makes it clear that he is writing to us to protect us from those who try to deceive us, who would say to us that you’re not eternally saved, that you can lose your salvation, which again will never happen because the moment we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ we were sealed with the Holy Spirit of Perfection, who sanctifies and seals us for all eternity with God (John 7:39; 2 Cor. 1:21-22; Eph. 1:13-14; 4:30; Heb. 10:14 etc.). 

Vs. 27 “But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.” 

Once again, the Apostle John reaffirms that we have an anointing from God, through His Holy Spirit who teaches us all things, who is true, and who will continue to teach us, and whom we will continue to abide in. That said, God has also provided through the same Holy Spirit, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for the building up of His church, the Body of Christ, in the sound doctrine of the faith, so that we all come to a unity of the faith, having and sharing the same beliefs and practices (see Eph. 4:11-12). Therefore, we need both, both the Holy Spirits anointing, and Holy Spirit equipped Godly men who are thus able to teach and lead God’s people in the truth of God’s Word. Who will not introduce all kinds of doctrines and commandments and traditions of men which only try to mold the church and conform God’s people according to these, and thus create and only perpetuate denominationalism and not the unity of the Body of Christ. 

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.

1 John 2:18–23

 ¹⁸ Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. ¹⁹ They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. ²⁰ But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. ²¹ I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. ²² Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. ²³ Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

Commentary

Vs. 18 “Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.” 

Here the last hour refers to not a literal hour, but the last hour of God’s timetable before He wraps up history, and thus this world, and sets up his Everlasting Kingdom with all of His redeemed people. Therefore, the Apostle John in addressing God’s children everywhere now warns us of the Antichrist who is coming before the Lord’s Return (see 2 Thess. 2:1-9), but who is now also at work in this world through his own false teachers (i.e., antichrists), which have come, and who will continue to come, and rise up and propagate great distortions about and lies against the Truth until the Lord returns (Matt. 24:24), and so by this we know that it is the last hour (2 Tim. 2:14-4:6). 

Vs. 19 “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.”

Sadly, though they began with us, they soon found faults with God and us, and so they went out from us, not heeding the Word of God anymore, only to return to the world from which they came, to the world where they feel most comfortable in. And so, though the passage here speaks of false teachers who thus go out to begin all kinds of sects and cults, it also reveals false brethren, for in going out from us they never were saved, they never were born-again, they never were children of God. For no true believer will deny any part of God nor His Word. Nor will they be agonistic or hostile or irreverent towards His Person, His people, and especially His Words truths. Indeed, no true believer feels complete or satisfied apart from fellowship with God, His Word, and His people. Therefore, the Apostle John says if they were of us, they would’ve continued on with us, which is not just occupying a seat in the congregation, (which any unbeliever can do), but rather it is continuing on in the beliefs and truths and especially the love and grace of God that we who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ all have and share and hold fast and dear too. For God and His Word is our exceedingly great reward and treasure. For it is His Son Jesus Christ and His salvation for us all who believe in Him who is our everlasting inheritance!

Vs. 20 “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.”  

The anointing of the Holy Spirit speaks of the priestly anointing that Aaron and his sons bore as ministers of the Old Covenant, (thus qualifying them to serve as priests of it), but here it refers to each and every believer who has been anointed by the Holy Spirit so as to be able to discern the Word of God for themselves (1 Peter 2:9).

Vs. 21 “I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.” 

The Apostle John having affirmed each and every believer’s ability to discern the Word of God for themselves (also see 1 John 2:26-27), he now tells us to use that discernment, to reject every doctrine that anyone expounds which is contrary to the Word of God, since no lie is of the truth. This then is our responsibility to not only personally reject them, but also to speak up and refute every false doctrine, and every deceiver and false teachers lies and deceptions, and not let them introduce their lies and deceptions into the congregation, and thus sow doubts and discord amongst brethren. 

Vs. 22-23 “Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. ²³ Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” 

Here the Apostle John clearly refutes an early apostasy, that is refuting those liars who deny that Jesus is the Christ, that is God’s Messiah. Similarly, there are those who then, and even now, who deny God the Father and God the Son, thus denying their Person and Relationship, which again the Apostle Paul rightly calls all who do so antichrist, for they bear his spirit, not God’s Spirit. Therefore, the Apostle John makes it plain and clear that anyone who denies the Son (any aspect of His Person), does not have the Father, whether an individual, or a cult group such as the Jehovah witnesses. That said John then rightly affirms that everyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. For to deny the Lord Jesus Christ God’s Messiah and Son is not to have either Him nor God the Father, for they are inseparable (consider John 8:19, 42; 14:7 etc.). 

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.

1 John 2:15–17

 ¹⁵ Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. ¹⁷ And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Commentary

Vs. 15 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

 Here we are warned not to love the world, nor the things of the world because if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them. For love for the world is the antithesis of love for God, for one cannot love this world and not find themselves opposed to God. Therefore, we are also commanded not to be conformed to this world, conformed to its lusts, pursuits, and godless and selfish values, but to be transformed by the renewing our minds so as to prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Rom 12:2), because what one loves always reveals what one is (James 4:4).

Love for the world then is love for all that is that has been born out of this world, born out of mankind’s sinful and evil and rebellious hearts, and thus ultimately represents Satan the ruler of this world, who promotes and prompts mankind to do and pursue all that is opposed to God. From its outright denial and rejection and open hostility towards God and His Rightful Reign and Rule (Psalm 2; Habakkuk 2:13-14), to is corrupted morals and degenerating values (Psalm 11:3), which only mislead individuals and societies and nations to their own destruction and ruin (Lev. 18:24; Prov. 14:34). And so, we as children God, born of the Spirit of God, must not follow, nor be caught up in the spirit of the world, of the age in which we live. For having our eyes now opened wide we see we all the horrors of this world, horrors that are even being boldly and vilely portrayed and promoted and prompted for people to follow by every means of this world. Therefore, as elect and chosen by God, though we live in this world, we are to come out and be separate from this world, separate from all that is of this world (consider 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; Jude 5-23; Rev. 18:1-4). Therefore, to love this world is to hate God and the Kingdom of God, where true love, peace, righteousness, and joy rules and reigns forever!

Vs. 16 “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” 

Here then is the essential breakdown of what drives this world, first mentioned then is the lust of the flesh. That is all of the sinful and degenerate desires of the flesh, basically the unregenerate nature of humanity. In Leviticus chapter 18 and 20 and Romans 1:18-32 we get a good picture of what this entails and what God thinks of it. While in Lev. 18:24-25; James 4:1 and 1 Peter 2:11 we see the dangers of it on individuals and nations. Next mentioned is the lust of the eyes which is essentially covetousness, which can be coveting wealth, possessions, people, or even positions or power (Deut. 5:21). Next to the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes is what leads people to do and pursue that which ultimately harms themselves and others (consider the sin of Achan in Judges 7). Last mentioned but not least is the pride of life, which is the ultimate folly, for through it, people deny their own origins from and dependence upon God. Now born out of this “philosophy” is the great lie of the self-made man, and yet no man has made himself, nor can any man sustain himself, unfortunately though for many they through their own pride do not see this until they are brought low by their own circumstances, or directly by the hand of God Himself (consider 1 Sam. 2:7; Job 14:5; Psalm 33:16-19; 49; 75:7; Ecc. 8:8; 9:11-12; Jer. 27:5; Daniel 20-20-22; 4:23 etc.). 

Vs. 17 “And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” 

This world, what it values, what it pursues, what it thinks is so right and desirable and important here and now is all passing away. Therefore, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ keep focused on the eternal, on doing the will of God, as He reveals His will to us, because our lives down here are but for a moment, and doing the will of God here assures us of having a quality of life in heaven for all eternity that cannot be equaled or rivalled by anything that this world has, or has ever had. Therefore, do not be swept up in the lust of this world, for all that is of this world is heading for the eternal flame. Therefore let us all who believe be caught up in doing the will of God, which begins by first believing in and then following the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus becoming a people first prepared, and then preparing ourselves for the Lord and His Kingdom Coming (2 Peter 3:10-13).

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.

1 John 2:12–14

 ¹² I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. ¹³ I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father. ¹⁴ I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.

Commentary 

Vs. 12 “I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.” 

Having then exposed the perils of walking in darkness, the Apostle John now embraces the Body of Christ collectively, that is all the children of God (John 1:12) wanting us all to know that all of our sins are forgiven us, forgiven for Jesus Christ Names Sake. For it is by the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ alone that we have God’s Promise of remission of all our sins and everlasting life (Acts 4:12). This is then his encouraging us and strengthening us and reaffirming us in our faith after having had to deal with some tough issues. 

Vs. 13 “I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father.” 

The Apostle John now addresses three groups, the fathers, the young men, and the little children. First is the fathers, which is a reference to the elders in the church, that is those who are mature in their faith, who have known Christ from the beginning, and thus are now strong in their faith, having no need to be convinced by anyone, who readily received and believed the Gospel and continue on in it through thick and thin. Theirs then is a faith to be emulated. 

Next is the young men, these then are the young believers who are often charged by the Lord with carrying the weight of load (bearing the yoke in one’s youth as it were), who are the principal target of Satan, the wicked one. And yet as the Apostle John makes clear here, these are the ones who overcome the wicked one, and all of his temptations and trials that he puts us through in our spiritual youthfulness. And so here the Apostle John commends them as victors over him, and thus true saints of the Lord. 

Finally, there are the little children, the new believers, the ones who are often the most excited and dynamic in their faith, who bring energies and passions for the Lord and His work in this world. And so, the Apostle John in wanting to commend them now tells them that they have known the Father, that is God the Father in heaven because they have their faith in God the Son Jesus Christ. All three then are needed, for all three are interdependent upon each other. 

Vs. 14 “I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.” 

Having confirmed all three groups, the Apostle John once again reaffirms the faith of the fathers by saying that they have known Him who is from the beginning, that is God who is in heaven, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And again, the young men, telling them that they are strong, that they need not doubt themselves, (and thus what the Lord can do through them), because as the Apostle John says, the word of God abides in you, which is the authority and power by which they themselves have overcome the wicked one.

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.

1 John 2:3–11

³ Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. ⁴ He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ⁵ But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. ⁶ He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. ⁷ Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. ⁸ Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. ⁹ He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. ¹⁰ He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. ¹¹ But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Commentary

Vs. 3 “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.” 

Keeping Christ’s commandments is how we know Him, and is something that everyone who is born of Him, born-again by His Spirit, wants to do, and not to try to earn His salvation, which we already have by God’s grace and truth, but to be well pleasing to Him because we love Him. Those then who do not keep His commandments do not know Him. Now as we have already learned this is not sinless perfection, but this is the course of our new lives with Him. 

Vs. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 

Here then the Apostle John flat out rebukes and rejects the testimonies (or professions of faith) of anyone and everyone who says that they know Christ and yet continue to live like they don’t! 

Vs. 5 “But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.” 

Keeping Christ’s Word is keeping and holding to all of His Word as the Divine Revelation of God for us all. Thus, it is His Word regarding His Person, His Kingdom, His Commandments, His Salvation, His Church, His Second Coming, His Judgment/s, and everything else that He has revealed and said that has been by His Spirit faithfully recorded for us all; from the Gospels, to the Epistles, to the Book of Revelation, this is His Word for us, to be kept by us all who believe in Him. Therefore, in Keeping Christ’s Word, that is doing it, and holding fast to it, truly the love of God is perfected in us when we do. For you cannot be In Christ and be hostile towards His Word, for Jesus Christ’s Word not only gives us life, but it is by His Word that the love of God is perfected in us. Meaning God’s love becomes perfected in us by our obedience to Christ’s Word which is the catalyst for this, for His love being perfected in us, and thus manifested through us, towards Him and towards all. 

Vs. 6 “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” 

The mark then of anyone who confesses faith in Christ is how do they walk; that is how do they live; do we then walk as Jesus Christ Himself walked; which so evidentially reveals and offers God’s salvation to one and to all through faith in Him alone. As well do we take our stand against injustices and evil like Jesus did, especially when this takes place inside of the church, (and thus we do not overlook hypocrisy, self-righteousness, and sin, when these things rear their ugly head amongst us, whether in the pew, or in the pulpit, for we will not normalize, nor justify what God says is sin, which only threatens the church and His Work through us when permitted amongst us). For Jesus was never silent when people, or men of power abused their authority or power, nor was He silent on the eternal consequences of sin, so as to make anyone feel comfortable in it, but rather He freely offers every sinner redemption from their sins by faith in Him. Again, there are so many causes and so many injustices taking place every day in every part of the world that Christians can be a part of righting, and we as Jesus’ hands and feet need to get our feet in motion and get our hands “dirty” so that our time down here is not unfruitful, but is used up in His Power and Strength which His Spirit provides doing His Will and thus manifesting his Person and His Kingdom here on earth. Walking then as Jesus Himself walked requires not only faith but also works, “for faith without works is dead.” 

Vs. 7 “Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.” 

Here the Apostle John is referring to Jesus Christ’s commandment that we His disciples love one another, which is the wonderful theme of this epistle. For Christ Himself loved us from the beginning, and so He also taught us all from the beginning of His earthly ministry to love one another. Thus, this is no new commandment given through John but is what Jesus Christ Himself taught and did throughout His Life down here (John 13:34-35). 

Vs. 8 “Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.” 

The Apostle John now plays on what he just said by saying that it is a new commandment that he now writes to us, new in the sense that we who believe in Jesus Christ being new creations in Christ with new hearts, new minds and new desires which we have from Him by His Holy Spirit dwelling within us and are now thus called to do. For we have the fruits of the Spirit, (with love being the principal one), and which He Himself has, which is true, both in Him and us. Therefore, because we have Him in us the darkness of our old natures (and old thinking) is passing away, so that the true light, His glorious light, which is already shinning may shine ever brighter and brighter in us and through us as we walk in the light as He is in the light. 

Vs. 9 “He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.” 

One cannot then say that they are In Christ and hate another believer, because to say or feel as much only reveals that one is still in the darkness and not in the light. In essence they are not saved. 

Vs. 10 “He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 

Loving one’s brother (or fellow believer) than is the default state of all who believe in and thus belong too the Lord Jesus Christ. And so, loving one’s brother one abides in the light where Christ is and Satan is not. And thus, there is no cause for stumbling in him because there is no foothold in his heart through hatred which Satan can then use and exploit for his own purposes, by either leading them into self-destructive behaviors, or destructive words and deeds against others. 

Vs. 11 “But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” 

In contrast then to loving one’s brother (which is walking in the light of God’s love and Word) is the one who hates one’s brother, and thus who is walking in darkness, literally they are walking in Satan’s realm who only steals, kills, and destroys, and thus prompts people through untold ways means to do the same. And so, because they are in the darkness (through their own hatred which can be born out of unforgiveness) they do not know where they are going, that is they make all kinds of decisions and choices that will only harm them and or others, because the darkness has blinded their eyes. And so, in these verses 9-11 the Apostle John is warning us all not to be deceived about the perils of walking in hatred, which only puts one in the realm of darkness. And thus, at risk for being used or exploited by Satan, the ruler of darkness. 

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.

1 John 2:1–2

  My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. ² And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

Commentary 

In declaring that we can have forgiveness and cleansing from all our sins when we confess them (1 John 1:9), the Apostle John now makes it clear that this provision is given us by God not so that we may sin, but rather if we stumble and sin, we now have a means to restoration and fellowship with God and His people. For the goal for our lives as born-again children of God is not to sin, to always be moving towards His likeness by putting the sins which He reveals to us out of our lives. Therefore, in Christ Jesus we have not only the Atonement for all of our sins, but we also have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous who advocates on our behalf. And in this He does so based upon His righteousness, not ours, so as to silence the accuser of the brethren who would have God by His law condemn us when we fall short of the glory of God and thus sin. Thus, we who believe, have not only Christ’s Atonement but also His Advocacy. That said and to show how great and effective the Lord Jesus Christ’s Finished work at Calvary is, the Apostle John also says that Jesus Christ’s Himself is the propitiation not only for our sins, but also for the whole worlds (vs. 2), that is His death on the Cross is sufficient to Atone for everyone and anyone to God no matter what they have done. All that then needs to be done by anyone is to believe in Him. For in believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and trusting in Him alone anyone can have their sins washed away by the blood of the Lamb. And thus, have eternal salvation given them by God’s grace and through God’s Spirit the moment they believe in Him (Eph. 1:13-14). For our change must begin with God first by His Word and grace saving us, and then by His Spirit and Word within us changing us.

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.

 

 

1 John 1:5–10

⁵ This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

Commentary 

Vs. 5 “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” 

The Gospel then is a message of light, revealing that God is light and that there is no darkness in Him at all. Thus, there is no sin in Him or His Son, (no evil thoughts, desires, or intentions), for as light is Radiantly pure so is God. 

Vs. 6 “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” 

Having declared the sinless Perfection of God, the Apostle John now moves to us who have fellowship with Him, saying that if we walk in darkness we lie and do not practice the truth, that is if we profess to know Him but walk in darkness, (that is continue to live sinful lives), we lie and do not practice the truth. Here then the emphasis is not on our having sinless perfection as God has, (which no of us have, or can attain to), rather here the emphasis is on our daily walk, do we profess to know God and yet live sinful lives? If we do then are our profession is a lie, for then we would not be practicing the truth. For in order to have fellowship with God and His Son one must walk in harmony with them, with His Word. Professing then faith In Jesus Christ while living a sinful life is only to be living a lie. For it is God’s everlasting morals and standards that we are to live by and uphold, not mans every changing and always degenerating morals and worldly values. 

Vs. 7 “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 

In contrast then to walking in darkness where unbelief and sin is, where one will always stumble and fall, is to be walking in the light, where God and Christ are (consider Prov. 4:18-19). Therefore, having cast off the darkness (and the works of it) forever, we are now walking in the light as He is light, and so we also have fellowship with one another. For again fellowship with God and His Son and His people requires one to walk in the light. And so, because we believe in Jesus Christ we are living and walking in the light, all according to His Word which guides our feet into all truth and righteousness (Psalm 19:7-11; 119:105; Prov. 6:23 etc.). Therefore “if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” Thus, not only do we have fellowship (peace and harmony with God and each other) but we also have the cleansing Power and Atoning Work of the Blood of Jesus Christ continually washing us clean making us holy and acceptable in His sight. Unbelieving and unrepentant people then do not have, nor will God impute the Atoning Blood and Work of His Son Jesus Christ to them. For in order to have that one must first repent and believe (Mark 1:15). Professing faith in Jesus Christ then while living like the devil is only to be self-deceived. 

Vs. 8 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” 

Having rebuked living in sin, the Apostle John now says that if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Here then he is referring to those who do not see themselves as they really are, as people who have been born with a sin nature inherited from Adam and Eve, who first sinned and through whom sin entered the world. Therefore, we are all fundamentally corrupted by sin, and whatever we are or do is always tainted by that fact (Isaiah 64:6). No one then can claim to be good in the sight of God, as having no sin, just as the Lord Jesus Christ clearly revealed through the rich young ruler when he asked Him what he must do to be saved, and thus save himself, which no one can do. For he was trusting in his own righteousness as making himself acceptable to God. And yet when he was tested by Jesus, all that was revealed was his own covetous heart which valued his possessions above God in heaven (Matt. 19:16-26). Beware then of all of those who say that they (or we) have no sin, for they do not have the truth in them. For if mankind has no sin then Christ’s suffering death on the Cross to Atone not only for our sins, but also for our sin nature would have been pointless. Therefore, do not follow them in the devils lies and their own self deceptions, which like living sinfully, also ends in eternal destruction. Because unless one sees one’s own need for the Lord Jesus Christ’s suffering death on the Cross for them, they cannot have His eternal salvation. 

Vs. 9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 

In contrast then to those who do not face the truth about themselves, here the Apostle John says that confessing our sins to God, allows God who has already provided the Atonement for them through His Son Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion death for them to forgive us of them, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This then is the means by which we can find restored fellowship with God as believers when we sin. For though we have a new Divine Nature inside us (2 Cor. 5:17), we are still a people who must struggle against the old sinful nature as we strive towards and grow in Christlikeness. For its not that we become sinless in nature when we are born again by God’s Spirit, rather we are only sinless in stature before Him by Jesus Christ’s Righteousness now being imputed to us. Therefore, as sins are revealed in us, we are to confess and forsake them and resist the devil and our old sinful nature, for that is our responsibility, and all a part of our journey home (Heb. 12:3-11; James 4:7). 

Vs. 10 “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” 

How anyone could ever say that they have not sinned is beyond me, and yet there are those who in their unbelief and self-righteous and self-deceived pride will hold to such lies about themselves (consider Luke 18:9-14). For the Scripture universally reveals and is clear that all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). For that is what the Law essentially does reveals sin within us to us. No one then who has ever walked this earth and been born into Adam’s sin can claim to have never sinned. For that alone is the realm of God, and thus the Lord Jesus Christ alone as the Son of God has that distinction here on earth. There is then no justification for anyone claiming or thinking that they have not sinned, for that is only the height of hypocrisy and evil to exalt oneself above the Sinless God and His Sinless Word in heaven. Therefore, if anyone says that they have not sinned they make Him a liar; and they do not have His Word in them. For salvation begins with the truth, first about God, and then about ourselves, and to deny that one has sin or has sinned is to make God a liar because they are basically saying that they do not need His salvation which He has clearly stated the whole world needs. Therefore, by holding to such things they are basically denying their own need for all that God did on Cross to save them (and everyone who believes in Him) from their sins, therefore His Word is not in them. For the whole of Scripture, from the Law of God to the Gospel of God reveals nothing more clearly to us all than our own sinfulness and need for His salvation.

For again God desires truth in the inward man, He wants us to be completely truthful with Him about ourselves. Therefore, to admit to Him what He already sees and knows about us is to only open the door for His grace and His truth to come in to us. However, to deny that one has sinned is only to shut oneself out of the Kingdom of heaven. For the Kingdom of heaven is the dwelling place of all of God’s Ransomed and Redeemed sinners. For everyone there from Abraham to Moses to David to all the Apostles and saints down through the ages all came there by way of Christ’s Cross, that is by confessing that they had sinned, and then by throwing themselves on the mercies of God through Jesus Christ and what He has done to save us all who believe in Him! Therefore, be truthful about yourself with God so that you too may have the salvation of God all by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ Crucified and Resurrected from the Dead for every believing sinner’s redemption (John 3:16).

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.

1 John 1:1–4

  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, concerning the Word of life—² the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—³ that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. ⁴ And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

Commentary 

Vs. 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, concerning the Word of life—”

 In the beginning there was the Word (John 1:1), the Lord Jesus Christ, preexistent to all things created in heaven and on earth, and coexisting in Perfect Union and Harmony with God the Father and God the Spirit. This Word then was heard by the Apostles, was seen by the Apostles, was meditated upon by the Apostles, and was even touched by the Apostles, indicating that this Word of life came to us in the form of human life as the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, who Himself is the One who imparts by His Word new and everlasting life to everyone who believes in Him!

 Vs. 2 “the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—"

 Again, that life, the Word of life was manifested here on earth in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ through the things that he has done and the things He continues to do, bringing eternal life to one and to all who believe in Him. Therefore, the Apostle John says that they (the Apostles as chosen by Him) also bear witness to Him, to that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us.  

 Vs. 3-4 “that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. ⁴ And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.”

 Having then declared that the Word of Life, the Lord Jesus Christ has come to us as a Man, the Apostle John once again reaffirms that it is, He whom they, the Apostles, have seen and heard, and so it is He alone whom they declare, so that all who believe in Him may have fellowship with them. For truly their (and our) fellowship is with God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. The Apostle John then in writing these things has done so, so that our joy may be full. Universally then the Body of Christ shares in the joy of the Son and the joy of the Father.

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.

 

Acts 28:17–31

 ¹⁷ And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: “Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, ¹⁸ who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death. ¹⁹ But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation. ²⁰ For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.” ²¹ Then they said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you. ²² But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.” ²³ So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. ²⁴ And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. ²⁵ So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, ²⁶ saying, ‘Go to this people and say: “Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive; ²⁷ For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” ’ ²⁸ “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” ²⁹ And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves. ³⁰ Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, ³¹ preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

Commentary 

Vs. 17-20 ¹⁷ And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: “Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, ¹⁸ who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death. ¹⁹ But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation. ²⁰ For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.” 

It took three days for the Apostle Paul to get settled in Rome and so once he was, he first called the leaders of the Jews there to explain to them why he was there to appear before Caesar. Now in this the Apostle Paul makes it clear to them all that he has done nothing against either their people, or their customs, or what their fathers taught and held too, and yet because of the hostility towards him at Jerusalem he was bound and delivered a prisoner to the Romans there (vs. 17). Who when they examined him found nothing that he had said or done that was deserving of either death or chains, and so they wanted to release him (vs. 18). However, when the Jews there spoke vehemently against their doing so, Paul fearing that they might kill him if they returned him to Jerusalem to be tried there by them, appealed to Caesar, and even then, Paul felt no ill will towards his people and nation, as he says, “not that I had anything to accuse my nation of (vs. 19), for he loved his people, and all that he said and did was only to try to get them to repent and believe, that’s it (in this consider Romans 9:1-5). Therefore, Paul now tells them that this is why he has gathered them together to explain to them the facts, not inuendo, evil assumptions and the slanderous things that are being said about him, but the facts that this is why he is now there for the hope of Israel, which is God’s Promise to them, and to all who repent and believe in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, in that hope of attaining to the resurrection of dead, and having new and everlasting life, Paul himself was bound, bound by those there who had rejected the Lord’s Person and salvation for themselves. 

Vs. 21-22 ²¹ Then they said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you. ²² But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.” 

When Paul had finished, the Jews leaders of Rome openly confessed that they knew nothing of what had transpired there at Jerusalem regarding him, indeed even brethren who had come from Jerusalem had nothing evil to say of Paul (vs 21). That said, and knowing that Paul himself was a Pharisee, they wanted to know his thoughts regarding the Christian faith, which many Jews had turned too, but many others opposed this, and were now openly calling it a sect and speaking against it everywhere. 

Vs. 23 “So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.” 

Having then received the facts of the matter, the Jews leaders there at Rome then appointed a day when they would come and hear what the Apostle Paul had to say regarding this Christian faith. And so, it was when they came again to Paul’s lodging he solemnly testified of the Kingdom of God, persuading them about all things concerning Jesus’ Person from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. Thus, he gave them everything he had, and everything that they would need to repent and believe themselves. 

Vs. 24 “And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.” 

Now though the Scripture says that some of them were persuaded; that is they acknowledged that what the Apostle Paul was telling them was the truth and was in accord with the Scriptures; (which itself is not necessarily saving faith, but is often only a mental assertion in acknowledging the truth, for saving faith must pierce not only the mind, but ones heart as well, for it is there where conviction of ones sin comes, and thus one sees one’s own need for Christ). And yet there were those there who in spite of all that they heard that day from the Apostle Paul still disbelieved, that is they rejected all the Scriptural revelation given them about the Lord Jesus Christ through the Scriptures, which seems utterly remarkable to me that someone could be like that; for unless one believes the Word of God about the Lord Jesus Christ one cannot have salvation. (However, regarding this consider Mark 6:4-6 where the Scripture says, “And Jesus marveled at their unbelief”) 

Vs. 25-26 ²⁵ So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, ²⁶ saying, ‘Go to this people and say: “Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive; ²⁷ For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” ’ 

Thus, instead of believing the Scriptures, the Jews only began to dispute amongst themselves (vs. 25). And seeing that he had gotten nowhere with them, even after a whole day of solemnly testifying to Jesus Christ the King (their King) and Kingdom of God from the Scriptures to them, the Apostle Paul before they depart, being filled with the Holy Spirit, will now share one last passage of Scripture with them that foretold their unbelief. Therefore, Paul now boldly quates to them Isaiah 6:9-10 in which God said: ‘Go to this people and say: “Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive; ²⁷ For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” ’ 

Therefore, if they will not be moved by the Holy Scriptures about Jesus Christ to repent and believe, maybe they will be moved by the Holy Scriptures about themselves to do so before it’s too late! And yet the passage seems clear that it was already too late for some of them. For they themselves had let their own hearts grow hard, and their own ears dull so that the Holy Word of God that once perked opened their ears, and invigored and awakened their souls to God’s love and salvation for them, had now by their own neglect and unbelief had caused them to grow hard and cold towards God and His Word (in this consider Hebrews 2:1-4). 

Vs. 28 “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” 

And even though that was the case with those there, the Apostle Paul was in no way discouraged by his own countrymen’s unbelief, because remembering the Lord’s own Promise to him, to send him to the Gentiles, and that the Scripture itself also testifies of this as being a part of God’s plan (that is Israel’s unbelief for a season), so as to bring Christ and salvation to the Gentiles, the Apostle Paul now says to them all before they depart, “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” For God’s salvation and purposes in the earth through Jesus Christ are never thwarted by any nations or persons unbelief, indeed where one rejects, two more will accept Him and believe it! 

Vs. 29 “And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.” 

And with that the Jews depart, but not in peace as one would who believed, but only disputing amongst themselves. 

Vs. 30-31 ³⁰ Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, ³¹ preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him. 

The Book of Acts ends then on a real positive note, recalling how the Apostle Paul for two whole years after that lived in his own rented house at Rome, preaching the Kingdom of God and teaching all things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ will all confidence, with no one forbidding him. Amen! 

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.