1 John 4:8. (The quotation is not explicitly attributed to John, though.) The love is in this respect, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins.”—1 John 4:9, 10. 1 John 4:8 AMP The one who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love. The absolute statements of this epistle cause many a difficulty to the reader. 16. Subject and contents of the epistle are summarized in the following words: "And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Bookmarks Edit. What is God’s dominant quality, and how does knowing this make you feel about him? In him — Or, through him, as Beza understands it; was life — He was the living and powerful Word, which was the source of life to every living creature, as well as of being to all that exists. τεκνία] Impressive address before the exhortation. "One who is poor does not have any possessions. 5:6-8) The apostle John wrote: “By this the love of God was revealed in our case, that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world so that we might gain life through him. As a loving Father, God was no doubt pained at the unrighteous treatment that Jesus received while on earth. 1 John 3:11 - For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; on StudyLight.org They were fully revealed in Christ, the Son of God: "Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (John 1:17). 4:1-3) and the necessity of a life of faith in practical righteousness and brotherly love. 14, 15. He that loveth not, knoweth not God If a man loves not the children of God, those that are born of him, he does not know, so as to love God, the Father of them; for to pretend love to God, the begetter of them, whom he sees not, and not love those who are begotten by him, and are visible objects of respect, is a contradiction, and cannot be reconciled: see ( 1 John 4:20) . The Apostle John deals with his various main subjects (life eternal, brotherly love, practical righteousness) at times more than once in an extremely simple way of expression but with great solemnity. (Prov. 4. The author calls himself an eyewitness of Jesus' life (chapter 1:1-3) and expresses himself with the authority of a respected, elder spiritual leader. What has the Messianic Kingdom been doing that convinces you that it is God’s loving arrangement for mankind? 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. Most researchers date the epistle towards the end of the first century that is between 90 and 100 AC (the Gospel of John is dated at around the same time). 2 The warm, benevolent affection that God has for his creatures assures us that all his purposes for the human family will be fulfilled in the best possible way and will result in the greatest benefit to all who come under his rulership. . 1 Johannes 4:8 Norwegian: Det Norsk Bibelselskap (1930) Den som ikke elsker, kjenner ikke Gud; for Gud er kjærlighet. This shows us how horrible the future would be if the universe were to function without the operation of God’s love. 1 John 4:8. on StudyLight.org (b) How will Jehovah reward rightly disposed people? Many a reader has difficulties with this abstract way of presenting and considering as they cannot bring these abstract statements in line with their practical experiences. Jehovah does not just possess love—he is the personification of it. (Read John 17:3.) What great act of love has Jehovah performed in behalf of sinners? For hardly would anyone die for a righteous man; though perhaps for a good man someone may dare to die. Both statements of this sentence are entirely congruent (identical) as from God's viewpoint. TERMS OF USE The apostle stresses invariability and certainty of the Christian message by the repeated expression "from the beginning" (chap. PRIVACY POLICY, https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/m/2015841/univ/art/2015841_univ_sqr_xl.jpg, THE WATCHTOWER—STUDY EDITION November 2015, https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/a/w/E/20151115/wpub/w_E_20151115_lg.jpg, Share Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. . His love is everlasting. John contrasts these attacks of the Christian faith with the facts of salvation. John calls these opponents of the Christian faith "antichrists" (chap. For example, note the magnificence of the universe. JEHOVAH’S inspired written Word, the Bible, tells us that “God is love.” It says not merely that love is one of his many admirable qualities but that “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) It is his dominant quality, his most important one. He challenged the rightfulness and righteousness of God’s universal sovereignty. Test drive it and tell us about your experience. Jehovah had complete confidence in his only-begotten Son, who had been faithful to him in heaven for countless ages. on StudyLight.org 1 John 4. Many researchers, however, take the recipients to be among the Christians in Minor Asia; but the epistle bears a universal character. (Psalms 85:10), 1 John 1:1-4 Introduction: The Word of Life, 1 John 1:5-10; 1 John 2:1-12 Characteristics of True Fellowship with God, 1 John 2:28-29; 1 John 3; 1 John 4:1-6 Characteristics of the Children of God, To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, Although the First Epistle of John does not bear any author's name it was never seriously doubted that the apostle John is the author of this epistle as well as of the fourth gospel. The practice of our lives of faith has to agree with our confession. Everything he does is guided by that quality. The beautiful prologue (1 John 1:1-4) is like the one in John's gospel, having the profoundest dimensions and embryonically stating the theme as: "God manifested in Jesus Christ, that man may have fellowship with the Father through the Son. Grace corresponds with the idea of revelation of God as love (1 John 4:8,16) by him who is Life; and TRUTH with that of the revelation of God as light (1 John 1:5) by … 12 Jehovah’s Word tells us: “Take note of the blameless one, and keep the upright one in sight, for the future of that man will be peaceful. (See opening image.). 6:9, 10) What blessings the fulfillment of such prayers will bring to obedient mankind! 13. 37:9, 10, 20. For it is not sufficient to give a lip-service only. Today, world conditions keep getting worse. JOHN'S FIRST LETTER. What is the Messianic Kingdom, and to whom has Jehovah entrusted Kingdom rulership? 1 John 2. 8:31) At their resurrection, Jesus’ 144,000 heavenly joint heirs take with them the experience of human life. What do you think life would be like if God did not love mankind? Bookmarks. This brief sentence imparted to John, even during the mere time which he took in writing it, more delight than the whole world can impart. It also shows the features of this life in its practical realisation in the believers: righteousness and brotherly love. As applied to the Lord, the phrase marks him as the author of perfect Redemption and perfect Revelation. 1:4; 2:1.7.8.12.13.14.21.26; 5:13). 14:1) The Kingdom was the main theme of Jesus’ teaching, and he taught his disciples to pray: “Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified. What was accomplished by Jesus’ death? 11 On the other hand, God’s Word also promises: “The righteous will possess the earth, and they will live forever on it.” (Ps. Footnotes. 8 On earth, Jehovah created everything for the benefit of his creatures designed for earthly life. 1. Why did Jehovah permit rebellion against his righteous rule? 12. Who can be viewed as “the blameless one”? For example John writes: "Whosoever abides in him sins not: whosoever sins has not seen him, neither known him" (chap. He provided the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ, opening the way for obedient humans to be freed from sin and death inherited from Adam. For example, out of love Jehovah “has set a day on which he purposes to judge the inhabited earth in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed,” Jesus Christ. 13 Although we are imperfect, we can ‘follow Jehovah’s way.’ We can also have a close personal relationship with Jehovah because of his great act of love. The following statements we find in First John only: "God is light" (chap. 16 God’s love for mankind is evident in the arrangement he has made for the Messianic Kingdom. Such a person takes seriously the words of 1 John 2:17: “The world is passing away and so is its desire, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.” As the world’s end draws near, it is urgent that we “hope in Jehovah and follow his way.”—Ps. Downloads Male Voice (MP3) Female Voice (MP3) Entire Book (PDF) Text Settings. 4 When rebelling against Jehovah’s rule, the Devil influenced the first human pair to do the same. How grateful we should be that by his death, Jesus also paid the ransom price needed to redeem mankind and open the way to everlasting life in God’s promised new world! By the epistle we learn that towards the end of the first century heretics arose among the Christians who denied the divine sonship of Christ (chap. 3:1.10; 5:2; Greek tekna theou: "children of God"). Terms such as light and darkness, life and death, truth and lie as well as the only begotten son are typical for both books. 9 While Jehovah reveals himself as the God of love, he also expresses hatred for what is bad. Would you like to read this article in %%? How amazing to realise the outpouring of His unique love.. flows through us, to … What is God’s dominant quality, and how does knowing this make you feel about him? As does the Epistle of James this Epistle does not contain a perceptible logical structure of thoughts. If we turn the sentence round it becomes evident: "One who has no possessions is poor.". 2:1.12.28; 3:7.18; 4:4; 5:21; Greek teknion: properly "dear child") and "little children" (chap. The expressions "brethren" (chap. He expresses the personal assurance of faith by frequently repeating the words "we know" (chap. 18 Bible prophecy shows that God’s heavenly Kingdom was established when Christ’s presence began in 1914. 2 John. 7, 8. 37:37, 38) “The blameless one” comes to know Jehovah and his Son and obediently does God’s will. (a) How will Jehovah deal with wicked people? [He is the originator of love, and it is an enduring attribute of His nature.] 8:38, 39. The first speaks of God's holiness, truth and righteousness and the second of His grace and mercy. 6. [⇑ See verse text ⇑] In the second sentence of this section, John adds the comment that those who don't love have no fellowship with God. All these creations give evidence of Jehovah’s Godship and of his qualities, such as his power, wisdom, and love. 1 Juan 4:8 Spanish: La Nueva Biblia de los Hispanos El que no ama no conoce a Dios, porque Dios es amor. 9. At the same time he refers to the tests by which one can recognize whether someone has true life of God. This is why some have suggested that it is no epistle but a written sermon (or homily) or tract. Night. 1:20. THE WATCHTOWER—STUDY EDITION November 2015, Share 1:6.8.10; 2:4.9; 4:20). Home > Study Desk. Tons more resources, better tools, NIV84 and easier navigation. For example, Psalm 5:4-6 says of Jehovah: “You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness . This logic is simply explained in the following two examples: The second part of the sentence contains one of many possible evidences and to turn the sentence round would be non-sensical: "Who cannot speak is dead". What has mankind’s history clearly demonstrated? Current Book: 1 John Select a chapter: Chapter 1 Chapter 2: Chapter 3 Chapter 4: Chapter 5 HOME TOP: Dead links, typos, or … As a student, graduate or team member of MIUD you have at your disposal a large collection of online Bible study tools and resources. Chapter 4 . Click the Bible to visit the new StudyLight.org being developed!! 1 John 5. 3 Imagine what life would be like if God did not have love for mankind. (chap. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. Verse 1. Light and love found their upmost development on the cross of Calvary. But there also the light of God's holiness and righteousness shone in its fullest brightness when Christ the Son of God became the propitiation for our sins. We will always be able to count on it. The exhortation contained in this verse is, on the one hand, a deduction from the foregoing (especially from 1 John 3:16-17); but, on the other hand, it forms the basis of the further development. (b) What will we consider in the next article? Verse 17 . The repeated expression of "I write unto you" indicates the book to be an epistle or letter however unique and special (compare chap. But all the transgressors will be destroyed; the future of wicked people will be cut off.” (Ps. The first verses of the Epistle show a certain parallelism with the opening statements of John's gospel. Thus this epistle has rightly been called a continuation of the gospel of John (of chapters 1 to 19) especially. 37:34. What is required of those making up this group? This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. Related Content previous next. The first to cite from John's First Epistle is Polycarp of Smyrna (around 70 to 155 AC) who himself knew John personally. All Rightes Reserved, Larry Pierce, Winterbourne, Ontario. More resources, better tools and easier navigation Test drive it and tell us about your experience. Add Bookmark. In addition, the Epistle contains a third expression indicating the relation between God and his children (chap. For my yoke is kindly, and my load is light.” (Matt. The First Epistle does not bear any indication of an author nor of an addressee. He tells them that Christ the Eternal Son of God, the eternal life Himself, has come and that those who believe on Him receive eternal life and the sonship of God. (Rev. . Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more . Contents, style and language of these two books are very similar. Sepia. 1. For rightly disposed and obedient humans, favorable judgment will result in a truly blessed future that will go on and on throughout all eternity. (Rev. John 1:4-5. Choose a verse from '1 John 4' to begin your 'Verse-by-Verse' study of God's Word using the more than 100 commentaries available on StudyLight.org What are some of the many ways in which Jehovah has displayed his great love? 17 What a contrast there is between Jesus’ loving heavenly kingship and the rulership by humans who have led many millions of people to their death in warfare! In effect, Satan claimed that his rule would be better than that of the Creator. Jesus truly cares for his subjects and reflects God’s marvelous qualities, especially love. The Bible tells us: “He will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. He could use what has happened in mankind’s history as the just reason to remove such rebels quickly, not allowing them to establish wickedness once again. Bible > Interlinear > 1 John 4:8 1 John 4:8 1 John 4 - Click for Chapter. 5. Jehovah Is the God of Love, Publication download options 1. Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament. Revelation. 4:8.16). Print. ", Here both parts of the sentence are identical in contents. The first speaks of God's holiness, truth and righteousness and the second of His grace and mercy. 1:5) and "God is love" (chap. There is no middle road for John between light and darkness, truth and lie, life and death. | Click the Bible for the all new StudyLight.org!! Since then, there has been a gathering of the remaining ones who will rule with Jesus in heaven as well as of “a great crowd” of people who will survive this system’s end and be ushered into the new world. 1:5) and "God is love" (chap. Home > Commentaries > Coffman Commentaries > 1 John. The First Epistle of John shows the revelation of this life in those who believe in the Son of God. 7:10, 16, 17) “Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you,” said Jesus. 2:3.5.18.20.21.29; 3:2.5.14.15; 5:2.13.15.18.19.20). With his epistle John wants to strengthen the simplest believer in his faith and to give him a divinely sure foundation and an effective weapon for the battle against false doctrine. Suggested by ABS-CBN Corporation (Music) Sapagkat Diyos ay Pag ibig - Erik Santos Welcome to Master's Online Digital Library developed and hosted by StudyLight.org. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." In his great wisdom, Jehovah has allowed enough time to pass to expose very clearly the inadequacy of any rule other than his. 1 John 4. These difficulties disappear, however, if one understands the "divine logic" behind these absolute statements. How wonderful it is to know that the Creator of the universe and of all living things is a God of love! One Hundred Years Under Kingdom Rulership. Table of Contents. These attacks on Christology and the Christian ethic were stages of Gnosticism in its various shades which spread more and more during the 2nd century. 1 John 4:8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. (Rev. 11:28-30) What loving assurance that is! Search examples: John 3:16 "Love of God" peace AND mercy. 3:2.21; 4:1.7.11) testify the affection connecting the author with the recipients of the epistle. God lovingly sent his willing Son to earth (See paragraph 13). The enemies of Jehovah will vanish like glorious pastures; they will vanish like smoke.”—Ps. Terms such as. 2. The difficult statements of First John are always sentences of the second type. Although the First Epistle of John does not bear any author's name it was never seriously doubted that the apostle John is the author of this epistle as well as of the fourth gospel. True love proves itself by deed. JEHOVAH’S inspired written Word, the Bible, tells us that “God is love.” It says not merely that love is one of his many admirable qualities but that “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) It is his dominant quality, his most important one. Besides love, what does Jehovah’s personality at times allow for, and why? THE WATCHTOWER—STUDY EDITION November 2015, The Watchtower—Study Edition | November 2015, Show Appreciation for Jehovah’s Generosity. The biblical writers frequently wrote from a perspective that seems a bit odd to us, especially as we adapt and conform to the world around us. (a) What has God’s Kingdom been doing since its establishment? The former things have passed away.” (Rev. A printed copy of this work can be ordered from: The Baptist Standard Bearer, 1 Iron Oaks Dr, Paris, AR, 72855. Moreover, “he gives food to every living thing, for his loyal love endures forever.”—Ps. 1 Juan 4:8 Spanish: La Biblia de las Américas El que no ama no conoce a Dios, porque Dios es amor. 1 John 3:18. 15 Regarding God’s love for humankind, Jesus said: “God loved the world [of redeemable mankind] so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) God’s love for humans is so great that he does not withhold good from them regardless of the cost to himself. Sometimes it masquerades as wholesome and clean. Verse 1. 3. 1:1; 2:7.13.14.24; 3:11; compare with 2 John 1:5-6). For humans, he made a beautiful paradise garden and gave them perfect minds and bodies capable of living forever. 1 John 4:8. One example is: "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin." God is Love. He that dwelleth in love - he who is full of love to God and man is full of God, for God is love; and where such love is, there is God, for he is the fountain and maintainer of it. After Jehovah destroys wickedness and those who cause it, if anyone ever again would challenge Jehovah’s way of ruling in love, there would be no need for God to permit the challenge to stand. Probably every Christian has a problem with these words when thinking of his practical life. We merely have to look at the awful history of this world with its human rulerships under its unloving and wrathful god, Satan the Devil. In contrast to the Apostle Paul, John does not describe the believer's position in Christ and the privileges of the church of God (ecclesia) but life eternal in the children of God and the relations among the family of God. In our own Milky Way galaxy, one of those stars is our sun, without which the multitude of life forms on earth would not exist. 10, 11. Read verse in English Standard Version 1 John 3:10 - By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. John also shows tests for the practical life of the Christians who are distressed by false teachers. The New John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible Modernised and adapted for the computer by Larry Pierce of Online Bible. Both parts of the sentence are identical in contents and therefore reversible for they are divine principles. The Gospel of John describes the revelation of life eternal in Christ the incarnated Word. 6 In addition to showing how futile human rule is, God’s temporary permission of wickedness serves another long-range purpose. Required of those who behave wickedly. ” and it is to know that the of. In which Jehovah has allowed enough time to pass life Eternal in the. 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