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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 2:8

Verse 8 8Again, a new commandment Interpreters do not appear to me to have attained the meaning of the Apostle. He says new, because God, as it were, renews it by daily suggesting it, so that the faithful may practice it through their whole life, for nothing more excellent can be sought for by them. The elements which children learn give place in time to what is higher and more solid. On the contrary, John denies that the doctrine respecting brotherly love is of this kind, is one which grows... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 2:9

Verse 9 9He that saith he is in the light He pursues the same metaphor. He said that love is the only true rule according to which our life is to be formed; he said that this rule or law is presented to us in the Gospel; he said, lastly, that it is there as the meridian light, which ought to be continually looked on. Now, on the other hand, he concludes that all are blind and walk in darkness who are strangers to love. But that he mentioned before the love of God and now the love of the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 2:10

Verse 10 John says in 1 John 3:11, that we falsely boast of love to God, except we love our brethren; and this is most true. But he now takes love to the brethren as a testimony by which we prove that we love God. In short, since love so regards God, that in God it embraces men, there is nothing strange in this, that the Apostle, speaking of love, should refer at one time to God, at another to the brethren; and this is what is commonly done in Scripture. The whole perfection of life is often... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 2:11

Verse 11 11.But he that hateth his brother. He again reminds us, that whatever specious appearance of excellency thou shewest, there is yet nothing but what is sinful if love be absent. This passage may be compared with 1 Corinthians 13:1, and no long explanation is needed. But this doctrine is not understood by the world, because the greater part are dazzled by all sorts of masks or disguises. Thus, fictitious sanctity dazzles the eyes of almost all men, while love is neglected, or, at least,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 2:1-6

Sin supposed: sin dealt with. There is here a contrast to the statement in the last verse of the first chapter. There, a man was supposed to deny the commission of sin. Here, the apostle supposes its existence, and shows how God has dealt with it. We have here— I. DIVINE PROVISION AGAINST EXPERIENCE OF SIN IN BELIEVERS , 1 . Advocacy as far as our need for it is concerned. "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye may not sin. And if any man... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 2:3

And herein we perceive that we know him, if we keep his commandments γινώσκομεν , we come to know, we recognize; ἐγνώκαμεν , we have come to know, we know). The token of our having this knowledge is stated hypothetically; not because, but if, we obey. To serve under another and obey him is one of the best ways of knowing his character. The knowledge is no mere intellectual apprehension, such as the Gnostic, postulated, but a moral and spiritual affection and activity. It is possible... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 2:3-5

Verification verified; or, knowing that we know God. Connecting link: The redemption effected by Christ in doing away with sin restores the lost fellowship between us and God. In the act of fellowship we come to a heart-knowledge of God; and this true knowledge of God is constantly being verified by a life of obedience. Topic— Certitude in the knowledge of God. The closer our study of the Word of God, and the more minute our investigation of its phrases and words, the more striking... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 2:3-5

The true knowledge of God and its infallible proof. "And hereby we know that we know him," etc. We have in our text— I. AN EXALTED SPIRITUAL ATTAINMENT . To "know him," i.e., God. This is not to be altered and weakened into knowing certain doctrines concerning him; it is the knowledge of God himself. We may know, or think that we know, much about him, without knowing himself. This knowledge of God is not intellectual, but moral and spiritual. It is not the trained and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 2:3-6

Thirdly, walking in the light involves obedience. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 2:4

The participial substantive ὁ λέγων now takes the place of ἐάν with the subjunctive, but the two are equivalent (cf. 1 John 1:6 , which is almost exactly parallel to this, and shows what "knowing him" really is, viz. having fellowship with him, just as not keeping his commandments is the same as walking in darkness). St. John says, μὴ τηρῶν , not, οὐ τηρῶν , the case being hypothetical—if there be such a man, he is a liar, and has no idea of truth (see on 1 John 1:8 ). He... read more

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