Alive To God

For an explanation of this layout and the key to the books referenced, read here.

What Love Does for Believers, 3:19-23 Bible Knowl Comm NT

v. 19, And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.

(Bible Knowl Comm NT) “probably refers back to verses 17-18. By practical acts of love in which the needs of others are met, Christians can have a basic assurance that they are participating experientially in the truth.”

v. 20, for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. (Bible Knowl Comm NT) “If he has been engaged in the kind of practical acts of love which John enjoined, his guilt-ridden heart can be persuaded by realizing that God is well aware of his fundamental commitment to the truth.”

For an explanation of this layout and the key to the books referenced, read here.

What Love Is Bible Knowl Comm NT

v. 16, By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

(Bible Knowl Comm NT) “So far is it from the spirit of murder that its essence lies in giving one’s life for others rather than taking lives. This was exemplified in Jesus Christ.”

(Moody) “3:16-19. A common way of demonstrating affection is assisting the needy materially.”

(Life) “How can we lay down our lives? By serving others with no thought of receiving anything in return.” (ESV) “Jesus’ path to the cross marks the selfless, self-giving way of life to which his followers are called.”

For an explanation of this layout and the key to the books referenced, read here.

The Imperative of Love, 3:10-14 NKJV

v. 10, By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

(Bible Knowl Comm NT) “3:10a. … Because a child of God is sinless at the core of his being, he can never be ‘manifest’ through sin as can a child of the devil. While an unsaved person can display his true nature through sin, a child of God cannot. When a Christan sins, he conceals who he really is rather than making it manifest.” (Bible Knowl Comm NT) “3:10b. Rather than taking verse 10a as introductory to verse 10b, it is better to regard 10a as the conclusion of the previous paragraph.” “ ‘of God’ … a person so described does not find the source of his actions in God. … By joining together the idea of righteousness … with love .. John formed a ridge to a new discussion. … Love is righteousness in action.”

For an explanation of this layout and the key to the books referenced, read here.

Sin and the Child of God, 3:4-9 NKJV

v. 4, Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.

(Bible Knowl Comm NT) “(Lit., the first clause in v. 4 is, ‘Everyone who commits wickedness.’) Sin must not be taken lightly.”

(Moody) “Those who make a practice of sin disregard the divine standard and resort to their own measuring stick.” (Life) “A believer who commits a sin repents, confesses, and finds forgiveness.” An unbeliever is not sorry and doesn’t confess and receive forgiveness.

For an explanation of this layout and the key to the books referenced, read here.

Chapter 3 (ESV–the verses in this chapter were taken from this version. Each chapter will be from a different version to avoid copyright issues.)

The Children of God, 3:1-3 NKJV (cont. from 2:28)

v. 1, See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

(Bible Knowl Comm NT) We are to see how great is God’s love because we are called His children. The world doesn’t see us that way. “This kind of perception about others [the world not knowing us] is a distinctively Christian perception.” (Life) “As believers, our self-worth is based on the fact that God loves us and calls us his children.” This “should encourage us to live as Jesus lived.”

Chapter 2 (NIV–the verses in this chapter were taken from this version. Each chapter will be from a different version to avoid copyright issues.)

The Children of God

 v. 28, (Bible Knowl Comm NT) “now he introduced the new thought of being confident before Christ at His coming. … a word that can signify a bold freedom of speech. …” They could have boldness of speech when they meet the Lord. “How this can be so is the subject of 2:29-4:19.” Not abiding presents the possibility of shame at His coming.

(FSB) “Honor and shame were major cultural motivators in the first century … Graeco-Roman society (compare John 3:23).” (Moody) “A result of retaining the truth and maintaining one’s relationship with the Lord is living righteously. Membership in God’s family can be recognized by family resemblance. … everyone living righteously is born of Him”

Chapter 2 (NIV–the verses in this chapter were taken from this version. Each chapter will be from a different version to avoid copyright issues.)

 v. 27, As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.

(Bible Knowl Comm NT) “They needed to remain … in Him (the pronoun can refer to the anointing) and rely fully on His continuing instruction.”

(Life) “Christ had promised to send the Holy Spirit to teach his followers and to remind them of all that Christ had taught (John 14:26). … To stay true to Christ, we must follow his Word and his Spirit. … John uses this same idea in John 15:5, where he speaks of Christ as the vine and his followers as the branches.”