Chapter four picks up on Johnâs mention of the Holy Spirit in 1 John 3:24. Paul wrote that the Spirit is Godâs seal of salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14) and assurance of our relationship with God (Romans 8:16); John agreed. The Spirit is the internal evidence of knowing God, while our obedience is the external (3:24). One […]
Chapter three is the most troublesome part of the letter for many people, especially the first half. Johnâs declarations are bold, even harsh, and leave no room for mistakes. âEveryone who sins has neither seen him nor known himâ (1 John 3:6). âEveryone who does not practice righteousnessâŠis not of Godâ (1 John 3:10). However,
Chapter two, beginning with verse three, presents the first of six âby this we [will] knowâ statements (1 John 2:3, 5; 3:19, 24; 4:13; 5:2) regarding how we know that we know God or are in him. In chapter two we know this âif we keep his commandmentsâŠ[and] obey his wordâ (1 John 2:3, 5).
