Notes on 1 John 3:12-23

Cain - 1 John 3:12

Cain.See WLC 24, 113. See notes on Gen. 4:1-25. Teaching the Scriptures, the early Christian community referenced the story of Cain and Abel as an archetypal contrast between sin and obedience, between a mercenary relationship with God and a life of true worship (see notes on Matt. 23:35; Lk. 11:51; Heb. 11:4; 12:24; Jude 11).

The world hates you - 1 John 3:13

the world hates you. The same, self-justifying passions that were behind Cain's jealousy and hatred are also behind the jealousy and hatred of those who oppose John's readers. In this verse, the world refers to those outside the church.

See WCF - 1 John 3:14-21

See WCF 8.7; 18.1-2; 26.1-2; WLC 80, 136, 141-42; HC 54, 87, 106

Passed from death to life - 1 John 3:14

passed from death to life. One mark of eternal life is mutual love among God's children. This phrase about passing from death to life has to do with eternal life in the Fourth Gospel (see notes on Jn. 5:24; 1 Jn 5:11). For John, eternal life begins with regeneration, with faith in Christ. God is both the source and the giver of an abundant life of fellowship with himself and his people. However, if a person hates their brothers and sisters, it shows they do not know God or the life he gives

Murderer - 1 John 3:15

murderer. Pointing back to the example of Cain (v. 11), John traces the dark path from hating someone in your community to its logical end of harming or murdering them. Beyond this motivation and action is death and judgment, the opposite of eternal life.

Laid down his life - 1 John 3:16

laid down his life. John's emphasis on Jesus' incarnation and atoning death not only taught his readers how God accomplished their forgiveness (see notes on John 10:11-15), it also provided a model for their service to one another.

World's goods - 1 John 3:17-18

world's … love in action and truth. See notes on Deut. 15:7-9. Like James (see notes on James 1:27), John wrote plainly about a test of true devotion to God—costly, sacrificial sharing with those in material want. Authentic love for God will manifest in love for other believers (4:19), and motivating action on behalf of those in need (4:20).

We assure our hearts - 1 John 3:19-20

we assure <2588>our hearts… greater. Usually, God's people will be assured of their grasp on the truth and the truth's grasp on them when they love other believers. They will know they belong to the truth when their love finds expression in generosity to those who are vulnerable. There are times, however, when the emotional and practical lives of believers are not aligned. Knowing this, John assures his readers that their practical love to one another will assure their hearts, eventually

Confidence before God - 1 John 3:21-22

confidence before God…receive whatever we ask. See WLC 104. Confidence before God in prayer arises from aligning our requests with God's will and our practice with his commands (see notes on 5:14-15; Jn. 14:13-14; 16:23-24). By attending Christ's words and will, John's readers will find their prayers transformed and their experience of the Spirit's presence deepened.

Commandment - 1 John 3:23

commandment.John weaves together all three marks of Christian identity that he has articulated in his sermonic letter: 1) faith in the name, person and full identity of Jesus Christ, God's Son; 2) obedience to his commands; and 3) love for one another (see notes on Matt. 7:21; Lk. 6:46; Jn. 8:31).

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