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).
Remain in him - 1 John 3:24
remain in him…
the Spirit. See
WCF 18.1;
WLC 80;
HC 76;
CD 5.V. These characteristics of Christian life and fellowship, obedience to Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, provide assurance of an authentic knowledge of God. The Spirit's job is to bear witness to the truth about Jesus (4:1-6), which includes the truth about those who abide in his words, that is to say, those who keep his commands
God's Children Overcome the Spirit of Antichrist.- 1 John 4:1-6
Verses 1-6 are a self-contained unit about the importance of evaluating prophecies, because not all spirits who give utterance are holy. The verses use the word "spirit" seven times, and the subject reverts back to the theme of loving one another in v. 7. John warns his readers that they must exercise discernment.
Test the spirits - 1 John 4:1
test the spirits. See
WLC 105;
BC 7. Though John emphasized the anointing of God's Spirit on the community (see notes on 2:20, 27; 3:24; 4:1-3, 13), those who had gone out also claimed to be inspired by God's Spirit. Thus, John stresses evaluation and discernment. They must test the spirits. This is similar to Paul's guidance for the Corinthian and Thessalonian churches to value, but test prophecies (see notes on 1 Cor. 12:1-3; 14:29; 1 Thess 5:19-21)
In the flesh - 1 John 4:2-3
in the flesh… antichrist. See
BC 29. See the Introduction and notes on 2:19 for more on the events that motivated John's letter. Both here and in 4:6, John describes the role of the Spirit as attesting the truth of about Jesus' identity, life and mission. To test the spirit behind a prophetic claim, John gives his readers a template: they must acknowledge that Jesus is the Messiah, and that he came from God into the world by taking on human flesh. On the other hand, spirits of antichrist (see note on 2:18) are active in the world, denying these truths, though the Antichrist himself has yet to be revealed (see notes on 2:15-17).
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