Reference: John, Epistles of
Hastings
The three Epistles known by this name have from the beginning been attributed to the Apostle John, and were admitted as canonical in the 3rd century. Some points of obvious similarity in style and diction indicate a connexion between them, but their internal character and the external evidence in their favour are so different that it will be convenient to deal with them separately.
I. First Epistle
1. Authorship, Genuineness, etc.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And all the city was on a roar, and they rushed into the common hall with one assent, and caught Gaius, and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions.
There accompanied him into Asia, Sopater of Beroea: And of Thessalonica, Aristarchus and Secundus, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy: And out of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
Gaius mine host and the host of all the congregations, saluteth you. Erastus, the chamberlain of the city, saluteth you. And Quartus, a brother, saluteth you.
I thank God that I baptised none of you, but Crispus and Gaius,
Likewise, ye younger submit yourselves unto the elder. Submit yourselves every man, one to another. Knit yourselves together in lowliness of mind. For God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble.
The God of all grace - which called you unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus - shall his own self, after ye have suffered a little affliction, make you perfect: shall settle, strengthen, and establish you.
The companions of your election that are of Babylon, saluteth you, and Mark my son.
That which was from the beginning, declare we unto you; which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life.
That which was from the beginning, declare we unto you; which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life.
That which was from the beginning, declare we unto you; which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life. For the life appeared: and we have seen, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the father, and appeared unto us. read more. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye may have fellowship with us, and that our fellowship may be with the father, and his son Jesus Christ. And these things we write unto you, that your joy may be full. And this is the tidings which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and yet walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but and if we walk in light even as he is in light, then have we fellowship together, and the blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and truth is not in us. If we knowledge our sins, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye should sin not: if, though, any man sin, yet we have an Advocate with the father, even Jesus Christ, which is righteous. And he it is that obtaineth grace for our sins; and not for our sins only, but also for the sins of all the world. read more. And hereby we are sure that we know him: if we keep his commandments. He that saith, "I know him," and yet keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the verity is not in him. He that keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfect, indeed. And hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he bideth in him, ought to walk even as he walked. Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you: but an old commandment which ye had at the beginning. For an old commandment is the word which ye heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, a thing which is true in him, and also in you: for the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. He that saith how that he is in the light, and yet hateth his brother, is in darkness even until this time. He that loveth his brother, abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of offending in him. And he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness; and knoweth not whither he goeth, for darkness hath blinded his eyes. Babes, I write unto you how that your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. I write unto you fathers, how that ye have known him that was from the beginning. I write unto you young men, how that ye have overcome the wicked. I write unto you young children, how that ye know the father. I write unto you fathers, how that ye have known him that was from the beginning. I write unto you young men, how that ye be strong; and the word of God dwelleth in you, that ye have overcome the wicked. See that ye love not the world, nor the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the father is not in him. For all that is in the world - as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of goods - are not of the father: but of the world. And the world vanisheth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God, abideth ever. Little children it is now the last time, and as ye have heard how that antichrist shall come: even now are there many antichrists come already, whereby we know that it is the last time.
Little children it is now the last time, and as ye have heard how that antichrist shall come: even now are there many antichrists come already, whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out of us, but they were not of us. For if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us. But that fortuned, that it might appear that they were not of us. read more. But ye have an ointment of the holy ghost, and ye know all things. I wrote not unto you, as though ye knew not the truth: but as unto them them that know it, and know also how that no lie cometh of truth. Who is a liar, but he that denieth that Jesus is Christ? The same is the antichrist that denieth the father and the son. Whosoever denieth the son, the same hath not the father.
Whosoever denieth the son, the same hath not the father. Let therefore abide in you that same which ye heard at the beginning. If that which ye heard at the beginning shall remain in you, then ye also shall continue in the son, and in the father. read more. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. These things have I written unto you, as concerning them that deceive you. And the anointing which ye have received of him dwelleth in you. And ye need not that any man teach you: but as the anointing teacheth you all things, and is true, and is no lie: and as it taught you, even so bide therein. And now babes, abide in him, that when he shall appear, we may have confidence and not be made ashamed of him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, know also that all that work righteousness, are born of him.
Behold what love the father hath showed on us, that we should be called the sons of God. For this cause the world knoweth you not; because it knoweth not him. Dearly beloved, now are we the sons of God, and yet it doth not appear what we shall be. But we know that when it shall appear, we shall be like him. For we shall see him as he is. read more. And every man that hath this hope in him, purgeth himself, even as he is pure. All that commit sin, committeth unrighteousness also, for sin is unrighteousness. And ye know that he appeared to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. All that abide in him, sin not: And all that sin hath not seen him, neither hath known him. Little children, let no man beguile you; He that worketh righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil: for the devil sinneth since the beginning. But for this cause appeared the son of God, even to destroy the works of the devil.
He that committeth sin is of the devil: for the devil sinneth since the beginning. But for this cause appeared the son of God, even to destroy the works of the devil. All that are born of God do no sin, for his seed abideth in them, and they cannot sin, because they be born of God. read more. And hereby are the sons of God known, and also the sons of the devil. All that work not righteousness, are not of God, nor he that loveth not his brother. For this is the tidings, that ye heard at the beginning, that we should love one another: and not be as Cain, which was of the devil and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? For his own deeds were evil, and his brother's righteous. Marvel not, my brethren, though the world hate you. We know that we are translated from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother, abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother, is a man slayer. And ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby are we assured of love: because he left his life for us: And therefore we ought also to give our lives for our brethren. He, then, that hath the substance of the world, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his compassion from him: how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, nor with the tongue: but with the deed, and of a truth: for thereby we know that we be of the truth, and so shall we certify our hearts in his sight. But if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and knoweth all things. Dearly beloved, if our hearts condemn us not, then have we trust to God ward; and whatsoever we ask, that we shall receive of him: because we keep his commandments, and do those things which are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, that we believe on the name of his son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments abideth in him, and he in him. And thereby we know that there dwelleth in us of his spirit, which he gave us.
Ye beloved, believe not every spirit: but prove the spirits whether they be of God, or not: for many false prophets are gone out in to the world. Hereby shall ye know the spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God. read more. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not of God. And the same is that spirit of antichrist, of whom ye have heard, how that he should come: and even now already is he in the world.
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not of God. And the same is that spirit of antichrist, of whom ye have heard, how that he should come: and even now already is he in the world. Little children, ye are of God, and have overcome them: for greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. read more. They be of the world, and therefore speak they of the world, and the world attendeth unto them. We be of God, and he that knoweth God heareth us: and he that is not of God, heareth us not. And hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. Dearly beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God. And all that love are born of God, and knoweth God. And he that loveth not, knoweth not God: for God is love.
And he that loveth not, knoweth not God: for God is love. Herein appeared the love of God to us ward, because that God sent his only begotten son into the world, that we should live through him. read more. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his son to make a satisfaction for our sins. Dearly beloved, if God so loved us, then we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfect in us. Hereby know we, that we abide in him, and he in us: For he hath given us of his spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the father hath sent his son, which is the saviour of the world. Whosoever confesseth that Jesus is the son of God, in him dwelleth God, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love, and he that abideth in love abideth in God, and God in him. Herein is the love perfect with us, that we should have confidence in the day of judgment; For as he is, even so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out all fear, for fear hath painfulness. He therefore that feareth is not perfect in love. We love him, because he loved us first. If a man say, "I love God," and yet hate his brother, he is a liar. For how can he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, love God whom he hath not seen?
If a man say, "I love God," and yet hate his brother, he is a liar. For how can he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we of him: that he which loveth God, should love his brother also.
All that believe that Jesus is Christ, are born of God. And all that loveth him which begat, loveth him also which was begotten of him.
All that believe that Jesus is Christ, are born of God. And all that loveth him which begat, loveth him also which was begotten of him. In this we know that we love the sons of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. read more. This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments, and his commandments are not grievous. For all that is born of God, overcometh the world. And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcometh the world: but he which believeth that Jesus is the son of God? This Jesus Christ is he that came by water and blood, not by water only: but by water and blood. And it is the spirit that beareth witness, because the spirit is truth.
And it is the spirit that beareth witness, because the spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record: the spirit, and water, and blood: and these three are one.
For there are three that bear record: the spirit, and water, and blood: and these three are one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater. For this is the witness of God, that God hath born of his son. read more. He that believeth in the son of God hath the witness in himself. He that believeth not God, maketh him a liar, because he doth not believe the witness that God hath testified of his son. And this is the witness: how that God hath given unto us eternal life, and this life is in his son. He that hath the son, hath life: and he that hath not the son of God, hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe in the name of the son of God, that ye may know how that ye have everlasting life, and that ye may believe in the name of the son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in him: that if we ask ought, according to his will, he heareth us. And if we know that he hear us whatsoever we ask, we know that we shall have the petitions that we desire of him. If any man see his brother sin a sin that is not to death, let him ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death, for which say I not that a man should pray. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not to death. We know that all that are born of God, sin not: but he that is born of God keepeth himself, and that wicked toucheth him not. We know that we be of God, and that the world is altogether set on mischief. We know that the son of God is come, and hath given us understanding, to know him that is true: and we be in the truth through his son Jesus Christ. He is very God, and eternal life. Little children, beware of images. Amen. {Here ends the First General Epistle of John}
For many deceivers are entered into the world, which confess not Jesus Christ as coming, or returning in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
If there come any unto you and bring not this learning, him receive not to house: neither bid him Godspeed.