This epistle is a discourse upon the principles of
Christianity, in doctrine and practice. The design appears to
be, to refute and guard against erroneous and unholy tenets,
principles, and practices, especially such as would lower the
Godhead of Christ, and the reality and power of his sufferings
and death, as an atoning sacrifice; and against the assertion
that believers being saved by grace, are not required to obey
the commandments. This epistle also stirs up all who profess to
know God, to have communion with him, and to believe in him, and
that they walk in holiness, not in sin, showing that a mere
outward profession is nothing, without the evidence of a holy
life and conduct. It also helps forward and excites real
Christians to communion with God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to
constancy in the true faith, and to purity of life.
he apostle prefaces his epistle to believers in general, with
evident testimonies to Christ, for promoting their happiness and
joy. (1-4) The necessity of a life of holiness, in order to
communion with God, is shown. (5-10)
Verses 1-4: That essential Good, that uncreated Excellence, which had
been from the beginning, from eternity, as equal with the
Father, and which at length appeared in human nature for the
salvation of sinners, was the great subject concerning which the
apostle wrote to his brethren. The apostles had seen Him while
they witnessed his wisdom and holiness, his miracles, and love
and mercy, during some years, till they saw him crucified for
sinners, and afterwards risen from the dead. They touched him,
so as to have full proof of his resurrection. This Divine
Person, the Word of life, the Word of God, appeared in human
nature, that he might be the Author and Giver of eternal life to
mankind, through the redemption of his blood, and the influence
of his new-creating Spirit. The apostles declared what they had
seen and heard, that believers might share their comforts and
everlasting advantages. They had free access to God the Father.
They had a happy experience of the truth in their souls, and
showed its excellence in their lives. This communion of
believers with the Father and the Son, is begun and kept up by
the influences of the Holy Spirit. The benefits Christ bestows,
are not like the scanty possessions of the world, causing
jealousies in others; but the joy and happiness of communion
with God is all-sufficient, so that any number may partake of
it; and all who are warranted to say, that truly their
fellowship is with the Father, will desire to lead others to
partake of the same blessedness.
Verses 5-10: A message from the Lord Jesus, the Word of life, the
eternal Word, we should all gladly receive. The great God should
be represented to this dark world, as pure and perfect light. As
this is the nature of God, his doctrines and precepts must be
such. And as his perfect happiness cannot be separated from his
perfect holiness, so our happiness will be in proportion to our
being made holy. To walk in darkness, is to live and act against
religion. God holds no heavenly fellowship or intercourse with
unholy souls. There is no truth in their profession; their
practice shows its folly and falsehood. The eternal Life, the
eternal Son, put on flesh and blood, and died to wash us from
our sins in his own blood, and procures for us the sacred
influences by which sin is to be subdued more and more, till it
is quite done away. While the necessity of a holy walk is
insisted upon, as the effect and evidence of the knowledge of
God in Christ Jesus, the opposite error of self-righteous pride
is guarded against with equal care. All who walk near to God, in
holiness and righteousness, are sensible that their best days
and duties are mixed with sin. God has given testimony to the
sinfulness of the world, by providing a sufficient, effectual
Sacrifice for sin, needed in all ages; and the sinfulness of
believers themselves is shown, by requiring them continually to
confess their sins, and to apply by faith to the blood of that
Sacrifice. Let us plead guilty before God, be humble, and
willing to know the worst of our case. Let us honestly confess
all our sins in their full extent, relying wholly on his mercy
and truth through the righteousness of Christ, for a free and
full forgiveness, and our deliverance from the power and
practice of sin.
he apostle prefaces his epistle to believers in general, with
evident testimonies to Christ, for promoting their happiness and
joy. (1-4) The necessity of a life of holiness, in order to
communion with God, is shown. (5-10)