he apostle directs to the atonement of Christ for help
against sinful infirmities. (1,2) The effects of saving
knowledge in producing obedience, and love to the brethren.
(3-11) Christians addressed as little children, young men, and
fathers. (12-14) All are cautioned against the love of this
world, and against errors. (15-23) They are encouraged to stand
fast in faith and holiness. (24-29)
Verse 1,2: When have an Advocate with the Father; one who has
undertaken, and is fully able, to plead in behalf of every one
who applies for pardon and salvation in his name, depending on
his pleading for them. He is "Jesus," the Saviour, and "Christ,"
the Messiah, the Anointed. He alone is "the Righteous One," who
received his nature pure from sin, and as our Surety perfectly
obeyed the law of God, and so fulfilled all righteousness. All
men, in every land, and through successive generations, are
invited to come to God through this all-sufficient atonement,
and by this new and living way. The gospel, when rightly
understood and received, sets the heart against all sin, and
stops the allowed practice of it; at the same time it gives
blessed relief to the wounded consciences of those who have
sinned.
Verses 3-11: What knowledge of Christ can that be, which sees not that
he is most worthy of our entire obedience? And a disobedient
life shows there is neither religion nor honesty in the
professor. The love of God is perfected in him that keeps his
commandments. God's grace in him attains its true mark, and
produces its sovereign effect as far as may be in this world,
and this is man's regeneration; though never absolutely perfect
here. Yet this observing Christ's commands, has holiness and
excellency which, if universal, would make the earth resemble
heaven itself. The command to love one another had been in force
from the beginning of the world; but it might be called a new
command as given to Christians. It was new in them, as their
situation was new in respect of its motives, rules, and
obligations. And those who walk in hatred and enmity to
believers, remain in a dark state. Christian love teaches us to
value our brother's soul, and to dread every thing hurtful to
his purity and peace. Where spiritual darkness dwells, in mind,
the judgment, and the conscience will be darkened, and will
mistake the way to heavenly life. These things demand serious
self-examination; and earnest prayer, that God would show us
what we are, and whither we are going.
Verses 12-14: As Christians have their peculiar states, so they have
peculiar duties; but there are precepts and obedience common to
all, particularly mutual love, and contempt of the world. The
youngest sincere disciple is pardoned: the communion of saints
is attended with the forgiveness of sins. Those of the longest
standing in Christ's school need further advice and instruction.
Even fathers must be written unto, and preached unto; none are
too old to learn. But especially young men in Christ Jesus,
though they are arrived at strength of spirit and sound sense,
and have successfully resisted first trials and temptations,
breaking off bad habits and connexions, and entered in at the
strait gate of true conversion. The different descriptions of
Christians are again addressed. Children in Christ know that God
is their Father; it is wisdom. Those advanced believers, who
know Him that was from the beginning, before this world was
made, may well be led thereby to give up this world. It will be
the glory of young persons to be strong in Christ, and his
grace. By the word of God they overcome the wicked one.
Verses 15-17: The things of the world may be desired and possessed for
the uses and purposes which God intended, and they are to be
used by his grace, and to his glory; but believers must not seek
or value them for those purposes to which sin abuses them. The
world draws the heart from God; and the more the love of the
world prevails, the more the love of God decays. The things of
the world are classed according to the three ruling inclinations
of depraved nature. 1. The lust of the flesh, of the body: wrong
desires of the heart, the appetite of indulging all things that
excite and inflame sensual pleasures. 2. The lust of the eyes:
the eyes are delighted with riches and rich possessions; this is
the lust of covetousness. 3. The pride of life: a vain man
craves the grandeur and pomp of a vain-glorious life; this
includes thirst after honour and applause. The things of the
world quickly fade and die away; desire itself will ere long
fail and cease, but holy affection is not like the lust that
passes away. The love of God shall never fail. Many vain efforts
have been made to evade the force of this passage by
limitations, distinctions, or exceptions. Many have tried to
show how far we may be carnally-minded, and love the world; but
the plain meaning of these verses cannot easily be mistaken.
Unless this victory over the world is begun in the heart, a man
has no root in himself, but will fall away, or at most remain an
unfruitful professor. Yet these vanities are so alluring to the
corruption in our hearts, that without constant watching and
prayer, we cannot escape the world, or obtain victory over the
god and prince of it.
Verses 18-23: Every man is an antichrist, who denies the Person, or any
of the offices of Christ; and in denying the Son, he denies the
Father also, and has no part in his favour while he rejects his
great salvation. Let this prophecy that seducers would rise in
the Christian world, keep us from being seduced. The church
knows not well who are its true members, and who are not, but
thus true Christians were proved, and rendered more watchful and
humble. True Christians are anointed ones; their names expresses
this: they are anointed with grace, with gifts and spiritual
privileges, by the Holy Spirit of grace. The great and most
hurtful lies that the father of lies spreads in the world,
usually are falsehoods and errors relating to the person of
Christ. The unction from the Holy One, alone can keep us from
delusions. While we judge favourably of all who trust in Christ
as the Divine Saviour, and obey his word, and seek to live in
union with them, let us pity and pray for those who deny the
Godhead of Christ, or his atonement, and the new-creating work
of the Holy Ghost. Let us protest against such antichristian
doctrine, and keep from them as much as we may.
Verses 24-29: The truth of Christ, abiding in us, is a means to sever
from sin, and unites us to the Son of God, (Joh 15:3,4). What
value should we put upon gospel truth! Thereby the promise of
eternal life is made sure. The promise God makes, is suitable to
his own greatness, power, and goodness; it is eternal life. The
Spirit of truth will not lie; and he teaches all things in the
present dispensation, all things necessary to our knowledge of
God in Christ, and their glory in the gospel. The apostle
repeats the kind words, "little children;" which denotes his
affection. He would persuade by love. Gospel privileges oblige
to gospel duties; and those anointed by the Lord Jesus abide
with him. The new spiritual nature is from the Lord Christ. He
that is constant to the practice of religion in trying times,
shows that he is born from above, from the Lord Christ. Then,
let us beware of holding the truth in unrighteousness,
remembering that those only are born of God, who bear his holy
image, and walk in his most righteous ways.
he apostle directs to the atonement of Christ for help
against sinful infirmities. (1,2) The effects of saving
knowledge in producing obedience, and love to the brethren.
(3-11) Christians addressed as little children, young men, and
fathers. (12-14) All are cautioned against the love of this
world, and against errors. (15-23) They are encouraged to stand
fast in faith and holiness. (24-29)