Commentary on 1 John, Commentary · Chapter 3 · Verse 15
1 JOHN 3.15.
Whoſoever hateth his Brother is a murtherer, and ye know that no murtherer hath eternall life abiding in him.
THe Apoſtle having ſaid in the former verſe that he that loveth not his Brother, abideth in death, he proves it by a Syllogiſme taken from a Murtherer.
Doct. He that hates his Brother is a Murtherer.
As he that looks upon a woman to luſt after her, hath committed adultery, ſo he that hates his brother is a murtherer.
Reaſ. 1 From the wrapping up and infolding this in the heart, as the ſeed of a tree in the root, though it breake not forth; So ſin hah its ſeed in the heart, Mat. 15.19. No murther could ſpring from the heart, if it were not there. A fountaine could not flow over unleſſe water were in it, Prov. 4.23.
2 From the foul murther hatred commits; to give offence is a deſtroying of our Brother; now, who hates his Brother, makes no ſcruple of giving offence, Rom. 14.15. 1 Cor. 8.11.
3 It is a foul murther in regard of withdrawing many good offices. A man ſhall be unwilling to doe any good office either for ſoul or body. Ill will never ſpeakes nor doth well.
Ʋſe 1 Teacheth us the ſpiritualneſſe of the Word of God. It doth tranſcend the words of men, they never reach farther then ſpeeches and actions; they make no Lawes for the hearts of men. But the Word of God hath ſpecial regard to the heart, 1 Sam. 16.7. As it is with wiſe parents, they look not only to the guidance of their childrens ſpeeches, but that their countenance and carriage be well framed, Gen. 4.6. So ſoon as God ſaw hatred in Cains heart, and expreſſing it ſelfe in his countenance, he reproves him for it, he will not have ſo much as a wrinkle in the face.
2 Hence we may ſee a juſt ground of Divines referring all ſins and virtues to the ten Commandements, Mat. 5.21, 22. Before God, unadviſed anger is killing, ſo of adultery, verſe 28.
3 See the wiſdome of God in putting ſuch foule names upon the beginnings of ſin, to make us afraid. He that hateth his Brother is a Murtherer. As if a Father ſhould ſay, Doe not hate your Brother, you will be a murtherer. He puts bad words upon the ſeeds of ſin.
4 This ſhould be a means to cleanſe us from all hatred of our Brother, look at it as an ugly and loathſome vice. If there be a ſpirit of envy in thy heart, what though thou lift not up thy hand againſt thy Brother, this is murther.
Doct. That it is a known truth amongſt Gods children, every murtherer is devoyd of eternall life, Rev. 21.8.
Reaſ. 1 Becauſe of the injury done to Gods image. If a man deface the image of a Prince, it deſerves death; then the defacing of Gods image much more, eternall death, Gen. 9.6.
2 From the ſeed of all murtherers, verſ. 12. he makes every murtherer to be of the poſterity of Cain, John 8.44. Now becauſe a man kills his brother, out of the ſeed of the Serpent▪ a devilliſh and malignant ſpirit, therefore he hath not eternal life abiding in him.
Ʋſe 1 See the danger of ſuch, who in their drinkings quarrell even to murther.
Obj. If there be no poſſibility that a murtherer ſhould be ſaved, what ſay you to David, and others in their carnall eſtate?
Anſw. David did indeed kill, and God follows him with judgments and afflictions, 2 Sam. 12.8, 9, 10. but yet upon repentance God forgave him his ſin. And as for ſuch as have murthered in their carnal eſtate, if God give them hearts to be humbled, then the blood of Chriſt is of a lowder cry then the blood of Abel, Heb. 12.24. Saint John ſpeaks not of every murtherer, for ſome doe it againſt their judgments and hearts, but others, if they repent not, have not eternal life, 1 Cor. 6.8 9.
2. To ſtir up every chriſtian man, that hath his hands in blood, to have recourſe to the blood of the covenant, for the pardon of their ſins, and healing of them. The ſin on Levi held him longeſt under, to bring him to repentance, Gen. 49.7.28. Jacob bleſſed him in a curſe, God preſerves us with curſes, that may put us in minde of our ſins, and makes us walk ſenſibly of them, therefore renew we our mournings for our hatred.
3 In reſpect of challenges, let us take heed we take them not, and that we ſtop them in the beginning: It is not fit that fire ſhould burn out of its place.
4 Such as love their Brethren, are not only not abiding in death, but have everlaſting life, already abiding in them; If you ſee any hatred ſpring in thee, thou art taken with a dead Palſie. You cannot bring out a good word or good countenance, ſo much hatred, ſo much death, ſo much want of love, ſo much want of life.