The Key of the Bible, Biblical commentary · Part 2 · Section 2 · Subsection 18
I John.
THe first Catholique Epistle of JOHN the Apostle. This Epistle hath this Title in all the ancient manuscript Copies. Bez. Annot. ante hanc Ep. Which as Beza there well advertiseth us, we are thus to understand, viz. The first Epistle of Iohn the Apostle which is Catholick; for of all Iohn's Epistles, this only is Catholique or Generall, the other two being particular. viz. The 2d to the Elect Lady and her children; The 3d to Gaius, and therefore it were improper to call it the first Generall Epistle in any other sense.
Penman of this Epistle, is Iohn the Apostle, as is evident. 1. From the Greek Title, foreign i. e. The first Catholique Epistle of John the Apostle; thus all ancient Greek Copies have it. Bez. 2. From his manner of speaking of Christ, asserting his divinity in divers passages of this Epistle, as 1 Iohn 1.1, 2. & 2.22.23, 24. & 5.5, 6, 7. &c. and calling him the Word 1 Iohn 1.1. and 1 Iohn 5.7. Iohn being most sublime in asserting the Godhead of Christ, Iohn 1.1, 2, 3. &c. and Rev. often; and no writers in the New Testament, stiling Christ the Word but Iohn in his Gospel, Iohn 1.1, 14. in his Revelation, Rev. 1.2. and 19.13. and here in this Epistle. 3. From that eminent and singular Character of Iohns spirit. viz. The spirit of love, most predominant and conspicuous all along this Epistle, as in his Gospel and Revelation. Iohn was the disciple whom Jesus loved above all his disciples. Iohn 13.23. & 19.26. and 20.2. and 21.7, 20. He was a meer compound of sweetest love; in all his writings, breaths nothing in a manner but love ▪ Hence excellently Calvin, Haec Epistola, prorsus digna est ejus discipuli spiritu, qui prae aliis ideò a Christo dilectus fuit, ut ipsum nobis familiarem redderet. i. e. This Epistle is altogether worth the Spirit of that disciple, which was therefore beloved of Christ above the rest, that he might render him familiar unto us. Calv. Argum. in 1. Ioan. Of Iohn, see more in Annot. on Gosp. of Iohn. Iohn therefore being the undoubted Penman of this Epistle, it is of unquestionable Authority, Eusebius and Hieronymus testify, That there never was doubt in the Church about the Author or Authority of this Epistle. Euseb. Hist. Eccles. l. 3. c. 25. Hieronym, in Catalog. Augustin cals it satis dulcem & satis memorabilem in Ecclesia dei, quód in ipsa charitas maximé commendetur. i. e. A most sweet Epistle and most memorable in the Church of God, because love is especially commended therin. Aug. Praef. in 1. Ioan. Ep. and saith that orbem ter…arum ipsa edificavit, i. e. It hath edified the world, Aug. Tract. 7.
When and Whence this Epistle was written, Iohn wrote his Gosp. at Ephesus, Iraen. l. 3. c. 1. advers. haeres. This Epistle seemes to be written after his Gospel. He wrote it when he was now old; thinks Hierome. And being old, he departed not from Asia, therefore is probable he wrote it at Ephesus, Zauch. Prolegom. in 1. Ioan. p. 6. Iohn lived after the other Apostles and wrote after them.
Occasions. I. Iohn observed that in his daies there were many hereticall Teachers, Seducers, which he cals Anti-christs, (and by a propheticall spirit foresaw that afterwards there would arise many more.) Epiphanius reckon… up these before and in Iohn's dayes, viz. 1. Simonians. 2. Menandrians. 3. Saturnilians. 4. Basilidians. 5. Nicolaitanes▪ of whom Rev. 2. 6. Gnosticks. 7. Carpocratians, from Carpocrates in Asia; who taught men must sinne, and do the will of all the devils; otherwise they could not enter into heaven. 8. Cerinthians and Merinthians, from Cerinthus and Morinthus, who denyed Christs divinity, said he was not before Mary, that he was a meere man. 9. Habionits, who held the same heresie. 10. Nazaraei, that urged Moses law, See Epiphan. in Panario. l. 1. Tom. 2. II. Iohn took notice of divers carnall believers, who made great profession of knowledge, faith and piety towards God, who yet lived ungodly to the scandall of the Gospel. III. Finally, Iohn considered how necessary it was to encourage true believers in faith, and promote them to assurance of their interest in eternall life. These gave Iohn Occasion of writing this Epistle by way of remedy.
Scope. The blessed Apostle Iohn in this Epistle principally levels at these three ends.
1. To detect and confute hereticall and Anti-Christian Seducers, and warne the believers against them and their false Doctrine. These things have I written to you, concerning them that seduce you 1 John 2.26. particularly and especially proving, That Christ is true and eternall God, against Corinthians and Hebionites, c. 1. That Christ is true man, and assumed true flesh, against Cerdonians, Manichees, Priscillianists and Valentinians, (which by a Propheticall spirit, he foresaw would follow,) c. 4. That Iesus is the true Christ, the promised Messiah against Iew… and Nazarites, c. 2. That the Father, Word and holy Ghost, are three true distinct Persons, of one essence; against Sabelli…ns, &c. c. 5. That they that are born of God ought not, nay, as such, cannot commit sin; and such as do not righteousnesse are of the devill, not of God, against the Carpocratians, c. 3.
2. To stirre up all that professe to know God and believe in him, that they walk in light, not in darknesse, 1. Iohn 1.5, 6, 7. as Christ walked, that they keep the Commandements, especially abound in love, 1 Iohn 2.4, 5, 6. and all along the Epistle.
3. To provoke true believers to growth in faith and grace; and to help forward their assurance of their interest in eternall life.
This last end is clearly professed in 1 Iohn 5.13. These things have I written unto you, that believe on the name of the Sonne of God, that yee may know that yee have eternall life.— And therefore it is most singularly observable of this sweet and precious Epistle, what a multitude of Marks, Signs or Discoveries of believer's spirituall State, are here plainly and purposely laid downe for this end, more then in any other so short a piece of Scripture in the whole Bible. Which Signes are here reduced to severall heads, and set downe for the help and comfort of the Readers, in some of which, at least the weakest (if a sincere Christian▪) may find abundant soule-refreshing, and heart-establishment.
I. Evidences, Signes or Discoveries of Gods love to us.
1. Christs being sent to lay down his life for us, that we might live by him, 1 Iohn 3.16. and 4.9, 10.
2. Adoption, That we should be called the sonnes of God, 1 Iohn 3.1.
3. Our not loving the world, nor the things of the world inordinately, 1 John 2.15, 16, 17.
4. Our love to God, which is an effect, or reflexive beame of Gods love to us, 1 Iohn 4.19.
II. Evidences or Signes of our Regeneration, Sonneship, &c.
1. That the world knoweth us not, 1 Iohn 3.1.
2. True believing that Jesus is the Christ, 1 Iohn 5.1.
3. Not committing sin, 1 Iohn 3.9. and 5.18. Especially in respect of that great sin of sins, The wicked one toucheth him not, 1 John 5.18.
4. Hope (if not assurance) that we shall be conforme to God in his glorious appearing, 1 Iohn 3.2, 3.
5. In hope of glory, purifying our selves as God is pure, 1 Iohn 2.3.
6. Overcoming erroneous hereticall spirits, 1 Iohn 4.1, 4.
7. Overcoming the world by faith, 1 Iohn 5.4, 5.
8. Doing of righteousnesse, 1 Iohn 2.29. and 3.10.
9. True love of the brethren, 1 Iohn 3.10.14. and 4.7.
III. Evidences or Signes that we are of the truth, of the true number of Gods people.
1. Having an unction from the holy one teaching us all things, 1 Iohn 2.19, 20, 27.
2. The Testimony of an upright heart or conscience, 1 Iohn 3.19, 20, 21.
3. Perseverance with the faithfull in Christ and the truth 1 Iohn 2.19.27.
IIII. Evidences or Signes of being in light, not in darknesse; in life, not in death.
1. Having the Sonne, 1 Iohn 5.11.12.
2. Loving, and not hating our brother, 1 Iohn 2.9, 10, 11. and 3.14, 15.
V. Evidences or Signes of the true knowledge of God.
1. Keeping his Commandements, 1 Iohn 2.3, 4.
2. Denyall of sinne, 1 Iohn. 3.6.
3. Mutuall love of one another, 1 Iohn 4.7, 8.
VI. Evidences or Signes of our love to God and Iesus Christ.
1. The casting out of base feare, 1 Iohn 4.18.
2. Not loving the world, and things in the world inordinately, 1 Iohn 2.15.16.
3. Keeping of his Commandements and his Word chearfully, 1 Iohn 2.5. and 5.3.
4. Opening our bowels of compassion to brethren in need, 1 Iohn 3.17. and 1 Iohn 5.1. 1 Iohn 4.11, 12, 20, 21.
VII. Evidences or Signes of our Communion with God and Iesus Christ.
1. His spirit given us, 1 Iohn 3.24. and 4.13.
2. The Truth's abiding in us, 1 Iohn 2.24.
3. Confessing that Jesus is the Son of God, 1 Iohn 4.15.
4. Not doing sinne 1 Iohn 3.6, 8.
5. Love to God and dwelling therein, 1 Iohn 4.16.
6. Walking in light, not in darknesse. 1 Iohn 1.5, 6 7.
7. Walking as Christ walked, 1 Iohn 2.6.
8. Keeping his Words and Commandements, 1 Iohn 2.3, 4, 5. and 3.23, 24.
9. Brotherly love, 1 Iohn. 4.12.
VIII. Finally, Evidences or Signs of true brotherly love, or love of Gods children. 1 Joh. 5.1▪2.
1. Knowing of God, 1 Iohn 4.7, 8.
2. Loving of God, 1 Iohn 5.1, 2.
3. Keeping Gods Commandements, 1 Iohn 5.2.
4. Not loving in word and in tongue, but in deed and in truth, 1 Iohn 3.18.
5. Reall compassion to our brother in need, yea even hazzarding our life for him in some cases 1 Iohn 3.16, 17.
By these Evidences, Signes or Characters of our spirituall Estate, clearly laid downe in this Excellent Epistle, the weak in faith may become strong in Assurance, and the strong may become stronger: yea all that truly believe in the name of the Son of God, (if the fault be not their owne) may hereby come to know, that they have eternall life. All which Evidences I shall indeavour very shortly (God willing,) more fully to open and unfold in a distinct Treatise, called, ☞Believers Evidences for eternall life. A subject which, I hope, to gracious hearts will be most welcome and seasonable, in these sad afflicting dayes; To help forward their Assurance for heaven, when they can have no assurance of any thing on earth,
Principall parts. in reference to these excellent ends are.
I. The Proem to the whole Epistle, declaring, 1. What the Apostle treats of. viz. Of Christ the word of life. viz. His person, God-man: and his office. 2. What he is about to say of Christ; not any novelty, but what was from the beginning; not any uncertainty, but that whereof they were infallible witnesses. 3. To what purpose he will treat of these things, that they may have Communion with God, and so their joy be full, they become happy, c. 1.1.2.3, 4.
II. The Substance of the Epistle it selfe, which is either,
1. Practicall, full of heavenly exhortations. viz.
1. To holinesse of life and conversation. viz. 1. Not to walk in darknesse, but in light, c. 1. v. 5, 6, 7. 2. Not to deny sin to be in us, but penitently to confesse it, c. 1, 8, 9, 10. 3. To avoid sinne, and yet if sinne overtake us to repaire to Christ our Propitiation c. 2, 1, 2. 4. To adde to our knowledge of God, true obedience to his Word, c. 2, 3. to 9. 5. To brotherly love, c. 2, 9. to 15. 6. To take heed of inordinate love of the world. c. 2, 15, 16, 17,
2. To beware of the dangerous Anti-Christs, and hereticall Seducers, abounding in the world, especially …orinthians and Ebionites denying Christs Godhead, c. 2, 18. to the end.
3. To abandon practising of sinne, as inconsistent with the state of grace, contrary to the wicked seducements of the Carpocratians forementioned, who taught men to sin, c. 3, 1. to 11.
4. To sincere reall brotherly love, by many Arguments, c. 3, 11. to the end. and c. 4, 7. to the end.
5. To take heed of believing every spirit, but to try them, especially such as deny Christs Manhood, (as after did the Cerdonians, Manich…es, Priscillianists and Valentinians,) c. 4, 1. to 7.
2. Dogmaticall, wherein he asserts that Iesus is the Christ the Son of God, and true man, and this from divers Arguments and Testimonies which we should believe, that we may have eternall life begun, c. 5, 1. to 14. for perfecting whereof we should pray; where he directs us how, and for whom to pray, c. 5.14. to 21.
III. Conclusion, with a serious monition against idolatry, c. 5, 21.