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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - 1 John 2:9 - 2:9
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Hateth (μισῶν)
The sharp issue is maintained here as in Christ's words, “He that is not with me is against me” (Luk 11:23). Men fall into two classes, those who are in fellowship with God, and therefore walk in light and love, and those who are not in fellowship with God, and therefore walk in darkness and hatred. “A direct opposition,” says Bengel; where love is not, there is hatred. “The heart is not empty.” See Joh 3:20; Joh 7:7; Joh 15:18 sqq.; Joh 17:14. The word hate is opposed both to the love of natural affection (φιλεῖν), and to the more discriminating sentiment - love founded on a just estimate (ἀγαπᾶν). For the former see Joh 12:25; Joh 15:18, Joh 15:19; compare Luk 14:26. For the latter, 1Jo 3:14, 1Jo 3:15; 1Jo 4:20, Mat 5:43; Mat 6:24; Eph 5:28, Eph 5:29. “In the former case, hatred, which may become a moral duty, involves the subjection of an instinct. In the latter case it expresses a general determination of character” (Westcott).
His brother (τὸν ἀδελφόν)
His fellow-Christian. The singular, brother, is characteristic of this Epistle. See 1Jo 2:10, 1Jo 2:11; 1Jo 3:10, 1Jo 3:15, 1Jo 3:17; 1Jo 4:20, 1Jo 4:21; 1Jo 5:16. Christians are called in the New Testament, Christians (Act 11:26; Act 26:28; 1Pe 4:16), mainly by those outside of the Christian circle. Disciples, applied to all followers of Christ (Joh 2:11; Joh 6:61) and strictly to the twelve (Joh 13:5 sqq.). In Act 19:1, to those who had received only John's baptism. Not found in John's Epistles nor in Revelation. Brethren. The first title given to the body of believers after the Ascension (Act 1:15, where the true reading is ἀδελφῶν brethren, for μαθητῶν disciples). See Act 9:30; Act 10:23; Act 11:29; 1Th 4:10; 1Th 5:26; 1Jo 3:14; 3Jo 1:5, 3Jo 1:10; Joh 21:23. Peter has ἡ ἀδελφότης the brotherhood (1Pe 2:17; 1Pe 5:9). The believers. Under three forms: The believers (οἱ πιστοί; Act 10:45; 1Ti 4:12); they that believe (οἱ πιστεύοντες; 1Pe 2:7; 1Th 1:7; Eph 1:19); they that believed (οἱ πιστεύσαντες; Act 2:44; Act 4:32; Heb 4:3). The saints (οἱ ἅγιοι); characteristic of Paul and Revelation. Four times in the Acts (Act 9:13, Act 9:32, Act 9:41; Act 26:10), and once in Jude (Jud 1:3). Also Heb 6:10; Heb 13:24. In Paul, 1Co 6:1; 1Co 14:33; Eph 1:1, Eph 1:15, etc. In Rev 5:8; Rev 8:3, Rev 8:4; Rev 11:18, etc.
Until now (ἕως ἄρτι)
Though the light has been increasing, and though he may claim that he has been in the light from the first. The phrase occurs in Joh 2:10; Joh 5:17; Joh 16:24; and is used by Paul, 1Co 4:13; 1Co 8:7; 1Co 15:6.