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Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
Antichrists and Against the World
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five modern translations. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO 1Jn_4:1-21
A. John 4 is a very specialized literary unit on how Christians assess and verify those who claim to speak for God. This passage is related to
1. these false prophets called antichrists (cf. 1Jn_2:18-25)
2. those who try to deceive (cf. 1Jn_2:26; 1Jn_3:7)
3. possibly those who claim knowledge of special spiritual truths (cf. 1Jn_3:24)
To fully understand the predicament of the early Christians one must recognize that many claimed to speak for God (cf. 1Co_12:10; 1Co_14:29; 1Th_5:20-21; 1Jn_4:1-6). There was no complete and available New Testament. Spiritual discernment involved both doctrinal and social tests (cf. Jas_3:1-12).
B. 1 John is extremely hard to outline because of the recurring pattern of themes. This is surely true in chapter 4. It seems that this chapter re-emphasizes truths which were taught in earlier chapters, especially the believers' need to love one another (cf. 1Jn_4:7-21; 1Jn_2:7-12; 1Jn_3:11-24).
C. John is writing both to combat the false teachers and to encourage the true believers. He does this by using several tests:
1. the doctrinal test (belief in Jesus, cf. 1Jn_2:18-25; 1Jn_4:1-6; 1Jn_4:14-16; 1Jn_5:1; 1Jn_5:5; 1Jn_5:10)
2. lifestyle test (obedience, cf. 1Jn_2:3-7; 1Jn_3:1-10; 1Jn_3:22-24)
3. the social test (love, cf. 1Jn_2:7-11; 1Jn_3:11-18; 1Jn_4:7-12; 1Jn_4:16-21; 1Jn_5:1-2)
Different parts of Scripture relate to different false teachers. 1 John addresses the heresy of Gnostic false teachers. See Introduction to 1 John, the Heresy. Other parts of the NT address other untruths (cf. Joh_1:13; Rom_10:9-13; 1Co_12:3). Each context must be studied separately to ascertain what error is being addressed. There was error from several sources.
1. Jewish legalists
2. Greek philosophers
3. Greek antinomians
4. those who claimed special spiritual revelation or experiences.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. List the three major tests of genuine Christianity.
2. How does one know who really speaks for God?
3. List the two sources of truth (subjective and objective).
4. What is significant about the title "Savior of the world"?
5. List the actions that reveal liars (i.e., false believers).