1 John 1:5-10
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5
In preparation for leading Sunday
school 15SEP, I continue with 1 John 1, yesterday using DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book video series for 1 John which examines 1 John 1:5-10. This morning I step back to look at 1 John as a whole, using commentaries to look at key themes, including history and background of this book. Excerpts from the introduction of the commentary to 1, 2, 3 John from The Christ-Centered Exposition Series:
- "Obviously sin is not a popular subject in our day. People will go to great lengths to hide it, rationalize it, or deny it. But we must understand that when they deny their sin they call God a liar. They challenge His Word and question His character. They say sin is not serious and Jesus did not need to die."
- "First John 1:5 is the basis for 1:6–2:2 and the foundation for 1:6–3:10, the first half of John’s letter. First John 1:5–3:10 emphasizes the truth that God is light. The second half of the letter, 3:11–5:12, emphasizes the truth that God is love."
- "To think correctly about Jesus, you must think correctly about sin. When you see sin for what it is you will immediately see your need—the world’s need—for Jesus as your advocate (2:1) and your “atoning sacrifice” (2:2 NIV). You will also avoid the error of calling God a liar."
Excerpts from the MacArthur Bible Commentary for 1 John:
- "John and James, his older brother (Acts 12: 2), were known as “the sons of Zebedee” (Matt. 10: 2– 4), whom Jesus gave the name “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3: 17). John was one of the three most intimate associates of Jesus (along with Peter and James— cf. Matt. 17: 1; 26: 37), being an eyewitness to and participant in Jesus’ earthly ministry (1: 1– 4). In addition to the three epistles, John also authored the Fourth Gospel, in which he identified himself as the disciple “whom Jesus loved” and as the one who reclined on Jesus’ breast at the Last Supper (John 13: 23; 19: 26; 20: 2; 21: 7, 20). He also wrote the Book of Revelation (Rev. 1: 1)."
- "Most likely, John composed this work in the latter part of the first century. Church tradition consistently identifies John, in his advanced age, as living and actively writing during this time at Ephesus in Asia Minor."
- "Furthermore, the heresy John combats most likely reflects the beginnings of Gnosticism which was in its early stages during the latter third of the first century when John was actively writing. Since no mention is made of the persecution under Domitian, which began about A.D. 95, it may have been written before that began. In light of such factors, a reasonable date for 1 John is c. A.D. 90– 95. It was likely written from Ephesus to the churches of Asia Minor over which John exercised apostolic leadership."
- "Although he was greatly advanced in age when he penned this epistle, John was still actively ministering to churches. He was the sole remaining apostolic survivor who had intimate, eyewitness association with Jesus throughout His earthly ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension."
- "As the last remaining apostle, John’s testimony was highly authoritative among the churches. Many eagerly sought to hear the one who had firsthand experience with the Lord Jesus."
- "After the Pauline battle for freedom from the law, Gnosticism was the most dangerous heresy that threatened the early church during the first three centuries....some asserted that Jesus’ physical body was not real but only seemed to be physical (known as Docetism from a Greek word that means “to appear”)....another form of this heresy which John may have attacked was led by a man named Cerinthus, who contended that the Christ’s spirit descended on the human Jesus at his baptism, but left him just before his crucifixion. Such heretical views destroy not only the true humanity of Jesus, but also the Atonement, for Jesus must not only have been truly God, but also the truly human (and physically real) man who actually suffered and died on the cross in order to be the acceptable substitutionary sacrifice for sin (cf. Heb. 2: 14– 17). The biblical view of Jesus affirms His complete humanity as well as His full deity. The gnostic idea that matter was evil and only spirit was good led to the idea that either the body should be treated harshly, a form of asceticism (e.g., Col. 2: 21– 23), or sin committed in the body had no connection or effect on one’s spirit. This led some, especially John’s opponents, to conclude that sin committed in the physical body did not matter; absolute indulgence in immorality was permissible; one could deny sin even existed (1: 8– 10) and disregard God’s law (3: 4)."
- "A lack of love for fellow believers characterizes false teachers, especially as they react against anyone rejecting their new way of thinking (3: 10– 18). They separated their deceived followers from the fellowship of those who remained faithful to apostolic teaching, leading John to reply that such separation outwardly manifested that those who followed false teachers lacked genuine salvation (2: 19)."
- "Since the heresy was so acutely dangerous and the time period was so critical for the church in danger of being overwhelmed by false teaching, John gently, lovingly, but with unquestionable apostolic authority, sent this letter to churches in his sphere of influence to stem this spreading plague of false doctrine."
Looking specifically at 1 John 1:1-10, the commentary for this text from the The Christ-Centered Exposition Series shares six divisions (including one division proposed by the commentary that continues through 1 John 2:2:
1 John 1:1-4
- Have a passion to know this life (vv1-2)
- Have a passion to share this life (v3)
- Have a passion to enjoy this life (in a Godly manner) (v4)
1 John 1:5-10
- The world must know what God says about Himself (v5)
- The world must know what God says about sin (v6-10)
- The world must know what God says about Jesus (2:1-2)
Believers, we must be a light in this world of darkness!
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are light, love and truth...You are also love and my personal Lord and Savior. Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of the amazing grace You already poured out for me and the grace You continue to pour out for me in inexhaustible supply. My sin continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
