Nazarene Commentary 2000©
21st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures©
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21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures©
[NCMM]
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THE FIRST LETTER OF JOHN
CHAPTER FIVE:
KNOWING THE EVIDENCE
[“Legal Testimony”]
1 John 5:1-4 – What Loving God Means
1JN5:1 Every person
believing that Jesus is the Christ
has been born of The God,
and every person loving the One born
continues to love the One who caused his birth.
| 253 | Every person: This prospect is open to “everyone” and not limited as if by a predetermined number. Compare
John 1:12, 13 and Romans 8:14. Paraphrase of verses 1-4, “Every individual who believes that Jesus is the Messiah has been God-born. Every individual who loves the One born – Jesus – also loves the God that caused His Son’s birth. It
is in this manner that we realize we show compassionate affection for God’s children – when we truly love God we also observe His commandments. For this is how we show our love for God – we observe His commandments. And none of His commandments
are a heavy burden because every person God-born is victorious over the world. Our faith – this is our victory in conquering the world.” [NCMM Paraphrase] |
| 254 | Believing that Jesus is the Christ: Compare John 3:16; John 20:31. John’s purpose is to confirm this conviction in Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God. In these verses he emphasizes once again the two
prime features: faith and love. It is clear that this faith or belief is not limited to a mere affirmation of something, but rather conviction manifest in positive action. |
| 255 | Has been born of The God: The phrase occurs a dozen times in 1 John. See notes on 1 John 2:29. Or, WEY: every one who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God. See the Biblical Article Born Again. |
| 256 | Every person loving the One born: That is, Jesus Christ. There are at least 5 ways in which Jesus became the Son of God: a) his creation; b) human birth; c) spiritual birth at his baptism; d) by his resurrection; e) by his enthronement as King. See notes elsewhere in Nazarene Commentary 2000©. |
| 257 | Continues to love the One who caused his birth: Or, WEY: loves the Father. One cannot love Jesus without also loving the Father. Note the Holy Ghost is missing here. |
1JN5:2 This is how we know
that we are showing compassionate affection to the children of The God:
whenever we love The God then we keep His commandments.
| 258 | This is how we know: Or, GDS: this is how we can be sure. “Know” is John’s theme word. The word group
occurs 39 times in 1 John. Research know or gno. |
| 259 | That we are showing compassionate affection to the children of The God: Or, WMS: by continuing to love. (1 Peter 1:22) Research the phrase sons of God or children of God. |
| 260 | Whenever we love The God then we keep His commandments: Or, GDS: for loving God means obeying his commandments. Revelation 14:12, “Now in this matter requires endurance by the Saints: observing God’s commandments and the faith of Jesus.” [NCMM Paraphrase] |
1JN5:3 For this is the love of The God, that we observe His commandments,
and his commandments are not a burden,
| 261 | For this is the love of The God, that we observe His commandments: As elsewhere, John repeats himself in the next breath.
See the book Nazarene Commandments 2000©. |
| 262 | His commandments are not a burden: Or, KJV: not
grievous; RHM: burdensome; WEY: irksome; BAS: hard to keep. Deuteronomy 30:11, “These commandments that I command you today are so difficult for you.” [NCMM Paraphrase] Micah 6:8, “What does Yehowah ask of you? Be just and righteous. Love
doing kindness to others. Walk with God in modest humility.” [NCMM Paraphrase] |
1JN5:4 because everything born of The God continues to conquer the world-order of humanity.
And this is the conquest
of those who have conquered the world – our faith. | 263 | Everything born of The God continues to conquer the world-order of humanity: Or, TCN: because all that has received new life from God conquers the world; KNX: whatsoever takes its origin from God must needs
triumph over the world; WMS: every child of God continues to conquer. John 16:33,
“You will be oppressed in the world. Be courageous for I have had my own victory over the world.” [NCMM Paraphrase] |
| 264 |
This is the conquest: KJV: this is the victory. (2 Timothy 4:7) See notes elsewhere under conquer or victory. Compare Revelation 12:11 and Revelation 15:2. Paraphrase of verses 5-8, “Consequently, who is a world conqueror
if not the individual continuing to believe that Jesus is the Son of God? Jesus Christ is the one who came through the water of his baptism and through the blood he shed. Not just the water. But by water and blood. Also, the Pneuma provides testimonial evidence
because the Pneuma is always truthful. Therefore, there are three who provide testimonial evidence: the Pneuma which descended upon Jesus, the water of his baptism, and the blood shed at his death. And these three agree in their testimony.” [NCMM Paraphrase] |
| 265 | Our faith: Or, NEB: the victory that defeats the world is our faith; TCN: and this is the power that has conquered the world
– our faith. The word group “faith” (believe) occurs about 100 times in John’s Gospel and epistles. Research faith or believe. |
1 John 5:5-8 – Testimony of Jesus’ Sonship
1JN5:5 But who is the person victorious over the world-order of humanity
if it is not the person believing that Jesus is the Son of The God?
| 266 | Who is the person victorious over the world-order of humanity: Or, NEB: for who is victor over the world; MOF: who is the world’s conqueror. See notes above on conquer or victory. |
| 267 | The person believing that Jesus is the Son of The God: See notes on 1 John 3:23. (Compare Ephesians 6:16 in Nazarene Commentary 2000©.) |
1JN5:6 This is the One, Jesus Christ, who came by means of water and blood;
not in just the water but in the water and in the blood;
and the Pneuma is the thing bearing witness,
because the Pneuma is the truth.
| 268 | Who came by means of water and blood: TCN: he it is whose Coming was attested by means of Water and Blood. Many
think this refers to the water of baptism and the blood shed on the Tree. Matthew 3:16, “After being immersed Jesus quickly rose up out of the water.” Hebrews 9:22, “… everything is cleansed with blood.” |
| 269 | Not in just the water but in the water and in the blood: Again, John repeats himself, possibly for emphasis. |
| 270 | The Pneuma is the thing bearing witness: Or, TCN: and there is the Spirit also to bear testimony. Matthew 3:16, “He
saw the Pneuma of God descending like a dove upon Jesus.” [NCMM Paraphrase] (John 1:33; Luke 4:16) The word pneuma (spirit) is used 7 times in 1 John. (1 John 3:24; 4:1, 2, 13; 5:6, 8) “God” is used 68 times in 1 John; Son, 23 times;
Jesus, 13 times; Father, 13 times. |
| 271 | The Pneuma is the truth: KJV: the Spirit is truth; TCN: and
the Spirit is Truth itself. 1 Timothy 3:16, “He became visible in the flesh, was justified in spirit.” See phrase “spirit of the truth” at John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13. |
1JN5:7 Because
those bearing witness are three
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| 272 | Those bearing witness are three: KJV adds, “in the earth.” See notes on 1 John 5:7 elsewhere in Nazarene Commentary
2000©. Matthew 18:16, “Three witnesses confirm testimony.” [NCMM Paraphrase] |
1JN5:8 the Pneuma and the water and the blood, and the three are one. | 273 | The three are one: Or, WEY: have
the same purpose; NEB: are in agreement; MOF: and the three of them are in accord. Research one in John chapters 10 and 17. There is a “triune formula” here: spirit, water, blood. John misses any opportunity he might have used to declare
or define a Trinity. |
1 John 5:9-12 – Divine Testimony
1JN5:9 If we accept the testimony of humans, the testimony of The God is greater.
Because this is the testimony of The God that He has given in witness about his Son.
| 274 | If we accept the testimony of humans, the testimony of The God is greater: Or, MOF: if we accept human testimony; BAS:
if we take the witness of men to be true; NEB: surely divine testimony is stronger. Regarding human evidence see Mark 15:39; John 1:29; John 1:32.
Paraphrase verses 9-12, “If we acknowledge that human testimony can be truthful then surely the testimonial evidence of God is infinitely greater! This is God’s testimonial evidence that He has provided in evidence concerning His own Son. The individual who believes in God’s Son possesses a personal witness by experience. The individual who does not believe God makes Him a liar because of rejecting the testimonial evidence provided by God about His own Son. Now this is (confirmed) based on the testimonial evidence: God gave us the gift of everlasting life and this Life is incorporated in His own Son. The individual who possesses the Son by personal experience also possesses this Life. The individual who does not possess the Son by personal experience does not possess this Life.” [NCMM Paraphrase] |
| 275 | This is the testimony of The God that He has given in witness about his Son: Or, KJV: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son; ASV: for the witness of God is this, that he hath born witness concerning his Son; WEY: for God’s witness is what he has testified about his Son; MOF: for God’s testimony consists in the testimony he has borne to his Son. Regarding God’s testimony see: Mark 1:11; Luke 9:35; John 12:28 – the occasions when the Voice of God was heard. |
1JN5:10 The person believing in the Son of The God has a personal testimony.
The person who does not believe in The God has made Him a liar,
because he does not believe the testimony which He has given as evidence
about His Son.
| 276 | Has a personal testimony: Or, KJV: hath the witness in himself; NEB: has this testimony in his own heart. See Romans
8:16. |
| 277 | The person who does not believe in The God has made Him a liar: Or, NEB: he who disbelieves
God, makes him out to be a liar. John 3:33, “He that has accepted his witness has put his seal to it that God is true.” Romans 3:4, “May the God always be truthful though every human be a liar!” |
| 278 | Because he does not believe the testimony which He has given as evidence: Or, KJV: he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son; MOF: by refusing to believe the testimony which God has borne to his Son; BER: because he has put no faith in the evidence of God has adduced regarding His Son. John 5:37, “My Father who sent me forth has testified concerning me.” |
1JN5:11 And this is the testimony that The God gave us – everlasting life.
And this Life is in His Son.
| 279 | This is the testimony that The God gave us – everlasting life: Or, KJV: and this is the record, that God hath given
to us eternal life; BER: and this is the evidence: God has granted us eternal life; NEB: the witness is this: that God has given us eternal life. John 17:3, “Their intimate relationship with you the Only True God and the One you sent forth, Jesus
Christ, means everlasting life (to them).” [NCMM Paraphrase] |
| 280 | This Life is in His Son: Or,
NEB: and that this life is found in his Son. John 5:26, “For even as the Father possesses life in Himself, just so He gave life also to His Son.” Consider Proverbs 8:22-30. |
1JN5:12 The
person who has the Son has this Life.
The person not having the Son of The God does not have the Life. | 281 | The person who has the Son has this Life: KJV: he that hath the Son hath life. John 3:36,
“The person who deeply believes in the Son possesses everlasting life. The person who disobeys the Son will never experience Life.” [NCMM Paraphrase] |
| 282 | Does not have the Life: Or, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. |
1 John 5:13-15 – Our Conviction in the Son’s Name
1JN5:13 I write to you these things so
that you might know that those believing in the name of the Son of The God have everlasting life.
| 283 | I write to you these things so: Or, MOF: I have written in this way to you. Paraphrase verses 13-15, “I write these
matters to you so you might understand that those who have faith in the name of the Son of God possess everlasting life by experience. This is the outspokenness we have when we approach God: no matter what we ask for ourselves in line with His will, He hears
our prayers. Also, we realize we will receive those things we ask of Him because He listens to us whenever we ask for something for ourselves.” [NCMM Paraphrase] |
| 284 | Know that those believing in the name of the Son of The God have everlasting life: Or, MOF: who believe in the name of the Son; TCN: that you may realize that you have found Immortal Life. See 1 John
1:2; 3:23. |
1JN5:14 And this is the freedom of speech we have when we face toward Him,
that if we ever ask anything for ourselves in accordance with His will He listens to us.
| 285 | This is the freedom of speech we have when we face toward Him: Or, TCN: and this is the confidence with which we approach
him. Hebrews 4:16, “So let us approach the throne of Grace with freedom of speech.” (1 John 3:21) John means in prayer. |
| 286 |
That if we ever ask anything for ourselves in accordance with His will He listens to us: Or, TCN: that whenever ask anything that is in accordance with his will, he listens to us. (Proverbs 15:29) Prayers are only answered when they harmonize with God’s
will. Note Isaiah 1:15 and 1 Peter 3:7. |
1JN5:15 And if we ever ask something for ourselves we know He listens to us
and we will receive the things asked for which we have asked from Him. | 287 | If we ever ask something for ourselves we know He listens to us: Or, NOR: we can rest assured that He will give us what we have asked for; TCN: if we realize that he listens to us
– whatever we ask – we realize that we have what we have asked from him. (John 14:13) |
| 288 |
We will receive the things asked for which we have asked from Him: Or, KJV: we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (Luke 11:13) |
1 John 5:16-17 – Asking Regarding a Christian’s Sin
1JN5:16 If anyone should ever see
a fellow member sinning a sin – one not leading to Death
– he will ask and He will give to him Life,
those not sinning leading to Death. There is a Sin leading to Death.
I am not speaking about making a request regarding that Sin.
| 289 | If anyone should ever see: Or, KJV: if any man see his brother. Every Christian can do this. See notes on Matthew 18:15.
Paraphrase of verses 16, 17, “Anybody who ever witnesses a fellow Christian sinning in such a way that does not result in (Second) Death, they may pray and God will give that person Life – that is, those not sinning in such a way that leads to (Second) Death. There is a type of Sin that results in (Second) Death. I am not talking about offering a prayer for that kind of Death-incurring Sin. Every kind of unrighteousness is a sin and yet there is a type of sin that does not result in (Second) Death.” [NCMM Paraphrase] |
| 290 | Sinning a sin – one not leading to Death: Or, KJV: a sin which is not unto death; WEY: which is not mortal; MOF: which is not deadly; WMS: which does not lead to death. Jeremiah 31:34, “For I will forgive their mistakes, and their sin I will remember no more.” James 5:15, “Prayer in faith will save the sick person and the Lord will raise him up. Also if he may have committed sins they will be forgiven.” See notes on 1 John 1:9. A judgment must be made by the observer who wishes to pray for such a sinning Christian. What kind of sin is this? It can be stated generally that this “sin” are mistakes covered by the ransom sacrifice by Christ. For examples compare Leviticus 4:2, 13; 5:15, 18; 22:14. John has mentioned a horrible sin earlier in chapter three. A sin he compares to manslaughter and as he puts it, “You know no manslayer has everlasting life remaining in him.” This sin is to deliberately ignore the plight of the poor and needy among the Nazarene community. This sin of omission is the one that causes the goats to go off into everlasting extinction. [Matthew 25:44-46] It is a serious sin, indeed. Compare also Hebrews 10:26-31. |
| 291 | He will ask and He will give to him Life: Or, TCN: he will ask, and so be the means of giving Life to him. (James 5:20) James 5:16, “So confess your sins to one another and pray over one another so that you may be healed. A righteous person’s prayer has great strength when working.” [NCMM Paraphrase] |
| 292 | There is a Sin leading to Death: The Greek is PROS (with or toward) Or, KJV: there is a sin unto death; NEB: there is such a thing as deadly sin. See notes on Matthew 12:31. (Hebrews 6:6; Hebrews 10:26) Revelation 20:4, 14 describe this as Second Death from which there is no recovery. It is a deliberate, habitual practice of sin without any repentance. There are sins which are extremely dangerous. See notes above. They all involve speech or a failure to practice charity. (See notes on Matthew 5:22 and Matthew 12:24, 31, 36) |
| 293 | I am not speaking about making a request regarding that Sin: Or, NEB: I do not suggest that he should pray about that; MOF: I do not mean that he is to pray for that; WEY: for that I do not bid him make request; BER: I advise no prayer for that. Regardless, the Christian must make a decision or judgment on whether to pray for a certain person sinning a mortal sin. This likely includes those antichrists mentioned earlier. |
1JN5:17 All unrighteousness is sin,
and there is a sin not leading to Death. | 294 | All unrighteousness is sin: Or, TCN: ever wrong action is sin; WMS: any wrongdoing is sin. (2 John 11) Research the word sin or HAMARTIA. |
| 295 | There is a sin not leading to Death: Or, WMS: there are sins that do not lead to death; TCN: there is sin that is not deadly. See the notes on 1 John 3:4.
(Romans 5:12, 14, 17; 7:24) |
1 John 5:18-21 – What We Know
1JN5:18 We know that every person born of The God is not habitually sinning,
but the One born from The God keeps him,
and so the Wicked One cannot touch him.
| 296 | We know that every person born of The God is not habitually sinning: Or, KJV: we know that whosoever is born of God sinneth
not; TCN: that no one who has received the new Life from God lives in sin; MON: whoever is a child of God is not habitually committing sin; NOR: will not practice sin. (1 John 5:1) Paraphrase of verses 18-21, “We realize that every God-born Christian
does not habitually sin. (The Son), the One God-born, protects every Christian so that the Wicked One cannot lay a hand on them. We are aware that God is our Source, but the entire world-order of humanity lies in the grasp of the Wicked One. We know the Son
of God has come. He has given us the mind by which we can have an intimate relationship with the True God by means of His Son Jesus Christ. The true God is trustworthy and (gives) everlasting life. Little children, look out and be on guard regarding idolatrous
images.” [NCMM Paraphrase] |
| 297 | The One born from The God keeps him: Or, KJV: he that is begotten
of God keepeth himself; NOR: for the Son of God will guard him; WMS: continues to keep him. (Proverbs 8:22-30) It is a most encouraging thought to know that God’s own Son stands guard over us if we continue to do the will of his Father. |
| 298 | The Wicked One cannot touch him: Or, BER: does not get a grip on him; TAY: cannot get his hands on him. See John 17:15. |
1JN5:19 We know we are from The God
and the whole world-order of humanity lies in [the power of] the Wicked One.
| 299 | We know we are from The God: Or, TCN: we realize that we have come from God. Compare Hebrews 2:11. (John 8:47) |
| 300 | The whole world-order of humanity lies in [the power of] the Wicked One: Or, KJV: the whole world lieth in wickedness; TCN: while all the world is under the influence of the Evil One. WEY: in the power of the evil one. (Matthew 13:19; Luke 4:6; John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4) |
1JN5:20 But we know that the Son of The God has come,
and he has given to us comprehension so that we know the True One,
in His Son Jesus Christ. This [true] One is the true God and life everlasting.
| 301 | We know that the Son of The God has come: Or, TCN: the son of God has come among us. (John 1:14; 1 Timothy 3:16) |
| 302 | He has given to us comprehension so that we know the True One: The Greek for “comprehension” is DIA-NOIAN [Strong’s
Exhaustive Concordance #1271 = the mind as a faculty of understanding, feeling, desiring (= by means of mind)]. KJV: understanding; TCN: discernment; TCN: the true God; RHM: him that is real. (Colossians 1:9) God is not known or experienced only by means of
the heart, but also the intellectual capacity of the mind. |
| 303 | This [true] One is the true God and life
everlasting: The Nazarene taught his Father was “the only true God.” (John 17:3) |
1JN5:21 Little children, guard yourselves from the idols. | 304 | Little children, guard yourselves from
the idols: Or, AMP: from idols – false gods [from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God, from any sort of substitute for Him that would take first place in your life]; BAR: guard against false gods. Compare 1 Thessalonians 1:9. 1 Corinthians 10:14, “Flee from idolatry.” |
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Nazarene Commentary 2000©
Mark Heber Miller
©2000 All Rights Reserved
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