by Wells, Steve
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
(4.7) “Let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
(4.8) “God is love.”
131 Does God love everyone?
294 Is God the creator of evil?
132 Should we fear God?
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
(4.9) “God sent his only begotten Son”
28 Was Jesus God’s only son?
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
(4.12a) “No man hath seen God at any time.”
49 Has anyone seen God?
(4.12b) “If we love one another, God dwelleth in us.”
13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
(4.15) “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.”
417 Are those who believe Jesus is the Christ of God?
16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
(4.16) “God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
(4.18a) “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear.”
(4.18b) “He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
132 Should we fear God?
19 We love him, because he first loved us.
20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
(4.20-21) “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar … He who loveth God love his brother also.”
127 Should we love or hate our brother?
1 JOHN 5
5 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
(5.1) “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.”
417 Are those who believe Jesus is the Christ of God?
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
(5.7) “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” This is the clearest, and pretty much the only, expression of the Trinitarian concept in the Bible. It is not, however, found in the earliest Greek manuscripts and is omitted from most modern translations. Here, for example, are verses 7-8 in the New Revised Standard Version: “There are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three agree.”
9 How many gods are there?
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
(5.12) “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” You’re not living unless you’ve got Jesus.
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
(5.16, 17) “There is a sin unto death.” (But no one knows what it is.)
18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
(5.18) “Whosoever is born of God sinneth not.”
229 Do Christians sin?
19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
(5.19) “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” Christians are of God; everyone else is wicked.
20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
2 JOHN
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. — 2 John 10
Second John is an interesting little epistle. It reminds Christians to “love one another,” while shunning everyone else. Believers are to associate only with like-minded believers; all others are godless antichrists that true-believers shouldn’t even say “Howdy” to.
Here are some highlights:
“Love one another.” Except for all those antichrists (non-Christians), that is. Stay the hell away from them. (See verses 7-10) 5
Non-Christians are deceivers and antichrists. 7
“Whosoever … abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.” 9
Don’t associate with non-Christians. Don’t receive them into your house or even exchange greeting with them. 10
2 JOHN 1
1 The elder unto the elect lady and
her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
2 For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
(5) “Love one another.” Except for all those antichrists (non-Christians), that is. Stay the hell away from them. (See verses 7-10)
6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
(7) “Many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” Non-Christians are deceivers and antichrists.
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
(9) “Whosoever … abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.”
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
(10) “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed.” Don’t associate with non-Christians. Don’t receive them into your house or even exchange greetings with them.
468 Should believers discuss their faith with non-believers?
11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
3 JOHN
I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words. — 3 John 10
If you measure by the number of words, 3 John is the shortest book in the Bible. There’s not much to say about it, since it doesn’t say very much.
Here are a few highlights (if you can call them that):
“I will remember his [Diotrephes] deeds ... pratting against us with malicious words.” 10
“Follow not that which is evil, but that which is good.” 11a
“He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.” 11b
3 JOHN 1
1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
7 Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
(10) “I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words.”
11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
(11a) “Follow not that which is evil, but that which is good.” Do good. Avoid evil.
(11b) “He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.”
229 Do Christians sin?
298 Does anyone ever do anything good?
12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.
JUDE
To convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken. — Jude 15
The author claims to be “Jude, the brother of James,” which, if true (which it wasn’t, of course), would make him the brother of Jesus, too, since “the Lord’s brother” (Gal 1.19) was the most famous James among believers at the time.
No one knows who wrote this epistle, but whoever it was liked to call people names. Ungodly men ordained to condemnation, filthy dreamers, defilers of the flesh, ungodly sinners, murmurers, complainers, mockers walking in their own ungodly lusts—all in just 25 verses!
Here are some highlights:
God pre-ordained that certain “ungodly” men would deny Jesus. 4
“The Lord … destroyed them that believed not.” 5
“The angels which kept not their first estate” (The angels referred to here are the “sons of God” that had sex with human females to produce a race of giants in Gen 6.4.) 6
God sent “eternal fire” on the people of Sodom and Gomorrah for “going after strange flesh.” 7-8
Michael the Archangel argued with the devil about the body of Moses. 9
Enoch, “the seventh from Adam,” prophesied that God would come with 10,000 of his saints “to execute judgment upon all.” 14-15
“To convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken.” 15
“Remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles … that they told you there should be mockers in the last time.” (The author of Jude thought he was living in “the last time.”) 17-18
JUDE
1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
(1) “Jude, the … brother of James” The author claims to be “Jude, the brother or James,” which means he is also claiming to be the brother of Jesus, since that was the most famous James among believers at the time ((Gal 1.19). He was lying, of course.
2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
(2) “Mercy … peace, and love, be multiplied.”
3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
(4) “There are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men … denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” God pre-ordained that certain “ungodly” men would deny Jesus.
158 Do humans have free wil
l?
5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
(5) “The Lord … destroyed them that believed not.”
6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
(6) “The angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.” The angels referred to here are the “sons of God” that had sex with human females to produce a race of giants. (See Gen 6.4)
287 Is the devil free to roam?
29 Do angels have sex?
7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
(7-8) “As Sodom and Gomorrah … giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh … suffering the vengeance of eternal fire …. these filthy dreamers defile the flesh.” God sent “eternal fire” on the people of Sodom and Gomorrah for “going after strange flesh.”
472 What was Sodom’s sin?
9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
(9) “Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses.” This story is taken from the non-canonical book, The Assumption of Moses.
10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.