Daily Bible Study--1 John 2:18-23

1 John 2:18-23

 

"Little children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out in order that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. I did not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. Anyone who denies the Son does not have the Father either. " (1 John 2:18-23, EMTV)



A1 Outline

• B1 Antichrist is coming


• B2 Antichrist description


• B3 Antichrist defeated by truth in the believers


• B4 Antichrist theology

A2 Notes

• B1 Antichrist and antichrists
  
  
  
  • C1 The Greek word is ἀντίχριστος antichristos. The "anti" means both instead of and against.
  
  
  • C2 The person, Antichrist, is not yet ruling his kingdom.
  
  
  • C3 The persons, antichrists, are working in the world.
  
  
  
  


• B2 Antichrist description
  
  
  
  • C1 Is coming, so it is a future event
  
  
  • C2 Were in the church
  
  
  • C3 Left the church. The reason they left is that they were not of us.
  
  
  • C4 Most likely a very likeable person. Consider Judas Iscariot, an Apostle of Jesus Christ. He was so trusted that he was the treasurer of the group.
  
  
  • C5 Other things
    
    
    
    • D1 The same individual is described in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12.
      
      
      
      • E1 Man of sin--a person who plans to sin and carries it out. This is the opposite of the true Messiah, Jesus, who was sinless in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.
      
      
      • E2 Son of perdition--a person who is so evil that he is compared to satan himself. This person is evil, thinks evil, and does evil.
      
      
      • E3 Opposes God
      
      
      • E4 Exalts himself to even sit in God's Temple as god.
      
      
      • E5 Lawless--he does not obey any of God's laws in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.
      
      
      • E6 Will be destroyed by the true Messiah, Jesus by a word and the brightness of His coming.
      
      
      • E7 Empowered by satan so that he can
        
        
        
        • F1 Do acts of power
        
        
        • F2 Do signs (miracles)
        
        
        • F3 Do lying wonders
        
        
        • F4 Do everything and anything in order to deceive people to rebel against God and follow him.
        
        
        
        
      
      
      • E8 A master of deception who will be followed because people do NOT love truth. For if they would love truth and receive it, they might be saved. Since they do not love truth, want truth, or hear truth, God will send strong delusion as punishment. Then they will believe Antichrist's lie and will be judged.
      
      
      • E9 An encourager of unrighteousness
      
      
      • E10 Does not teach that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, that is, had flesh as his body. (2 John 1:7). This is the so-called "christ spirit" that can come on someone.
      
      
      • E11 Other passages referring to him are Daniel 7:25, Daniel 9, Mark 13:14 (Daniel 9:27), Revelation 13, and his final end in Revelation 19:20 and Revelation 20:10.
      
      
      
      
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  


• B3 Antichrist defeated
  
  
  
  • C1 The real Messiah will defeat the fake messiah at the end of the Tribulation. Read Revelation 19 especially Revelation 19:19-21.
  
  
  • C2 These others, the antichrists, are defeated by knowing truth. We need to know true doctrine and know the true Messiah.
  
  
  
  

A3 Questions

• B1 How did these antichrists get into the church? (A misunderstanding of the Gospel, deception, emotional reasons, etc.).


• B2 Were these antichrists ever believers in the first place? (It appears that they were not).


• B3 What was the proof that they were not of us? (They left).


• B4 What will prevent people from following the Antichrist?


• B6 Who is the one who defeats the Antichrist?

 

 

Daily Bible Study--1 John 2:15-17

1 John 2:15-17

"Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Because everything that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away, and its lust; but he who does the will of God abides forever. " (1 John 2:15-17, EMTV)

A1 Outline

1. B1 Command 1 John 2:15


2. B2 Reason 1 John 2:16-17

A2 Notes

1. B1 World
   
   
   
   1. C1 A system of life including how we live, how we think, what our motives and desires are.
   
   
   2. C2 This system is opposite of God's system.
   
   
   3. C3 It is called the "world," because it is the system currently in operation in humanity. It is the opposite of the "Kingdom of Heaven."
   
   
   4. C4 Cross references
      
      
      
      1. D1 "They are of the world: on account of this they speak of the world, and the world hears them." (1 John 4:5, EMTV)
      
      
      2. D2 "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. " (John 15:19, EMTV)
      
      
      3. D3 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and well pleasing and perfect will of God. " (Romans 12:2, EMTV)
      
      
      
      
   
   
   
   

2. B2 Love--is the word for choice. This life style and motivations/desires are chosen, not forced.


3. B3 Lust--strong desire for something that is contrary to God's desires.


4. B4 Pride--thinking and wanting to be looked up as being better than someone else.


5. B5 Three sins
   
   
   
   1. C1 Lust of the flesh--"If it feels good, do it."
      
      
      
      1. D1 "The mixed multitude that was among them lusted exceedingly: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, “Who will give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish, which we ate in Egypt for nothing; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic; but now we have lost our appetite. There is nothing at all except this manna to look at.” (Numbers 11:4-6, WEB)
      
      
      2. D2 "They tempted God in their heart by asking food according to their desire." (Psalms 78:18, WEB)
      
      
      3. D3 "Don’t lust after her beauty in your heart, neither let her captivate you with her eyelids." (Proverbs 6:25, WEB)
      
      
      4. D4 "Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted." (1 Corinthians 10:6, WEB)
      
      
      5. D5 "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire." (Galatians 5:17, WEB)
      
      
      
      
   
   
   2. C2 Lust of the eyes--"O, that looks so good, I want it." That person then does whatever necessary to get it.
      
      
      
      1. D1 "When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit, and ate; and she gave some to her husband with her, and he ate." (Genesis 3:6, WEB)
      
      
      2. D2 "When I saw among the spoil a beautiful Babylonian robe, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, then I coveted them and took them. Behold, they are hidden in the ground in the middle of my tent, with the silver under it.” (Joshua 7:21, WEB)
      
      
      
      
   
   
   3. C3 Pride of life--"I'm better than ___________."
      
      
      
      1. D1 "The king spoke and said, Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty? " (Daniel 4:30, WEB)
      
      
      2. D2 "“Two men went up to the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I tithe on all things, as many as I acquire.' And the tax collector, standing far away, would not so much as lift his eyes towards heaven, but beat on his chest, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I say to you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted." " (Luke 18:10-14, EMTV)
      
      
      
      
   
   
   
   

A3 Questions

1. B1 Explain the phrase "love of the world?" Why is this condemned? Explain the alternative.


2. B2 What is the two choices? Why can't someone love both?


3. B3 How do these verses apply to church meetings?


4. B4 Based on these two choices, which choice will make people happier? Why?


5. B5 How is "love of the world" in this passage different than the same phrase in John 3:16?


6. B6 Which of these two choices has eternal benefits?

 

Daily Bible Study—1 John 2:13

I am writing to you, fathers, because you have come to know Him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I am writing to you, little children, because you have come to know the Father. (1 John 2:13, EMTV)




A1 Outline

B1 Fathers

B2 Young men

B3 Children

A2 Notes

B1 Fathers are those who have been Christians longer.

B2 Young men are those who have been Christians for a short time.

B3 Children are those who have just believed.

C1 The Greek word in verse 13 is παιδίον paidion.

D1 "A little child," a diminutive of No. 1, is used only figuratively in the NT, and always in the plural. It is found frequently in 1 John, see 1Jo 2:1, 12, 28; 3:7, 18; 4:4; 5:21; elsewhere, once in John's Gospel, John 13:33, once in Paul's Epistles, Gal 4:19. It is a term of affection by a teacher to his disciples under circumstances requiring a tender appeal, e.g., of Christ to the Twelve just before His death; the Apostle John used it in warning believers against spiritual dangers; Paul, because of the deadly errors of Judaism assailing the Galatian churches." Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, by Vine

C2 It is different from the Greek word for children in is τεκνίον teknion in some of the other 1 John verses.

D1 Vine writes "It is used...by the Apostle John to the youngest believers in the family of God, 1 John 2:13, 1 John 2:18; there it is to be distinguished from teknia, which term he uses in addressing all his readers (1 John 2:1, 1 John 2:12, 1 John 2:28"

B4 These terms may also be used for believers who are that chronological age as in Titus 2:1-8.

B5 The verb know as it is used here signifies came to know and still know. It is the growth process for the Christian.

B6 The verb overcome (subdued) also signifies have overcome and still are overcoming (subduing).

B7 The beginning usually refers to creation but here it could also refer to the start of Jesus's ministry or even the start of these believer's faith. John 1:1-4, Psalms 90:2, Genesis 1:1, Isaiah 41:4, Matthew 19:4

B8 How do we overcome the evil one?

C1 Knowing he wants to overcome us.

C2 Knowing that he can overcome us.

C3 Being alert at all times. This would include not taking substances that cloud our mind (overdoing alcohol, using mind alerting drugs, etc.) and religious practices that silence our mind. Colossians 4:2, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 1 Peter 1:13, 1 Peter 4:7

C4 Wearing the armor of faith. These are word pictures that describe methods of protection that God gives us. Ephesians 6:10-18

C5 Know verses as "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy," (Jude 1:24, NKJV)

B9 The children have come to know.

C1 Salvation is initiated by God and brought to completion by God. Humans do not seek God or even want to, since we are dead in sins and trespasses and desire to do what our flesh (body, mind, and spirit) wishes. Matthew 11:27, John 1:18, Luke 19:10

A3 Questions

B1 Is the Christian life one of growth through many circumstances or sudden and complete?

B2 What is the importance of belief?

B3 What is faith? (Faith is believing God, so when Jesus states that He is coming again, He will).

B4 Have we overcome the devil? How do we do this? Is it in our own strength or with the strength of God?

B5 What is the importance of being alert at all times?

Daily Bible Study—1 John 2:12

I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you on account of His name. (1 John 2:12, EMTV)




A1 Outline

B1 Action

B2 Reason

A2 Notes

B1 Action

C1 One of the reasons the Apostle John wrote to the believers.

C2 Taking time out for brotherly and pastoral duties.

B2 Reason

C1 Sins

D1 Sins are serious.

D2 Sins show rebellion.

D3 Sins show disobedience.

D4 Sins deserve punishment.

D5 God will punish.

D6 Sins can be in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

C2 Have been forgiven

D1 The payment has been paid, because Jesus suffered for our sins.

D2 Forgiveness is because of mercy. God is merciful, if we meet His conditions for it (repentance and faith). Titus 3:5

D3 Only through Jesus Christ.

D4 Only by faith. Works or anything we do cannot.

D5 Hebrew words

E1 kaphar which means to cover as in Deuteronomy 21:8 and Psalms 78:38

E2 nasa which means to lift as in to take away guilt as in Genesis 50:17 and Psalms 25:18

E3 salach which means to forgive and refers to the forgiveness that only God gives as in Leviticus 4:20 and Daniel 9:19

D7 Greek words

E1 ἄφεσις aphesis which means freedom, dismissal as in pardon used in Acts 26:18 and Acts 10:43

E2 χαρίζομαι charizomai which means a unconditional favor, forgive as in Colossians 3:13 and Ephesians 4:32

D8 Some benefits of forgiveness

E1 Fellowship with God Acts 26:18

E2 Life (eternal life and spiritual life) Colossians 2:13

E3 The blessing of forgiving others Mark 11:25

E4 Peace Isaiah 48:22 with Matthew 11:28-30, Luke 7:48-50

C3 You--John is writing to Christians

C4 On account of--this indicates that if it wasn't for Jesus, there would be no forgiveness.

C5 His name--this represents Jesus. John 20:31, Acts 3:6 with Acts 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:11, etc.

A3 Questions

B1 Whose sins have been forgiven?

B2 What is the significance of the verb tense "have been" forgiven? Why is that important?

B3 How many of our sins have been forgiven?

B4 If we sin today, who can forgive our sins?

B5 Praise God!

Daily Bible Study—1 John 2:12-14

How we live and think, and what we love show our spiritual condition. 1 John 2:12-14




I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you on account of His name. I am writing to you, fathers, because you have come to know Him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I am writing to you, little children, because you have come to know the Father. I wrote to you, fathers, because you have come to know Him who is from the beginning. I wrote to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. (1 John 2:12-14, EMTV)


A1 Outline

B1 Children

C1 Sins forgiven

C2 Know the Father

B2 Fathers

C1 Know Him who is from the beginning

B3 Young men

C1 Overcome evil one

C2 Because

D1 You are strong

D2 The Word of God abides in you

D3 You have overcome the evil one

A2 Notes

B1 Children, fathers, and young men

C1 Some understand these to be spiritually understood, thus fathers are those who became Christians when the Gospel was first preached, the young men are not recent converts but those who have been Christians for a while, and children are those who have become Christians recently.

C2 Others view these as stages in the Christian life.

C3 Others view these as who they are--fathers, young men, and children.

B2 Four things

C1 Sins have been forgiven.

C2 Know God.

C3 Overcome evil one.

C4 Word of God lives in you.

A3 Questions

B1 How does a Christian overcome the evil one (satan)?

B2 Why are the young men strong?

B3 What is the importance of Bible reading and study?

B4 Why the change in tense from active present indicative (am writing) to past (wrote)?

B5 Which of the four things written about here is a new Christian to be aware of?

Daily Bible Study—1 John 2:11

But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. (1 John 2:11, EMTV)




A1 Outline

B1 Actions betray the inner truth about a person. Hating brother shows that this person's

C1 Heart is in darkness

C2 Spirit is in darkness

C3 Life--does not know where he is going

B2 Actions are a result of wrong (in God's view) choices

A2 Notes

B1 Hates

C1 The Greek word for hate is μισέω miseo

C2 It means hate, detest. Had deeply this hate is depends on the text. Here it appears to be a very strong dislike. How can this be? It is because the work of the Holy Spirit is nonexistent in his life. Hate is an evidence of darkness.

C3 The solution to this is to repent (a total change of mind, attitude, and actions), confess the sin to God, believe God, and ask for His help.

C4 Cross references--Matthew 5:21-26, John 3:20, Titus 3:3, Hebrews 1:9 (sin is a good thing to hate).

B2 Darkness

C1 An evidence of not being a Christian.

C2 The Greek word is σκοτία skotia.

C3 It means darkness literally and figuratively.

C4 Cross references John 12:35, Isaiah 59:9-10, John 3:19-20

C5 There is hope for human though--I have come into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness. (John 12:46, GNB92)

B3 Walking

C1 Walk = living our daily lives. It is to be as the New Testament teaches us. To know these things we must read and study the Bible. Matthew 11:29, Philippians 2:5, Ephesians 5:1-2, 1 Peter 1:15-16

C2 We need to walk as Jesus walked which is the thoughts, desires, words, and deeds how Jesus lived. Obviously, we are not God, so we cannot do miracles as He did, but we can have the same attitude towards others, honor God, obey the Scriptures, and so on. Consider 1 Kings 6:12, 2 Kings 20:3, Ephesians 2:1-2, Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 5:8 (walking in darkness is having our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds in the world's way instead God's way of living Galatians 5:16-26).

B4 Does not know where he is going

C1 We do need guidance. We must learn from somewhere. We naturally choose the wrong. There are teachers who teach how to do wrong, just as there are teachers who teach how to do right. The Bible, especially the New Testament, teaches us how to live right.

C2 See Psalms 25:5, Psalms 25:9

C3 For guidance we need

D1 Humility (we need to ask/pray for it) James 1:5, 2 Chronicles 1:10, John 16:24

D2 Trust/believe that He will guide and lead Proverbs 3:5-6

D3 Know the Bible and study it.

E1 The New Testament is for Christians. The principles in the Old Testament are also taught in the New Testament

E2 We must do some things

E2 We must not do some things.

E3 Principles are taught.

E4 Examples are given of failure and success

E5 Bible verses

F1 6 Things to lay aside

G1 Wickedness (James 1:21)

G2 All malice (1 Peter 2:1)

G3 All guile (1 Peter 2:1)

G4 All hypocrisies ((1 Peter 2:1)

G5 All envies (1 Peter 2:1)

G6 All evil speaking (1 Peter 2:1).

F2 Follow things of peace (Romans 14:19)

F3 Follow things that edify (Romans 14:19)

F4 Please neighbor for good (Romans 15:2-3

F5 Matthew 16:1 is an example of doing wrong when plenty of signs had already been seen.

A3 Questions

B1 What effect does hate have on people whether friends, enemies, family, or strangers?

B2 Why does showing hate so strongly condemned?

B3 Why is it important to read and study the Bible?

B4 Why do people need guidance?

Daily Bible Study—1 John 2:10

He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. (1 John 2:10, EMTV)




A1 Outline

B1 Statement

B2 Action

B3 Predicament

A2 Notes

B1 Love is the Greek word agape. It is the love of choice. I Corinthians 13. We have studied this previously.

B2 Abide in the light is living in the light. John 12:46

C1 The light of the Gospel. 2 Corinthians 4:4-6

C2 The light of truth. Psalm 119:105

C3 The light of God's way/style of living. Romans 13:12, Ephesians 5:8

B3 Stumbling

C1 We do not stumble, nor do we cause stumbling if we think and live God's way.

C2 Stumble is to err in doctrine, life style, etc.

C3 Cross references Proverbs 3:21-23, Proverbs 4:19, Jeremiah 18:15 (false teachers encouraging the worship of idols which caused the people to stumble from the truth), Romans 14:21,

A3 Questions

B1 How do we love our fellow Christian?

B2 Are we to love the non-Christian differently than the Christian?

B3 Do times change? Are God's standards different today than 1900 years ago? Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, James 1:17

B4 If God is to find us "living in the light," what must we do?

B5 What we some ways to love our fellow Christian?

Daily Bible Study—1 John 2:9

He who says that he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. (1 John 2:9 EMTV)




A1 Outline

B1 Statement

B2 Action

B3 Predicament

A2 Notes

B1 Light has been studied before. It points to God, His character, and truth.

B2 What we say is important, but what we do is revealing of our true character. As the old, tired cliché, states "walk the talk" or "practice what you preach." There is something wrong when a person says they believe something but don't live it.

C1 Hypocrites

D1 Types

E1 Words and actions are different, not consistent. Mark 7:6

E2 Take bribes (or receive something for changing their position). Proverbs 21:14

E3 Outward appearance and actions are different then their inward thoughts. Matthew 23:27

D2 Problem with hypocrisy is that there is a lack of truth. God requires us to be consistent and true. This is His character and a law of His kingdom.

C2 Liars

D1 Types

E1 What one says.

E2 What one does.

E3 Body language inconsistencies.

E4 What they write.

E5 Giving false facts (say a false amount of money earned on an income tax form).

E6 False witness as in court or even in gossip

E7 Moving property line markers

E8 False credentials

E9 And many other ways

D2 Problem--

E1 If we claim that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. (1 John 1:10, EMTV)

E2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time itself, (Titus 1:2, EMTV)

B3 Hates

C1 The Greek word for hate is μισέω miseo

C2 It means hate, detest. Had deeply this hate is depends on the text. Here it appears to be a very strong dislike. How can this be? It is because the work of the Holy Spirit is nonexistent in his life. Hate is an evidence of darkness.

C3 The solution to this is to repent (a total change of mind, attitude, and actions), confess the sin to God, believe God, and ask for His help.

C4 Cross references--Matthew 5:21-26, John 3:20, Titus 3:3, Hebrews 1:9 (sin is a good thing to hate).

B4 Darkness

C1 An evidence of not being a Christian.

C2 The Greek word is σκοτία skotia.

C3 It means darkness literally and figuratively.

C4 Cross references John 12:35, Isaiah 59:9-10, John 3:19-20

C5 There is hope for human though--I have come into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness. (John 12:46, GNB92)

A3 Questions

B1 Why is lying so serious?

B2 How do people hate each other?

B3 How do church members show hate to each other?

B4 What does this tell about ourselves?

B5 Do others watch us?

B6 What is the cure for this kind of darkness?

Daily Bible Study—1 John 2:8

Again, a new commandment I am writing to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shines. (1 John 2:8, EMTV)




The importance of God's light


A1 Outline

B1 Writing

C1 New commandment

C2 True

B2 Because

C1 Darkness is passing away

C2 True light already shines

A2 Notes

B1 Old/new commandment (comparing 1 John 2:7-8).

C1 This commandment has been around for a long time, and yet it is new and refreshing every day.

C2 The Greek word for new is not new in the sense of a new phone or new computer, it is a word used to describe something revolutionary new. An example would be the first TV or the first satellite in space.

C3 Love in this sense would be

D1 The Jews had a command to love (Exodus 23:4-5, Proverbs 25:21-22) but did not John 4:9.

D2 The Christians are also given a command to love; will we? Luke 6:27, Matthew 5:24

B2 True in Him--Jesus practices this perfectly, and He wants us to do so too.

B3 True in you--this is one of the results of the new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 6:15, Ephesians 2:10

B4 Darkness is passing away

C1 Wilbur Pickering's note in his New Testament translation on this verse writes--

I take 'the darkness' to be a reference to Satan's kingdom, while "the true Light is already shining" would refer to the outworking of Christ's victory, which in a certain sense turned all old commandments into new ones—the indwelling Holy Spirit enables us to do what we couldn't, before. Darkness is merely the absence of light; to introduce light in any situation reduces the darkness, which is why the world hates us.

C2 Some take darkness to refer to paganism, Judaism, evil, ignorance, spiritual deadness, or other things.

C3 Cross references--2 Corinthians 4:4-6, Ephesians 5:8-11, Acts 26:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:5

B5 True light already shines--this refers to Jesus and His truth.

C1 Salvation as in 1 Peter 2:9

C2 Jesus as in John 8:12 and 2 Corinthians 4:6

C3 Life that Jesus gives. This would refer to the rebirth of John 3. See John 1:5-9

C4 Truth as in John 3:19-21. This would be the light that exposes our sins. No one can hide from that light.

A3 Questions

B1 Why does John have to write about this commandment?

B2 How did this commandment, which is true in Jesus, become true in Christians?

B3 What or who causes the darkness to be passing away?

B4 Is there darkness in our lives?

B5 What can we do to increase the light in our lives?

Daily Bible Study—1 John 2:7

Brothers, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. (1 John 2:7, EMTV)




A1 Outline

B1 Commandment written

B2 Commandment heard

A2 Notes

B1 The commandment is to love

B2 Love is not necessarily a physical thing.

B3 Love is a choice, not a feeling.

B4 The principles of love (from 1 Corinthians 13).

C1 Love is not just words. 1 Corinthians 13:1

C2 Love is superior to prophecy, full, complete knowledge of mysteries, completely knowing everything, and faith so strong one can move mountains. 1 Corinthians 13:2

C3 Love is superior to giving away all your possessions. 1 Corinthians 13:3

C4 Love is patient. The old word is longsuffering. It is a particular type of patience that keeps your cool hoping and praying that all will turn to the better. It is to patiently endure.

C5 Love is kind. Love is not weakness but strength. One of these strengths is to be kind. To be kind to a likeable person is one thing but to show kindness to an unlikeable person shows the trait even more clearly.

C6 Love has no envy. Envy is wanting what someone else has. True love is glad that another person has what they do and doesn't want it.

C7 Love doesn't boost. True love is more interested in truth than bragging about ourselves.

C8 Love isn't arrogant. A person who has the attitude of "I'm better than anyone else. My opinion is better, my _____ is better" is not pleasing to humans or God.

C9 Love does not have behavioral issues. (The Greek word suggests violent talk and actions). True love is appropriate in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

C10 Love is not self-seeking. Love doesn't look out for and seek what I want; love looks to the needs of others. I may want to see, but my friend needs to talk, so if I love, I will take some of my sleep time and listen to my friend.

C11 Love is not easily provoked. Love will listen until the other person is finished. Love doesn't start responding angrily without listening and trying to understand.

C12 Love thinks no evil. Love does not plan evil to hurt and trouble others. Love doesn't keep track of every hurt and look for some way to get even (revenge).

C13 Love doesn't rejoice at unrighteousness. True love isn't happy when bad things happen to others. True love isn't glad when someone causes evil.

C14 Love rejoices with the truth. True love speaks truth, lives truth, seeks truth. Love doesn't like lies. Love rejoices in true doctrine, true actions, true words, and true deeds.

C15 Love bears all things. This is endurance. Love lasts. Love does stick around when things go bad.

C16 Love believes all things. Love is not gullible, but if someone tells the truth, believes them.

C17 Love never fails.

C18 Prophecies may not happen anymore, Speaking in tongues will not happen anymore. Special knowledge may pass away, but love will always exist.

A3 Questions

B1 What is the difference between liking someone and loving someone?

B2 What is the God approved action to someone who teases us (or worse) for being a Christian?

B3 How do we love our enemies?

B4 What is the loving thing to do after an argument?

B5 Why is this kind of love so important?

Daily Bible Study—1 John 2:7-11

Another test to know if we are a true Christian--a life of love.




Brothers, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I am writing to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shines. He who says that he is in the light and hates his brother is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. (1 John 2:7-11, EMTV)


A1 Outline

B1 A commandment

C1 Written

C2 Heard

C3 True

B2 A test

C1 Spoken

D1 Love

D2 Hate

C2 Action

D1 Love

D2 Hate

A2 Notes

B1 Beginning

C1 Usually refers to Genesis 1--the creation

C2 Here it refers to the commandment of love

D1 Old Testament

E1 You shall not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:18KJ2000)

E2 And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbor; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, says the LORD. (Zechariah 8:17KJ2000)

D2 New Testament

E1 Honor your father and your mother: and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 19:19KJ2000)

E2 A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. (John 13:34KJ2000)

E3 Love works no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:10KJ2000)

E4 See also Galatians 3:14 and James 2:8

C3 Those reading the letter would have heard this commandment in the preaching of the Gospel.

B2 I am not writing (1 John 2:7). I am writing (1 John 2:8). Contradiction? No, because these verse are back to back. It would seem unreasonable that these verses would be a contradiction. It would be better as to understand it as it love never gets old. We must continue. To understand what love is read 1 Corinthians 13. Love is a choice and is understood and felt in action.

B3 Darkness

C1 Darkness in the soul. The absence of light in the soul. John 3:19, John 12:46, 2 Corinthians 4:4-6

C2 Darkness is understood as sin, absence of good, unhappiness, etc. All these are not good.

C3 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. (Isaiah 42:7KJ2000)

B4 Light

C1 Light is understood as Jesus, the Gospel, life, understanding, wisdom. All these are good.

C2 For you will light my lamp: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. (Psalms 18:28KJ2000)

C3 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; (Proverbs 2:13KJ2000). Note the contrast between uprightness and dark. Uprightness is understood as light, and darkness is understood as unrighteousness.

C4 That was the true Light, that lights every man that comes into the world. (John 1:9KJ2000)

B5 True in Him and in you.

C1 Him is God

C2 You in Greek is plural. You is referring to Christians. Christians know in their soul that this is what we want and must do.

C3 Truth is incredibly important to God.

B6 Darkness passing is most likely referring to satan's kingdom. The kingdom where Jesus is King is the Kingdom of Light.

B7 A person who hates in living by the rules of satan's kingdom. satan opposes God and chooses to do what God forbids. A person who loves, as God defines love, is doing what God wants. We must pray for God's help to always live this kind of love.

B8 Stumbling is to offend. God wants us to live that way. Even though Jesus lived that way perfectly, those who had rejected Him, hated Him, and choose not obey, so they lived to hate God. This is why Jesus called them the children of the evil one. They are satan's disciples. See 1 John 3:10, John 8:44-47, Acts 13:10.

B9 If we live contrary to God's laws, we become blind. In this case if we hate, then we lose our sight and walk in darkness.

A3 Questions

B1 Why does God want us to obey Him?

B2 Why is love (1 Corinthians 13 type of love) so important?

B3 Why should we avoid darkness?

Daily Bible Study—1 John 2:6

He who claims to abide in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. (1 John 2:6, EMTV)




A1 Outline

B1 Subject--he

C1 He

C2 Claim

B2 Verb

C1 Requirement

C2 Imitation

A2 Notes

B1 He= anyone who says that they are a Christian.

B2 Claims. True or not true. See James 2:14, Proverbs 20:6, Titus 1:16. Compare Matthew 24:5, Revelation 2:2

B3 Abide in Him. This is to claim to be a Christian. The idea of abiding is a Biblical thought dealing with our dependence on Jesus Christ. 1 John 3:24, John 15:10, John 14:23

B4 Walk = living our daily lives. It is to be as the New Testament teaches us. To know these things we must read and study the Bible. Matthew 11:29, Philippians 2:5, Ephesians 5:1-2, 1 Peter 1:15-16

B5 As He walked = the thoughts, desires, words, and deeds how Jesus lived. Obviously, we are not God, so we cannot do miracles as He did, but we can have the same attitude towards others, honor God, obey the Scriptures, and so on.

A3 Questions

B1 Do you know anyone who claims to be a Christian but does not live godly?

B2 What is the importance of living godly?

B3 Are we to live like Jesus did with no home, no money, just go around and teach, preach, and heal?

B4 Are we to live like Jesus with the same priorities, desires, and interaction that He had with people?

B5 Are others watching us?

Daily Bible Study—1 John 2:5

But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. (1 John 2:5, EMTV)




A1 Outline

B1 Obedience due to love for God

B2 Obedience plus love equals a true Christian

A2 Notes

B1 Keeps = obedience

B2 We show that we love God by obeying Him.

C1 How does loving something show love?

D1 Examples

E1 If I love my dog, do I show this by obeying her?

E2 If I love my children, do I show this by obeying them?

D2 It depends on the authority.

E1 Yahweh is God. This means He has ultimate authority.

E2 He is the King of the Universe.

E3 Love for king and god would imply obedience.

E4 Obedience shows loyalty, too.

D3 A Scripture teaching.

E1 Motivation

F1 Fear. This really is an OK motive, because we are to fear God. Judgment day is coming.

F2 Love. This is better, because it is voluntary.

E2 Obedience and love--John 14:15, John 14:21, 1 John 5:3, Psalm 119:167, 2 John 1:6

E3 Obedience and faith--Matthew 7:21, James 2:14-26, James 1:22

E4 Obedience must be sincere--Psalm 51:6, 1 Timothy 1:5

E5 Obedience shows that there has been true conversion 2 Corinthians 5:17

B3 His Word = the Bible. Since we are Christians and not Jews, we obey the rules of the New Testament.

B4 Perfected has the idea of completeness. Hebrews 7:19, Hebrews 9:9, James 2:22

B5 Obedience to the Scriptures is one of the signs that we are truly converted.

A3 Questions

B1 Why does obedience have to be sincere?

B2 Is the excuse "God looks at my heart" sufficient to allow many things that Scripture would forbid or show by example to be wrong?

B3 What is a better motivator--fear or love? Why?

B4 How does obedience to the Scriptures a sign of our rebirth?

B5 Why must we interpret the Bible in its plain, normal sense?

Daily Bible Study—1 John 2:4

He who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (1 John 2:4, EMTV)




A1 Outline

B1 The talk

B2 The walk

B3 The truth

A2 Notes

B1 The talk: "I have come to know Him."

C1 The Greek word is in the present perfect.

C2 In this case it is hard to translate.

D1 Present perfect with the word see is "I have seen him."

D2 Present perfect with the word know is "I have known him."

D3 But in the second example it sounds like a past tense, that is, "I used to know him.'

D4 Perhaps we could translate this as "I know him now" using an added adverb "now" to convey the present sense.

D5 The various translations have both "I have come to know him" and "I know him."

D6 The idea is that a person claims to know God in the past and still now in the present.

C3 The bottom line of this phrase is, "I know God," that is, "I am a Christian."

B2 Well then, let us test this and see if you are.

B3 Do you obey His commandments? They are written in the New Testament. Jesus has spoken them. His Apostles have taught them.

B4 God does not lie, nor does He like liars.

C1 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time itself, (Titus 1:2, EMTV)

C2 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, (Proverbs 6:16-17, NKJV)

C3 But there shall by no means enter into it anything unclean, nor shall the abominable or liars enter, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. (Revelation 21:27, EMTV)

B5 God is a God of truth

C1 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6, EMTV)

C2 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully are His delight. (Proverbs 12:22, NKJV)

A3 Questions

B1 Can we separate salvation from godly living?

B2 Can we separate doctrine from godly living?

B3 What is the purpose for godly living?

B4 Will living godly save us?

B5 How can obeying Jesus's commandments show we are true Christians?

B6 Does God approve of liars? How can He then approve of those living a lie?

B7 Are we living a lie?

Daily Bible Study—1 John 2:3

Keeping His commandments




Now by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. (1 John 2:3, EMTV)


A1 Outline

B1 If clause

B2 Main clause

A2 Notes

B1 Him and His refer to Jesus Christ. See 1 John 2:1.

B2 Keep means to obey.

B3 Commandments refer to the rules that Jesus gave directly or through His Apostles. Here are a few.

C1 7 things we are to abstain from

D1 Idols (Acts 15:20

D2 Fornication (Acts 15:20, 29; 1 Thessalonians 4:2-3)

D3 Strangled meats (Acts 15:20)

D4 Eating blood (Acts 15:20)

D5 Meats offered to idols (Acts: 15:29)

D6 All appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22)

D7 Fleshly lusts (1 Peter 2:11)

C2 6 Things to lay aside

D1 Wickedness (James 1:21)

D2 All malice (1 Peter 2:1)

D3 All guile (1 Peter 2:1)

D4 All hypocrisies ((1 Peter 2:1)

D5 All envies (1 Peter 2:1)

D6 All evil speaking (1 Peter 2:1)

A3 Questions

B1 What is important about keeping His commandments?

B2 When we keep His commandments what does that prove?

B3 Why is it important to know Him?

B4 Is there a way to assure ourselves that we are Christians?

B5 Are these commandments to be obey today?

Daily Bible Study—1 John 2:3-6

Another test to know if we are a true Christian--obedience to God.




The Importance of obeying Jesus's Rules


Now by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who claims to abide in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. (1 John 2:3-6, EMTV)


A1 Outline

B1 Do we obey? 1 John 2:3

B2 Two examples

C1 One claims to be a Christian but does not live Christ's commandments. 1 John 2:4

C2 One claims to be a Christian but does live Christ's commandment 1 John 2:5

B3 Summary--If we are Christians, we will obey. 1 John 2:6

A2 Notes

B1 Definitions

C1 Him--The Lord Jesus. See 1 John 2:1

C2 Keep

D1 The Greek word is τηρέω tereo.

D2 It means to guard, keep, fulfill, detain, maintain. The idea is watching something carefully in order to have it safe. It can apply to guards keeping a prisoner, keeping (guarding) our self, fulfilling an order or prophecy, keeping from satan and his ways, keeping the faith (not leaving the teachings of the Bible), and obeying (doing what is required). We use it similarly in the phrase "keeping the speed limit."

D3 From Thayer's Lexicon--SYNONYMS: τηρέω, φυλάσσω: τηρέω to watch or keep, φυλάσσω to guard; τηρέω expresses watchful care and is suggestive of present possession, φυλάσσω indicates safe custody and often implies assault from without; τηρέω may mark the result of which φυλάσσω is the means (e. g. John 17:12 where the words occur together... Our word is in bold. When I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You have given Me I guarded; and not one of them is lost except the son of perdition, so that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

(John 17:12 EMTV)

C3 Commandments

D1 The Greek word is ἐντολή entole.

D2 It means rule, commandment. An absolute to obey given by an authority.

C4 Perfected

D1 The Greek word is τελειόω teleioo.

D2 It means to finish what we start, thus complete, finish, etc.

C5 Abide

D1 The Greek word is μένω meno.

D2 It means to remain, continue, endure. It has the idea of staying where we are, and in this case staying we are in doctrine and life as Jesus taught.

D3 Compare John 2:19, John 14:16, John 5:38, 2 Timothy 3:14, etc.

C6 Walk

D1 The Greek word is περιπατέω peripateo.

D2 It means to walk as in "I walked to the store," and to walk as live our life as in "I walk in the steps of my Father." It has the idea of our conduct and how we live our life.

D3 Matthew 4:18, John 6:66, 2 Corinthians 4:2, Ephesians 2:2, Ephesians 2:10, 1 Thessalonians 4:12, etc.

B2 We need to do the walk as well as the walk. If we are truly a Christian, then we will life our life in accordance with God's rules.

B3 Cross references: John 8:31, 2 Corinthians 5:15, Matthew 10:37-39, Ephesians 1:13, 1 Corinthians 11:1, Matthew 10:25

A3 Questions

B1 What are His rules? (For a starter read Ephesians 5)

B2 Do you know anyone who says they are a Christian but don't live by Jesus's rules?

B3 Why do people want to call themselves a Christian but not live according to Jesus's rules?

B4 What does the love of God have to do with following His rules?

B5 Why should I follow God's rules?

B6 Isn't following God's rules legalism? (No, we do not obey those rules to get to heaven but because we love God and want to do them).

Daily Bible Study—1 John 2:2

And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not only concerning ours, but also concerning those of the whole world. (1 John 2:2, EMTV)




A1 Outline

B1 He Himself is

B2 The propitiation

C1 For our sins

C2 Not only ours

C3 Of the whole world

A2 Notes

B1 Propitiation

C1 God is angry

D1 He has warned us.

D2 He will punish.

D3 He has provided a way for forgiveness and reconciliation.

C2 Meaning

D1 Appeasement

D2 Sin has to be punished.

D3 Jesus, the sinless Advocate, has paid, suffered, for our sins.

D4 God is willing to accept this propitiation for our sins if we meet His conditions.

D5 His conditions are confessing and asking forgiveness. He also requires repentance and the proof of repentance.

E1 Confession is admitting our sins.

E2 Asking for forgiveness.

E3 Repentance is a turning away from this/these sin/s.

E4 Proof of repentance is our making things right and also not doing the sin again.

E5 Example

F1 If we steal, then we will not steal anymore and will pay what we owe.

F2 If we lie, then we will not lie anymore and will go to those to whom we lied and tell them the truth.

D6 And the tax collector, standing far away, would not so much as lift his eyes towards heaven, but beat on his chest, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' (Luke 18:13, EMTV). Be merciful is a related word to propitiation.

B2 Extent of the propitiation

C1 Our sins

C2 The whole world's sins

C3 See here for an article on the extent of the atonement.

A3 Questions

B1 Why did Jesus volunteer to be the propitiation?

B2 Why can't we take care of our sins ourselves?

B3 Why didn't He did for only our sins?

B4 Who is the "whole world?"