Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 145:580 (Oct 1988)
Article: An Expositional Study of 1 John Part 3: An Exposition of 1 John 2:7-17
Author: D. Edmond Hiebert

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BSac 145:580 (Oct 88) p. 420

An Expositional Study of 1 John
Part 3:
An Exposition of 1 John 2:7-17

D. Edmond Hiebert

Professor Emeritus of New Testament
Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary, Fresno, California

Beloved, 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 have heard. On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. The one who says he is in the light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If any one loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:7–17).

According to his stated purpose in 5:13, John wrote this epistle so that his readers “may know that you have eternal life.” The epistle provides a series of tests that promote personal assurance of God’s truth and salvation and enable believers to detect and reject the false teachings assailing them.

BSac 145:580 (Oct 88) p. 421

John began with offering assurance through the test of fellowship grounded in the nature and revelation of God. This fellowship is grounded in the nature of God as light (1:5), is hindered by the presence and practice of sin (1:6–10), and is made possible by the redemptive work of Christ (2:1–2). In 2:3–17 John set forth ...

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