Search The Scriptures —Study 4 — The Epistle of 1 John 3:11 – 4:6

Study 4 From the Books of John is: The Epistle of 1 John 3:11 – 4:6

1. 3:11-18. By what various arguments does John show, in verses 11-15, that mutual love is the essential mark of the children of God and that hatred is inadmissible? After what manner should we love? See verses 16-18 and cf. Jn. 15:12; Eph. 5:1, 2.
2. 3:19-24. A digression on the subject of assurance before God. The apostle first considers the case of a Christian whose heart condemns him. How is such a person to be reassured? See verses 19, 20. Cf. Heb. 6:9, 10. Next the apostle considers the case of a Christian whose heart does not condemn him, because he is practicing all the characteristics of a truly Christian life – obedience, love, and faith. What blessings does this man enjoy See verses 21-24.
3. What two tests are given here by which to know whether a prophet is, or is not, speaking by the Spirit of God? See especially 4:2 and6; see also Note 2 below.
   Notes
   1. 3:14. Cf. Jn. 5:24. This gives the practical test whether a professed faith in Christ is genuine. Cf. Gal. 5:6b; Jas. 2:15-17
   2. 4:6. 'We are the God': the pronoun 'we' in the first half of this verse refers primarily, as in 1:1-3, to John as representing the apostles while not excluding those who, following after them, base their teaching upon the apostolic foundation.

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