1 John 3

1 that we should be called the sons of God. The best MSS. insert after these words, “and that is what we are,” or, “and we are.” Our sonship is not yet manifested: but when “it is manifested,” it will be seen to be a glorious likeness to our Father, or our glorified Saviour (3).

3 that hath this hope in Him (in Christ). “Who has this hope fixed on Him” (Weymouth). The influence of this hope is seen in continual striving after purity: “is purifying himself.”

4. Whosoever committeth sin, etc. Any departure from God’s law is sin. We must not sin, because all sin is opposed to God’s law; so also to Christ’s mission and character (5); and to union with Christ (6).

5 to take away our sins. He delivers us from the curse of sin, that He may deliver us from its dominion (John i. 29; Rom. vi. 14).

6. Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not. Perfect union with Christ would secure absolute freedom from sin. Such is the glorious ideal, the true standard: but how far short of it do even the best saints fall in this world!

7 let no man deceive you. The reference is probably to the false teachers who held “that nothing could defile the spiritual man.” This the apostle brings to a practical test: “he who doeth that which is right” shows thereby that he is partaker of Christ’s nature: there is no other trustworthy evidence of this.

11 this is the message, etc. Referring to the law of brotherly love, given by Christ to His disciples: see John xiii. 34, 35, and note.

13. Marvel not, etc. See John xv. 18, 19.

15. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer. In the kingdom of heaven the Divine Lawgiver and Judge looks not so much at the external action as at the inward disposition and purpose—the goats from which, at any time, the dead may spring: see Matt. v. 22-32, and notes. “Murder is only hatred in action, hatred is only murder in feeling” (Barrett).

16. Hereby perceive we the love, etc. “Hereby know we love.” The words “of God” are not in the Greek. We learn what love is, in its highest, purest, ideal; because He (i.e., Christ) laid down His life for us" (John x. 15). Hatred will prompt a man to destroy another’s life (15); love, to sacrifice his own. Our Lord’s self-sacrifice should impel us to show love in a similar way.

19 hereby we know that we are of the truth. Brotherly love, shown in deeds of kindness, is an evidence that God’s saving truth is working in us; and it will enable us to stand with confidence before Him, now and hereafter.

20. For if our heart condemn us. This clause is probably to be joined with the preceding verse, and to be rendered, “whenever our heart condemn us.” The accusations of conscience will be stayed by the thought, not only of God’s mercy, but of His greatness and omniscience. We may condemn ourselves; but “One is greater than our heart,” and He has already both pronounced the justifying decree, and has given us the sign of it in quickening within us the love of the brethren.

22 because we keep His commandments. “Obedience is not alleged as the ground, but as the assurance of the fulfilment. The answer to prayer is given, not as a reward for meritorious action, but because the prayer itself, rightly understood, coincides with God’s will” (John viii. 29; xi. 42) (Westcott); “the childlike obedience of him who prays, wherein God recognises him as His child” (Huther, in Meyer’s Commentary).

23 this is His commandment, etc. Faith in Christ, and love to Christians are the primary principles of all obedience.

24 hereby we know (perceive) that He abideth in us, etc. The obedience (22) which is the sign of the Christian life, and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, are two aspects of one and the same reality.