Overcoming the World
Verses 1-5: John introduces the subject of the victorious life. While the bible uses many terms to describe what Christian are believers, friends, brothers, sheep, saints, soldiers, witnesses, John highlights one particular term in this chapter: the overcomer. Of the 24 times the word occurs in the New Testament, John uses it 21 times. Several different forms of this term appear in these verses to emphasize the victorious nature of the believer.
1 John 5:1 "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."
Whosoever believeth that... Every one who believes from the heart that Jesus is the Messiah and exercises faith in the atoning blood is born of God; and every one so begotten loves both God and man. This emphasizes the utter simplicity of salvation (John 3:16; Rom. 10:9-10; 1Jn. 1:9; Rev. 22:17). Saving faith is the first characteristic of an overcomer. The term “believes” conveys the idea of continuing faith, making the point that the mark of genuine believers is that they continue in faith throughout their life. Saving belief is not simply intellectual acceptance, but whole hearted dedication to Jesus Christ that is permanent.
Whosoever...
πάς
pás; fem. pása, neut. pán, masc. gen. pantós, fem. gen. pásēs, neut. gen. pantós. All.
(I) Includes the idea of oneness, a totality or the whole, the same as hólos, the whole. In this sense, the sing. is used with the noun having the art. The pl. also stands with the art. when a def. number is implied, or without the art. when the number is indef.
(A) Sing. before a subst. with the art. (Mat. 6:29; 8:32; Mark 5:33; Luke 1:10; 4:25; John 8:2; Acts 1:8; Rom. 3:19; 4:16) Also used metonymically with the names of cities or countries to speak of the inhabitants (Mat. 3:5; Mark 1:5; Luke 2:1). With proper nouns, sometimes without the art. (Mat. 2:3; Rom. 11:26). After a subst. with the art. (John 5:22; Rev. 13:12). On rare occasions between the art. and the subst. where pás is then emphatic (Gal. 5:14; 1Tim. 1:16).
believeth...
πιστεύω
pisteúō; fut. pisteúsō, from pístis, faith. To believe, have faith in, trust. NT meanings:
(I) Particularly, to be firmly persuaded as to something, to believe, followed by the inf. (Rom. 14:2); by hóti, that (Mark 11:23; Rom. 6:8; 10:9). With the idea of hope and certain expectation (Acts 18:8).
(A) More commonly used of words spoken and things, followed by the dat. of the person whose words one believes and trusts in (Mark 16:13; John 5:46; Acts 8:12; 1Jn. 4:1); by hóti (John 4:21).
(B) With an adjunct of the words or thing spoken, followed by the dat. (Luke 1:20; John 4:50; Acts 24:14; 2Th. 2:11; Acts 13:41); by epí, upon, and the dat. (Luke 24:25); by en, in, and the dat. (Mark 1:15, "in the glad tidings" [a.t.], meaning to believe and embrace the glad tidings announced; Sept.: Psm. 78:22; Jer. 12:6).
(C) With an adjunct of the thing believed, followed by the acc. of thing (1Cor. 13:7; 1Jn. 4:16). In the pass. (2Th. 1:10). Followed by eis, unto, with the acc. (John 11:26; 1Jn. 5:10); by hóti, that (John 14:10; Rom. 10:9); by perí, about, concerning, and the gen. (John 9:18).
(D) Used in an absolute sense where the case of person or thing is implied from the context (Mat. 24:23; Mark 13:21; John 12:47; Acts 8:13 [cf. Acts 8:12, 15:7]).
that...
ὅτι
hóti; conj. That (demonstrative), because (causal). Originally it was the neut. of hóstis. As a demonstrative it stands particularly for toúto hó, ti (toúto, this; hó ti, that which), this which, introducing the object, contents, or argument to which the preceding words refer. As a causal, it is particularly equivalent to diá, for) toúto, for this reason, assigning the cause, motive, ground of something, "that, because." Construed in the NT with the indic. before the inf. (Acts 27:10).
(I) As a demonstrative conj.:
(A) Particularly after a demonstrative pron. as toúto or a similar or implied expression (John 3:19; Rom. 2:3; 2Cor. 5:14; Rev. 2:4, 2:6, implied). En toútō . . . hóti (1Jn. 3:16; 4:9-10, 4:13), in this . . . that; perí toútou . . . hóti (perí, concerning), concerning this . . . that (Mat. 16:7, 16:17, implied; John 16:19).
(B) After an interrogative pron. tís, tí, who, what (John 14:22); tí hóti for tí estí hóti (estí, the 3d person sing. of eimí, what cause is there that (Mark 2:16; Luke 2:49; Acts 5:4, 5:9); with a pron. or subst. (Mark 4:41; Luke 8:25; Heb. 2:6, "what cause is there in man that" [a.t.] quoted from Sept.: Psm. 8:4; 144:3 [cf. Exo. 16:7; Num. 16:11; Job 15:14]); after potapós, what manner of (Mat. 8:27; Luke 7:39).
Jesus is the... The object of the believer's faith is Jesus, particularly that He is the promised Messiah or “Anointed One” whom God sent to be the Savior from sin. Whoever places faith in Jesus Christ as the only Savior has been born again and, as a result, is an overcomer, verse 5.
Jesus...
’Ιησοῦς
Iēsoús; gen. Iēsoú, masc. proper noun transliterated from the Hebr. Yēshū‛a, Jehovah his help. Jesus, Jehoshua, contracted to Joshua (Neh. 8:17).
(I) Jesus means Savior (Mat. 1:1, 1:16, 1:21). In the gospels, our Savior is designated by the name of Christ alone in nearly 300 passages; by the name of Jesus Christ or Christ Jesus less than 100 times, and by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ less than 50 times. Prior to His resurrection, He was designated as Jesus Christ; after His resurrection, He is often referred to as Christ Jesus (Acts 19:4; Rom. 8:1-2, 8:39; 1Cor. 1:2, 1:30; Gal. 3:26, 3:28; Eph. 2:6-7, 2:10, 2:13; Php. 3:3, 3:8, 3:12, 3:14; Col. 1:4, 1:28; 1Tim. 1:12, 1:14-15; 2Tim. 1:1-2, 1:13; 1Pet. 5:10, 5:14).
(II) In Acts 7:45 and Heb. 4:8, Iēsoús refers to Joshua, the successor of Moses.
(III) In Col. 4:11, Jesus, surnamed Justus, was a fellow-laborer with Paul.
is...
ἐστί
estí; pres. act. indic. 3d person sing. of eimí, to be. He (she, it) is.
the...
ὁ
ho; fem. hē, neut. tó, def. art. Originally a demonstrative pron. meaning this, that, but in Attic and later usage it became mostly a prepositive art. The.
(I) As a def. art., the, that, this (Mat. 21:7; John 6:10; 7:40; Gal. 5:8; Col. 4:16 [cf. Rom. 16:22; 1Th. 5:27]). Of this or that way (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 19:23; 24:22 [cf. Acts 22:4]).
Christ...
Χριστός
Christós; fem. christḗ, neut. christón, adj. from chríō, to anoint. Anointed, a term used in the OT applied to everyone anointed with the holy oil, primarily to the high priesthood (Lev. 4:5, 4:16). Also a name applied to others acting as redeemers.
(I) As an appellative and with the art. ho, the, Christós, Christ, it occurs chiefly in the Gospels and means the Messiah (Mark 15:32, "the King of Israel"; John 1:41; 4:42 "the Christ, the Savior of the world"; Acts 2:36; 9:22; 18:28. Also see Mat. 1:17; 2:4; 16:16; Mark 12:35; 13:21; Luke 2:11, 2:26, "the Christ of the Lord" [a.t.]; Luke 4:41; 23:2; John 1:20, 1:25; Acts 2:30; 3:18; Rom. 8:11; 1Jn. 2:22; 5:1, 5:6; Rev. 11:15; 12:10; Sept.: Psm. 2:2 [cf. Dan. 9:25]). Joined with Iēsoús, Jesus, Iēsoús ho Christós, Jesus the Christ (Acts 5:42; 9:34; 1Cor. 3:11), Iēsoús Christós (John 17:3; Acts 2:38; 3:20; 1Jn. 4:2-3; 2Jn. 1:7), ho Christós Iēsoús, the Christ Jesus (Acts 17:3; 18:5, 18:28; 19:4).
(II) As a proper noun, Christ.
(A) Used in an absolute sense, Christós or ho Christós chiefly in the epistles referring to the Messiah (Rom. 5:6, 5:8; 8:10; 1Cor. 1:12; 3:23; Gal. 1:6-7; 2:20; Eph. 4:12; Heb. 3:6; 5:5; 1Pet. 1:11; 4:14).
(B) More often joined with Iēsoús (Mat. 1:16, "Jesus the One called Christ" [a.t.]); Iēsoús Christós in the Gospels (Mat. 1:1, 1:18; Mark 1:1; John 1:17; Acts 3:6, "In the name of Jesus Christ"; Acts 4:10; 8:12; 10:36; 28:31; Rom. 1:1, 1:6, 1:8; 1Cor. 1:1; 5:4). Christós Iēsoús, stressing the deity of Christ first and then His humanity only after His resurrection beginning with Acts 19:4 and often in the epistles (Rom. 3:24; 8:2, 8:39; 15:5; 1Cor. 1:2, 1:30; Gal. 3:26; 4:14; Php. 2:5; 3:3, 3:8; Col. 1:4; Heb. 3:1). For the use of ho Kúrios, the Lord, in connection with the names Iēsoús and Christós, see Kúrios, Lord (cf. II, B, 2).
born of God... This is a reference to the new birth and is the same word that Jesus used in John 3:7. The tense of the Greek verb indicates that ongoing faith is the result of the new birth and, therefore, the evidence of the new birth. The sons of God will manifest the reality that they have been born again by continuing to believe in God's Son, the Savior. The new birth brings us into a permanent faith relationship with God and Christ.
is born...
γεννάω
gennáō; contracted gennṓ, fut. gennḗsō, from génos, generation, kind, offspring. To beget as spoken of men; to bear as spoken of women; pass., to be begotten or be born.
(I) In the act. sense:
(A) Spoken of men, to beget (Mat. 1:2-16; Acts 7:8, 7:29; Sept.: Gen. 5:3 ff.). Metaphorically, to generate, to occasion, e.g., strifes (2Tim. 2:23).
(B) Spoken in the Jewish manner of the relation between a teacher and his disciples, to beget in a spiritual sense, to be the spiritual father of someone, that is, the instrument of his conversion to a new spiritual life (1Cor. 4:15; Phm. 1:10).
(C) Spoken of God begetting in a spiritual sense which consists in regenerating, sanctifying, quickening anew, and ennobling the powers of the natural man by imparting to him a new life and a new spirit in Christ (1Jn. 5:1). Hence, Christians are said to be born of God and to be the sons of God (Rom. 8:14; Gal. 3:26; 4:6). Spoken of the relationship between God and the Messiah, called His Son. The designation of this relationship by words with a temporal notion has troubled theologians, who have proffered various explanations. Origen understood this as referring to the Son's relationship within the Trinity and was the first to propose the concept of eternal generation. The Son is said to be eternally begotten by the Father. Others have viewed the language more figuratively and connected it with Christ's role as Messiah. Upon Christ's exaltation to the Father's right hand, God is said to have appointed, declared or officially installed Christ as a king (Acts 13:33; Rom. 1:4; Heb. 1:5; 5:5; Sept.: Psm. 2:6-8 [cf. huiós, son]).
(D) Spoken of women, to bear, bring forth (Luke 1:13, 1:57; 23:29; John 16:21; figuratively Gal. 4:24; Sept.: Gen. 46:15; Exo. 6:20; Ezra 10:44).
of...
ἐκ
ek; before a vowel, ex. Prep. governing the gen., primarily meaning out of, from, of, as spoken of such objects which were before in another. However, apó, of or from, is used of such objects as before were on, by or with another, but are now separated from it, i.e., they are not in it, to which ek corresponds. If something is in something else, then the separation from it is expressed with ek, out of, while if it is near it, on it, with it, then apó is used. Ek is used either in respect of place, time, source, or origin. It is the direct opposite of eis, into or in.
(I) Of place, which is the primary and most frequent use, meaning out of, from.
(A) After verbs implying motion of any kind, out of or from any place or object, e.g., verbs of going, coming, sending, throwing, following, gathering, separating, removing, and the like (Mat. 2:6, 2:15, "Out of Egypt"; Mat. 7:5; 13:49, "the evil ones from among the righteous" [a.t. {also Mat. 13:52; 17:5; 24:17}]; Mark 1:11, "a voice came out of heaven" [a.t.]; Mark 9:7; 11:8; 13:15, "to take anything out of his house" [also Mark 13:27; 16:3]; Luke 2:4; 10:18; 17:24; 23:55; John 1:19; 2:15; 13:1; Acts 23:10; 27:29-30; Rom. 11:24; 2Th. 2:7, "be taken away" [a.t.]; Heb. 3:16; Rev. 2:5). With a gen. of person, out of or from whose presence, number, any person or thing proceeds (Mark 7:20, "that which proceeds out of the man" [a.t.]; John 8:42; Acts 3:22-23; 19:34; 20:30; 1Cor. 5:13; Heb. 5:1; 1Jn. 2:19). Spoken also of persons out of whom demons are cast or depart (Mark 7:26, 7:29; 9:25; Luke 4:35). Here it is interchanged with apó, as in Luke 4:41; 8:3, 8:33. In Heb. 7:5, "to come forth out of the loins" (a.t.) of someone means to be born to him (see Heb. 7:10; Sept.: Gen. 35:11; 2Chr. 6:9).
God...
Θεός
Theós; gen. Theoú, masc. noun. God. Originally used by the heathen, but in the NT as the name of the true God. The heathen thought the gods were makers and disposers (thetḗres, placers) of all things. The ancient Greeks used the word both in the sing. and the pl. When they used the pl., they intimated their belief that elements had their own "disposer" or "placer," e.g., the god of money called mammon (Mat. 6:24; Luke 16:9, 16:13). The heavens were the grand objects of divine worship throughout the heathen world as is apparent from the names attributed to the gods by the ancient Greeks. The Scriptures also attest to this (Acts 7:42-43; Deu. 4:19; 17:3; 2Kgs. 17:16; 23:4-5; Job 31:26-27; Jer. 8:2; 19:13; Zep. 1:5).
The Sept. constantly translated the Hebr. pl. name Elohim, when used for the true God, by the sing. Theós, God, never by the pl. theoi, gods. The reason for this was that at the time the Sept. translation was made, Greek idolatry was the prevailing superstition, especially in Egypt under the Ptolemies. Their gods were regarded as demons, i.e., intelligent beings totally separate and distinct from each other. If the translators rendered the name of the true God by the pl. theoi, they would have given the heathen under Greek culture an idea of God inconsistent with the unity of the divine essence and conformable to their own polytheistic notions. However, by translating the Hebr. Elohim as "God," they inculcated the unity of God and at the same time did not deny a plurality of persons in the divine nature.
and...
καί
kaí; copulative conj. And, also.
(I) And, used as a copulative.
(A) As simply joining single words and clauses, e.g., nouns (Mat. 2:11; 13:55; 23:6-7; Luke 6:38). When the latter noun is in place of a gen. (Acts 23:6; Rom. 2:20; Sept.: Gen. 1:14; 3:16). When joining pronouns (Mat. 8:29); adj. (Rom. 7:12); verbs (Mark 4:27; Acts 1:21; 7:17; 9:28); where one verb is taken adverbially (Luke 6:48; Rom. 10:20); adv. (Heb. 1:1). When joining clauses (Mat. 1:17; 7:25; John 1:1; Rom. 14:7). Hence kaí is mostly a simple continuative, marking the progress of a continued discourse, e.g., Mat. 1:23; Mark 4:32; Luke 2:34; 11:44; 1Cor. 12:5-6. As connecting neg. clauses, where the neg. particle may be omitted in the latter, which is then rendered neg. by the continuative power of kaí, e.g., Mark 4:12; John 12:40; Acts 28:27; 2Cor. 12:21 (cf. Mat. 13:15; Jas. 3:14). In two examples after oúte, nor, the kaí does not thus carry forward the neg. (John 4:11, 3Jn. 1:10). The use of kaí in this continuative sense takes a strong coloring in the NT. Hence, the simple kaí is used frequently in the NT, particularly in the narrative style where Class. Gr. writers either used nothing or used some other particle as dé, but, and; allá, but; tóte, then, and the like. This is especially true in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Revelation, e.g., Mat. 14:9 ff.; Mat. 27:28 ff.; Mark 1:31 ff.; Mark 3:13 ff.; Luke 2:25 ff.; Luke 4:14 ff.; Rev. 11:7 ff. (cf. Sept.: 1Sam. 15:3 ff.; Isa. 11:12 ff.; Ezk. 5:1 ff.).
every one that... Twenty-one reasons "we do know that we know Him":
1. By personal fellowship (1Jn. 1:3-7; 2:13)
2. Fullness of joy in the heart (1Jn. 1:4)
3. Keeping His commandments (1Jn. 2:3; 3:22)
4. Walking even as He walked (1Jn. 2:6)
5. Love of the brethren (1Jn. 2:9-11; 3:10-19, 3:23; 4:7-21; 5:1)
6. Overcoming the world and Satan (1Jn. 2:13-14; 5:4, 5:18)
7. Hatred of the world (1Jn. 2:15-17)
8. Being one with Christians (1Jn. 2:19)
9. Holy Spirit anointing (1Jn. 2:20-27)
10. Knowing the truth that sets free (1Jn. 2:21; John 8:32-36)
11. Acknowledging God and Christ (1Jn. 2:22-25)
12. Doing righteousness (1Jn. 2:29; 3:7-10; 5:1-4, 5:18)
13. Purifying ourselves (1Jn. 3:3)
14. Being born again (1Jn. 2:29; 3:9; 5:1-18)
15. Cleansing from sin (1Jn. 1:7-9; 3:5-10)
16. Freedom from condemnation (1Jn. 3:20-24)
17. The indwelling Spirit (1Jn. 3:24; 4:4, 4:13)
18. Faith (1Jn. 2:23; 5:1, 5:10)
19. Confessing Christ (1Jn. 4:14-15)
20. Receiving Christ (1Jn. 5:10-13; John 1:12)
21. Answered prayer (1Jn. 3:21-22; 5:14-15)
every one... see whosoever above.
Love is the second characteristic of the overcomer. The overcomer not only believes in God, but loves both God and fellow believers. The moral test is again in view.
that loveth...
ἀγαπάω
agapáō; contracted agapṓ, fut. agapḗsō. To esteem, love, indicating a direction of the will and finding one's joy in something or someone. It differs from philéō, to love, indicating feelings, warm affection, the kind of love expressed by a kiss (phílēma).
(I) To love, to regard with strong affection (Luke 7:42; John 3:35; 8:42; 21:15; 2Cor. 9:7; Rev. 3:9; Sept.: Gen. 24:67; Ruth 4:15). With the acc. of the corresponding noun, "his great love wherewith he loved us" (Eph. 2:4 [cf. 2Sam. 13:15]). Perf. pass. part. ēgapēménos, beloved (Eph. 1:6; Col. 3:12).
(II) As referring to superiors and including the idea of duty, respect, veneration, meaning to love and serve with fidelity (Mat. 6:24; 22:37; Mark 12:30, 12:33; Luke 16:13; Rom. 8:28; Sept.: 1Sam. 18:16). The pres. act. part. used substantively of those loving the Lord, meaning faithful disciples or followers of the Lord (Eph. 6:24; Jas. 1:12; 2:5; Sept.: Exo. 20:6; Deu. 5:10).
(III) To love, i.e., to regard with favor, goodwill, benevolence (Mark 10:21; Luke 7:5; John 10:17). In other passages the effects of benevolence are expressed as to wish well to or do good to. To love one's neighbor, one's enemies (Mat. 5:43; 19:19; 22:39; Luke 6:32). The fut. imper., agapḗseis, especially in regard to one's enemies, should not necessarily be taken to mean doing that which will please them, but choosing to show them favor and goodwill (Mat. 5:43-44). One should realize the need of people to be changed through Christ's grace, and do everything possible to bring them to a knowledge of the Lord. This may involve expressions of benevolence or even discipline and punishment, all as the outworking of this love. In 2Cor. 12:15 it means, "even if, having conferred greater benefits on you, I receive less from you" (a.t.).
him that begat... see is born above.
loveth... see above.
him that is also begotten... see is born above.
of... see above.
him...
αὐτός
autós; fem. autḗ, neut. autó., pron. Self; him, her, it; the same (with the art. preceding it).
(I) Self, in all the persons, i.e., myself, thyself, himself.
(A) Self, used as an intens. for emphasis. It sets the individual apart from everything else. (1) With proper names: Mark 6:17, "Herod himself"; Mark 12:36-37; Luke 20:42 "David himself"; Luke 24:15 "Jesus himself" in distinction from His disciples; John 4:2; 2Cor. 10:1, "Now I Paul myself." With other nouns: Rom. 8:26, "the Spirit itself"; 1Cor. 15:28, "the Son also himself"; Gal. 6:13, "For neither they themselves . . . the circumcised ones" (a.t.); 1Th. 4:16; Heb. 9:23; 3Jn. 1:12; Rev. 21:3, "God himself." With a personal pron. as autós egṓ (egṓ, I), Luke 24:39; Acts 10:26, "I myself"; Rom. 15:14, I myself; Mark 6:31, "you yourselves" (a.t.); John 3:28, "yourselves," you or you yourselves; 1Cor. 11:13. The same with other pron. as autoí hoútoi (hoútoi, these), Acts 24:15, 24:20, themselves, meaning they themselves; Mat. 27:57; Mark 15:43, "who also himself" (a.t.). See also Sept.: 1Sam. 10:19. (2) With the meaning of even, implying comparison and distinction: 1Cor. 11:14, "Does not even nature herself teach?" (a.t.); 2Cor. 11:14, "for even Satan himself" (a.t.). See also Rom. 8:21; Heb. 11:11. (3) As marking the strongest emphasis and prominence, the very: John 5:36, "The very works which I do" (a.t.); Heb. 9:24, "unto the very heaven" (a.t.). (4) As marking the exclusion of all else, self alone: 2Cor. 12:13, "I alone" (a.t.), meaning exclusive of the other Apostles; Rev. 19:12, "except himself alone" (a.t.). With mónos, alone, subjoined as in John 6:15, "himself alone." (5) Of oneself, of one's own accord, voluntarily: John 16:27, "the Father himself [of His own accord, without compulsion] loveth you." See 1Pet. 2:24.
To truly believe in Jesus, brings new birth in Him. To be filled with Jesus is, also, to be filled with His love. To have this special kind of God love dwelling within you would cause you to love all of God's creation. If we truly love God in our hearts and are filled with Him, then we love all of our brothers in Christ.
0 comments:
Post a Comment