A STUDY IN 1 JOHN (8)

Introduction (8)

Difficult Texts and Outlines

Victor M. Eskew

 

            When we began this introduction to the book of 1 John, we opened with a quote from one of my instructors from the Memphis School of Preaching.  The instructor was John Renshaw.  He said:  “A book that is well introduced is a book that is half taught.”  If you have kept the first seven installments, we encourage you to go back and read them again along with this article.  When you have done that ask yourself this question:  “Do I have a much better understanding of 1 John now that I have read the introduction?”  It is hoped that all can answer that question in the affirmative.

            In every book of the Bible, there are always some difficult texts found within them.  These texts might be difficult from the standpoint of understanding.  They can also be difficult due to the criticism they receive from those who are enemies of the Bible.  Still others are difficult because of the translation problems associated with them.  There are a few of these difficult texts in 1 John.

            One of the first texts that poses a problem is 1 John 1:7.  “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”  The main question centers on the words:  “cleanseth us from all sin.”  The verb “cleanseth” involves a continual cleansing.  What part does this play in the life of a Christian who can sin against God?  In what way is it associated with the concept of “walking in the light”?  These are questions we will examine as we begin to study the book verse-by-verse.

            Another interesting study involves the antichrists that are mentioned by John.  “Little children, it is the last time:  and as ye have heard that the antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; thereby we know that it is the time” (1 John 2:18).  The premillennialists are constantly looking for the antichrist.  He is supposed to be a world leader who will lead the forces of evil against the Christ at the end of the world.  Why would John mention antichrists in the first century, if the antichrist is yet to come?  Too, who were these antichrists of John’s day?

            1 John 2:27 is another difficult verse that is seldom mentioned within the churches of Christ.  It refers to “the anointing.”  “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you:  but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”  What is this anointing?  Is it something that we receive today?

            Still another difficult text is 1 John 3:6.  John declares:  “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not:  whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.”  This verse seems to contradict something John wrote in the first chapter.  He said:  “If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:10).  How do we reconcile these two verses?  Is there a contradiction in the Biblical text?  Note, 1 John 3:9 is closely aligned with 1 John 3:6.  “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him:  and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” 

            When we get to 1 John 5:7, we will have to deal with a verse that is highly controversial.  They question is:  “Is this verse part of the original text of 1 John?”  In his commentary on this verse, Barnes writes:  “There is no passage of the New Testament which has given rise to so much discussion in regard to its genuineness as this” (e-sword).  Most of the modern translations omit this verse.  Most of them will put it in the footnotes at the bottom of the page. 

            The last difficult text we will mention involves “a sin which is not unto death,” and “a sin unto death.”  It is 1 John 5:16.  “If a man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death.  There is a sin unto death:  I do not say that he shall pray for it.”  Is there a specific sin that is unto death?  If so, what is it?  It sounds like it cannot be forgiven.  Surely, no one wants to commit that transgression. 

            The final section of our introduction involves two outlines of the book.  The first is a brief outline.  The second is a more detailed outline.  The brief outline involves three points.

 

 

                        Prologue (1 John 1:1-4)

i.                    God is Light (1 John 1:5-2:29)

ii.                  God is Love (1 John 3:1-4:21).

iii.                God is Life (1 John 5:1-20)

Conclusion (1 John 5:21)

 

A more detailed outline is provided in Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary on page 691.  The outline approaches the book from the perspective of our theme:  “Maintaining Fellowship with God.”

 

i.                    Introduction (1:1-4)

ii.                  The Conditions of Fellowship (1:5-2:14)

A.     Walk in the Light (1:5-7)

B.      Confession of Sin (1:8-2:2)

C.     Obedience to His Commandments (2:3-6)

D.     Love for One Another (2:7-14)

iii.                The Cautions to Fellowship (2:15-27)

A.     Love of the Word (2:15-17)

B.      Spirit of the Antichrist (2:18-27)

iv.                The Characteristics of Fellowship (2:28-5:3)

A.     Purity of Life (2:28-3:3)

B.      Practice of Righteousness (3:4-12)

C.     Love in Deed and Truth (3:13-24)

D.     Testing the Spirits (4:1-6)

E.      Love as Christ Loved (4:5-5:3)

v.                  The Consequences of Fellowship (5:4-21)

A.     Victory over the World (5:4-5)

B.      Assurance of Salvation (5:6-13)

C.     Guidance in Prayer (5:14-17)

D.     Freedom from Habitual Sin (5:18-21)