Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

1) "My little children". The Greek term - "teknia mou" means little children, immature children, or born children of me, and indicates an affection of tender affinity between John and the believers to whom he wrote.

2) "These things write I unto you, that ye sin not." John certifies that the things he is writing were to help the little children avoid or put away sins and deeds of lawlessness - acts of wrong that broke the law of the Lord. Romans 3:23. To shun the appearance of evil, to flee fornication, to do good when an opportunity is at hand and to keep one’s body under subjection, helps keep one from sin.

3) "And if any man sin". (Greek Kai ean tis hamarte) "and should any particular one sin", or any "certain one", miss the mark of righteous behavior.

4) "We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." Every believer, minister or layman, rich or poor, old or young, has an advocate (Greek parakleton) "one who pleads on his behalf", with, close to, or alongside the Father. That one is Jesus Christ, Who answers all accusations and charges brought by demon spirits against us, His children, day and night. He defends us, makes continual intercession for us. Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:24; Revelation 12-10.

BECAUSE OF HIS SON

During the Civil War, a soldier was found asleep while on picket duty. He was sentenced to die. A delegation appealed to President Lincoln to spare the soldier’s life. Lincoln felt, however, that the sentence should be carried out to maintain army morale. As the group turned sorrowfully away, little Tad Lincoln, who had been in the room, unobserved, crept to his father and said, "Please, father, for my sake, don’t let them shoot that poor man!" The president could not resist his little son’s plea. He reversed his decision and spared the soldier’s life!

- Re T. W. Callaway, DD

HE PRAYS FOR ME

If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me: "He ever liveth to make intercession."

- Robert Murray McCheyne

1) "And he is the propitiation for our sins". And He (Jesus) is (Greek hilasmos) that which propitiates for, concerning, our deeds of lawlessness of omission and commission. God, the Father grants mercy, at the mercy seat because of the blood there offered as a basis of the plea of His Son on behalf of penitent believers. Jesus went to Pilate’s Judgement seat, was turned to the world for death’s judgement. When God saw the travail of His soul He was satisfied. He is still satisfied and grants petitions of His Son. Hebrews 9:24; Hebrews 9:26; Hebrews 10:12.

2) "And not for ours only”. John hastens to add, "not for our sins alone," does He propitiate - offer or display His blood on the mercy seat - This blood is the basis for God’s pardoning, redeeming, saving every person who comes and asks for salvation! Romans 3:24-25.

3) "But also for the sins of the whole world." What the blood of Jesus offers to the believer it also offers to the whole world. Primary Pardon and forgiveness for the unbeliever, who calls on the Lord, is available to save every and each sinner. Isaiah 55:6-7; Romans 10:9-10; Romans 10:13. Secondary Pardon, or forgiveness for deeds of sin, is available to every erring little child of God when he confesses it to the Christ Who sleeps not, at the mercy seat. Ephesians 1:7.

LOVE AND OBEDIENCE Test of Fellowship Verses 3-5

1) "And hereby we do know" - (Greek-Kai en touto) "and in this" (ginosko), we recognize from apparent evidence.

2) "That we know him" - (Greek-egnokamen) that we have known Him.

3) "If we keep his commandments". (ean) if or when we (Greek teromen) we guard, respect or keep the commandments of Him. Keeping, respecting, or guarding the commandments of the Lord does not save one from sin, but such is evidence by which it may be recognized that one is saved, John 13:34-35; 1 John 5:3.

1) "He that saith, I know him". The one (legon) saying, claiming, (Greek egnoka auton), I have known Him - laying claim to have been saved, John 17:3; to have eternal life.

2) "And keepeth not his commandments", (Greek tas entolas autou) the commandments of him - (me teron) not respecting, guarding or keeping – living contradictory to his claim.

3) "Is a liar" (Greek pseustes estin) a liar, perverter of truth, or prevaricator he is.

4) "And the truth is not in him". (Kai en touto) and in this (this claim) (he aletheia) the truth, (ouk estin) exists not or is not. The keeping of God’s commandments is external, visible evidence that one is saved, to be desired. Matthew 7:17-20; Ephesians 2:10.

FRUIT DESIRABLE

There is a counterfeit olive-tree in Palestine, called the wild-olive, or the "oleaster." It is like the genuine olive tree, except it bears no fruit. Alas! how many wild olives (oleaster trees) there are in each church -taking up large space in God’s orchard, absorbing His sunshine, rain, and soil but bearing no fruit.

-Bowes

1) "But whoso keepeth his word", The one guarding, respecting, or keeping his (Greek logon) word, body of truth – John 14:23; Colossians 3:16. If Jesus Christ, the living word dwells in one, he should manifest by both the way he walks and talks.

2) "In him verily is the love of God perfected." (Greek en touto) means "in this one or this person", has the Divine love been perfected or matured, Matthew 5:48. Love reaches maturity only when given away or shared, John 3:16.

3) "Hereby know we that we are in him" One’s doubts of salvation may be dissolved and joy and assurance of eternal salvation gained thru love for God and others, effected into good deeds. 1 John 3:10; 1 John 4:7.

TO KNOW HIM

"Where are you going?" asked an unbeliever of a boy. "I am going to Sunday School," replied the boy cheerily. "Why are you going to Sunday School?" "To learn about God," said the boy. "How do you know there is a God?" questioned the unbeliever. "Why, Sir, my Sunday-school teacher "knows" Him!"

Do you so present God to others that they know He is a living reality to you?

W. B. K.

1) "He that saith he abideth in him." The one claiming (Greek menein) to remain, abide, or dwell in Jesus Christ, John 15:4-5; John 15:10.

2) "Ought himself also so to walk." (Greek ofeilei) ought or is morally obligated - himself (reflexively), just as that one (Jesus Christ) walked. Matthew 17:27; Luke 9:51-56; John 8:29-31.

3) "Even as he walked". (houtos peripatein) thus, as, or like (He walked) to walk or to deport himself. As Jesus came to do, not His own, but the Father’s will, so should the believer seek to do the will of Jesus. Genuine joy and fellowship with God is contingent or conditioned upon one’s doing the will of God in his daily life - the avenue to true joy and fellowship. John 4:34; Psalms 40:8.

Hymn -When we walk with the Lord In the light of His word

What a glory he sheds on our way. When we do his good will,

He abides with us still And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there is no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

1) "Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you". (Greek agapetoi) "beloved ones", term of affectionate address. John disclaims what he is writing to be anything new, especially as a new order or command from the Lord, as in 2 John 1:5.

2) "But an old commandment which ye had from the beginning”. John identifies his admonition with the (Greek palaian) "old or former" commandment the disciples received from the beginning, the personal ministry of our Lord. 1 John 3:11.

3) "The old commandment is the Word". It is recorded in John 15:12. It is the commandment of Jesus, to love one another just as He had loved them.

4) "Which ye have heard from the beginning". The very word (logos) of Jesus; which He received from the Father, was that the disciples should love one another with that high, holy, spiritual affection, Jesus and the Father had for each other and for them. John 3:35. These were reminded that our Lord’s followers had heard this from the beginning.

1) "Again, a new commandment I write unto you." (Greek palin) means again or a second time (a) the New commandment John writes to the brethren - the new commandment was that the disciples were to love and manifest their love for one another as Jesus had for them. John 15:12; John 13:34-35. Even simple things unrepeated may soon be forgotten.

2) "Which thing is true in him and in you". John simply affirms the genuineness of the love of Jesus for the early apostles and disciples, even as they responded to His love. John 11:36; John 17:15.

3) "Because the darkness is past." The darkness (Greek paragetai) "is passing". Darkness symbolizes death and judgement for sin, each of which has been met and conquered by Jesus Christ. Neither has any more power over Him and each is progressively passing for every believer in Him. Hebrews 2:9; Hebrews 2:14-15; Psalms 23:4; Revelation 1-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:5.

4) "And the true light now shineth." The (Phos) light, the (Greek alethinon) true (Greek ede), now, already shines or manifests itself. Jesus Christ is the true light received in and reflected thru the lives of believers as they live by his Word. John 1:9; John 8:12; 2 Corinthians 4:6.

1) "He that saith he is in the light. ’ "ho legon" (the one claiming) in the (Greek photi) light to be or exist.

2) "And hateth his brother," - while or even the brother of him (Greek mison) progressively hating or despising or holding in disdain. 1 John 3:14-15.

3) "Is in darkness". (lives or exists) in a state or condition of darkness, judgement, and separation from the will and way of God. For God is light and in Him is or exists no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5.

1) "He that loveth his brother abideth in the light.” The term "loving his brother" is an active progressive participle - indicating a continuing affection for ones brother, in contrast with the aforementioned one who progressively hates his brother. The one loving him abides or remains in the light. The other abides, remains, or dwells in shadows and darkness, outside of the will of the Lord.

2) "And there is none occasion of stumbling in him." The loving, light-dwelling brother never offers an occasion for one to stumble, scandalize, or fall. He progressively walks and talks uprightly. No occasion ever exists in the life of a brother who walks in the light to cause another to stumble or fall. 1 Corinthians 9:26; Matthew 5:15-16.

1) "But he that hateth his brother". (Greek ho de mison) The one actively, progressively, hating his brother - as a pattern of conduct or behavior, lacking of benevolent love, is tantamount to )hate, just as indifference to the gospel call is deferred rejection of it. Matthew 22:5-7.

2) "Is in darkness". (Greek en te skotia estin) exists in a state of darkness - spiritual darkness, 1 John 3:15; 1 John 4:20.

3) "And walketh in darkness" and in this state of spiritual darkness he (Greek peripatei) walks in circles, like a blind dog in a meat house, like a lost goose in a snowstorm, etc.

4) "And knoweth not whither he goeth". Uncertainty, insecurity, fear and anxiety seizes this brother whose soul is controlled by hate. And who follows him will with him soon fall in the ditch, or pit. Matthew 15:14.

5) "Because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.” The "that" which blinds and astigmatized the vision of the hating brother is the "hate-venom", covetous, selfish, desire for his own preeminence. One may live in covetous, self-willed behavior until his astigmatism turns to total blindness, like the mole of the ground and fish with eyes but no vision in the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky. 2 Peter 1:9.

1) "I write unto you, little children." John re-addresses those to whom he is writing, as a father affectionately writes to his children. (Greek teknia) intimate term, of "little Children" or "Born ones" - not to be spanked, but to be "cooed over" 1 John 3:1.

2) "Because your sins are forgiven you." Sins many, had been forgiven each little child, Romans 3:23, Colossians 2:13. Their sins had been pardoned and they had been restored to God’s favor, reconciled to him Romans 5:10.

3) "For his name’s sake. The name of Jesus -reflecting the person of all his attributes and authority, is the one name thru whom a sinner may receive pardon, forgiveness, remission of sins and restored fellowship with the Creator, Father-God Matthew 1:21; Acts 4:11-12; Acts 10:43; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Colossians 3:17.

1) “I write unto you fathers." That a father in the ministry should take pains to write to older mature men-fathers, is a mark of love and gratitude. John thus expressed his love and care to these fathers.

2) "Because ye have known him that is from the beginning. ’ The fathers, mature men of experience, had known Him (the Christ) (Greek ton ap arches) meaning "the one from the beginning". John 1:1; Revelation 22:13.

3) "I write unto you young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one". John personally addressed the young men (Greek neaniskoi) because they had overcome (the dominion) of the wicked one, the Devil. Christ, and the Holy Spirit in them, gave them victory in life, 1 John 4:4; Hebrews 2:14-15; Ephesians 6:11.

4) “I write unto you little children, because ye have known the Father." John addressed fathers, young men, and little children, the spiritually immature, with tender affection and love. John had written (Greek agrapsa) a former letter, the Gospel, to these (Greek paidia) old enough to be spanked or chastened ones, because they having come to know Christ, had also known His father’s love and care and blessings. John 14:7.

1) "I have written unto you, fathers". John reminds these that he had (Greek agrapsa) written (formerly) to them about Jesus, the Divine one from the beginning. John 1:1-3; John 14, 17 etc.

2) "Because ye have known him that is from the beginning." John reaffirms the deity and eternality of Jesus who had come from the Father and existed from the beginning. John 20:21; John 20:30-31.

3) “I have written to you, young men". John reminds the mature young men that he too had included them and their interest in his former letter.

4) "Because ye are strong". (Greek hoti ischuroi) strong or strong ones you are - men able to fight as crusading soldiers of the cross. Ephesians 6:11-18.

5) "And the word of God abideth in you." John commended these young men because the Word of God was abiding in, having a restraining and guiding influence in their daily lives. Acts 20:32; 2 Peter 3:18.

6) "And ye have overcome the wicked one." (Greek nenikate) meaning "ye have conquered, subdued, put to flight" (Greek poneron) the wicked one, the devil. Every Christian young man’s victory over flesh impulses to sin should cheer and encourage others to know that each child of God ’ thru the Word and the Spirit, can effectively resist the devil and temptations to wrong. 1 Corinthians 9:26-27; James 4:7-8.

GOD’S FAMILY MUST NOT GLUE THEIR AFFECTIONS TO THE

SINFUL WORLD ORDER

1) "Love not the world" (Greek me agapate) John imperatively orders or commands, as a loving father, that children of God should not love, with strong affection, the (Greek kosmon) present world order. Romans 12:2; James 4:4.

2) "Neither the things that are in the world." A child of God must not tie himself affectionately, either to the general system of World order and ethics, or any specific thing or things of the world order. They are temporal, ephemeral, passing; earthly things pass like a vapor, a rainbow, and an empty cloud. 2 Corinthians 4:18.

3) "If any man love the world". John poses a subjunctive of possibility, asserting therewith that the one (Greek tis) who should have strong affections for the world - world order - like Judas Iscariot, the thief, like Annanias and Sapphira the thieves and liars.

4) "The love of the Father is not in him". Did not have or hold the high, holy affections of the Father existing in or controlling him. 2 John 1:5.

1) "For all that is in the world". In one fell swoop John asserts that (Greek pan) meaning "all that which (is) in the world order" – 1 John 5:19, is under the domain of the wicked one, the devil. Ephesians 6:11-12.

a) "The lust of the flesh" (Greek epithumia) selfish, covetous craving of the (Greek sarkos) meaning inherited depraved desires, James 1:15.

b) "And the lust of the eyes.” the eyes of one’s natural birth are eves of covetousness, as Eve’s for the fruit. They are said by Solomon never to be satisfied, Proverbs 27:20; with roving fornication and world order craving, Isaiah 3:16, "and full of adultery", 2 Peter 2:14 adds.

c) "And the pride of life". God hates pride Proverbs 8:13; it brings contention, Proverbs 13:10; it goes before destruction and brings men low –Proverbs 16, 18; Proverbs 29:23. And, as the very sin that caused the fall of Lucifer, is to be abhorred by the intelligent, the wise; it is vain glory! Ezekiel 28:15-17; Isaiah 14:11-17.

2) "Is not of the Father." Such vain glory, pomp, and pride is not of the Father’s nature or did not come forth from him.

3) "But is of the world". In contrast with the holy nature of the Father it is of the world - or "world order", how, base, wicked, and undesirable, from which children of God should flee, turn away. Colossians 3:12.

1) "And the world passeth away". John asserts that the world - the world-system (kosmos) - (Greek paragetai) is passing away. Like leprosy, like cancer, like tuberculosis to the human body, the ravages of sin are causing the present world order to pass to its graveyard – Matthew 24:35; 2 Peter 3:12-13.

2) "And the lust thereof". (Greek kai heepithumia autou) means, "and the lust of it." The sin contaminated present world order. This involves the covetous, self-will-lust in fallen man and the curse of sin in the earth, the entire universe. Genesis 3:17-19.

3) "But he that doeth the will of God." The one actively engaged in performing the (Greek thelema) high, holy, spiritual desire of God. Ephesians 5:17; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17.

4) "Abideth forever". Remains on into the age. Eternal life in every believer, manifested thru deeds of obedient service to God, certifies that one shall never die - glorious joy, blessed assurance. John 11:26; John 10:27-29.

WARNING AGAINST INFIDELITY

1) "Little children, it is the last time". The persons addressed by the aged John as (paidia) little children, mature enough to be chastened for doing wrong, are told it is a last hour - as Gentile anti christ rebellion hastens the hour of judgment.

2) "And as ye have heard that antichrist shall come." John had written in his gospel, relating the words of Jesus, how another should come in his own name, claiming to be the Christ, and would be received of many. John 5:43.

3) "Even-now are there many Antichrists". (Greek Kai nun) means even now and continuing hereafter, in this last hour (Gentile era) many antichrists, posing as or against the Christ, have already arisen.

4) "Whereby we know that it is the last time." The very presence of antichrists, persons posing as the appointed one, or specifically denying Him, was evidence to the aged apostle John that the hour of earth’s final judgement of the Gentile world was a daily matter of confrontation to Christians, leading to the time of the coming of the Antichrist, Daniel 7, 8; Daniel 9:26-27; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8; Revelation 13:4-8; Revelation 19:20.

1) "They went out from us". The "they" who went out from among the disciples were the "they" who had followed Jesus for the loaves and fishes and to get a glimpse of his miracle ministry. John 6:64-66.

2) "But they were not of us". The public identity of followers of Jesus did not make them true believers. One who learns and hears and believes from the head only, and does not believe in Jesus Christ from the heart, is not a true disciple.

3) "For if they had been of us". These had no vital heart faith in Jesus as Saviour and Redeemer. Romans 10:9-10.

4) "They would no doubt have continued with us". John asserts that if the deserters of their fellowship had been "of them" in kind, of nature, experience, doctrine, and faith they would have remained in close fellowship with them.

5) "But they wen out that they might be manifest." The purpose of the deserters, by Divine providence, was publicly to manifest that they were not true disciples, but hirelings, or wolves in sheep’s clothing. John 10:12-13; Matthew 7:15-20.

6) "That they were not all of us". Imperfections and false apostles among the professed often dishearten the weak, the fainthearted. Remember Gideon had his 300; only two of the twelve spies were genuinely faithful. Professed followers may fail in service for either of two major reasons:

a) Because they were never true heart believers, as John 6:60; John 6:64; John 6:66.

b) Because of lack of disciplined faith, as 10 spies.

1) "But ye have an unction from the Holy One.” John testifies, affirms that the believing fathers, young men, and children to whom he wrote had or held an unction (Greek charisma) meaning anointing, empowering from the Holy One (Greek hagiou) meaning the Holy Spirit, Vice-gerent, representative of Jesus Christ in His Church. See Colossians 1:21.

2) "And ye know all things". (Greek oidate) means ye know, perceive, or comprehend, (Greek pantes) all things - things about which he had written and was writing them. It is the Holy Spirit’s special unction and anointing that enables His children to comprehend, perceive, all kinds of worldliness and apostasy that confronts them. The Spirit gives light in darkness according to the Word of truth. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5; John 16:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

1) "I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth". Negatively, John simply asserts his writing has not previously or is not now because they had not known the truth. He simply, as a good teacher, sought to stir their mind to moral truth.

Divine truth, and ethical behavior in standing for truth - the body of truth and opposing falsehood, as Peter did. 2 Peter 1:12-14.

2) "But because ye know it." People with a basic knowledge of truth are helped by being encouraged to follow, to pursue it at all cost. Even our Lord said, "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them" John 13:17; James 1:25.

3) "And that no lie is of truth". (Greek kai hoti pan pseudos ek tes aletheias) literally, "and because every (or each) lie (is) out of (outside of) the truth". Truth and falsehood do not mix. The same fountain head cannot bring forth bitter and sweet water, James 3:11. Those who fall by the wayside, the doubters and gnostics who turn back, turn against the Word of God, manifest their unbelief thereby. John 6:60; John 6:64; John 6:66. These questioned the bread of life message of Jesus, gave it the lie, turned their backs on the Gospel call, to meet their decision in judgement.

1) "Who is a liar" John rhetorically asks, who is (Greek hos pseutes) "the", (definite article) liar, as if to fix personal responsibility and accountability, upon every antichrist - every person posing as the christ or opposing Him and His truth.

2) "But he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ". The term "but" is translated from (Greek ei me) meaning "if not" the one (Greek arnoumenos) actively or progressively denying Jesus to be the Christ.

3) "He is antichrist" (Greek houtos) this one is the antichrist . . . meaning of the antichrist kind, nature, a liar, from the nature of his father, the devil. John 8:44-45.

4) "That denieth the Father and the Son". Jesus came in His Father’s name and was rejected. Men rejected Him as the Divine, Virgin born One, posed their knowledge as superior to His, treated His words of truth as lies and falsehoods. He then disclosed that another should one day come in his own name, him they would receive. Those who reject Jesus as the Son of God are antichrists many, even today. 1 John 4:3.

1) "Whosoever denieth the Son". The "everyone" or "each one" denying the Son indicates personal responsibility - the volition power of personal choice or decision is an inborn and inalienable responsibility that can not be relegated or delegated to another.

2) "The same hath not the Father". The denier or rejecter of the Son, Jesus Christ, John asserts does not have, hold, or contain Christ in him, the Hope of Glory. Matthew 10:32-33; Colossians 1:27.

3) "(But) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also." One can not have one abiding in him without the other. John 14:7-11; John 17:20-23.

1) "Let that therefore abide in you" John exhorts the believers to let remain, abide, or dwell with and in them certain basic, factual truths.

2) "Which ye heard from the beginning.” These brethren had heard from the beginning of the Gospel to them - that Jesus Christ was very God of very God - in creation, in revelation, in birth, -life and death. John 1:1-3; John 1:14; John 1:17; John 3:14-16.

3) "If that which ye have heard from the beginning.” conditioned upon their having heard, from the beginning of their profession, that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, redeemer of men, caretaker in Glory, John desires that the believers persevere.

4) "Shall remain in you". (Greek meine) should remain abide or persevere in you. This refers not only to Jesus Christ as truth, but also to the body of revealed truth from Him, John 17:17.

5) "Ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father." This continuity in the Son and in the Father embraces the believer’s continuity or perseverance in a fruitbearing and good soldier life. John 15:5; Colossians 1:22-23; Ephesians 6:10-11.

1) "And this is the promise, that he hath promise us". To the lost, perishing, and condemned, eternal life has been promised, conditioned upon a sinner’s believing in Him. John 1:11-12; John 3:14-18.

2) "Even eternal life" - Eternal life is in kind without cessation, and in nature it is Divine, God-life, received as a gift from God when one trusts in Jesus Christ. Romans 10:8-10; John 10:27-29. The eternal life and Hope of eternal life in the future refers to that of the body, Romans 8:23; Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 4:30-32.

1) "These things have I written unto you.” John, to keep the unity of thought and purpose of his writings clearly before the readers, simply summarizes the purpose of His warnings and admonitions.

2) "Concerning them that seduce you." (Greek peri ton) means "concerning or regarding the ones or those" (Greek planonton) leading you astray, seducing or deluding you; John 14:26; John 16:13; Matthew 7:15-20.

1) "But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you.” As Jesus Christ is the anointed one, so each believer has thru His church received this anointing, special empowering, clothed with power from on high. Luke 24:49; Acts 2:1-47.

2) "And ye need not that any man teach you." Because our Lord has assured His disciples that the special clothing, anointing, or help that should come to them thru the Holy Spirit should guide them in all truth, John assures them that they have no supplement from any man - such as the antichrists arising. John 6:13.

3) "But as the same anointing teacheth you of all things." This "once for all" anointing, empowering help thru spiritual gifts that came upon the church at Pentecost, had guided and was a sufficient guide, teacher and help in all things thru the Word of truth. John 17:8; John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

4) "And is truth and is no lie". In essence of nature this anointing of the Spirit, clothing, empowering, guide thru the word, is genuine, not a lie, deception or falsehood.

5) "And even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” The empowering, clothing, armor that the Holy Spirit anointing brought to them, led them to talk and witness of Jesus, to abide in Him; John 16:13-14; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:14; Romans 8:16.

1) "And now, little children, abide in him"; (Greek kai non) means "even now and forever here-after" - little born, immature ones remain ye, abide ye, or continue in Him, His way of life, His word, fruitbearing – John 15:1-5.

2) "That, when he shall appear " (Greek hina) purpose clause, meaning "in order that" when He is manifested - at His return. John 14:1-3; 1 John 3:2.

3) "We may have confidence". We may have boldness, confidence, or assurance. To walk, in obedient ways, to do proper things, in proper ways, and know it, gives confidence. 1 John 4:17.

4) "And not be ashamed before him at his coming’. Specific inference is given that anointed ones can and may by bad moral or doctrinal conduct be ashamed before our Lord at His coming for reception and judgment of His own. Mark 8:38; 2 Corinthians 5:9-11; Philippians 1:20.

1) "If ye know that he is righteous". On the basis of experimental and confirmed knowledge that Jesus Christ is righteous, or just, John affirms one may safely draw conclusions about the conduct or behavior of others.

2) "Ye know that everyone that doeth righteousness is born of him. " (Greek ginoskete) means "recognize ye" or "ye may recognize" that each one (Greek poion) "actively going on in righteousness", persevering in righteous conduct of life and good works, (Greek eks autou) "out of him," (genennetai) "has been begotten or born". The reason is an evil tree can not progressively bear good fruit. Matthew 7:18; 1 John 3:7.