9. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in the darkness even until now.
10. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
11. But he that hateth his brother is in the darkness, and walketh in the darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because the darkness hath blinded his eyes.
12. I write unto you, my little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
13. I write unto you, fathers, because ye know him which is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the evil one. I have written unto you, little children, because ye know the Father.
14. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye know him which is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the evil one.
15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the vainglory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.
Can one be in the light and hate his brother?
What is the condition of him who loves his brother?
What is sufficient proof that a man is in darkness?
In what does such an one walk?
Does he know whither he goes?
Why not?
Why does John write to children?
Why to fathers?
Why to young men?
What is the second reason given for writing to children?
Why to young men?
Upon what are Christians exhorted not to bestow their affection?
Can love of the world and love of God dwell in the same heart?
What are the characteristics of the world?
From what source do these come?
What will happen to the world?
Who will abide forever?
NOTES.
1. VERSES 9-11.—Love for the brethren is an evidence of conversion (1 John 3:14), and no one can be in the light (John 8:12) and not have this love. Christ identifies himself with his followers, and counts every service rendered to them as though done to him. Matt. 25:40. There are only two classes. All are either "in the light" or "in darkness." Love is the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22), by which it is shed abroad in the heart (Rom. 5:5). When man sinned, "selfishness took the place of love," but "in the heart renewed by divine grace, love is the principle of action." God loved us when we were sinners (Rom. 5:8), and Christians must not limit this love to their brethren (Matt. 5:44-46). "The Spirit of Christ's self-sacrificing love is the spirit that pervades heaven, and is the very essence of its bliss. This is the spirit that Christ's followers will possess, the work that they will do." Christians are to love one another (John 15:12, 17), which is the fulfilling of the law (Rom. 13:10). "We should love and respect one another, notwithstanding the faults and imperfections that we cannot help seeing." "We are to stand under the shadow of the cross of Calvary, humbling our hearts, confessing our sins, and entreating the Lord to pardon our defects of character, and strengthen our love for the brethren." It is dangerous to trifle with light, for light rejected will bring darkness (John 12:35), and this is the greatest darkness of all (Matt. 6:23). When minds are blinded by Satan (2 Cor. 4:4), the people are in the deepest darkness (Isa. 60:2), and do not perceive the snares of the devil.
2. VERSES 15-17.—Our thoughts are to be above (Col. 3:2), where our citizenship is (Phil. 3:20, R. V.), and our love cannot be divided (Matt. 6:24). Enmity between Christians and the world is of long standing (Gen. 3:15), and is really the hope of the race. "It is the grace that Christ implants in the soul which creates in man enmity against Satan." We may be friends of God (John 15:15), as Abraham was (Isa. 41:8), or friends of the world; but we cannot be both at the same time (James 4:4). "Conformity to the world will never be the means of converting the world to Christ." The world passes away, but character endures. The will of God is his law (Rom. 2:18), which is everlasting righteousness (Ps. 119:172, 144; Isa. 51:6-8).
3. WORD THOUGHTS.—Notice light and love dwell together; hate and darkness.—None occasion of stumbling (v. 10), that is, he not only presents no stumbling block before others, but he finds no occasion for stumbling himself. See Ps. 119:165, margin: "Great peace have they that love thy law; and they shall have no stumbling block."—Lust (v. 16), desire, strong or controlling desire. "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."