This being so devilish a quality, and the world so generally under his power, as the god of it, 2 Corinthians 4:4, it is not to be thought strange, that good men should be the marks and designed objects of the world’s hatred. read more
The notion of brother must not be understood so narrowly, as only to signify such as we have particular inclination to, as being of our own party and opinion, or kindred, or who have obliged us by special kindness; for to confine our love within such limits, were no argument of our having passed from death unto life, or more than is to be found with the worst of men, Matthew 5:46,Matthew 5:47. Nor must it be understood exclusively, of the regenerateonly; but must be taken, first, more... read more
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SONSHIPCRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTESTHE last word of the previous chapter brought to mind that the Christian is related to God by a spiritual and Divine birth. A Christian is one “born of the Spirit”—“born of God.” But St. John suddenly feels how much is involved, and included in that new Divine birth, and expresses sudden feeling in the outburst of grateful surprise which begins chap. 3. Birth brings near to thought Divine Fatherhood, and privileges of spiritual... read more
CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES1 John 3:7. Little children.—τεκνία; not infants, but young and immature disciples. Doeth righteousness.—Emphasis lies on “doeth”; habitually does. Doing is opposed to mere profession, mere sentiment, and the moral licence of false doctrine. “There is only one way of proving our enlightenment, of proving our parentage from Him who is the light, and that is by doing the righteousness which is characteristic of Him and His Son.”1 John 3:8. Of the devil.—Compare John... read more
CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES1 John 3:13. World hate yon.—The “world” includes all who are not actuated by the supreme motive, love to God. For “hate” read “hateth” (John 15:18).1 John 3:14. From death unto life.—Death is spiritual death in selfishness. Life is spiritual life in love for others, which finds expression in serving others.1 John 3:15. Is a murderer.—With distinct allusion to the case of Cain. “The first and the worst effect of hatred gives it its true character.”1 John 3:16.—Read,... read more
1 John 3:1 The Love that calls us Sons. Notice: I. The love that is given. We are called upon to come with our little vessels to measure the contents of the great ocean, to plumb with our short lines the infinite abyss, and not only to estimate the quantity, but the quality, of that love which in both respects surpasses all our means of comparison and conception. Properly speaking, we can do neither the one nor the other, for we have no line long enough to sound its depth, and no experience... read more
1 John 3:2 I. What is this sight awaiting us which shall accomplish so much? Observe (1) It is the sight of a personal Saviour. "We shall see Him." It is only natural that we should desire to see the countenance of one whose works we have read, and whose friends we have often met, and who is often in our thoughts and affections. It is but natural that there should be a longing to see any one of whom we have read much, and of whom we have thought more. Is it, then, surprising that when the... read more
1 John 3:2-3 The Believer's Sonship. It is a law of our nature, or rather of our mental constitution, that in looking at any particular truth or subject we unconsciously present it in that aspect which strikes ourselves most forcibly, or which is the most congenial to our own minds. Take, for example, the heaven of the believer's hope and prospect. While the object of expectation has been one with the universal Church, the features of that object have been various as in the glass of the... read more
1 John 3:3 What is the effect of this hope upon him who entertains it? I. "Every man that hath" that possesses "this hope in him," this hope resting on him, "purifieth himself, even as He is pure." All hope rests upon some ground or other, if it be a hope of which any account can be given. This hope is founded on Christ. If the ungodly man is forbidden by the character of his life to entertain this hope, then surely the children of God will be warranted by the character of their lives to... read more
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Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - 1 John 3:12
And what again, on the other hand, (q.d.) can be more devil-like, than such a temper as Cain’s was, whose hatred of his brother brake out into actual murder, upon no other account but because his brother was better than he? Which showed him to be of that wicked one, of the serpent’s seed: so early was such seed sown, and so ancient the enmity between seed and seed. read more