Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 John 4:14
And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son [to be] the Savior of the world.
14. And we have seen and do testify ] Better, as R. V., And we have beheld and bear witness: see on 1Jn 4:12 and 1Jn 1:2. ‘We’ is emphatic, and, as in the Prologue, means S. John and the other Apostles. See on 1Jn 1:4. With their own eyes they saw the Son working out His mission as the Saviour of the world. ‘Beheld’ points back to 1Jn 4:12: ‘God Himself no one hath ever yet beheld; but we have beheld His Son’.
sent the Son ] Better, hath sent the Son; as in 1Jn 4:9. ‘Of the world’ is important; not of the Jews only, or of the ‘enlightened’ Gnostics only, but of all. There is no limit but the willingness of men to accept salvation by believing on the Saviour. ‘For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through Him’ (Joh 3:17). See on 1Jn 2:2.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And we have seen – Notes on 1Jo 1:1.
And do testify – Notes, 1Jo 1:3. That is, we who are apostles bear witness to you of this great truth, that God has sent his Son to be a Saviour. Compare the notes at Joh 20:31. The reason why this is referred to here is not quite apparent, but the train of thought in this passage would seem to be this: The writer is discoursing of the love of God, and of its manifestation in the gift of the Saviour, and of the proper influence which it should have on us. Struck with the greatness and importance of the subject, his mind adverts to the evidence on which what he was saying rested – the evidence that the Father had really thus manifested his love. That evidence he repeats, that he had actually seen him who had been sent, and had the clearest demonstration that what he deemed so important had really occurred.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
1Jn 4:14
And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world
Christianity a fact and a power
I.
Christianity is an external fact in the history of the world.
1. The condition of the world was desperate. Man through sin had destroyed himself. Nothing short of salvation would have met the case of man as a sinner. The sinner can destroy himself, but he cannot save himself.
2. This salvation was of necessity a fact. It was a great act. Thoughts and words would not have sufficed to save us; good wishes would not have availed us. To speak would not have been enough. To do was essential. Redemption was a work of infinite greatness and difficulty. And it is this that we find in the history of the Man Christ Jesus–the eternal thoughts and feelings of the Godhead realised in glorious works.
II. Christianity is a spiritual power, or a source of permanent influence on the world.
1. The Incarnation of the Son of God was the indispensable condition of the reunion of man with God. This is the highest greatness that any creature is ever capable of attaining–that God should dwell in him, and he in God. This does not mean to be lost like a wavelet in the ocean of Godhead, as the Pantheist imagines, but to become one with God in the affinity of holiness and the fellowship of love, and yet to preserve forever our personal individuality in the conscious enjoyment of that union. Man could not have been saved by ascending–by the mere development of his natural powers. Our salvation has been wrought by a descent of unparalleled magnitude. Descent is the ground of ascension.
2. It follows that the Incarnation and death of the Son of God form the spiritual power that is to create the world anew the moral lever for raising humanity to God. If we see a Christian of extraordinary attainments in godliness, we may be sure that this is the secret of his strength his thoughts and affections revolve constantly around this great centre, God manifest in the flesh; he abides by faith and love in Christ, and thereby God dwells in him, and he in God. This is the secret of godliness.
3. Hence the facts of our redemption accomplished in Palestine years ago remain in the world yet, as great spiritual forces operating on the souls of men to raise them to God.
Conclusion.
1. Let us appreciate the gospel above all things.
2. Let us ever remember that godliness, and all progress in holiness, draws its strength from Christ and His Cross, His life, death, and resurrection. (G. Parry.)
The Saviours mission and its blessed consequence
I. The evidence for the truth.
1. We have seen. The apostles and others had sensible evidence of the truth of the gospel. It was impossible they could be deceived. The life of Jesus was a fact about which there could be no mistake. It may be supposed the early disciples had an advantage over us in the sensible evidence which they enjoyed of the truth of the gospel. Yet it is doubtful whether our privileges are not greater than theirs. The benefit of their satisfaction is enjoyed by us in the record of it contained in their writings. We have found the Saviour to be all that they have declared.
2. There is, however, the testimony as well as the personal observation of the apostles. We have seen and do testify, they say. And is not theirs a credible testimony? They were competent to observe and report accurately. They deserve our confidence, and while we give it to them, we put their testimony to the proof. We have found that the gospel of Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God unto salvation.
II. The truth so attested, that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
1. The origin of the gospel. The Father sent the Saviour. Redemption arose from the counsel of the Godhead. It could have no other origin. Had it been revealed to the intelligent creation that men might be saved by the death and incarnation of the Son of God, they would have pronounced the sacrifice to be impossible. But the mystery has been solved by the great fact.
2. The agent whom the Father employed. He sent His Son. He did so, because no other was sufficient. He was chosen because He alone is equal to the task.
3. The design of His mission. The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour. What a precious name and office! It is a complete salvation which He has provided.
4. The universal efficacy of the gospel of Christ. The world is the object whose redemption is proposed.
III. The view which the text presents of its reception–Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God.
IV. The blessed consequence–God dwelleth in him, and he in God. These terms, so often used by the apostle, express the endeared communion, that arises out of faith in Christ, between the believer and God. It supposes an enjoyment of the Divine favour. There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. It supposes confidence in the Divine strength. Waiting upon God in prayer, that he may be enabled to resist temptation and faithfully perform the duties required of him, he is sustained by the assurance, My grace is sufficient for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. It supposes an earnest effort after the Divine holiness. Sin is more and more seen to be hateful, and holiness to be increasingly excellent. It supposes unreserved devotedness to the Divine service. (J. Morgan, D. D.)
Christ the Saviour of the world
I. Take notice of some things imported in this testimony.
1. The world needed a Saviour; otherwise one had not been provided for them by Him who does nothing in vain.
(1) It was a sick world (Mat 9:12).
(2) It was a cursed world, and needed a Saviour to remove the curse, and bring in the blessing (Act 3:26).
(3) It was a lost world (Luk 19:10).
2. None of inferior dignity to the Son of God could be the Saviour of the world.
3. Christ was sent Saviour of the world from heavens proper motion. The plot to save man was concerted entirely without him.
4. Christ is fully furnished for the saving of a lost world. His being sent in that character speaks His ability to answer it (Heb 7:25).
5. The salvation of lost sinners of the world of mankind is very acceptable to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus, as well as to Himself, otherwise He had not sent His Son Saviour of the world (1Ti 2:3-4).
II. Open this character, Saviour of the world, is which Christ was sent.
1. In what sense Christ is Saviour of the world.
(1) He is the actual and eventual Saviour of the elect.
(2) He is the official Saviour, not of the elect only, but of the world of mankind indefinitely.
2. What is the business committed to Him as Saviour of the world.
(1) It is to save sinners from their sin (Mat 1:21).
(2) It is to save sinners from misery, to free them from destruction (Hos 13:9).
Use
I. Of information.
1. Behold here, admire, and believe the great love of God to a lost world, in providing a Saviour, and such a Saviour, for them, even His own Son.
2. Behold here a broad and firm foundation of faith for all and every one of you; that you may come to Christ, whatever your case is, and claim His righteousness and His whole salvation for yourselves.
3. Sinners living in their sins, pining away, and about to perish eternally in them, are without excuse.
4. Believers themselves may be ashamed and confounded, for that iniquity prevails so against them. Alas! it is a sad sign the Saviour is little employed among us.
Use
II. For trial,
1. If Christ has really begun to save you, ye will have the saved mans thoughts of sin, and of the wrath of God.
2. Ye will have a transcendent esteem of and love to your Saviour (1Pe 2:7).
3. Ye will be groaning under the remains of the disease of sin ye are saved from; your conscience will witness ye would fain be wholly rid of it (Rom 7:24).
Use
III. Receive the Lord Jesus, then, O sinners, in that character wherein His Father sent Him, as the Saviour of the world, and your Saviour.
1. Consider you need a Saviour. Your disease of sin will ruin you, if ye be not saved from it.
2. There is no Saviour besides Christ (Act 4:12). (T. Boston, D. D.)
The Saviour of the world
I. The fact.
II. The author. The Son.
1. Because He was the most precious of all Gods possessions.
2. Because He was in sympathy with Gods own heart. No one else understood the mysteries of Divine love.
3. Because no one else was able to effectually carry out the work of salvation, or to accomplish redemption.
III. The originator. The Father.
1. This reminds us that although the Father is a God of justice, He did not desire to destroy.
2. It shows us how intense is His love.
3. It suggests the Divine purpose of elevating the lost, for none but a Divine Being could set a perfect example.
IV. The proof. We have seen and do testify.
1. The persons who record their testimony are above suspicion.
2. They saw Christs life, teaching, power, death. (Homilist.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 14. And we have seen] Jesus Christ manifested in the flesh; see 1Jo 1:1, c. and do testify-bear witness, in consequence of having the fullest conviction, that the Father sent the son to be the Saviour of the world. We have had the fullest proof of this from his doctrine and miracles, which we heard and saw during the whole time that he sojourned among men.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
He here signifies we are not left at any uncertainties, touching that matter of fact, wherein lies this mighty argument for the exercise of mutual love among Christians, Gods having
sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world; for, as he again inculcates, we testify upon eye-sight, having beheld him, and conversed with him, living and dying.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
14. And weprimarily, weapostles, Christ’s appointed eye-witnesses to testify to thefacts concerning Him. The internal evidence of the indwelling Spirit(1Jo 4:13) is corroborated bythe external evidence of the eye-witnesses to the fact of the Fatherhaving “sent His Son to be the Saviour of the world.”
seenGreek,“contemplated,” “attentively beheld” (see on 1Jo1:1).
sentGreek,“hath sent”: not an entirely past fact (aorist), butone of which the effects continue (perfect tense).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And we have seen, and do testify,…. This seems to be particularly said of the apostles, who had a clear discerning of the love and grace of God, manifested in the mission of Christ into the world; for though no man had seen his nature and his person, yet they had seen his love, and the exceeding riches of his grace, which he had shown forth in Christ Jesus; and they had also seen Christ, God manifest in the flesh; they had seen his glory, as the glory of the only begotten of the Father; they had seen him with their bodily eyes; they had seen his works and miracles; they had seen him dying and risen again from the dead, and go up to heaven; they were witnesses, and eyewitnesses of him, and bore a faithful testimony of him, and for him, and particularly set their seal to this truth,
that the Father sent the Son [to be] the Saviour of the world; not of every individual person in it, for there are some that will go into everlasting punishment, and even a world that will be condemned; Christ is not in fact the Saviour of all the individuals of human nature, and therefore was not sent to be such; for if he was, the end of his mission is not fully answered; nor of the Jews only, but of the Gentiles also, and who are chiefly intended by “the world”; [See comments on 1Jo 2:2]; and even of all the elect of God, styled his people, his sheep, his friends, his church, and the sons of God; and it may be said of all that believe in him throughout the whole world, without any distinction of nation, age, sex, state, or condition: and Christ is the Saviour both of the souls and bodies of these, from all their sins, original and actual; from the power of Satan, the bondage and curse of the law, and wrath to come, and he is the only, able, willing, and complete Saviour, and who saves with an everlasting salvation.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
| The Divine Love. | A. D. 80. |
14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
Since faith in Christ works love to God, and love to God must kindle love to the brethren, the apostle here confirms the prime article of the Christian faith as the foundation of such love. Here,
I. He proclaims the fundamental article of the Christian religion, which is so representative of the love of God: And we have seen, and do testify, that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world, v. 14. We here see, 1. The Lord Jesus’s relation to God; he is Son to the Father, such a Son as no one else is, and so as to be God with the Father. 2. His relation and office towards us–the Saviour of the world; he saves us by his death, example, intercession, Spirit, and power against the enemies of our salvation. 3. The ground on which he became so–by the mission of him: The Father sent the Son, he decreed and willed his coming hither, in and with the consent of the Son. 4. The apostle’s assurance of this–he and his brethren had seen it; they had seen the Son of God in his human nature, in his holy converse and works, in his transfiguration on the mount, and in his death, resurrection from the dead, and royal ascent to heaven; they had so seen him as to be satisfied that he was the only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 5. The apostle’s attestation of this, in pursuance of such evidence: “We have seen and do testify. The weight of this truth obliges us to testify it; the salvation of the world lies upon it. The evidence of the truth warrants us to testify it; our eyes, and ears, and hands, have been witnesses of it.” Thereupon,
II. The apostle states the excellency, or the excellent privilege attending the due acknowledgment of this truth: Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God, v. 15. This confession seems to include faith in the heart as the foundation of it, acknowledgment with the mouth to the glory of God and Christ, and profession in the life and conduct, in opposition to the flatteries or frowns of the world. Thus no man says that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost, by the external attestation and internal operation of the Holy Ghost, 1 Cor. xii. 3. And so he who thus confesses Christ, and God in him, is enriched with or possessed by the Spirit of God, and has a complacential knowledge of God and much holy enjoyment of him. Then,
III. The apostle applies this in order to the excitation of holy love. God’s love is thus seen and exerted in Christ Jesus; and thus have we known and believed the love that God hath to us, v. 16. The Christian revelation is, what should endear it to us, the revelation of the divine love; the articles of our revealed faith are but so many articles relating to the divine love. The history of the Lord Christ is the history of God’s love to us; all his transactions in and with his Son were but testifications of his love to us, and means to advance us to the love of God: God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, 2 Cor. v. 19. Hence we may learn,
1. That God is love (v. 16); he is essential boundless love; he has incomparable incomprehensible love for us of this world, which he has demonstrated in the mission and mediation of his beloved Son. It is the great objection and prejudice against the Christian revelation that the love of God should be so strange and unaccountable as to give his own eternal Son for us; it is the prejudice of many against the eternity and the deity of the Son that so great a person should be given for us. It is, I confess, mysterious and unsearchable; but there are unsearchable riches in Christ. It is a pity that the vastness of the divine love should be made a prejudice against the revelation and the belief of it. But what will not God do when he designs to demonstrate the height of any perfection of his? When he would show somewhat of his power and wisdom, he makes such a world as this; when he would show more of his grandeur and glory, he makes heaven for the ministering spirits that are before the throne. What will he not do then when he designs to demonstrate his love, and to demonstrate his highest love, or that he himself is love, or that love is one of the most bright, dear, transcendent, operative excellencies of his unbounded nature; and to demonstrate this not only to us, but to the angelic world, and to the principalities and powers above, and this not for our surprise for a while, but for the admiration, and praise, and adoration, and felicity, of our most exalted powers to all eternity? What will not God then do? Surely then it will look more agreeable to the design, and grandeur, and pregnancy of his love (if I may so call it) to give an eternal Son for us, than to make a Son on purpose for our relief. In such a dispensation as that of giving a natural, essential, eternal Son for us and to us, he will commend his love to us indeed; and what will not the God of love do when he designs to commend his love, and to commend it in the view of heaven, and earth, and hell, and when he will commend himself and recommend himself to us, and to our highest conviction, and also affection, as love itself? And what if it should appear at last (which I shall only offer to the consideration of the judicious) that the divine love, and particularly God’s love in Christ, should be the foundation of the glories of heaven, in the present enjoyment of those ministering spirits that comported with it, and of the salvation of this world, and of the torments of hell? This last will seem most strange. But what if therein it should appear not only that God is love to himself, in vindicating his own law, and government, and love, and glory, but that the damned ones are made so, or are so punished, (1.) Because they despised the love of God already manifested and exhibited. (2.) Because they refused to be beloved in what was further proposed and promised. (3.) Because they made themselves unmeet to be the objects of divine complacency and delight? If the conscience of the damned should accuse them of these things, and especially of rejecting the highest instance of divine love, and if the far greatest part of the intelligent creation should be everlastingly blessed through the highest instance of the divine love, then may it well be inscribed upon the whole creation of God, God is love.
2. That hereupon he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him, v. 16. There is great communion between the God of love and the loving soul; that is, him who loves the creation of God, according to its different relation to God, and reception from him and interest in him. He that dwells in sacred love has the love God shed abroad upon his heart, has the impress of God upon his spirit, the Spirit of God sanctifying and sealing him, lives in the meditation, views, and tastes of the divine love, and will ere long go to dwell with God for ever.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
We have beheld (). Perfect middle of as in verse 12, though the aorist in 1John 1:1; John 1:14 (). John is qualified to bear witness ( as in 1:2) as Jesus had charged the disciples to do (Ac 1:8).
Hath sent (). As in verse 9, though in verse 10.
To be the Saviour of the world ( ). Predicate accusative of (Saviour), like in verse 10. This very phrase occurs elsewhere only in Joh 4:42 as the confession of the Samaritans, but the idea is in Joh 3:17.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
We have seen [] . Have deliberately and steadfastly contemplated. Compare 1Jo 1:1, and see on Joh 1:14.
Do testify [] . Rev., bear witness. See on Joh 1:7. Sent. See on ver. 9.
The Savior of the world. See the same phrase, Joh 4:42, and compare Joh 3:17. Swth. r Savior, occurs in John only here and Joh 4:42. Elsewhere it is applied both to God (1Ti 1:1; 1Ti 2:3; Tit 1:3; Tit 2:10; Tit 3:4; Jude 1:25), and to Christ (Luk 2:11; Act 5:31; Act 13:23; 2Ti 1:10; Tit 1:4, etc.). The title is found in Paul ‘s Epistles of the Captivity (Eph 5:23; Phi 3:20), and in the Pastorals (see above), but not in Corinthians, Romans, Galatians, or Thessalonians. In classical writings the term is applied to many deities, especially to Zeus (Jupiter); also to Hermes [] , Apollo, Hercules, and even to female deities, as Fortune and Aphrodite (Venus). “Zeus Soter” (Zeus Savior) was used as a formula in drinking at banquets. The third cup was dedicated to him. Compare Plato : “Then, by way of a third libation to the savior Zeus, let us sum up and reassert what has been said” (” Philebus, “66). The drinking of this cup was a symbol of good fortune, and the third time came to mean the lucky time.” Twice then has the just man overthrown the unjust; and now comes the third trial, which, after Olympic fashion, is sacred to Zeus the savior,… and surely this will prove the greatest and most decisive of falls “(Plato,” Republic, ” 583). Hence the proverb, to triton tw swthri, lit., the third to the savior; i e., the third or lucky time. The name was also given later to princes or public benefactors. The kindred noun swthria salvation, does not occur in John’s Epistles, and appears only once in the Gospel (iv. 22). It is found thrice in Rev 7:10; Rev 12:10; Rev 19:1). Swzein to save occurs six times in John’s Gospel, and once in Revelation (xxi. 24). It does not appear in the Epistles.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And we have seen and do testify.” (Greek kai hemeis tetheametha) and we have beheld (gazed upon) and (Greek marturoumen) we bear witness -eyewitness testimony – a valid method of establishing fact. 1Jn 1:1-4.
2) “That the Father sent the Son.” That the Father had (Greek apestalken) “sent on a mission” the Son. They had seen the Son and heard His Father’s voice claiming Him and seen the Holy Spirit sanctifying and identifying Him both at His baptism and transfiguration. Mat 3:16-17; Matthew 17; Matthew 1-5.
3) “To be the Saviour of the world.” Joh 3:17 reads “that the world through him might be saved.” Luk 19:10 asserts that He “came to seek and to save that which was lost.” Christ was sent the “Son Saviour” of the “kosmos,” created universe. Rom 1:16.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
14 And we have seen He now explains the other part of the knowledge of God, which we have referred to, that he communicates himself to us in his Son, and offers himself to be enjoyed in him. It hence follows, that he is by faith received by us. For the design of the Apostle is to shew, that God is so united to us by faith and love, that he really dwells in us and renders himself in a manner visible by the effect of his power, who otherwise could not be seen by us.
When the Apostle says, We have, seen and do testify, he refers to himself and others. And by seeing, he does not mean any sort of seeing, but what belongs to faith by which they recognized the glory of God in Christ, according to what follows, that he was sent to be the Savior of the world; and this knowledge flows from the illumination of the Spirit.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
14. We have seen and do testify This we is mainly the apostles. The coming of the Son as seen, bases the whole doctrine on historic grounds.
Saviour of the world This is his universal office. His atonement is universal, his salvation is universal, limited only in its effects by its being rejected by its proper subjects.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Jn 4:14. And we have seen, &c. “And animated and sealed by this Spirit, as we have seen and known by undoubted evidence ourselves, so we courageously testify to others, how hazardous soever the bearing that testimony may be, that the great almighty Father of all hath sent Jesus his eternal and only-begotten Son, under the infinitely important character of the Saviour of the world; and that it is in him, and by him alone, how proudly soever the infidel world may reject him, and disdain him, that eternal salvation can be obtained,” St. John and the apostles had been eye-witnesses of Christ’s holy life, numerous miracles, patient sufferings, and willing death; they had also seen him after his resurrection: to such proofs of their divine mission, St. John had referred at the beginning of this epistle, and he now refers to them again; withal declaring, that he and the other apostles had testified what they had seen; and from their testimony, supported by many miracles, the world might be satisfied of the truth of their message, and look upon Jesus as sent of God the Father to be the Saviour of mankind, and might hence gather the great love of God to men.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
1Jn 4:14-15 . That love brings with it fellowship with God, is caused by the fact that God is love and love springs from God. But God’s love was made manifest by the sending of His Son, and this is testified by the apostles, who themselves have seen Him. The last thought which 1Jn 4:14 expresses serves as an introduction to the thought that follows in 1Jn 4:15 , in which the believing confession (and therefore faith) is described as the condition of fellowship with God, and hence also of true love.
] By John means here himself and his fellow-apostles; comp. 1Jn 4:6 .
, comp. chap. 1Jn 1:1-2 . expresses the direct seeing (Gospel of Joh 1:14 ), not knowledge through the medium of others. The apostles saw that the Father sent the Son, inasmuch as they saw the Son Himself and not after the flesh merely, but also as the . With corresponds the closely-connected idea , which presupposes one’s own direct experience; comp. Gospel of Joh 1:34 .
The subject of this testimony is: , comp. 1Jn 4:9-10 ; . . states the purpose of the sending, which does not refer to particular elect ones, but to the whole number of sinners (comp. chap. 1Jn 2:2 and Gospel of Joh 3:16 ). 1Jn 4:15 . With , comp. 1Jn 4:2 . The subject of the confession is: ; this is precisely what the antichrists deny; comp. 1Jn 4:2-3 .
Weiss erroneously interprets: “Whosoever abides in this confession, in him it is seen that God is in him;” the words “in him it is seen” are a mere interpolation.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
DISCOURSE: 2456
CHRIST THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD
1Jn 4:14. We have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
WERE it announced to us, in a time of war, that the enemies of our country were vanquished, that those who had menaced us with utter destruction were all taken captive, and that we might henceforth enjoy an honourable and lasting peace; our first inquiry would be, What ground is there for crediting the report? If we were assured, that several persons, who had been present at the battle and had seen the captive enemies, were sent by the conqueror on purpose to make known to us the glad tidings, we should be filled with transports of joy, and congratulate one another on the glorious event. Such tidings, and thus authenticated, we have to declare unto you; not indeed in reference to an earthly enemy, but in reference to our great adversary, the devil; whom Christ, our Almighty Deliverer, has subdued. The Apostles were sent by their victorious Lord to proclaim the news: and they have come to us, affirming that they were eye-witnesses of the truths which they have been commissioned to declare. They acknowledge, indeed, that Satan bruised his heel; but they affirm, that he bruised Satans head. Satan so far prevailed as to have him crucified: but by his very death our blessed Lord overcame him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; yes, on the cross itself he triumphed openly over that wicked adversary, and spoiled all the principalities and powers of hell; and in his ascension he led captivity itself captive.
But that we may ascertain more correctly the nature and truth of their testimony, we shall shew,
I.
What evidence we have of the fact reported in the text
It would divert us too far from our subject to enter into the question of the credibility of the Apostles; suffice it to say, that, as they had no possible inducement to deceive us, so they have never, on any occasion, betrayed the smallest wish to deceive us. Their veracity is unimpeached, and may fully be relied on.
But, it may be asked, Were they themselves well-informed on the points whereof they affirm? We answer, They saw the things which they attest: they did not receive them from the report of others, but were assured of them by ocular demonstration. They saw all which they affirm concerning Christ: they saw,
1.
His personal glory
[Others, even his bitterest enemies, beheld him as a man like unto themselves; but some of his Apostles had ocular proofs of his Godhead: they saw him transfigured on Mount Tabor, his face shining brighter than the meridian sun, and his garments all illumined by the radiant effulgence of his Deity; and they heard the Fathers voice from heaven attesting him to be his only, his beloved Son [Note: Mat 17:2. Mar 9:2; Mar 9:7.]. This vision was vouchsafed to them for their more perfect satisfaction: and they record the circumstance in proof, that what they reported concerning him they knew to be true [Note: Joh 1:14. 2Pe 1:16-18.].]
2.
His matchless perfections
[Not they only, but his very enemies, were astonished at his wisdom, and constrained to confess, that never man spake like him. His power and goodness were alike manifest in the authority which he exercised over diseases, devils, and the very elements. Hence, on different occasions, his Disciples expressed their full conviction that he was the promised Messiah, the Saviour of the world: We believe and are sure that thou art that Christ the Son of the living God [Note: Mat 16:16. Joh 6:69.].]
3.
His shameful death
[His crucifixion was seen by all: but there were some circumstances connected with his death, which tended very strongly to corroborate the opinion which his Disciples had formed of him. The effusion of blood and water from his wounded side in two distinct streams, particularly impressed them with the idea, that he died to cleanse men, not only from the guilt, but also from the power and pollution, of sin [Note: Joh 19:34-37. with 1Jn 5:6]. And the prodigies preceding and following his dissolution were such, that the Centurion who attended the crucifixion exclaimed, Truly this was a righteous man, this was the Son of God [Note: Mat 27:54. Mar 15:39. Luk 23:47.].]
4.
His triumphant resurrection
[At the precise moment of his resurrection, none were present except the soldiers who were placed to guard his tomb: but within a few hours he was seen by several of his Disciples: and for the space of forty days he appeared to them on a great variety of occasions [Note: Act 1:3.]. By these manifestations of himself, the incredulity of the Apostles was overcome [Note: Joh 20:24-28.]: and much stress was laid upon them by the Apostles in confirmation of their word [Note: 1Co 15:3-8. Act 10:40-41.].]
5.
His glorious ascension
[Many were permitted to behold this glorious event: and this, together with the descent of the Holy Spirit whom Christ had promised to send down, convinced the Disciples, beyond a possibility of doubt, that Jesus was the Christ. From this time, (the time of the Spirits descent,) the Apostles began to preach Christ as the Saviour of the world: and they constantly founded their testimony upon the fact of their having been eye-witnesses of every thing that they declared [Note: Act 2:32-33; Act 2:36.]. Indeed, such stress did they lay on this circumstance, that, in choosing a successor to Judas in the apostleship, they took care to have one who was on a par with themselves in this particular [Note: Act 1:21-22.]: and, in speaking of Christ, they dwell on this circumstance with most triumphant satisfaction [Note: 1Jn 1:1-3.]. It was for the purpose of qualifying Saul to bear the same convincing testimony, that the Lord Jesus appeared personally to him in the way to Damascus [Note: Act 26:16.]: and, when his ministry was undervalued on account of his supposed inferiority in these respects, he triumphantly appealed to his opposers, Am I not an Apostle? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord [Note: 1Co 9:1.]?
If then such a number of faithful witnesses, all concurring in the same testimony, and all qualified to give their testimony from a personal inspection of the things attested, can establish any truth whatever, we must confess that the fact asserted in the text is established beyond the possibility of doubt, and that God the Father has sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world.]
The fact being proved, we proceed to shew,
II.
For what end we bear our testimony respecting it
To set forth Christ as the Saviour of the world was the one labour of all the Apostles. The same also is our blessed employment; and we make that our constant theme, or, at least, the sum and substance of our discourses;
1.
That you may have just views of the Fathers love
[We behold the goodness of our God in every thing around us: but not all the creation can exhibit it in so bright a view as the cross of Christ: there, even in the face of a crucified Jesus, shines all the glory of our God. Love, in particular, is there portrayed in its most endearing colours. The gift of Gods only dear Son to die for man, was the most stupendous effort of love that ever was, or can be, exhibited [Note: Joh 3:16. Rom 5:8. ver. 9, 10.] It is greater love than was ever shewn even to the angels themselves [Note: Heb 2:16.]: and, while it brings us nearer to the throne of God than they [Note: Rev 7:11.], it will furnish us with everlasting songs in which they can never join [Note: Rev 5:9-10.] ]
2.
That you may renounce all erroneous methods of seeking acceptance with him
[If this glorious truth had never been revealed, we might well have made the same inquiries as Balak [Note: Mic 6:6-7.]. But what room is there for such inquiries now? Do we despise this unspeakable gift of God? or do we conceive that we shall be able to establish a firmer foundation for our hope, than that which is laid in the blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ? O reject not the proffered mercy of your God! Say not, The Saviour of the world shall not save me. This is what you do, in fact, say, when you go about to establish any righteousness of your own [Note: Rom 10:3.]. To guard you against so fatal an error, St. Paul testified with all the energy he could express [Note: Gal 5:2-4.]: and we also testify, that there is no other foundation to be laid [Note: 1Co 3:11.], nor any other name to be trusted in [Note: Act 4:12.], but that of Jesus Christ.]
3.
That you may embrace the Lord Jesus with your whole hearts
[View him as sent down from heaven, even from the bosom of the Father: view him as dying in your place and stead [Note: Isa 53:4; Isa 53:6. 1Pe 3:18.]: view him as saving a ruined world. Can you forbear to love him? Can you refrain from seeking an interest in him? Are you not ready to cry out, Hosanna to the Son of David; Hosanna in the highest? Behold him, I say; admire him; adore him; trust in him; cleave unto him with full purpose of heart; count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus your Lord. Alas! you are but too little affected with his love; and need to be reminded of it continually: we determine, therefore, with Gods help, to know nothing among you but Jesus Christ and him crucified, and to set before you his love, till it constrains you to love him, and to live to him.]
Conclusion
[Hear once more our testimony. We testify, that Christ is indeed the Son of God, even Emmanuel, God with us. We testify, that the one errand on which he came, was to save a ruined world. We testify, that he has done all that was necessary for the salvation of our souls; and that he is both able and willing to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him O compel us not to complain, as he did, We testify of that we have seen, and ye receive not our witness [Note: Joh 3:11.]! but let us behold you inquiring after him, till ye can say with the Samaritan converts, we have seen (heard) him ourselves, and believe that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world [Note: Joh 4:42.]. It is true, you cannot now see him, as the Apostles did, face to face; but by faith you may see him that is invisible: and if only you behold him now by faith, you shall one day see him, as you are seen, and know him, as you are known.]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
Ver. 14. And we have seen ] sc. By special privilege (that which natural eye never saw, 1Jn 4:12 ), the backparts of Jehovah, his wisdom, justice, mercy, &c.; we can see no more and live, we need see no more that we may live.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
14, 15, 16 .] The connexion seems to be this: the inward evidence of God’s abiding in us and we in Him, is, the gift of His Spirit. But this is not the only evidence nor the only test which we have. This internal evidence is accompanied by, nay, is itself made possible (see 1Jn 4:19 ) by, our recognition of the Father’s love in sending His Son as our Saviour: which last is a fact, testified by human evidence. This recognition of God’s love is a condition of abiding in Him and He in us: in a word, is the , which is equivalent to abiding in Him. And we (this brings up in sharp relief the apostolic body whom Christ appointed His witnesses, Joh 15:27 , Act 1:8 . The assertion is of the same kind as that in ch. 1Jn 1:1 ) have beheld ( is joined closely to , and in common with it belongs to the following. No object must be supplied after it, as “Deum ejusque virtutes imprimis caritatem.” Piscator. The construction of with is found Joh 6:5 ) and do testify that the Father hath sent (not merely to the historical fact as a thing past, but to its abiding influence as implied by . below: q. d., that the Father sent the Son, and that the Son is the Saviour of the world) the Son (better here than “ His Son:” , , are termini theologici ) as Saviour of the world ( , anarthrous, is not appositive but predicatory = in meaning “to save the world,” but one degree removed back from it in telic force: would express more strongly the ultimate view of His mission; gives the mediate aim, leaving it possible that another may be yet behind. here, as in ch. 1Jn 2:2 , Joh 3:16 , in its widest sense: no evasion of this sense, such as the “electorum in omnibus populis” of Piscator and Aretius, is to be endured).
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
1Jn 4:14 . The apostolic testimony ( cf. 1Jn 1:1-3 ). , either the editorial “we” or “I and the rest of the Apostles who were eye-witnesses”. , see note on 1Jn 4:9 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
testify = bear witness. Greek. martureo. See p. 1511.
Father. App-98.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
14, 15, 16.] The connexion seems to be this: the inward evidence of Gods abiding in us and we in Him, is, the gift of His Spirit. But this is not the only evidence nor the only test which we have. This internal evidence is accompanied by, nay, is itself made possible (see 1Jn 4:19) by, our recognition of the Fathers love in sending His Son as our Saviour: which last is a fact, testified by human evidence. This recognition of Gods love is a condition of abiding in Him and He in us: in a word, is the , which is equivalent to abiding in Him. And we (this brings up in sharp relief the apostolic body whom Christ appointed His witnesses, Joh 15:27, Act 1:8. The assertion is of the same kind as that in ch. 1Jn 1:1) have beheld ( is joined closely to , and in common with it belongs to the following. No object must be supplied after it, as Deum ejusque virtutes imprimis caritatem. Piscator. The construction of with is found Joh 6:5) and do testify that the Father hath sent (not merely to the historical fact as a thing past, but to its abiding influence as implied by . below: q. d., that the Father sent the Son, and that the Son is the Saviour of the world) the Son (better here than His Son: , , are termini theologici) as Saviour of the world (, anarthrous, is not appositive but predicatory = in meaning to save the world, but one degree removed back from it in telic force: would express more strongly the ultimate view of His mission; gives the mediate aim, leaving it possible that another may be yet behind. here, as in ch. 1Jn 2:2, Joh 3:16, in its widest sense: no evasion of this sense, such as the electorum in omnibus populis of Piscator and Aretius, is to be endured).
Fuente: The Greek Testament
1Jn 4:14. ) and we ourselves. Thus Joh 15:27.- ; have seen and do testify) This is inferred from that which follows, we have known and believed, 1Jn 4:16. By the word, we have known, the first knowledge is marked, as it appears, as it is in the German Kennen lernen, to become acquainted with. For there is a kind of knowledge which is antecedent to faith: and faith is antecedent to , testimony. But the word, we have seen, denotes the full food of the eyes, in beholding.- , the Son) There are two foundations and proofs [tests] of our dwelling in God, and God in us: the fellowship of the Spirit, and the acknowledging of the Son of God: 1Jn 4:13; 1Jn 4:15.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Saviour (See Scofield “Rom 1:16”).
world kosmos = mankind. (See Scofield “Mat 4:8”).
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
we have: 1Jo 1:1-3, 1Jo 5:9, Joh 1:14, Joh 3:11, Joh 3:32, Joh 5:39, Joh 15:26, Joh 15:27, Act 18:5, 1Pe 5:12
the Father: 1Jo 4:10, Joh 3:34, Joh 5:36, Joh 5:37, Joh 10:36
the Saviour: 1Jo 2:1, 1Jo 2:2, Joh 1:29, Joh 3:16, Joh 3:17, Joh 4:42, Joh 12:47
Reciprocal: Isa 43:11 – General Isa 63:8 – so he Zec 2:8 – sent Mar 16:15 – Go Luk 2:11 – unto Joh 1:34 – this Joh 6:51 – the life Joh 7:29 – for Joh 8:42 – neither Joh 11:42 – that thou Joh 16:14 – glorify Joh 17:3 – and Jesus Joh 17:8 – and have Joh 17:26 – and I Act 5:31 – a Saviour Act 9:20 – that Act 13:23 – raised 1Co 2:1 – the testimony Gal 2:20 – the Son Gal 4:4 – God Gal 5:3 – testify 1Ti 1:1 – God 1Ti 4:10 – the saviour 2Ti 1:8 – the testimony 2Ti 1:10 – our Tit 2:13 – our 2Pe 1:16 – were 1Jo 5:1 – believeth 1Jo 5:20 – we know Rev 1:2 – and of all
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Jn 4:14. John and the other apostles could testify, because they had seen the evidences that the Father has sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
As if the apostle had said, “Though no man hath seen God at any time, yet the apostles, who preach the doctrine of faith unto you, and press the duty of love upon you, have seen with our bodily eyes the Lord Jesus Christ, and do testify, that God the Father glorified his love, by sending his Son to be the Saviour of a perishing world; not of Jews only, but of the Gentiles also.
And we further declare, That whosoever believing this our testimony, shall confess with his moouth, and believe in his heart, that this Jesus, whom we preach, is the Son of God, and shall evidence the truth of his faith by the sincerity of his love, and other good fruits, it is certain that God dwelleth in him by his Spirit, and he dwelleth in God by repeated acts of love.
And finally, we apostles well knowing, and firmly believing the love, the wonderful great love, which God hath manifested towards us, in and through his Son Jesus Christ, we again affirm and conclude that God is love.
Love originally, the fountain from whence all love flows. Love efficiently, the producing cause of all love in the hearts of our people. Love subjectively, a God full of love and mercy, of goodness and pity towards his creatures. Love objectively, he is deservedly the first and chief object of our love, as he is the first and chief good. Love declaratively, both his word and works declare the purposes of his love unto us, and give demonstrations of innumerable instances of his beneficence towards us. But especially God is love essentially.
Love in us is an adventitious and accidental quality; in God it is an essential property, it is his very essence and nature, inseparable from his being; he can as soon cease to be, as cease to love.
And as God is love, so we again affirm, that he that dwelleth in love, that is, he who has love, as the prevailing habit in his heart, and as the governing principle of his life, dwelleth, by communion, in God, as the eye dwells in the light, and as one friend by love dwells in another; and God, by his Spirit of love, dwelleth in him.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
4:14 {11} And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son [to be] the Saviour of the world.
(11) He underlays this charity with another foundation, that is, faith in Jesus, which joins us indeed with him, even as charity witnesses that we are joined with him. Furthermore he testifies of Christ, as who had seen him with his eyes.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
God’s presence is observable in the midst of Christians who love each other. God produces that love. Most of John’s readers had not, and all of us have not, seen Jesus Christ in the flesh as the apostles did. However, we can see God too and can bear witness with the apostles that God sent Jesus Christ into the world. We can share the apostles’ experience that John said was his goal in writing this epistle (1Jn 1:3-4). We can see God both in the manifestation of His love and in God’s life behind that love as we observe Christians loving one another. This verse then is a high point in John’s argument.
This is the only place in John’s epistles where he used the term "savior." It also appears only once in his Gospel (Joh 4:42).
The Church has no more effective way to testify to the world about the Saviorhood of Jesus than by the re-display of the Savior’s love in the fellowship of His disciples." [Note: Hodges, The Epistles . . ., p. 192.]