Author: Administrador

This pericope seems to be a review of what we have heard from 1 John over the previous two weeks. Here again, we find the call to love one another, woven together with that love’s foundation in God’s prior action for us in the Son. Confession of faith and love for one’s brothers and sisters … Continue reading “1 John 4:7-21 Commentary by Brian Peterson”

It all begins with God’s love. In case we ever forget this basic, essential fact of our faith, 1 John makes it crystal clear. God is the source and the definition of love. God is love. God loves as the sun shines: love expresses who God is. 1 John emphasizes that God’s love is not … Continue reading “1 John 4:7-21 Commentary by Judith Jones”

This epistle, really a sermon, was written for a community that defined itself over and against the world around it. Those in John’s community were children of light and those outside were children of darkness. For example, consider a verse that the lectionary omits: “Do not be astonished, brothers and sisters, that the world hates … Continue reading “1 John 3:16-24 Commentary by David Bartlett”

Last week’s text addressed the problem of sin in the believer’s life. This week, the problem seems to be guilt. There are some styles of preaching and piety that prey on feelings of guilt, either to maintain pastoral power or to keep people coming to church (and, at times as a higher priority, giving their … Continue reading “1 John 3:16-24 Commentary by Brian Peterson”

“And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us” (1 John 3:23). “In truth it is impossible to love one another in the right way if we do not have faith in Christ, just as it is … Continue reading “1 John 3:16-24 Commentary by Nijay Gupta”

For the six Sundays of Eastertide, the lectionary gives us the opportunity to examine some of the key themes of the First Epistle of John. Two preliminary words: first, this epistle probably was not originally an epistle. It has all the marks of a sermon and does not begin with a salutation or end with … Continue reading “1 John 3:1-7 Commentary by David Bartlett”

The closing lines of chapter 2 reminded the readers of Jesus’ expected return, and called for a life of righteousness that will allow “boldness” when he comes. The first two verses of chapter 3 root this confident hope in what God has already done. The text begins where we must always begin, with the love … Continue reading “1 John 3:1-7 Commentary by Brian Peterson”

In the overture (John 1:1-51) of the symphonic Fourth Gospel, a clear chord is struck that emphasizes the welcoming and adoption of those who embrace Jesus Christ, Son of God: “But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God who were born, not of blood … Continue reading “1 John 3:1-7 Commentary by Nijay Gupta”

The “lectionary gnomes” have done the preacher no favor in isolating this passage from its preceding verses. First John 2:28-29 encourages Christians to “abide,” or persist with endurance, in that domain defined once for all by Christ (2:6, 10, 14, 24) so that when he (alternatively, God) is revealed at his royal coming (parousia) the … Continue reading “1 John 3:1-3 Commentary by C. Clifton Black”

If 1 John had a social media footprint, this week’s status update would read, “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God” (1 John 3:1). These are words of encouragement written to a community that is troubled by schism. Whatever were the details of the split — … Continue reading “1 John 3:1-3 Commentary by Audrey West”