THE

EPISTLES

OF

JOHN

An Expositional Commentary

D. Edmond Hiebert

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Hiebert, D. Edmond, (David Edmond), 1910–

The Epistles of John: an expositional commentary / D. Edmond Hiebert.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 0-89084-588-3

1. Bible. N.T. Epistles of John—Commentaries. I. Title.

BS2805.3.H54 1991

227′.94077—dc20

91-24565

CIP

The Epistles of John: An Expositional Commentary

by D. Edmond Hiebert

© 1991 Bob Jones University Press

Greenville, South Carolina 29614

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the King James Version of the Bible. Quotation from other translations does not necessarily indicate an endorsement by the publisher of all of the contents of such translations.

NOTE:

The fact that materials produced by other publishers are referred to in this volume does not constitute an endorsement by Bob Jones University Press of the content or theological position of materials produced by such publishers. The position of Bob Jones University Press, and the University itself, is well known. Any references and ancillary materials are listed as an aid to the reader and in an attempt to maintain the accepted academic standards of the publishing industry.

ISBN 0-89084-588-3

Cover designed by Jim Hargis

Edited by Mark Sidwell

Contents

Abbreviations

Preface

Part 1: First John

1. An Introduction to 1 John

2. An Outline of 1 John

Exposition of 1 John

3. Prologue: The Reality of the Incarnation (1:1–4)

Body of Epistle: The Grounds for Christian Assurance (1:5–5:12)

Assurance Through the Test of Fellowship (1:5–2:17)

4. Assurance Through the Test of Fellowship: The Basis for Christian Fellowship (1:5)

5. Assurance Through the Test of Fellowship: The Hindrances to Christian Fellowship (1:6–10)

6. Assurance Through the Test of Fellowship: The Provision for Maintaining Fellowship (2:1–2)

7. Assurance Through the Test of Fellowship: The Signs of Fellowship Maintained (2:3–17)

Assurance from the Conflicts of Faith (2:18–4:6)

8. Assurance from the Conflicts of Faith: The Conflict Between Truth and Falsehood (2:18–28)

9. Assurance from the Conflicts of Faith: The Conflict Between the Children of God and the Children of the Devil (2:29–3:12)

10. Assurance from the Conflicts of Faith: The Conflict Between Love and Hatred (3:13–24)

11. Assurance from the Conflicts of Faith: The Conflict Between the Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error (4:1–6)

Assurance from the Evidence of True Love (4:7–5:5)

12. Assurance from the Evidence of True Love: The Nature of Redeeming Love (4:7–16a)

13. Assurance from the Evidence of True Love: The Results of Redeeming Love (4:16b–5:5)

Assurance Through the Witness of the Spirit (5:6–12)

14. Assurance Through the Witness of the Spirit: The Historical Witnesses to Jesus Christ (5:6–9)

15. Assurance Through the Witness of the Spirit: The Efficacy of the Divine Witness (5:10–12)...