These verses are at first difficult to understand. John addresses what looks to be three groups of people and commends/exhorts them for three different aspects of Christianity that are true of each. He then repeats the process while slightly altering the commendations. Why he does this at this point in the letter and who exactly […]
In 2:3-11 John lists and discusses three tests of the faith that he says must be true of the believer. The follower of Jesus will keep His commandments (3-5a); walk in the same manner as He walked (5b-6); and love other believers (7-11). If these three things are not true about a person he cannot […]
In 2:3-11, John lists and discusses three tests of the faith that he says must be true of the believer. The follower of Jesus will keep His commandments (3-5a); walk in the same manner as He walked (5b-6); and love other believers (7-11). If these three things are not true of him, a person cannot […]
John completes the thought expressed in 1:5-10 and makes sure that what he wrote about confession and sin in 1:8-10 is not abused or misunderstood. 1 John’s tone changes in verse 1. He addresses his readers as my little children. John is likely an old man as he writes these words. He is the teacher […]
John discusses the first of two major themes about the nature of God – God is light. John shows how this truth about God has ramifications for those who claim to be His. 5-7 John says the message we have heard from Him – the Word of Life (Christ) – is that God is light. […]
John explains the reason for his writing and begins to lay out his case for a true risen Messiah and what that means to those who follow Him. He makes it clear that Jesus was a man in every sense of the word and not simply a spirit. In this short text he also communicates […]
First John is one of five books written by Jesus’ beloved disciple. It is most likely written after the writing of the Gospel of John. The purpose of the book seems to be twofold – to refute heresy that has arisen in churches John ministered to and to reassure believers by giving them tests by […]
God shows Amos the final vision of His coming judgment. Amos begins to proclaim his final words to the Israelites and assures them there is no hope of escaping what is coming for the sinners among the people. 1-4 This vision has very little introduction. Amos does not say that God showed him something and […]
God shows Amos a fourth vision to illustrate the ultimate consequences of Israel’s sin. As a result, Amos proclaims to Israel why judgment is coming and what it entails. 1-3 God shows Amos a basket of summer fruit and tells him it signifies that the end is near for Israel. Just like in the third […]
Amos sees a third vision and has a verbal confrontation with the high priest of Bethel. 7-9 God shows Amos a third vision after the two visions of destruction. Unlike the first two, this vision does not show the future but shows God’s reason for the coming judgment. Amos sees God standing by a wall […]
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