English: unfoldingWord® Translation Notes

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1 John

1 John front

Introduction to 1 John

Part 1: General Introduction

Outline of the Book of 1 John
  1. Introduction (1:1-4)
  2. Christian living (1:5-3:10)
  3. The command to love one another (3:11-5:12)
  4. Conclusion (5:13-21)
Who wrote the Book of 1 John?

This book does not name the author. However, since early Christian times, most Christians have thought that the Apostle John was the author. He was also wrote of the Gospel of John.

What is the Book of 1 John about?

John wrote this letter to Christians at a time when false teachers were troubling them. John wrote this letter because he wanted to prevent believers from sinning. He wanted to protect believers from false teachings. And he wanted to assure believers that they were saved.

How should the title of this book be translated?

Translators may choose to call this book by its traditional title, “1 John” or “First John.” Or they may choose a clearer title, such as “The First Letter From John” or “The First Letter John Wrote.” (See: How to Translate Names)

Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

Who were the people that John spoke against?

The people John spoke against were possibly those who would become known as Gnostics. These people believed that the physical world was evil. Since they believed Jesus was divine, they denied that he was truly human. This is because they thought God would not become human since the physical body is evil. (See: evil, wicked, unpleasant)

Part 3: Important Translation Issues

What do the words “remain,” “reside,” and “abide” mean in 1 John?

John often used the words “remain,” “reside,” and “abide” as metaphors. John spoke of a believer becoming more faithful to Jesus and knowing Jesus better as if Jesus’ word “remained” in the believer. Also, John spoke of someone being spiritually joined to someone else as if the person “remained” in the other person. Christians are said to “remain” in Christ and in God. The Father is said to “remain” in the Son, and the Son is said to “remain” in the Father. The Son is said to “remain” in believers. The Holy Spirit is also said to “remain” in the believers.

Many translators will find it impossible to represent these ideas in their languages in exactly the same way. For example, John intended to express the idea of the Christian being spiritually together with God when he said, “He who says he remains in God” (1 John 2:6). The UST says, “If we say that we are in union with God,” but translators will often have to find other expressions that communicate these ideas well.

In the passage, “the word of God remains in you” (1 John 2:13), the UST expresses this idea as, “you continue to obey what God commands.” Many translators will find it possible to use this translation as a model.

What are the major issues in the text of the Book of 1 John?

For the following verses, some modern versions of the Bible differ from older versions. The ULT text has the modern reading and puts the older reading in a footnote. If a translation of the Bible exists in the general region, translators should consider using the reading found in those versions. If not, translators are advised to follow the modern reading.

  • “And we are writing these things to you so that our joy may be complete” (1:4). Some older versions have, “And we are writing these things to you so that your joy may be complete.”
  • “And you all know the truth” (2:20). Other modern versions have, “And you all have knowledge.” Some older versions have, “and you know all things.”
  • “and this is what we are!” (3:1). The ULT, UST, and most modern versions read this way. Some older versions omit this phrase.
  • “and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God” (4:3). The ULT, UST, and most modern versions have this reading. Some older versions read, “and every spirit that does not acknowledge that Jesus has come in the flesh is not of God.”

For the following passage, translators are advised to translate this as the ULT does. However, if in the translators’ region, there are older versions of the Bible that include this passage, the translators can include it. If it is included, it should be put inside square brackets ([]) to indicate that it was probably not in the original version of 1 John.

  • “For there are three who bear witness: the Spirit, the water, and the blood. These three are in agreement.” (5:7-8) Some older versions have, “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three are as one.”

(See: Textual Variants)

1 John 1

1 John 01 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This is a letter that John wrote to Christians.

Special concepts in this chapter

Christians and sin

In this chapter John teaches that all Christians are still sinners. But God continues to forgive a Christian’s sins. (See: sin, sinful, sinner, sinning and faith and forgive, forgiven, forgiveness, pardon, pardoned)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Metaphors

In this chapter John writes that God is light. Light is a metaphor for understanding and righteousness. (See: Metaphor and righteous, righteousness, unrighteous, unrighteousness, upright, uprightness)

John also writes about people walking in the light or in the darkness. Walking is a metaphor for behaving or living. People who walk in the light understand what is righteous and do it. People who walk in the darkness may not understand what is righteous, and they do what is sinful.

1 John 1:1

The apostle John wrote this letter to believers. All instances of “you,” “your,” and “yours” include all believers and are plural. Here the words “we” and “us” refer to John and those who had been with Jesus. In verses 1-2 many pronouns like “that,” “which,” and “it” are used. They refer to “the Word of life” and “the eternal life.” But, since these are names for Jesus, you can use pronouns that refer to a person like “who,” “whom” or “he.” (See: Forms of You and Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’ and Pronouns)

ὃ…ἀκηκόαμεν

“which we have heard him teach”

ὃ ἑωράκαμεν…ὃ ἐθεασάμεθα

This is repeated for emphasis. Alternate translation: “which we ourselves have seen” (See: Parallelism)

τοῦ λόγου τῆς ζωῆς

“Jesus, the one who causes people to live forever”

ζωῆς

The word “life” throughout this letter refers to more than physical life. Here “life” refers to being alive spiritually. (See: Metonymy)

1 John 1:2

ἡ ζωὴ ἐφανερώθη

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God made the eternal life known to us” or “God made us able to know him, who is eternal life” (See: Active or Passive)

ἑωράκαμεν

“we have seen him”

μαρτυροῦμεν

“we solemnly tell others about him”

τὴν ζωὴν τὴν αἰώνιον

Here, “the eternal life” refers to the one who gives that life, Jesus. Alternate translation: “the one who enables us to live forever” (See: Metonymy)

ἥτις ἦν πρὸς τὸν Πατέρα

“who was with God the Father”

ἐφανερώθη ἡμῖν

This was when he lived on earth. Alternate translation: “he came to live among us” (See: Active or Passive)

1 John 1:3

Here the words “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to John and those who had been with Jesus. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

ὃ ἑωράκαμεν, καὶ ἀκηκόαμεν, ἀπαγγέλλομεν καὶ ὑμῖν

“We say to you also what we have seen and heard”

κοινωνίαν ἔχητε μεθ’ ἡμῶν…ἡ κοινωνία…ἡ ἡμετέρα μετὰ τοῦ Πατρὸς

“be our close friends. We are friends with God the Father”

ἡ κοινωνία…ἡ ἡμετέρα

It is not clear if John is including or excluding his readers. You may translate this either way.

Πατρὸς…Υἱοῦ

These are important titles that describe the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: Translating Son and Father)

1 John 1:4

ἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ἡμῶν ᾖ πεπληρωμένη

“to make our joy complete” or “to make ourselves completely happy”

1 John 1:5

Here the words “we” and “us” refer to all believers, including the people to whom John was writing. Unless otherwise stated, that is the meaning for the remainder of this book. (See: Inclusive and Exclusive “We”)

From here into the next chapter, John writes about fellowship—close relationships with God and other believers.

ὁ Θεὸς φῶς ἐστιν

This is a metaphor that means that God is perfectly pure and holy. Cultures that associate goodness with light may be able to keep the idea of light without explaining the metaphor. Alternate translation: “God is purely righteous like pure light” (See: Metonymy)

σκοτία ἐν αὐτῷ, οὐκ ἔστιν οὐδεμία

This is a metaphor that means that God never sins and is not evil in any way. Cultures that associate evil with darkness may be able to keep the idea of darkness without explaining the metaphor. Alternate translation: “in him there is nothing that is evil” (See: Metaphor)

1 John 1:6

ἐν τῷ σκότει περιπατῶμεν

Here “walk” is a metaphor for how a person lives or behaves. Here “darkness” is a metaphor for “evil.” Alternate translation: “do what is evil” (See: Metaphor)

1 John 1:7

ἐν τῷ φωτὶ περιπατῶμεν, ὡς αὐτός ἐστιν ἐν τῷ φωτί

Here “walk” is a metaphor for how a person lives or behaves. Here “light” is a metaphor for “good” or “right.” Alternate translation: “do what is good as God is perfectly good” or “do what is right as God is perfectly right” (See: Metaphor)

τὸ αἷμα Ἰησοῦ

This refers to the death of Jesus. (See: Metonymy)

Υἱοῦ

This is an important title for Jesus, the Son of God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

1 John 1:8

Here the words “he,” “him,” and “his” refer to God (1 John 1:5).

ἁμαρτίαν οὐκ ἔχομεν

“never sin”

πλανῶμεν

“are tricking” or “lying to”

ἡ ἀλήθεια οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἡμῖν

The truth is spoken of as if it were an object that could be inside believers. Alternate translation: “we do not believe what God says is true” (See: Metaphor)

1 John 1:9

ἵνα ἀφῇ ἡμῖν τὰς ἁμαρτίας, καὶ καθαρίσῃ ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης ἀδικίας

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. John uses them to emphasize that God will surely forgive our sins. Alternate translation: “and will completely forgive us of what we have done wrong” (See: Parallelism)

1 John 1:10

ψεύστην ποιοῦμεν αὐτὸν

It is implied that a person who claims to be without sin would be calling God a liar since he said that everyone is a sinner. Alternate translation: “it is the same as calling him a liar, because he said we have all sinned” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ὁ λόγος αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἡμῖν

“Word” here is a metonym for “message.” Obeying and honoring God’s word is spoken of as if his word were inside the believers. Alternate translation: “we do not understand God’s word nor obey what he says” (See: Metaphor and Metonymy)

1 John 2

1 John 02 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Antichrist

In this chapter John writes about both a specific antichrist and many antichrists. The word “antichrist” means “opposed to Christ.” The antichrist is a person who will come in the last days and imitate Jesus’ work, but he will do it for evil. Before this person comes, there will be many people who work against Christ; they too are called “antichrists.” (See: antichrist and last day, latter days and evil, wicked, unpleasant)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Metaphor

There are several groups of similar metaphors that are used throughout this chapter.

Being in God is a metaphor for having fellowship with God, and God’s word and truth being in people is a metaphor for people knowing and obeying God’s word.

Walking is a metaphor for behaving, not knowing where one is going is a metaphor for not knowing how to behave, and stumbling is a metaphor for sinning.

The light is a metaphor for knowing and doing what is right, and darkness and blindness are metaphors for not knowing what is right and doing what is wrong.

Leading people astray is a metaphor for teaching people things that are not true. (See: Metaphor)

1 John 2:1

Here the words “we” and “us” refer to John and all believers. The words “him” and “his” could refer to God the Father or to Jesus. (See: Inclusive and Exclusive “We”)

John continues to write about fellowship and shows that it is possible because Jesus goes between believers and the Father.

τεκνία

John was an elderly man and their leader. He used this expression to show his love for them. Alternate translation: “My dear children in Christ” or “You who are as dear to me as my own children” (See: Metaphor)

ταῦτα γράφω

“I am writing this letter”

καὶ ἐάν τις ἁμάρτῃ

“But when anyone sins.” This is something that is likely to happen.

Παράκλητον ἔχομεν πρὸς τὸν Πατέρα, Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν δίκαιον

The word “advocate” here refers to Jesus. Alternate translation: “we have Jesus Christ, the one who is righteous, who speaks to the Father and asks him to forgive us” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 John 2:2

αὐτὸς ἱλασμός ἐστιν περὶ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν

“God is no longer angry with us, because Jesus sacrificed his own life for our sins” or “Jesus is the one who sacrificed his life for our sins, so God is no longer angry with us for our sins”

1 John 2:3

γινώσκομεν ὅτι ἐγνώκαμεν αὐτόν

“We know that we know him” or “We know that we have a good relationship with him”

ἐὰν τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ τηρῶμεν

“if we obey what he commands”

1 John 2:4

ὁ λέγων

“Anyone who says” or “The person who says”

ἔγνωκα αὐτὸν

“I have a good relationship with God”

μὴ τηρῶν

“does not obey” or “disobeys”

τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ

“what God tells him to do”

ἐν τούτῳ ἡ ἀλήθεια οὐκ ἔστιν

The truth is spoken of as if it were an object that could be inside the believers. Alternate translation: “he does not believe what God says is true” (See: Metaphor)

1 John 2:5

τηρῇ αὐτοῦ τὸν λόγον

To keep someone’s word here is an idiom for to obey. Alternate translation: “does what God tells him to do” (See: Idiom)

ἀληθῶς ἐν τούτῳ ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ τετελείωται

This can be stated in active form. Possible meanings are (1) “the love of God” refers to a person loving God, and “perfected” represents completely or fully. Alternate translation: “it is that person who loves God completely” or (2) “the love of God” refers to God loving people, and “perfected” represents completing its purpose. Alternate translation: “God’s love has achieved its purpose in that person’s life” (See: Possession and Active or Passive)

ἐν τούτῳ γινώσκομεν ὅτι ἐν αὐτῷ ἐσμεν

The phrase “we are in him” means that the believer has fellowship with God. Alternate translation: “When we obey what God says, we can be certain that we have fellowship with him” or “By this we know that are joined to God” (See: Metaphor)

1 John 2:6

ἐν αὐτῷ μένειν

To remain in God means to continue to have fellowship with God. Alternate translation: “continues to have fellowship with God” or “stays joined to God” (See: Metaphor)

ὀφείλει καθὼς ἐκεῖνος περιεπάτησεν, καὶ αὐτὸς περιπατεῖν

Conducting one’s life is spoken of as if it were walking on a path. Alternate translation: “must live as he lived” or “should also obey God just as Jesus Christ did” (See: Metaphor)

1 John 2:7

John gives believers basic principles of fellowship—obedience and love.

ἀγαπητοί…γράφω

“You people whom I love, I am” or “Dear friends, I am writing”

οὐκ ἐντολὴν καινὴν γράφω ὑμῖν, ἀλλ’ ἐντολὴν παλαιὰν

“I write to you to love one other, which is not a new thing to do but an old commandment that you had heard.” John refers to Jesus’ command to love one another.

ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς

Here, “beginning” refers to when they decided to follow Christ. Alternate translation: “from when you first believed in Christ” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἡ ἐντολὴ ἡ παλαιά ἐστιν ὁ λόγος ὃν ἠκούσατε

““The old commandment is the message that you heard”

1 John 2:8

πάλιν ἐντολὴν καινὴν γράφω ὑμῖν

“But in one way the commandment I write to you is a new commandment”

ὅ ἐστιν ἀληθὲς ἐν αὐτῷ καὶ ἐν ὑμῖν

“which is true, as shown in Christ’s deeds and your deeds”

ἡ σκοτία παράγεται, καὶ τὸ φῶς τὸ ἀληθινὸν ἤδη φαίνει

Here “darkness” is a metaphor for “evil” and “light” is a metaphor for “good.” Alternate translation: “because you are ceasing to do evil and you are doing more and more good” (See: Metaphor)

1 John 2:9

Here the word “brother” refers to a fellow Christian.

ὁ λέγων

“Anyone who says” or “Someone who claims.” This does not refer to a specific person.

ἐν τῷ φωτὶ εἶναι

Here to be “in the light” is a metaphor for doing what is right. Alternate translation: “he does what is right” (See: Metaphor)

ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ ἐστὶν

Here to be “in the darkness” is a metaphor for doing what is evil. Alternate translation: “does what is evil” (See: Metaphor)

1 John 2:10

σκάνδαλον ἐν αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔστιν

“nothing will cause him to stumble.” The word “stumbling” is a metaphor that means to fail spiritually or morally. Alternate translation: “nothing will cause him to sin” or “he will not fail to do what is pleasing to God” (See: Metaphor)

1 John 2:11

ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ ἐστὶν, καὶ ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ περιπατεῖ

Here “walk” is a metaphor for how a person lives or behaves. Here to be “in the darkness” and “walks in the darkness” mean the same thing. This brings attention to how evil it is to hate a fellow believer. Alternate translation: “does what is evil” (See: Metaphor and Parallelism)

οὐκ οἶδεν ποῦ ὑπάγει

This is a metaphor for the believer who is not living as a Christian should be living. Alternate translation: “he does not know what he should do” (See: Metaphor)

ἡ σκοτία ἐτύφλωσεν τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ

“the darkness has made him unable to see.” Darkness is a metaphor for sin or evil. Alternate translation: “sin has made it impossible for him to understand the truth” (See: Metaphor)

1 John 2:12

John explains why he is writing his letter either to different age groups or to believers with differences in maturity. Try to use similar wording for these sentences, as they are written poetically.

ὑμῖν, τεκνία

John was an elderly man and their leader. He used this expression to show his love for them. See how you translated this in 1 John 2:1. Alternate translation: “you, my dear children in Christ” or “you who are as dear to me as my own children” (See: Metaphor)

ἀφέωνται ὑμῖν αἱ ἁμαρτίαι

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God forgives your sins” (See: Active or Passive)

διὰ τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ

“his name” refers to Christ and who he is. Alternate translation: “because of what Christ has done for you” (See: Metonymy)

1 John 2:13

γράφω ὑμῖν, πατέρες

The word “fathers” here is possibly a metaphor referring to mature believers. Alternate translation: “I am writing to you, mature believers” (See: Metaphor)

ἐγνώκατε

“you have a relationship with”

τὸν ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς

“the one who has always lived” or “the one who has always existed.” It refers either to “Jesus” or to “God the Father.”

νεανίσκοι

This possibly refers to those who are no longer new believers but are growing in spiritual maturity. Alternate translation: “young believers” (See: Metaphor)

νενικήκατε

The writer is speaking of the believers’ refusal to follow Satan and of their frustrating his plans as if it were a matter of conquering him. (See: Metaphor)

1 John 2:14

ἰσχυροί ἐστε

Here “strong” refers not to believers’ physical strength, but to their faithfulness to Christ. (See: Metaphor)

ὁ λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐν ὑμῖν μένει

“Word of God” here is a metonym for the message from God. The writer refers to the believers’ increased faithfulness to Christ and knowledge of him as if he were speaking of God’s word existing in them. Alternate translation: “God’s message continues to teach you” or “you know the word of God” (See: Metaphor and Metonymy)

1 John 2:15

μὴ ἀγαπᾶτε τὸν κόσμον, μηδὲ

In 2:15-17 the word “world” refers to all the things people want to do that do not honor God. Alternate translation: “Do not behave like the people in the world who do not honor God, and do not love” (See: Metonymy)

τὰ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ

“the things that those who dishonor God want”

ἐάν τις ἀγαπᾷ τὸν κόσμον, οὐκ ἔστιν ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ Πατρὸς ἐν αὐτῷ

A person cannot love this world and all that dishonors God and love the Father at the same time. (See: Metaphor)

οὐκ ἔστιν ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ Πατρὸς ἐν αὐτῷ

“he does not love the Father”

1 John 2:16

ἡ ἐπιθυμία τῆς σαρκὸς

“the strong desire to have sinful physical pleasure”

ἡ ἐπιθυμία τῆς σαρκὸς…ἡ ἐπιθυμία τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν

“the strong desire to have things that we see”

οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τοῦ Πατρός

“does not come from the Father” or “is not how the Father teaches us to live”

1 John 2:17

παράγεται

“pass away” or “will one day not be here”

1 John 2:18

John warns about those who are against Christ.

παιδία

“Immature Christians.” See how you translated this in 1 John 2:1.

ἐσχάτη ὥρα ἐστίν

The phrase “the last hour” refers to the time just before Jesus returns. Alternate translation: “Jesus will return soon” (See: Metonymy)

ἀντίχριστοι πολλοὶ γεγόνασιν

“there are many people who are against Christ”

γεγόνασιν, ὅθεν γινώσκομεν

“have come, and because of this we know” or “have come, and because many antichrists have come, we know”

1 John 2:19

ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐξῆλθαν

“They left us”

ἀλλ’ οὐκ ἦσαν ἐξ ἡμῶν

“but they did not really belong to us anyway” or “but they were not really part of our group in the first place.” The reason they were not really part of the group is that they were not believers in Jesus.

εἰ γὰρ ἐξ ἡμῶν ἦσαν, μεμενήκεισαν ἂν μεθ’ ἡμῶν

“We know this because they would not have left us if they really had been believers”

1 John 2:20

In the Old Testament the word “anointing” referred to pouring oil on a person to set him apart to serve God.

καὶ ὑμεῖς χρῖσμα ἔχετε ἀπὸ τοῦ Ἁγίου

John speaks of the Holy Spirit as if he were “an anointing” that the people have received from Jesus. The abstract noun “anointing” can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “But the Holy One has anointed you” or “But Jesus Christ, the Holy One, has given you his Spirit” (See: Metaphor and Abstract Nouns)

τοῦ Ἁγίου

This refers to Jesus. Alternate translation: “Jesus, the Holy One” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 John 2:21

τὴν ἀλήθειαν…πᾶν ψεῦδος ἐκ τῆς ἀληθείας οὐκ ἔστιν

The abstract noun “truth” can be translated as an adjective. Alternate translation: “what is true…no lie comes from what is true” (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 John 2:22

τίς ἐστιν ὁ ψεύστης, εἰ μὴ ὁ ἀρνούμενος ὅτι Ἰησοῦς οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ Χριστός

“Who is the liar? Anyone who denies that Jesus is the Christ.” John used a question to emphasize who liars are. (See: Rhetorical Question)

ἀρνούμενος ὅτι Ἰησοῦς οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ Χριστός

“refuses to say that Jesus is the Christ” or “says that Jesus is not the Messiah”

ὁ ἀρνούμενος τὸν Πατέρα καὶ τὸν Υἱόν

“refuses to say the truth about the Father and the Son” or “rejects the Father and the Son.”

Πατέρα…Υἱόν

These are important titles that describe the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: Translating Son and Father)

1 John 2:23

ὁ ὁμολογῶν τὸν Υἱὸν

“speaks the truth about the Son”

τὸν Πατέρα ἔχει

“belongs to the Father”

1 John 2:24

Here the word “you” is plural and refers to the people to whom John wrote as well as all believers. The word “he” is emphatic and refers to Christ. (See: Forms of You)

John reminds believers to continue in what they have first heard.

ὑμεῖς

This marks John’s telling them how they should live as followers of Jesus instead of how those against Christ live.

ὃ ἠκούσατε ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς, ἐν ὑμῖν μενέτω

“remember and believe what you have heard from the beginning.” How they heard it, what they heard, and what “the beginning” means can be made explicit: Alternate translation: “continue to trust what we have taught you about Jesus just as you have trusted since you first became believers” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ὃ ἠκούσατε ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς

“what we taught you about Jesus when you first became believers”

ἐὰν ἐν ὑμῖν μείνῃ ὃ ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς ἠκούσατε

The word “remains” is talking about relationship, not salvation. Alternate translation: “If you continue to trust what we first taught you”

καὶ…ἐν τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ ἐν τῷ Πατρὶ μενεῖτε

To “remain in” means to continue to have fellowship with. See how translated a similar phrase to “remain in” in 1 John 2:6. Alternate translation: “also continue to have fellowship with Son and with the Father” or “also stay joined to the Son and to the Father” (See: Metaphor)

1 John 2:25

αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ ἐπαγγελία ἣν αὐτὸς ἐπηγγείλατο ἡμῖν– τὴν ζωὴν τὴν αἰώνιον

“This is what he promised to give us—eternal life” or “He has promised to cause us to live forever”

τὴν ζωὴν

The word “life” throughout this letter refers to more than physical life. Here “life” refers to being alive spiritually. See how you translated this in 1 John 1:1. (See: Metonymy)

1 John 2:26

τῶν πλανώντων ὑμᾶς

Here “lead you astray” is a metaphor for persuading someone to believe something that is not true. Alternate translation: “those who want to deceive you” or “those who want to make you believe lies about Jesus Christ” (See: Metaphor)

1 John 2:27

Starting in verse 29, John introduces the idea of being born into God’s family. The previous verses show that believers continue to sin; this part shows that believers also have the new nature, which cannot sin. It continues to show how believers can recognize each other.

ὑμεῖς

This marks John’s telling them something else about how they should live as followers of Jesus instead of following those who are against Christ.

τὸ χρῖσμα

This refers to “God’s Spirit.” See the note about “anointing” in 1 John 2:20.

ὡς τὸ αὐτοῦ χρῖσμα διδάσκει ὑμᾶς περὶ πάντων

Here the word “everything” is a generalization. Alternate translation: “because his anointing teaches you everything that you need to know” (See: Hyperbole)

μένετε ἐν αὐτῷ

To remain in someone means to continue to have fellowship with him. See how you translated “remains in God” in 1 John 2:6. Alternate translation: “continue to have fellowship with him” or “stay joined with him” (See: Metaphor)

1 John 2:28

νῦν

This word is used here to mark a new part of the letter.

τεκνία

John was an elderly man and their leader. He used this expression to show his love for them. See how you translated this in 1 John 2:1. Alternate translation: “my dear children in Christ” or “you who are as dear to me as my own children” (See: Metaphor)

φανερωθῇ

“we see him”

παρρησίαν

having no fear

μὴ αἰσχυνθῶμεν ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ

“not be ashamed in his presence”

ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ αὐτοῦ

“when he comes again”

1 John 2:29

ἐξ αὐτοῦ γεγέννηται

“has been born of God” or “is God’s child”

1 John 3

1 John 03 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Children of God

God created all people, but people can only become children of God by believing in Jesus. (See: believe, believer, belief, unbeliever, unbelief)

Cain

Cain was a son of the first man, Adam, and the first woman, Eve. He was jealous of his brother and murdered him. Readers may not know who Cain was if they have not read Genesis. It may help them if you explain this to them.

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

“To know”

The verb “to know” is used in two different ways in this chapter. Sometimes it is used about knowing a fact, as in 3:2, 3:5, and 3:19. Sometimes it means to experience and understand someone or something, as in 3:1, 3:6, 3:16, and 3:20. Some languages have different words for these different meanings.

“He who keeps God’s commandments remains in him, and God remains in him”

Many scholars believe this is about remaining in God’s will and is not about being saved. (See: eternity, everlasting, eternal, forever and save, saved, safe, salvation)

1 John 3:1

In this part John tells the believers about their new nature, which cannot sin.

ἴδετε ποταπὴν ἀγάπην δέδωκεν ἡμῖν ὁ Πατὴρ

“Think about how our Father loves us so much”

τέκνα Θεοῦ κληθῶμεν

“the Father called us his children”

τέκνα Θεοῦ

Here this means people who belong to God through faith in Jesus.

διὰ τοῦτο, ὁ κόσμος οὐ γινώσκει ἡμᾶς, ὅτι οὐκ ἔγνω αὐτόν

Possible meanings are (1) “Because we are the children of God and because the world did not know God, it does not know us” or (2) “Because the world did not know God, it does not know us.”

ὁ κόσμος οὐ γινώσκει ἡμᾶς, ὅτι οὐκ ἔγνω αὐτόν

Here “the world” refers to people who do not honor God. What the world did not know can be made explicit: Alternate translation: “those who do not honor God do not know that we belong to God, because they did not know God” (See: Metonymy and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 John 3:2

ἀγαπητοί…ἐσμεν

“You people whom I love, we are” or “Dear friends, we are.” See how you translated this in 1 John 2:7.

οὔπω ἐφανερώθη

This can be stated in active form: Alternate translation: “God has not yet revealed” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐφανερώθη

This can mean here either “told,” “demonstrated,” or “shown.”

1 John 3:3

πᾶς ὁ ἔχων τὴν ἐλπίδα ταύτην ἐπ’ αὐτῷ, ἁγνίζει ἑαυτὸν, καθὼς ἐκεῖνος ἁγνός ἐστιν

“Everyone who confidently expects to see Christ as he really is will keep himself pure because Christ is pure”

1 John 3:5

ἐκεῖνος ἐφανερώθη

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Christ appeared” or “the Father revealed Christ” (See: Active or Passive)

1 John 3:6

ὁ ἐν αὐτῷ μένων

To remain in someone means to continue to have fellowship with him. See how you translated “remains in God” in 1 John 2:6. Alternate translation: “continues to have fellowship with him” or “stays joined with him” (See: Metaphor)

πᾶς ὁ ἁμαρτάνων οὐχ ἑώρακεν αὐτὸν, οὐδὲ ἔγνωκεν αὐτόν

John uses the words “seen” and “known” to say that the person who sins has never met Christ in a spiritual sense. A person behaving according to his sinful nature cannot know Christ. Alternate translation: “No one…has ever truly believed in him” (See: Doublet)

1 John 3:7

τεκνία

John was an elderly man and their leader. He used this expression to show his love for them. See how you translated this in 1 John 2:1. Alternate translation: “My dear children in Christ” or “You who are as dear to me as my own children” (See: Metaphor)

μηδεὶς πλανάτω ὑμᾶς

Here “lead you astray” is a metaphor for persuading someone to believe something that is not true. Alternate translation: “do not let anyone fool you” or “do not let anyone deceive you” (See: Metaphor)

ὁ ποιῶν τὴν δικαιοσύνην, δίκαιός ἐστιν, καθὼς ἐκεῖνος δίκαιός ἐστιν

“He who does what is right is pleasing to God just as Christ is pleasing to God.”

1 John 3:8

ἐκ τοῦ διαβόλου ἐστίν

“belongs to the devil” or “is like the devil”

ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς

This refers to the very earliest time of creation before humans first sinned. Alternate translation: “since the earliest time of creation” (See: Metonymy)

ἐφανερώθη ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God revealed his Son” (See: Active or Passive)

Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ

This is an important title for Jesus that describes his relationship to God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

1 John 3:9

For now John ends this section on the new birth and the new nature which cannot sin.

πᾶς ὁ γεγεννημένος ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Whoever God has made his child” (See: Active or Passive)

σπέρμα αὐτοῦ

This speaks of the Holy Spirit, whom God gives to believers and who makes them able to resist sin and do what pleases God as if he were a physical seed that is planted in the earth and grows. This is sometimes referred to as the new nature. Alternate translation: “the Holy Spirit” (See: Metaphor)

ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ γεγέννηται

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God has given him new spiritual life” or “he is a child of God” (See: Active or Passive)

1 John 3:10

ἐν τούτῳ φανερά ἐστιν τὰ τέκνα τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ τὰ τέκνα τοῦ διαβόλου

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “This is how we know the children of God and the children of the devil” (See: Active or Passive)

πᾶς ὁ μὴ ποιῶν δικαιοσύνην, οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ὁ μὴ ἀγαπῶν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ

The words “from God” are understood in the second part of the sentence. This can also be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “whoever does not do what is righteous is not from God; whoever does not love his brother is also not from God” or “those who do what is righteous are from God, and those who love their brothers are from God” (See: Double Negatives and Ellipsis)

τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ

Here “brother” means fellow Christians.

1 John 3:11

Cain and Abel were the first sons of Adam and Eve, the first man and woman.

Here John teaches believers how they can recognize each other by the way they live; he teaches his readers to love each other.

1 John 3:12

οὐ καθὼς Κάϊν

“We should not do as Cain did”

τὸν ἀδελφὸν

This refers to Cain’s younger brother Abel.

τίνος ἔσφαξεν αὐτόν? ὅτι

John uses a question to teach his audience. This can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “He killed him because” (See: Rhetorical Question)

τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ πονηρὰ ἦν, τὰ δὲ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ, δίκαια

The words “works were” are also understood in the second phrase. Alternate translation: “Cain’s works were evil and his brother’s works were righteous” or “Cain did evil things and his brother did what was right” (See: Ellipsis)

1 John 3:13

ἀδελφοί

“my fellow believers.” John’s readers were both male and female.

εἰ μισεῖ ὑμᾶς ὁ κόσμος

Here the word “world” refers to the people who do not honor God. Alternate translation: “if those who do not honor God hate you who do honor God” (See: Metonymy)

1 John 3:14

μεταβεβήκαμεν ἐκ τοῦ θανάτου εἰς τὴν ζωήν

The conditions of living and of being dead are spoken of as if they were physical locations from which a person could leave and go to. The abstract nouns “life” and “death” can be translated with verbal phrases. Alternate translation: “we are no longer spiritually dead but are spiritually alive” (See: Metaphor and Abstract Nouns)

τὴν ζωήν

The word “life” throughout this letter refers to more than physical life. Here “life” refers to being alive spiritually. See how you translated this in 1 John 1:1. (See: Metonymy)

μένει ἐν τῷ θανάτῳ

“is still spiritually dead”

1 John 3:15

πᾶς ὁ μισῶν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ, ἀνθρωποκτόνος ἐστίν

John speaks of a person who hates another believer as if he were a murderer. Since people commit murder because they hate other people, God considers anyone who hates to be as guilty as someone who kills a person. Alternate translation: “Whoever hates another believer is as guilty as someone who kills a person” (See: Metaphor)

πᾶς ἀνθρωποκτόνος οὐκ ἔχει ζωὴν αἰώνιον ἐν αὐτῷ μένουσαν

“Eternal life” is something God gives believers after they die, but it is also the power God gives believers in this life to help them to stop sinning and to do what please him. Here eternal life is spoken of as if it were a person that could live in someone. Alternate translation: “a murderer does not have the power of spiritual life” (See: Personification)

1 John 3:16

ὅτι ἐκεῖνος ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἔθηκεν

This expression means “Christ willingly gave his life for us” or “Christ willingly died for us” (See: Idiom)

1 John 3:17

τὸν βίον τοῦ κόσμου

material possessions like money, food, or clothing

θεωρῇ τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ χρείαν ἔχοντα

“realizes a fellow believer needs help”

κλείσῃ τὰ σπλάγχνα αὐτοῦ ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ

Here “heart” is a metonym for “thoughts” or “emotions.” Here “shuts up his heart of compassion” is a metaphor for no longer showing someone compassion. Alternate translation: “does not show him compassion” or “does not willingly help him” (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

πῶς ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ μένει ἐν αὐτῷ

John uses a question to teach his audience. Alternate translation: “God’s love is not in him” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 John 3:18

τεκνία

John was an elderly man and their leader. He used this expression to show his love for them. See how you translated this in 1 John 2:1. Alternate translation: “My dear children in Christ” or “You who are as dear to me as my own children” (See: Metaphor)

μὴ ἀγαπῶμεν λόγῳ, μηδὲ τῇ γλώσσῃ, ἀλλὰ ἐν ἔργῳ καὶ ἀληθείᾳ

The phrases “in word” and “in tongue” both refer to what a person says. The word “love” is understood in the second part of the sentence. Alternate translation: “do not just say that you love people, but show that you truly love people by helping them” (See: Doublet and Metonymy and Ellipsis)

1 John 3:19

Here John probably means that believers’ ability to love God and each other sincerely (1 John 3:18) is a sign that their new life has indeed originated from the truth about Christ.

ἐκ τῆς ἀληθείας ἐσμέν

“we belong to the truth” or Alternate translation: “we are living according the way Jesus taught us”

πείσομεν τὰς καρδίας ἡμῶν

The word “heart” here refers to feelings. Alternate translation: “we do not feel guilty” (See: Metonymy)

1 John 3:20

ἐὰν καταγινώσκῃ ἡμῶν ἡ καρδία

Here “hearts” is a metonym for people’s thoughts or consciences. Here “hearts condemn us” is a metaphor for feeling guilty. Alternate translation: “if we know that we have sinned and as a result feel guilty” (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

μείζων ἐστὶν ὁ Θεὸς τῆς καρδίας ἡμῶν

Here “hearts” is metonym for people’s thoughts or consciences. For God to be “greater than our hearts” means that God knows more than a person. Therefore he can judge things better than a person can. The effect of this truth is probably that God is more merciful than our consciences would suppose. Alternate translation: “God knows more than we do” (See: Metonymy)

1 John 3:21

ἀγαπητοί, ἐὰν

“You people whom I love, if” or “Dear friends, if.” See how you translated this in 1 John 2:7.

1 John 3:22

τὰ ἀρεστὰ ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ ποιοῦμεν

God’s opinion is spoken of as if it depends on what he sees happen in front of himself. Alternate translation: “we do what pleases him” (See: Metaphor)

1 John 3:23

αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ ἐντολὴ αὐτοῦ, ἵνα πιστεύσωμεν…καθὼς ἔδωκεν ἐντολὴν ἡμῖν

The abstract noun “commandment” can be stated as “command.” Alternate translation: “This is what God commands us to do: Believe…just as he commanded us to do” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τοῦ Υἱοῦ

This is an important title for Jesus, the Son of God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

1 John 3:24

ἐν αὐτῷ μένει, καὶ αὐτὸς ἐν αὐτῷ

To remain in someone means to continue to have fellowship with him. See how you translated “remains in God” in 1 John 2:6. Alternate translation: “continues to have fellowship with him, and God continues to have fellowship with him” or “stays joined with him, and God stays joined with him” (See: Metaphor)

1 John 4

1 John 04 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Spirit

This word “spirit” is used in different ways in this chapter. Sometimes the word “spirit” refers to spiritual beings. Sometimes it refers to the character of something. For example “the spirit of the antichrist,” “the spirit of truth,” and “the spirit of error” refer to what is typical of the antichrist, truth, and error. “The Spirit” (written with a capital “S”) and “the Spirit of God” refer to God. (See: antichrist)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Loving God

If people love God, they should show it in the way they live and the way they treat other people. Doing this may assure us that God has saved us and that we belong to him, but loving others does not save us. (See: save, saved, safe, salvation)

1 John 4:1

John gives a warning against false teachers who teach against Christ’s having had a human body and teachers who talk the way those who love the world talk.

ἀγαπητοί, μὴ…πιστεύετε

“You people whom I love, do not believe” or “Dear friends, do not believe.” See how you translated this in 1 John 2:7.

μὴ παντὶ πνεύματι πιστεύετε

Here, the word “spirit” refers to a spiritual power or being that gives a person a message or prophecy. Alternate translation: “do not trust every prophet who claims to have a message from a spirit” (See: Metonymy)

δοκιμάζετε τὰ πνεύματα

Here, the word “spirits” refers to a spiritual power or being that gives a person a message or prophecy. Alternate translation: “think carefully about what the prophet says” (See: Metonymy)

1 John 4:2

ἐν σαρκὶ ἐληλυθότα

Here “flesh” represents the human body. Alternate translation: “has come as a human being” or “has come in a physical body” (See: Synecdoche)

1 John 4:3

τοῦτό ἐστιν τὸ τοῦ ἀντιχρίστου, ὃ ἀκηκόατε ὅτι ἔρχεται, καὶ νῦν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ ἐστὶν ἤδη

“These are prophets opposed to Christ, whom you have heard are coming, and now are already in the world”

1 John 4:4

τεκνία

John was an elderly man and their leader. He used this expression to show his love for them. See how you translated this in 1 John 2:1. Alternate translation: “my dear children in Christ” or “you who are as dear to me as my own children” (See: Metaphor)

νενικήκατε αὐτούς

“have not believed the false teachers”

ἐστὶν ὁ ἐν ὑμῖν

“God, who is in you, is”

ὁ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ

Two possible meanings are (1) this refers to Satan. Alternate translation: “Satan, who is in the world” or “Satan, who works through those who do not obey God” or (2) this refers to worldly teachers. Alternate translation: “worldly teachers” (See: Metonymy)

1 John 4:5

αὐτοὶ ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου εἰσίν

The words “are from” are a metaphor for “receive their power and authority.” “The world” is a metonym ultimately for “the one who is in the world,” Satan, though it is also a metonym for sinful people who gladly listen to them and so also give them authority. (See: Metonymy)

διὰ τοῦτο ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου λαλοῦσιν

“The world” here is a metonym ultimately for “the one who is in the world,” Satan, though it is also a metonym for sinful people who gladly listen to them and so also give them authority. Alternate translation: “therefore they teach what they have learned from sinful people” (See: Metonymy)

καὶ ὁ κόσμος αὐτῶν ἀκούει

The words “the world” are a metonym for people who do not obey God. Alternate translation: “so the people who do not obey God listen to them” (See: Metonymy)

1 John 4:7

John continues to teach about the new nature. He teaches his readers about God’s love and loving one another.

ἀγαπητοί, ἀγαπῶμεν

“You people whom I love, let us love” or “Dear friends, let us love.” See how you translated “Beloved” in 1 John 2:7.

ἀγαπῶμεν ἀλλήλους

“believers are to love other believers”

καὶ πᾶς ὁ ἀγαπῶν, ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ γεγέννηται, καὶ γινώσκει τὸν Θεόν

“and because those who love their fellow believers have become God’s children and know him”

ὅτι ἡ ἀγάπη ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐστιν

“because God causes us to love each other”

ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ γεγέννηται

This is a metaphor which means someone has a relationship to God like a child to his father. (See: Metaphor)

1 John 4:8

ὁ μὴ ἀγαπῶν, οὐκ ἔγνω τὸν Θεόν, ὅτι ὁ Θεὸς ἀγάπη ἐστίν

The phrase “God is love” a metaphor which means “the character of God is love.” Alternate translation: “Those who do not love their fellow believers do not know God because the character of God is to love people” (See: Metaphor)

1 John 4:9

ἐν τούτῳ…ἐν ἡμῖν, ὅτι τὸν Υἱὸν αὐτοῦ, τὸν μονογενῆ, ἀπέσταλκεν ὁ Θεὸς

“Because of this…among us: God has sent his only Son.” The phrase “Because of this” refers to the phrase “that God has sent his only Son.”

ἐφανερώθη ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐν ἡμῖν

The noun “love” can be translated as a verb. This phrase can be made active. Alternate translation: “God showed that he loves us” (See: Abstract Nouns and Active or Passive)

ἵνα ζήσωμεν δι’ αὐτοῦ

“to enable us to live eternally because of what Jesus did”

1 John 4:10

ἐν τούτῳ ἐστὶν ἡ ἀγάπη

“God showed us what real love is”

ἀπέστειλεν τὸν Υἱὸν αὐτοῦ, ἱλασμὸν περὶ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν

Here “propitiation” refers to Jesus’ death on the cross appeasing God’s wrath against sin. The word can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “he sent his Son to be the sacrifice that appeased his wrath against our sins” (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 John 4:11

ἀγαπητοί, εἰ

“You people whom I love, if” or “Dear friends, if.” See how you translated this in 1 John 2:7.

εἰ οὕτως ὁ Θεὸς ἠγάπησεν ἡμᾶς

“since God loved us in this way”

καὶ ἡμεῖς ὀφείλομεν ἀλλήλους ἀγαπᾶν

“believers are to love other believers”

1 John 4:12

ὁ Θεὸς ἐν ἡμῖν μένει

To remain in someone means to continue to have fellowship with him. See how you translated “remains in God” in 1 John 2:6. Alternate translation: “God continues to have fellowship with us” or “God stays joined to us” (See: Metaphor)

ἡ ἀγάπη αὐτοῦ τετελειωμένη ἐν ἡμῖν ἐστιν

“God’s love is complete in us”

1 John 4:13

ἐν αὐτῷ μένομεν, καὶ αὐτὸς ἐν ἡμῖν

To remain in someone means to continue to have fellowship with him. See how you translated “remains in God” in 1 John 2:6. Alternate translation: “we continue to have fellowship with God and he continues to have fellowship with us” or “we stay joined to God and he stays joined to us” (See: Metaphor)

καὶ αὐτὸς ἐν ἡμῖν

The word “remains” is understood from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “and he remains in us” (See: Ellipsis)

ἐν τούτῳ γινώσκομεν…ἡμῖν, ὅτι…δέδωκεν

Your translation may be clearer if you omit either “by this” or “because.” Alternate translation: “We know…us because he gave” or “By this we know…us: he gave”

ὅτι ἐκ τοῦ Πνεύματος αὐτοῦ δέδωκεν ἡμῖν

“because he gave us his Spirit” or “because he has put his Holy Spirit in us.” This phrase, however, does not imply that God has less of his Spirit after he has given us some.

1 John 4:14

καὶ ἡμεῖς τεθεάμεθα καὶ μαρτυροῦμεν, ὅτι ὁ Πατὴρ ἀπέσταλκεν τὸν Υἱὸν, Σωτῆρα τοῦ κόσμου

“And we apostles have seen the Son of God and tell everyone that God the Father has sent his Son to save people on this earth”

Πατὴρ…Υἱὸν

These are important titles that describe the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: Translating Son and Father)

1 John 4:15

ὃς ἐὰν ὁμολογήσῃ ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ

“Anyone who says the truth about Jesus, that he is the Son of God”

Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ

This is an important title for Jesus that describes his relationship to God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

τοῦ Θεοῦ, ὁ Θεὸς ἐν αὐτῷ μένει, καὶ αὐτὸς ἐν τῷ Θεῷ

To remain in someone means to continue to have fellowship with him. See how you translated “remains in God” in 1 John 2:6. Alternate translation: “God continues to have fellowship with him and he continues to have fellowship with God” or “God stays joined to him and he stays joined to God (See: Metaphor)

καὶ αὐτὸς ἐν τῷ Θεῷ

The word “remains” is understood from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “and he remains in God” (See: Ellipsis)

1 John 4:16

ὁ Θεὸς ἀγάπη ἐστίν

This is a metaphor which means “the character of God is love.” See how you translated this in 1 John 4:8. (See: Metaphor)

ὁ μένων ἐν τῇ ἀγάπῃ

“those who continue to love others”

ἐν τῷ Θεῷ μένει, καὶ ὁ Θεὸς ἐν αὐτῷ μένει

To remain in someone means to continue to have fellowship with him. See how you translated “remains in God” in 1 John 2:6. Alternate translation: “continues to have fellowship with God, and God continues to have fellowship with him” or “stays joined with God, and God stays joined with him” (See: Metaphor)

1 John 4:17

ἐν τούτῳ τετελείωται ἡ ἀγάπη μεθ’ ἡμῶν, ἵνα παρρησίαν ἔχωμεν

This can be stated in active form. Possible meanings are (1) “Because of this” refers back to 1 John 4:16. Alternate translation: “Because whoever lives in love is in God and God is in him, God has made his love for us complete, and so we may have complete confidence” or (2) “Because of this” refers to “we may have confidence.” Alternate translation: “We are confident that God will accept us on the day he judges everyone, so we know he has made his love for us complete” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐν τούτῳ τετελείωται ἡ ἀγάπη μεθ’ ἡμῶν

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God has made his love for us complete” (See: Active or Passive)

ὅτι καθὼς ἐκεῖνός ἐστιν, καὶ ἡμεῖς ἐσμεν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ τούτῳ

“because the relationship that Jesus has with God is the same relationship we have with God in this world”

1 John 4:18

ἀλλ’ ἡ τελεία ἀγάπη ἔξω βάλλει τὸν φόβον

Here “love” is described as a person with the power to remove fear. God’s love is perfect. Alternate translation: “But when our love is complete, we are no longer afraid” (See: Personification)

ὅτι ὁ φόβος κόλασιν ἔχει

“because we would be afraid only if we thought that he would punish us”

ὁ δὲ φοβούμενος, οὐ τετελείωται ἐν τῇ ἀγάπῃ

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “But when a person is afraid that God will punish him, his love is not complete” (See: Active or Passive)

1 John 4:20

τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ μισῇ

“hates a fellow believer”

ὁ…μὴ ἀγαπῶν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ, ὃν ἑώρακεν, τὸν Θεὸν, ὃν οὐχ ἑώρακεν, οὐ δύναται ἀγαπᾶν

If two negative statements in a row are confusing, this can be translated differently. Alternate translation: “the one who hates his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen” (See: Double Negatives)

1 John 5

1 John 05 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Children born from God

When people believe in Jesus, God makes them his children and gives them eternal life. (See: believe, believer, belief, unbeliever, unbelief)

Christian living

People who believe in Jesus should obey God’s commands and love his children.

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Death

When John writes about death in this chapter, he refers to physical death. (See: die, dead, deadly, death)

“the whole world lies in the power of the evil one”

The phrase “the evil one” refers to Satan. God has allowed him to rule the world, but ultimately God is in control over everything. God keeps his children safe from the evil one. (See: Satan, devil, evil one)

1 John 5:1

John continues to teach his readers about God’s love and the love believers are to have because they have this new nature from God.

ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ γεγέννηται

“is a child of God”

1 John 5:2

ἐν τούτῳ γινώσκομεν ὅτι ἀγαπῶμεν τὰ τέκνα τοῦ Θεοῦ: ὅταν τὸν Θεὸν ἀγαπῶμεν, καὶ τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ τηρῶμεν

“When we love God and do what he commands, then we know that we love his children”

1 John 5:3

αὕτη γάρ ἐστιν ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἵνα τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ τηρῶμεν

“Because when we do what he commands, that is true love for God”

αἱ ἐντολαὶ αὐτοῦ βαρεῖαι οὐκ εἰσίν

“what he commands is not difficult”

βαρεῖαι

“heavy” or “crushing” or “difficult”

1 John 5:4

πᾶν τὸ γεγεννημένον ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ, νικᾷ

“all children of God overcome”

νικᾷ τὸν κόσμον

“has victory over the world,” “succeeds against the world,” or “refuses to do the evil things unbelievers do”

τὸν κόσμον

This passage uses “the world” to refer to all the sinful people and the evil systems in the world. Alternate translation: “everything in the world that is against God” (See: Metonymy)

καὶ αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ νίκη ἡ νικήσασα τὸν κόσμον– ἡ πίστις ἡμῶν

“And this is what gives us the power to resist whatever would lead us to sin against God: our faith” or “And it is our faith that gives us the power to resist whatever would lead us to sin against God”

1 John 5:5

τίς ἐστιν…ὁ νικῶν τὸν κόσμον

John used this question to introduce something he wanted to teach. Alternate translation: “I will tell you who overcomes the world:” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ὁ πιστεύων ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ

This does not refer to a specific person but to anyone who believes this. Alternate translation: “Anyone who believes that Jesus is the Son of God”

Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ

This is an important title for Jesus that describes his relationship to God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

1 John 5:6

John teaches about Jesus Christ and what God said about him.

οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ ἐλθὼν δι’ ὕδατος καὶ αἵματος, Ἰησοῦς Χριστός

“Jesus Christ is the one who came by water and blood.” Here “water” is probably a metonym for the baptism of Jesus, and “blood” stands for Jesus’ death on the cross. Alternate translation: “God showed that Jesus Christ is his son at Jesus’ baptism and his death on the cross” (See: Metonymy)

οὐκ ἐν τῷ ὕδατι μόνον, ἀλλ’ ἐν τῷ ὕδατι καὶ ἐν τῷ αἵματι

Here “water” is probably a metonym for the baptism of Jesus, and “blood” stands for Jesus’ death on the cross. Alternate translation: “God did not show us Jesus was his son just through his baptism, but through his baptism and his death on the cross” (See: Metonymy)

1 John 5:9

εἰ τὴν μαρτυρίαν τῶν ἀνθρώπων λαμβάνομεν, ἡ μαρτυρία τοῦ Θεοῦ μείζων ἐστίν

The translator can state more clearly the implied reason about why we should believe what God says: Alternate translation: “If we believe what people say, then we should believe what God says because he always tells the truth” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

τὴν μαρτυρίαν τῶν ἀνθρώπων λαμβάνομεν

The idiom to “receive the witness” means to believe what another person testifies concerning something that he has seen. The abstract noun “witness” can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “believe what men testify” or “believe what men say about what they have seen” (See: Idiom and Abstract Nouns)

ἡ μαρτυρία τοῦ Θεοῦ μείζων ἐστίν

the witness of God is more important and more reliable

τοῦ Υἱοῦ

This is an important title for Jesus, the Son of God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

1 John 5:10

ὁ πιστεύων εἰς τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἔχει τὴν μαρτυρίαν ἐν αὑτῷ

“Whoever believes in Jesus knows for sure Jesus is the Son of God”

ψεύστην πεποίηκεν αὐτόν

“has called God a liar”

ὅτι οὐ πεπίστευκεν εἰς τὴν μαρτυρίαν ἣν μεμαρτύρηκεν ὁ Θεὸς περὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ

“because he has not believed that God has told the truth about his Son”

1 John 5:11

καὶ αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ μαρτυρία

“This is what God says”

ζωὴν

The word “life” throughout this letter refers to more than physical life. Here “life” refers to being alive spiritually. See how you translated this in 1 John 1:1. (See: Abstract Nouns)

αὕτη ἡ ζωὴ ἐν τῷ Υἱῷ αὐτοῦ ἐστιν

“this life is through his Son” or “we will live forever if we are joined with his Son” or “we will live forever if we are united with his Son”

τῷ Υἱῷ

This is an important title for Jesus, the Son of God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

1 John 5:12

ὁ ἔχων τὸν Υἱὸν, ἔχει τὴν ζωήν; ὁ μὴ ἔχων τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ, τὴν ζωὴν οὐκ ἔχει

Being in a close relationship to the Son is spoken of as having the Son. Alternate translation: “He who believes in the Son of God has eternal life. He who does not believe in the Son of God does not have eternal life” (See: Metaphor)

1 John 5:13

This begins the end of John’s letter. He tells his readers the last purpose for his letter and gives them some final teachings.

ταῦτα

“this letter”

τοῖς πιστεύουσιν εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Υἱοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ

Here “name” is a metonym for the Son of God. Alternate translation: “to you who trust in the Son of God” (See: Metonymy)

τοῦ Υἱοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ

This is an important title for Jesus that describes his relationship to God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

1 John 5:14

αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ παρρησία ἣν ἔχομεν πρὸς αὐτόν: ὅτι

The abstract noun “confidence” can be stated as “confident.” Alternate translation: “we are confident in God’s presence because we know that” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἐάν τι αἰτώμεθα κατὰ τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ

“if we ask for the things that God desires”

1 John 5:15

οἴδαμεν ὅτι ἔχομεν τὰ αἰτήματα ἃ ᾐτήκαμεν ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ

“we know that we will receive that for which we have asked God”

1 John 5:16

τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ

“fellow believer”

ζωήν

The word “life” throughout this letter refers to more than physical life. Here “life” refers to being alive spiritually. See how you translated this in 1 John 1:1. (See: Abstract Nouns)

θάνατον

This refers to eternal death, that is, eternity spent away from God’s presence.

1 John 5:18

John closes his letter, reviewing what he has said about the new nature of believers, which cannot sin, and he reminds them to keep themselves from idols.

ὁ πονηρὸς οὐχ ἅπτεται αὐτοῦ

The phrase “the evil one” refers to Satan, the devil.

1 John 5:19

ὁ κόσμος ὅλος ἐν τῷ πονηρῷ κεῖται

Lying in someone’s power represents being controlled or ruled by him. Alternate translation: “the whole world is controlled by the evil one” (See: Metaphor)

ὁ κόσμος ὅλος

Here “world” is a way in which some biblical writers refer to the people living in the world who are in rebellion against God and to the world system that is affected in every way by the corrupting power of sin. (See: Metonymy)

1 John 5:20

Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ

This is an important title for Jesus that describes his relationship to God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

δέδωκεν ἡμῖν διάνοιαν

“has enabled us to understand the truth”

ἐσμὲν ἐν τῷ Ἀληθινῷ

Being “in” someone represents having a close relationship with him, that is being united to him or belonging to him. The phrase “him who is true” refers to the true God, and the phrase “in his Son Jesus Christ” explains how we are in him who is true. Alternate translation: “we are united to him who is true by being united to his Son Jesus Christ” (See: Metaphor)

τὸν Ἀληθινόν

“the true one” or “the real God”

οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ ἀληθινὸς Θεὸς

Possible meanings are (1) “This one” refers to Jesus Christ, or (2) “This one” refers to the one true God.

καὶ ζωὴ αἰώνιος

He is called “eternal life” becasue he gives us eternal life. Alternate translation: “and the one who gives eternal life” (See: Metonymy)

1 John 5:21

τεκνία

John was an elderly man and their leader. He used this expression to show his love for them. See how you translated this in 1 John 2:1. Alternate translation: “My dear children in Christ” or “You who are as dear to me as my own children” (See: Metaphor)

φυλάξατε ἑαυτὰ ἀπὸ τῶν εἰδώλων

“stay away from idols” or “do not worship idols”