1 John

1 John 3 – Skeptic's Annotated Bible answered

A response and reply to the notes on 1 John 3 in the Skeptic's Annotated Bible (SAB).

King James Version

SAB comment

My comment

1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

(3:2) "We know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." John expects to live to see Jesus return.

See chapter 2:18.

3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

(3:6) "Whosoever abideth in himsinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him."
Earlier in this letter (1:8, 10) John assured us that everyone sins. Yet in these verses he claims that Christians don't sin.
Do Christians sin?

Earlier (1 John 1:8) John asserts that everyone sins, so the meaning of this verse is not that there are Christians who do not sin. Moreover in chapter 2:1 John writes that the aim of his letter is that Christians sin not, but he consoles them that if they do, they have an advocate with the Father. John continues here with saying that when Christians abide in Christ they do not sin. It is good to follow him continually. And Christians are not yet made perfect. They have to be exhorted to abide in him. And too many times they do not and sin.
So while Christians are named after Christ and ought to be following him, very unfortunately they do not always do so. John exhorts them here to stay in Christ, to continually follow the footsteps of their heavenly master.

7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

(3:8) "He that committeth sin is of the devil."

The author of the SAB laughs, but can he please explain why doing evil, doing sin, is a laughing matter? And why doing evil is not of the devil? So evil comes from some good entity?

9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

(3:9) "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."
Do Christians sin?

Here the SAB author has clearly discerned a key Christian dogma: that man must be reborn (John 3:3). And as Jesus explains in John 3:6:

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

The true Christian, while on this earth, is not yet complete. He still has his old nature that desires to sin, but he also finds within him that new nature, wrought by God, that desires to be holy. These two natures oppose (Rom. 7:22-23) each other:

For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

So yes, Christians do sin, and Christians do need to pray daily for forgiveness of sin.

10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

(3:11) "We should love one another."

12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

(3:15) "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him."
Jesus said that whoever wanted to be his disciple must hate his brother (Lk.14:26), but John says that such a person is a "murderer" and will not go to heaven.
Should we love or hate our brother?

Yes, no doubt Jesus said that we must hate our brother in the sense that John uses the word! But see Luke 14:26.

16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

(3:18) "Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth."
Love others in deed and truth.

19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

"Whatsoever we ask, we receive of him."
How's that for a big lie?

The author of the SAB reads “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him” and then followed by a full stop “.” But I suppose everyone else sees the comma and that John continues with “because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” Can anyone seriously think they can oppose God, and still use prayer as a button to get what they like?
Clearly, John addresses those that have a new nature, see verse 9, and they desire the glory of God above all other things. That is what they pray for.

23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.