shows certainly the present state of Jesus Christ. — ^ l<r/xg v, wc are) who love God. See the next ver. ; John xv. 10. — lv rp x6<;/j,uj rovrwy in this world) which is void of love, and fears judgment. The mention of the world is an argument that the word He denotes Jesus Christ. Comp. ver. 9.
18. ®6(3og, fear) which shrinks from God and the day of judgment. The condition of men is varied : without fear and love ; with fear without love ; with fear and love ; without fear with love. — aya-r^ love) towards God. — rsXsia, perfect) To this refers, is brought to its consummation. — xoXcunv ’iyti. has torment) For it distrusts: it imagines to itself and sets forth all things as unfriendly and opposed to it ; it flees from and hates them.
19. ’Aya-rw/^sv1) we love , driving away fear. — rp&jrog 7iyd<xnffev, He was the first to embrace us with love) How much the more hereafter ? Therefore fear is cast out.
20. 'Ov Idopaxs, whom he hath seen) In this life we are held en- thralled by the external senses. — crwg d-ovarai, how can he) A modal expression [See Append, on Modalis Sermo) : It is impossible that such a man should love God , in the present.
21. Tyv hroXriVy the precept) which must be kept by those who love God : Matt. xxii. 39. [He who loves not his brother, does not keep the commandment as to (piXadsXpia ;, and therefore does not love God. — Y. g.]