16. Hereby (év rovtm). See on ii. 3. Perceive (éyvwxapev). Rev., correctly, know.
The love. Omit the italics of A. V., of God, and render as Rev., hereby know we love.
Laid down His life (ray puynv adrod éInxev). See on John Malls
352 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. We ought (d¢e/Aopev). See on ii. 6.
17. This world’s good (rov Biov tod xdcpov). Rev., the world’s goods. Bios means that by which life is sustained, re- sources, wealth.
Seeth (Sewp7). Deliberately contemplates. See on John i. 18. Rev., beholdeth. The only occurrence of the verb in John’s Epistles.
Have need (xpeiav éyovra). Lit., having need. Rev., in need.
Bowels of compassion (ta omddyxva). See on pitrful, 1 Pet. iii. 8. Rev., much better, Azs compassion. The word only here in John.
19. Shall assure (aelcouev). Two renderings are possible ; the primitive meaning persuade (Acts xix. 26; xvii. 4; 2 Cor. v. 11); or the secondary and consequent sense, assure, gutet, conciliate (Matt. xxviii. 14). Render as A. V., and Rev. as sure. See critical note at the end of the commentary on this Epistle.
Before Him (éu7rpocSev aitod). Emphatic, the order being, before Him we shall assure our heart. These words are to be kept in mind as the key-note of what follows.
20. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater, etc. A very difficult passage. See critical note as above. Render, as Rev., shall assure our heart before Him whereinsoever our heart condemn us, because God is greater than our heart.
For (67c). To be rendered not as a conjunction (for, because) but as a relative, 2 whatsoever or whereinsoever.
Condemn (xataywoécxn). The word occurs only three times in the New Testament; here, ver. 21, and Gal. ii. 11. It signifies (1.) Zo note accurately, usually in a bad sense.