The Pulpit Commentary — 1 John — Section 158

LV. WE HAVE HERE THE BE0RET OJ!' VIOTOBY OR DEFEAT IN LIFE; i.e. of conquest over evil or conquest by it. All depends on whether we are l1< Toii 1<0<1µ.ov or lie Tou 0,ou (cf. eh. iv. 4); i.e. whether we have a life that is inspired by God or a life upon the lower level of this world. 1 If our beiag is still of the earth earthy, we are in that region which lieth wholly in the wicked one, "in all its parts and elements." It is in his domain, in his grasp. He is the "god of this world," blinding men's minds. Its darkness is the realm in which he moves. And if we remain in this sphere, and are never extricated from it by a. mightier power, with darkness and sin we must "lie down in sorrow." Who can consent to remain a prey to evil when the great Redeemer stands ready with a. mighty hand to pluck us out of it, and to guard us so securely that no evil shall touch us? V. ALL THIS IS AMONG THE CONTENTS OJ!' THE BELIEVER'S KNOWLEDGE. " We kn0w ." 1. Who know it1 "We"-we who are born o[ God. Much is known by us that is hidden from the world. 2. Bow do they know it 1 (1) Partly by testimony (a) of God, (b) of history. (2) Partly by observation. (3) Partly by experience. (But sec next homily, division II.) Ver. 20.-Life's hardest problems solved. Connecting link: The connection between this verse and those before it is indicated by the adversative particle 6~, which is equi- valent to" but." "We know," etc., as if John had said," I am quite aware of the vast- ness of the mystery in the conflict between good and evil. Still, I have not spoken at random. There are before us positive, verifiable data which enable us to see something of the wondere of the spritual world. The Son of God has poured a. flood of light upon the invisible realm, and bas given us discerning power, so that we see what he has revealed." Topic-'.Z7!e Son of God the Solver of life's greatest problems. At this point we must indicate the conclusion to which we have come upon the verse before us. 'fhe student will be well a.ware of the controversy which has gathered round its last clause, owing to some obscurity which rests on the questions: (1) What is the ante- cedent of o6T6s-is it" Jesus Christ" or" him that is true"? (2) When the apostle says," We are in him that is true, in his Son Jesus Christ," does he mean," We are in him that is true, [even] in his Son Jesus Christ," or" We are in him that is true, [being] in his Son Jesus Christ"? For a discussion of the questions, the student can turn to the writers named below.2 As the structure of thi~ homily depends on the answer given thereto, we must needs indicate the conclusion to which we have come. 1. The answer must be given without doctrinal bias, and simply on uegetical grounds. For our own part, we have the most unhesitating conviction of the true and proper Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we have never quoted this verse in proof thereof; not because it does not contain it by implication, but on account of the dispute as to its grammatical construction. 2. In reply to the second question abeve named, we accept the last-mentioned form of the phrase, viz." We are in him that is true, [being) in his Son Jesus Christ." 3. It almost follows therefrom that the antecedent of oirr6s is "him that is true;" a.nd as, according to that expression when used in the preceding clause of the verse, the apostle evidently means the Father, whom we know through the Son-" that we know him that is true "-the antecedent of 06.,.&s being" him that is true," which is equivalent to "the Father." The theological question here at stake, however, is not whether the Son is of like nature with the Father, nor whether the Son be the very "Image of the invisible God," but whether in this particular verse the apostle declares that we know the true God in the Son or through him. 4. The full point before "This" cuts off the following sentence too completely. It may be a complete sentence grammatically; it is not an independent one either exegetically or doctrinally. 5. The word o~-r&s includes much more than the "Being." It is equiva- lent to the "Being" plus the entire revela.tion which he is and brings : " This is the true God and eternal life," the masculine form, o,iT&s, being used on account of the noun first following. In the text, so understood, three lines of thought open up to us. I. WE HAVE A CEUTAIN FACT DIRECTLY AND ABSOLUTELY KNOWN. "We know that the Son of God is come;" ra.ther, "is here," i.e. ha.s come and remains with us. .Accord- 1 Is it needful to point out that it is not of the world as to its geogmphical extent, but a1 to it.;i ethical relations, that the apostle is writing? • Bee Westcott, Ebrnrd, and Haupt. 156 'I'llE l<'IRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF JOiiN. [c,1. '"- 1-21.