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by Jeff M Newman
Verse by Verse Bible Study through 1 John. I will be releasing new lessons every other week on Mondays at 12:00 Eastern. www.hopebibleschool.com
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(Photo by VIJENDRA SINGH on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible.)Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.In Lesson 96, we are going to study the first part of 1 John 3:12.Let’s read this part of the verse:1 John 3:12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother...Let’s start with the definitions of the words.Do not be (3756. ou, ouk, ouch) like (2531. kathos) — means do not conduct yourself in the manner of.Cain (2535. Kain) — This is the first son of Adam and Eve and brother of Abel.Who belonged to (1510. eimi) the (3588. ho, hé, to) evil one (4190. ponéros) — means “was of the evil one,” referring to Satan. Cain's actions showed that he was aligned with the evil one.And murdered (4969. sphazó) — means “to slaughter,” “to kill,” or “to slay violently.” In this context, it refers to Cain’s deliberate and violent murder of Abel.His (846. autos) brother (80. adelphos) — means “his male sibling.” Here it refers to Abel, Cain’s brother.In other words, do not conduct yourself in the manner of Cain, the first son of Adam and Eve and brother of Abel, who was of the wicked one, or Satan, and whose character and conduct were aligned with the evil one as he violently killed his brother Abel.In context, John makes a clear distinction between the children of God and the children of the devil. He explains that this distinction is seen in a person’s practice of righteousness and love for fellow believers.In 1 John 3:11, the previous verse John says, “For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.”Then in 1 John 3:12, John gives us the opposite example. He tells us not to be like Cain, who did not love his brother but hated him, and that hatred ultimately led to murder.Therefore, Cain is a negative example of what John has just told us to do. Instead of loving his brother, Cain hated him, and that hatred ultimately led to murder.Cain’s actions demonstrated a pattern of sin and rebellion against God that ultimately led to murder. His example is a serious warning to us not to allow sinful attitudes and behaviors to take root in our lives.John tells us that Cain belonged to the evil one, or was of the evil one, referring to the devil or Satan.Being “of the evil one” means that Cain’s character and conduct were aligned with the evil one. His actions reflected the character of Satan. It does not mean that Cain was literally Satan’s son.This connects directly to what John said earlier in 1 John 3:8.1 John 3:8 The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil.John is not saying that every time a Christian commits a sin, that person becomes “of the devil.” The context is speaking about a person whose life is characterized by the habitual practice of sin.Cain acted in a manner that was aligned with the devil's character. He allowed his sinful anger and hatred toward his brother to lead him to murder Abel.In John 8:44, Jesus told the religious leaders who were rejecting Him that they were “of your father the devil” and that they wanted to carry out their father’s desires. He then told them that the devil “was a murderer from the beginning.”This helps us understand the connection John is making between Cain and the evil one or the devil. Cain acted in a manner that was aligned with the devil’s character. He allowed his sinful anger and hatred toward his
(Photo by Simon Spring on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible.)Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.In Lesson 95, we are going to study 1 John 3:11.Let’s read the verse:1 John 3:11 This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.Let’s go over the definitions of the words.This (3778. houtos, hauté, touto) is (1510. eimi) the (3588. ho, hé, to) message (31. aggelia) — means the specific announcement being communicated.You have heard (191. akouó) — means to hear, listen to, and understand what is being communicated.From (575. apo) the beginning (746. arché) — means from the beginning or initial point of their instruction.We should love (25. agapaó) one another (240. allélón) — means to deliberately and selflessly seek the good and well-being of one another, following the example of Christ.In other words, this is the specific message you heard and understood from the beginning: that we should deliberately and selflessly seek the well-being of one another, following Christ as our example.In Lesson 93 and Lesson 94, we learned that children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil. Children of God practice righteousness and love their brothers and sisters in Christ. Those who do not practice righteousness and do not love their fellow believers show that they are not of God.As children of God, we are called to love one another. John is reminding his readers that they have already heard this message from the beginning. Because we still have a sinful nature, we need to be continually reminded to love like Christ. We must rely on God to love with Christlike love rather than simply follow our natural feelings. It can be easy to forget or neglect what God has commanded.Just as John is reminding us to love our brothers and sisters, we should do the same. Encourage a fellow Christian today to love others. Loving one another is foundational to the Christian life. No matter how difficult or unlovable someone may be, we are called to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. Look to Jesus and the way He loved, and follow His example. Ask God to increase your love for fellow believers.In John 15:12-13, we read that Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us. Jesus is not only telling us to love one another, He gives us His own love as the example we are to follow.John 15:12-13 (NLT) This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.Let’s look at some practical ways we can love our fellow believers and the verses that support these biblical commands.* Look out for the interests of others.We are to look beyond ourselves and care about the needs, interests, and well-being of others rather than focusing only on ourselves.Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.* Forgive one another.Just as Christ has fo
(Photo by Silas Baisch on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible.)Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.In Lesson 94, we are going to study the last part of 1 John 3:10.Let’s read this part of the verse:1 John 3:10 ...nor is anyone who does not love their brother or sister. Let’s go over the definitions of the words.Nor is (2532. kai) anyone who (3588. ho, hé, to) — means neither is the one who.Does not love (25. agapaó) — means to not have or demonstrate a deliberate, selfless love that seeks the good of others, following the example of Christ.Their (846. autos) brother and sister (80. adelphos) — means their fellow believer or fellow Christian.In other words, the person who does not demonstrate a deliberate, selfless love toward their fellow believers gives evidence that they do not belong to God.In Lesson 93, we learned that there are two spiritual families: the family of God and the family of the devil. If someone does not practice righteousness as a pattern of their life, they are not a child of God. In the same way, if someone does not demonstrate a deliberate, selfless love toward their fellow believers, this gives evidence that they do not belong to God. This does not mean believers are perfectly sinless. Rather, those who belong to God should increasingly reflect His character through a life marked by righteousness and love.In this part of the verse, John teaches that love for our brothers and sisters in Christ should characterize those who belong to the family of God. Those who continually refuse to love their fellow believers are demonstrating a pattern of life that is inconsistent with belonging to God.It is important to understand that loving others does not cause or earn our salvation. We are saved by placing our faith in Jesus Christ and trusting in His finished work on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.Through faith in Christ, we are born again and become part of the family of God. The Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us, and our love for others becomes evidence that God is transforming our lives.In 1 John 4:8, we read that God is love. As children of God, we should reflect the character of our Father. Because the Holy Spirit dwells in us, God’s love should increasingly be reflected in the way we live and love others.1 John 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.Your faith in Christ should produce a growing, Christlike love for fellow believers. As you mature in Christ, your love for others should increasingly grow.In John 13:34-35, Jesus commands His followers to love one another as He has loved us. He teaches that our love for one another is evidence that we are His disciples.John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”Jesus demonstrated a deliberate, selfless love that seeks the good of others. This type of love is more than an emotion or feeling. It is demonstrated through our actions, attitudes, forgiveness, service, and willingness to seek the good of others.When you are with other believers, you will not always like or agree with them. Loving fellow believers means choosing to treat them with Christlike love, even when it is difficult.In Galatians 5:22-23, we read that love is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. As we walk by the Spirit and yield to His work in our lives, He produces this kind of love in us. Ask the Lord to fill you with His Spirit
(Photo by Xavier Coiffic on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible.)Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.In Lesson 93, we are going to study the first part of 1 John 3:10.Let’s read this part of the verse:1 John 3:10 By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God…Let’s go over the definitions of the words.By (1722. en) this (3778. houtos, hauté, touto) — means by this or by means of this.The (3588. ho, hé, to) children (5043. teknon) of God (2316. theos) — means those born of God.Are (1510. eimi) distinguished (5318. phaneros) — means are evident, visible, plainly seen, or made manifest.From the (3588. ho, hé, to) children (5043. teknon) of the (3588. ho, hé, to) devil (1228. diabolos) — means those characterized by the devil. Diabolos means the slanderer or false accuser.Anyone (3956. pas) who (3588. ho, hé, to) — means each and every one.Does not practice (4160. poieó) — means does not do, practice, or carry out. In this context, it refers to a habitual pattern of practice.Righteousness (1343. dikaiosuné) — means what is right and approved by God.Is (1510. eimi) not (3756. ou, ouk, ouch) — means does not belong to or is not identified with.Of (1537. ek or ex) God (2316. theos) — means from God, belonging to God, or originating from God.In other words, by this, the true identity of people is made evident. Those born of God are distinguished by lives that increasingly reflect God, while those characterized by the devil reflect his nature. Everyone who does not habitually practice what is right and approved by God does not belong to God’s family.There are ultimately two spiritual families: the family of God and the family of the devil. In this verse, John shows us how to identify which family a person belongs to. Our actions provide evidence of our spiritual identity. How we live reveals who we belong to.There is no middle ground. The children of God are those who have been born again through faith in Jesus Christ. As they mature in Christ, they will increasingly reflect His righteous character. The Holy Spirit produces this transformation as believers abide in Christ and walk with Him. Their lives will increasingly bear the fruit of the Spirit.This does not mean believers are sinless. Christians still have a sin nature and will sin. The difference is how they respond to sin. The believer is convicted, confesses their sin, seeks God’s forgiveness, and desires to turn from sin and obey His Word. As they mature, they grow in obedience and increasingly reflect the righteousness of Christ.In contrast, those who continually reject righteousness and live in unrepentant, habitual sin demonstrate that they do not belong to God. John describes them as the children of the devil because their lives reflect his character and pattern. The devil is in rebellion against God. He is the slanderer and false accuser who seeks to accuse, defame, and destroy.John is not teaching that Christians never sin. He is contrasting the overall directio
(Photo by Raimond Klavins on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible.)Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.In Lesson 92, we are going to study the third part of 1 John 3:9.Let’s read this part of the verse:1 John 3:9...they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.Let’s go over the definitions of the words.They cannot (3756. ou, ouk, ouch) (1410. dunamai) — means they absolutely are not able or do not have the power to. It refers to ability, not merely a decision or permission.Go on sinning (264. hamartanó) — means to sin, to miss God’s mark, to violate His will, or act contrary to His righteous standard. The present tense indicates continual or habitual action, referring to an ongoing pattern or practice of sin rather than an isolated act.Because (3754. hoti) — introduces the reason or explanation for what has just been stated.They have been born (1080. gennaó) of (1537. ek or ex) God (2316. theos) — means to have been spiritually born or brought forth by God. The perfect tense describes a completed act with continuing results. It refers to the new birth God has accomplished in the believer, resulting in a new nature and an ongoing relationship with Him as a child of God.In other words, those who have been born of God are absolutely unable to continue living in an ongoing pattern or practice of sin because they have been spiritually born of God, receiving a new nature and entering into an ongoing relationship with Him.In this part of the verse, John is not saying that if you are a believer, you will never commit another sin. Rather, he is teaching that you cannot continue living in a habitual pattern of sin. This is because the new birth has fundamentally changed who you are.John is not teaching sinless perfection. Earlier in the letter he makes it clear that, as a believer, you will still sin (1 John 1:8)(Lesson 17), you must confess your sins (1 John 1:9)(Lesson 18), and Jesus Christ is your Advocate when you do sin (1 John 2:1)(Lesson 20). There is no contradiction. John is distinguishing between occasional acts of sin and a life characterized by the continual practice of sin.When you place your faith in Jesus Christ, God gives you new spiritual life. Instead of living a life characterized by sin, you now live as one whose identity is rooted in being a child of God. Your relationship to sin has fundamentally changed because your relationship to God has fundamentally changed.Being born of God is a permanent work with continuing results. The new birth permanently changes who you are. Your old life no longer defines you. You now belong to God as His child. God has given you spiritual life, and His life remains in you forever. Because you have been born of God, you cannot be content to continue living in an ongoing pattern of sin. Instead, your life is increasingly characterized by righteousness as God continues His transforming work in you.In John 3:6 Jesus says, "Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit." When you were physically born, you received physical life from your parents. But when you put your faith in Jesus Christ, you were spiritually born of God through the work of the Holy Spirit. God gave you new spiritual life, fundamentally changing who you are. Because you have been born of the Spirit, you now have a new nature that produces a new way of living. This is why you cannot continue living in a habitual pattern of sin. Your new life in Christ is no longer charact
(Photo by Boris Baldinger on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible.)Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.In Lesson 91, we are going to study the second part of 1 John 3:9.Let’s read this part of the verse:1 John 3:9 …because God’s seed abides in them…Let’s go over the definitions of the words.Because (3754. hoti) — introduces the reason or explanation for what has been stated.God’s (846. autos) — refers to what comes from God or belongs to God.Seed (4690. sperma) — refers to the source from which life springs. It can describe the life or principle of life that has been implanted.Abides (3306. menó) — means to remain, continue, dwell, or stay. This is in the present tense.In (1722. en) — means within.Them (846. autos) — refers to those who have been born of God.In other words, John is saying that the reason a person born of God cannot continue in a life dominated by sin is because God has placed a new spiritual life within them. This new life remains in the believer and continually works through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to transform their desires, character, and actions.John begins this verse with the word "because." He is explaining the reason why someone who has been born of God cannot continue living in a pattern of sin. We studied this in Lesson 90.When someone is born of God, they do not simply become a slightly improved version of their old self. God gives them a new spiritual life. They receive a new heart, new desires, a new direction, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.This does not mean believers will never sin. Scripture teaches that Christians still struggle with sin and must confess and repent when they fall. God will give them the strength to live a life of holiness and resist sin.1 John 1:8-9 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.Someone who has been born of God cannot remain comfortable living in continual rebellion against Him. God’s life within them changes their relationship with sin. Sin now brings conviction, grief, and ultimately a desire to return to fellowship with God.Christian growth and maturity are ultimately the result of God’s transforming work within the believer rather than human effort alone. As believers respond in faith, obedience, and dependence on God, the life God has placed within them produces increasing righteousness and a growing desire to reflect His character.This new life is what John describes as God’s seed. Through the new birth, God implants His life within His children, and that divine life remains in them, producing spiritual growth and an increasing likeness to Christ.This seed abides in the believer. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, this divine life remains within the believer and continues God's transforming work throughout their life and into eternity.We read in 2 Peter 1:4 that believers are given God's precious and magnificent promises so that they may become "partakers of the divine nature." This means that through faith in Christ, God gives believers new spiritual life and progressively transforms them by the Holy Spirit to reflect His character. As they grow in Him, they increasingly escape the corruption of the world caused by sinful desires.2 Peter 1:4 Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.In <a target="_blank" href="https://bib
(Photo by Ankit Choudhary on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible.)Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.In Lesson 90, we are going to study the first part of 1 John 3:9.Let’s read this part of the verse:1 John 3:9 Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin…Let’s go over the definitions of the words.Anyone (3956. pas) — means all, every, or anyone without exception.born (1080. gennaó) — means to be born or brought forth. Here it refers to a completed act with continuing results.of (1537. ek or ex) — means out of, from, or originating from.God (2316. theos) — means the one true and supreme God.refuses to practice (4160. poieó) — means to do, make, or practice. sin (266. hamartia) — means to miss the mark or fall short of God's perfect standard. At its core, sin is choosing your own way instead of God's way and living independently of Him rather than in dependence on Him.In other words, all people, without exception, who have been born of the one true and supreme God do not continually choose their own way instead of God’s way as a pattern of life. Life begins with a physical birth. But because Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden, sin entered the world, and death spread to all people. As a result, every person is born with a sinful nature and is subject to both physical and spiritual death.The good news is that Jesus paid the penalty for your sins by dying on the cross and rising from the dead. When you put your faith in Jesus Christ, you are spiritually born into God’s family. You are born again and become a new creation in Christ. This new birth is a permanent work of God with eternal and lasting results.When you are born again, God changes your heart, your nature, and your desires. This is a work of His grace. There is nothing you have done to deserve His free gift of salvation. Instead of living for sin, you now have a new desire to please God and obey Him.Although believers still struggle with the flesh and are tempted to sin, sin no longer rules their lives. God gives believers strength and power through His Spirit to refuse a lifestyle of sin.The word practice refers to a continual habit or pattern of life. Practicing sin means living in ongoing, deliberate, and unrepentant sin. Before Christ, sin controlled your life. After being born of God, sin is no longer the believer’s way of life.Because we still battle the flesh, we will sometimes fall into sin. However, we do not have to remain in it. When we sin, we should confess it to God, repent, and seek His strength to obey Him. We are called to refuse a lifestyle of sin.The pattern of your life reveals who you belong to. A life marked by continual, habitual, and unrepentant sin gives evidence that a person has not been born again. On the other hand, a life that increasingly turns from sin and refuses a habitual lifestyle of sin shows evidence of being born of God.It is important to understand that John is not teaching sinless perfection. Believers will still sin (1 John 1:8–9). The issue is whether sin is the settled pattern of your life. Are you living in continual, unrepentant sin, or are you confessing your sins, depending on God, and growing in obedience to Him? Those who are born of God will not continue to practice sin as their way of life. Instead, by God’s grace, they refuse to make sin their habitual lifestyle.Let’s review a couple of verses that support this.In Romans 6:6-7, we learn that our old self was crucified with Christ so that our body of sin might be rendered powerless, and that we would no longer be slaves to sin. Because of Christ’s work on the cross, believers are set free from sin’s ruling power. This is why a believer is no longer bound to live under sin’s dominion and can refuse a lifestyle of sin.Romans 6:6-7 We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer
(Photo by set.sj on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible.)Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.In Lesson 89, we are going to study the last part of 1 John 3:8.Let’s read this part of the verse:1 John 3:8…This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil.Let’s go over the definitions of the words.This is why (1519. eis) — means for this purpose.the (3588. ho, hé, to) Son (5207. huios) of God — means the Son who shares the Father's nature.was revealed (5319. phaneroó) — means was made known and openly displayed.to destroy (3089. luó) — means to break, to release, or to loosen.the (3588. ho, hé, to) works (2041. ergon) — means deeds, actions, and activities.of the (3588. ho, hé, to) devil (1228. diabolos) — means the slanderer and false accuser.In other words, the Son of God, who shares the very nature of the Father, was revealed for this purpose: to break apart, undo, and free people from the works of the devil, the slanderer and false accuser.In Lesson 87, we learned that the one who practices sin is of the devil. This means that when someone continues in sin, they are living under the influence of the devil’s work rather than walking in the life of God.In Lesson 88, we learned that the devil has been sinning from the beginning. This means that since his rebellion against God, he has continually opposed God and led others into sin.Today we are going to study how Jesus, the Son of God, was revealed to break apart, undo, and destroy the works of the devil who has been sinning from the beginning and leading others into sin since his rebellion.We will first look at verses that describe the devil’s works, and then we will review verses that show how Jesus came to destroy those works.The Devil Challenges God’s CommandsIn Genesis 3:4-5, we see the devil challenge what God had commanded Adam and Eve. One of devil’s primary tactics is to question, distort, and contradict God's Word. Rather than encouraging people to trust God, he seeks to create doubt about God's truth and goodness.Genesis 3:4-5 “You will not surely die,” the serpent told the woman. 5 “For God knows that in the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”Jesus Overcomes the Devil's Challenges with the Word of GodIn Matthew 4, Jesus was led into the wilderness where He was tempted by the devil. Unlike Adam and Eve, who gave in to Satan's deception, Jesus resisted every temptation. Each time the devil challenged Him, Jesus responded by standing on the truth of God's Word.Matthew 4:4 But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”The Devil Comes to Steal, Kill, and DestroyIn the first part of John 10:10, Jesus describes the destructive nature of the thief. While the immediate context refers to false shepherds who mislead God's people, their actions reflect the work of the devil, who seeks to harm and destroy.John 10:10 The thief come
Verse by Verse Bible Study through 1 John. I will be releasing new lessons every other week on Mondays at 12:00 Eastern. www.hopebibleschool.com
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