Questions about John's first letter. It contains both warnings about false teachers and spiritual themes about Jesus Christ.
8
votes
4answers
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What is “sin that leads to death” in 1 John 5:16?
1 John 5:16 (NIV) Emphasis Added
If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead ...
7
votes
3answers
143 views
What is the difference between the 'life' given by wisdom in Proverbs and 'life' given by Jesus in 1 John?
These two passages are rather similar:
Proverbs 8:35-36 (ESV)
For whoever finds me [wisdom] finds life and obtains favor
from the Lord, 36 but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who
...
7
votes
1answer
196 views
What is the argument against the authenticity of 1 John 5:7-8 in the KJV?
I was reading through Lee Strobel's The Case for the Real Jesus and came across a passage in the book that indicates the inauthenticity of 1 John 5:7-8 in the King James Version:
1 John 5:7-8 ...
5
votes
1answer
33 views
Was 1 John an unfinished letter?
When I read 1 John, it seems to me that it was written in a hurry, with parenthetical thoughts not fully fleshed. (Specifically, the "sin that leads to death" reference, that I ask about in a ...
5
votes
2answers
116 views
Who are the “children”, “fathers” and “young men” addressed in 1 John 2?
2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. ...
12 I am writing to you, little children,
because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.
13 I am ...
5
votes
1answer
47 views
Who is is “we” of 1 John 1:1?
The letter of 1 John begins in verse 1:
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we ...
4
votes
1answer
316 views
Why was the Trinity Doctrine, found in 1 John 5:7-8 KJV, kept in the NKJV when it is believed to be inauthentic?
1 John 5:7-8
King James Version (KJV)
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the
Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
8 And there are three that ...
3
votes
2answers
553 views
What are the possible interpretations of 1 John 2:19?
What are the possible interpretations and implications of 1 John 2:19, specifically as it relates to the doctrine of eternal security?
1 John 2:19 (NASB)
19 They went out from us, but they ...
3
votes
3answers
43 views
What is the meaning of “water and blood” in 1 John 5:6?
In 1 John 5:6 John uses water and blood as symbolic short hand, clearly expecting his audience to know the meaning of these two liquids.
6 This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. ...
3
votes
2answers
160 views
What is the referent for “brother” in 1 John 4:20-21?
1 John 4:20-21
20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And this ...
3
votes
1answer
170 views
What does “lawlessness” refer to in 1 John 3:4?
In 1 John 3:4 (ESV), we read:
Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.
My understanding is that in the LXX, the Greek word ἀνομία usually refers ...
2
votes
1answer
176 views
Perfect love in 1 John
A few days ago I heard someone mentioning fear, and he said, "Yes, I know perfect love casts out all fear, but who of you has perfect love?" But I thought to myself, "In the context of first John, I ...
