1. Do a word study of
the word “hate” in 2:9,11. Look it up in Strong’s
concordance, find the Greek
word used and then look up the word in Vines NT Dictionary (same site).
2. “I am writing to
you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake.”
(2:12) tekniva, little
children are those who are spiritually uninstructed or new to the faith. “Are
forgiven” in the Greek is in the perfect tense, which means the action was
completed in the past, and the results continue into the future. God forgives
forever those who surrender to him.
“I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from
the beginning.” (2:13a)
Ginwvskw , “known” is also in the perfect tense. These
fathers (older ones in the faith), came to know Christ in the past, and that
experiential knowledge of him continues to operate in their lives producing a
matured knowledge of Christ.
What does these two verses tell us about the
effects of salvation upon one’s life? Cf. John 14:16,17.
John continues in verse 13, “. . . I am writing to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one. . . .” Again the perfect tense is used.
The young men overcame Satan in the past and continue to overcome him. This
speaks of the continuing work of the Holy Spirit in the Christian’s life. In
verse 14b, John says, “I have written to you, young men, because you are
strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.”
1.
Spiritually
strong.
2.
The word
of God abiding within.
3.
Overcoming
the Evil One.
How are these three thoughts interrelated in the life of the believer?
2. How does the
Apostle John define love (3:16-18)? How does this differ from today’s attitude
towards love?
3. In 2:15, John
writes, “Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves [“loves”
is present tense and speaks of continual action or habitual conduct] the world,
the love of the Father is not in him.” In your own words, what emphatic
declaration is John stating here?
4. In 2:16,17, John says that all that is in the world is passing
away, and he lists things that are characteristic of the world. What are these
things?
5. Read the following
verses carefully. Record all, or part, of the verse as you see fit. Record what
they teach about fleshly lusts, evil desires, evil selfish boasting and pride.
I.
James
1:14,15 –
II.
1 Peter
2:11 –
III.
Jude 14-19
–
IV.
Philippians
3:17-20 –
V.
John 8:44
–