Between him, the Unnamed, and Cain is a solemn contrast; the latter exemplifies what hate is in its completion, the former the consummation of love. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” God loves you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be born on earth and die on a cross. New York, USA. 10, 43, and animam deponere in Corn. the love of God - The words “of God” are not in the original. BibliographySimeon, Charles. It is, indeed, certain, that we are far from being equal to Christ: but the Apostle recommends to us the imitation of him; for though we do not overtake him, it is yet meet, that we should follow his steps, though at a distance. If the exhibition of such a love as this is the final test to be met before one can be saved, we must be convinced that heaven is going to be sparsely settled! BibliographyHaydock, George Leo. BibliographyPoole, Matthew, "Commentary on 1 John 3:16". Christians must imitate Him in this: their love must be [1] practical, [2] absolutely self-sacrificing, [3] all-embracing. to save us from destruction; for the idea, comp. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." We do not expect a baby to live and act like a grown man or woman. Go make disciples, God bless you! "Christ acted out this LOVE by giving his life for us. Guide my life and help me to do your will. “For God so loved […] (2)we ought to have such love for Christians as to be willing to jeopard our lives to aid them - as in case of a pestilence or plague, or when they are in danger by fire, or flood, or foes. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/acc/1-john-3.html. As Christ did in pursuance of His love, so ought we to do in pursuance of ours, bound as we are to Him not by the mere force of an outward example, but by the power of an inward life. His love is manifested to his people, and perceived by them in various instances; but in nothing is it more clearly seen than in the following one: because he laid down his life for us: of the life of Christ, and his laying it down in the room of his people; see Gill on , which shows his love, his free grace and favour; for this arose not from any merit or worth in the persons he died for; not from their love, loveliness, or duty, but from his rich mercy, and the great love wherewith he loved them; and which, though it cannot be equalled, should be imitated: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren: not in such sense, or for such ends and purposes, as Christ laid down his life for us; for no man, as by giving his money, so by laying down his life, can redeem his brother, or give to God a ransom for him: but the meaning is, that saints ought to risk their lives, and expose themselves to dangers, for the sake of their brethren, when they are called to it, and the case requires it: as Priscilla and Aquila laid down their necks, or ventured their lives for the Apostle Paul, Romans 16:3; and they should also, when called unto it, freely lay down their lives in the cause of Christ, and for the sake of his Gospel, for the gaining of souls to Christ, and for the confirming of the faith of the brethren in him, as the apostles of Christ, and the martyrs of Jesus, have done; this is an argument for brotherly love, in the highest instance of it, taken from the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, than which nothing is more forcible, or can lay a greater obligation on the saints. Jesus is the only way to God. The good news? Translate, “We arrive at the knowledge of love”; we apprehend what true love is. There was not one which the Creator himself did not pronounce to be “very good:” and, if there be any thing within the whole compass of it that is noxious to man, it was not so according to its original constitution, but has been rendered so by sin. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/hmc/1-john-3.html. are we not confounded, when we consider the state of our souls in this respect? The sum of what is said is, that our love is approved, when we transfer the love of ourselves to our brethren, so that every one, in a manner forgetting himself, should seek the good of others. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ain/1-john-3.html. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jgm/1-john-3.html. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. The extent in which God has manifested his love to us—, If we survey the works of creation, we shall see love inscribed upon them all. "Commentary on 1 John 3:16". His. BibliographyCoke, Thomas. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/shh/1-john-3.html. The literal rendering is, "Herein"-by the example that follows-"we know love," we see and understand its true nature. But it is in redemption that his love is chiefly displayed: for, in order to effect it, Jesus Christ assumed our nature, and actually “laid down his life for us.”. Meyer on John 10:11 explains it by the “representation of the sacrificial death as a ransom paid: to lay down, to pay; according to the classical usage of τιθέναι, according to which it is used of payment; “Hengstenberg (on the same passage) explains it by Isaiah 53:10; but it is unsuitable to supply the idea “ransom” or “an offering for sin,” for the τιθέναι τὴν ψυχήν is not merely ascribed to Christ, but is also made the duty of Christians; besides, in that case ὑπέρ could not be wanting, as is the case in the Gospel of John 10:17-18. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/cal/1-john-3.html. arm-usc). "Commentary on 1 John 3:16". Then turn from your sins—that’s called repentance. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jtc/1-john-3.html. The first archangel was unequal to the task. It was omitted by the apostle just as the particular name is omitted by Mary, when she says to the gardener, "Sir, if thou hast borne him hence;" and by the church, when she says, "Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth," Song of Solomon 1:2; in both which places there is a language, a very emphatical language, even in silence. "Of God" is not in the original. 3” (Brückner). We ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. God didn’t send Jesus to die for just a few people, He died so that anyone who places their faith in Him will live in heaven. 16.] God manifested His love to us by sacrifice. Say, brethren, do ye not blush when you look back upon your conduct in this respect, and see what contracted views you have had of your duty towards them, and how little you have endeavoured to discharge your duty, even as far as it has been seen and acknowledged by you? They are our brethren in a higher sense than others, being children of the same heavenly Father, and heirs of the same glorious inheritance. John Trapp Complete Commentary. Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly”—a complete life full of purpose (John 10:10). Romans 16:4.(228). God sees my faith but men should experience my love. This is a beautiful contrast with the man who hates his brother. BibliographyNicol, W. Robertson, M.A., L.L.D. The Genevan is right on both points; ‘Hereby have we perceaved love.’ Better, as R.V., Hereby know we love. Christ laid down His life not for Christians only, ‘but also for the whole world’ (1 John 2:2). (4)we ought to have such love for the cause of our Master as to be willing to cross oceans, and snows, and sands; to visit distant and barbarous regions, though at imminent risk of our lives, and though with the prospect that we shall never see our country again. It declares how totally the thoughts were possessed by the blessed and glorious subject. They would naturally convey the idea that “God” laid down his life for us; or that God himself, in his divine nature, suffered. Must there not be something essentially wrong, where such insensibility exists? The words of God have been supplied by the translators. Enjoy our inspirational and encouraging content, books, music, teaching and videos to see God at work in the world! See note on ch. "Calvin's Commentary on the Bible". "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible". Remember, there are those in the family of God who are mature Christians, and there are those who are not mature. "Commentary on 1 John 3:16". In the concrete example of Christ’s vicarious death we have obtained the knowledge of what love is. All rights reserved. Where note, That the intimate union betwixt the divine and human nature in Christ, gives ground for the calling Christ's life, as man, the life of God: as his blood is said, Acts 20:28 to be God's own blood; Hereby perceive we the love of God, that is, of Jesus Christ the Redeemer, in that he laid down his life for us. It gives them ammunition against the gospel. He came to earth as a baby and lived a life obedient to God the father. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. In such a verse as this the unattainability of the full Christian ideal is starkly clear. But where could such an one be found? That is, the love of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is truly and properly God, the great God, the mighty God, the true God, and God over all, blessed for ever. We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. Copyright StatementThese files are public domain.Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com.