Caution] understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ.

[against idolatry.

This is the true God, and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. (F)

CHAP. V.

(F) Ver. 1-21. The evidences of regeneration, and the witnesses to Christianity. -The proposition, "Whosoever believeth that Jesus Christ is born of God," seems to require some elucidation. Certainly, it is not a man saying that he believes, without his faith be evinced by good works. It is faith that worketh by love, as St. James has abundantly proved, which alone can either justify or sanctify the believer. Faith is evidenced by love, and by good works; resisting the snares and temptations of the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." So that true faith, genuine love, and good works, are inseparably connected.

It may seem that St. John was guilty of great tautology (if we may so express it), in harping on this his favourite stringlove to God and to the brethren. So wholly was his heart engrossed with this topic, as tradition reports, that when he was much in years, and unable to preach, he used to be led to the church at Ephesus, and to address them in these simple words-" Little children, love one another."

We now come to a passage relative to the Holy Trinity, the authenticity of which has been much disputed, and has been given up by some of the ablest advocates of that doctrine, as will be seen in our Notes. To us it appears, that the internal evidence arising from the context is in favour of the passage; but the external, arising from the collation of nearly 150 manuscripts, the ancient versions, &c. is decidedly against it. One thing, however, is certain, that, in the words disputed, nothing is stated but what may be proved from other passages of Scripture; nor is there reason to believe, that either the insertion or omission was made with any design to corrupt the Scriptures. The former might be done by way of explanatory note, or the latter through inadvertence.

The testimony here borne is to the truth of Christianity, in whatever way it may be explained. The Father bare witness to the Son, by the works which the latter performed in his name, and by a miraculous voice from heaven; the Son (or Word) bore witness to himself, by the miracles which he wrought in his own name; and the Holy Spirit also bare witness in his

miraculous gifts, and the inspiration of the sacred writings: and the second series of witnesses, however their evidences may be explained, are certainly to the same effect. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and that life is in his Son."

Now he that believeth in the Son of God "hath the witness in himself"-not an imaginary conceit-not an unfounded persuasion, but an evidence in his own heart from the work of God's Holy Spirit, who has created therein a love to holiness in all its branches. "The gospel of Christ (says the amiable Dr. Watts) is like a seal or signet of such inimitable and divine engraving, that no created power can counterfeit it; and when the Spirit of God has stamped this gospel on the soul, there are so many holy and happy lines drawn or impressed thereby-so many sacred signatures and divine features stamped on the mind, that give certain evidence both of a heavenly siguet and a heavenly operator." (Watts's Sermons, vol. 1. Serm. 3; and compare our Exposition of 2 Cor. iii. 1-18.)

But "There is a sin unto death," and this forms an awful and important subject of inquiry. The nature of it is thus stated by Dr. Doddridge:-"There is.... such an apostacy from Christianity, as is attended with blaspheming the operations of the Spirit of God, and ascribing them to Satan"-an apostacy like that mentioned by St. Paul as irrecoverable (Heb. vi. 4—6), and attended with the horrid aggravation of ascribing the operations of God's Holy Spirit to the devil. (Matt. xii. 31, 32.) say not," says St. John, who probably witnessed the awful denunciation of Christ"I say not that he (or any man) shal pray for it ;" and yet he does not absolutely forbid it. For we may not be able absolutely to ascertain the fact, nor must we attempt to restrain the divine mercy.

"I

The concluding admonition of this Epistle, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols," has been supposed by some to prove it was addressed to Gentiles, the Jews. having long since given up idolatry. But are there no idols but images of metal, wood, or stone? Are there no idols of flesh and blood? Or is Mammon, the God of this world, no longer worshipped? May God preserve us all from idols!"

THE THE elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for

ever.

3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

7 For many deceivers are entered

into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed;

11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen. (A)

(A) Ver. 1-13. St. John commends a certain pious matron and her sons, and exhorts them to perseverance.-There seems no reason to question that this and the

following epistle were written by St. John, though being addressed to private individuals might occasion them not to be received and recognized in the church so

VERSE 1. The elect lady.-The learned Lord Barrington conceived, that by this lady St. John meant a Christian church, which he did not think proper to name. The notion seems to have originated with Jerome, and was adopted by Hammond and Whitby; but it appears to us to be unfounded, and has not, we believe, at present, any advocates. Those here referred to, who denied that Christ was "come in the desh," were probably the first Gnostics. See Dict. of Religions, &c. in Gnostics.

Ver. 3. Grace be-Gr." shall be "-with you. Ver. 7. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.Mackn." The deceiver and the antichrist," which the learned Granville Sharp explains of " the spirit of antichrist himself (i. c. Satan), as the first mover and instigator, either by himself or his angels, of all

other deceivers." G. Sharp on the case of Saul, &c. p. 59-Antichrist is a general name used by this apostle for all who opposed the truth and authority of Christ.

Ver. 8. Which we have wrought-Marg." gained." It is added, "Some copies read, Which we have gained, and that ye received," &c. The copies bere alluded to are, five of Stephen's MSS., the Alexandrian and other MSS., the Vulgate, second Syriac and Ethiopian versions.

Ver. 10. Neither bid him God speed-Doddr. "Good success"-i. e. in his propagation of error. Ver. 12. Face to face-Gr.“ Mouth to mouth

that our joy-Margin, "your joy." See Note on verse 8: but in both cases we prefer the present

text.

early as some others. They are generally supposed to have been written about the same time as the preceding, with which they correspond both in matter and style. The writer calls himself "The Elder," to which appellation he appears well intitled, as being now, probably, the only survivor of the apostles, and much advanced in years, which accounts for the use of his favorite appellation-"My little children." The chief topics here mentioned are enlarged on in the preceding Epistle, viz. love to the brethren, and caution against deceivers and impostors. "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is (or has) come in the flesh." This corresponds with chap. ii. 1-3 of the first Epistle; and both passages refer to the rise of a heresy, even in the apostolic age, which supposed that Jesus Christ was possessed of human nature merely in appearance; and consequently that, in fact, he neither "died for our sins, nor rose again for our justification."

This was the doctrine of the Gnostics, or at least of many of them : and their objection to the humanity of our Lord seems to have arisen from the notion that all matter was in itself essentially depraved, and the creation of the Evil principle. They were also ashamed of the doctrine of the Cross, and therefore some of them feigned the strange idea, that Simon the Cyrenian was crucified instead

[all Antichrists.

of Jesus. Thus, though they admitted the divine mission of Jesus Christ, they denied that Christ (or the Messiah) was really come in the flesh, which St. John pronounces to be the mark of a deceiver and an Antichrist, meaning thereby an enemy to Christ.

He cautions, therefore, the Elect Lady to whom he wrote, against being drawn aside from the truth by these deceivers. "Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought"-that is, that we do not lose our ministerial labour; from which we infer that the venerable apostle had been her Christian adviser, and probably, also, the instructor of her children. He then cautions her against showing such deceivers even the rights of hospitality; though it would certainly be a straining of the text to include in this prohibition the duties of humanity, to which all our fellow-creatures are entitled. To admit such heretics, however, to our family and table conversation, might he injurious to our own peace, and destructive to the principles of our children and domestics, if not our own. At the same time, the countenance thereby given to such men might promote both the fundamental errors which they taught, and the immoralities they practised; for they are always spoken of, not as mistaken, but as wicked men.

Ver. 1. Whom I love in the truth.-Marg. "truly," or in truth.

Ver. 2. I wish.-Marg. " pray." So Doddr.

Above all things.-Doddr. “In every respect." Ver. 4. Walk in truth.-Doddr. "in the truth," i. e. of the gospel.

Diotrephes and

5 Beloved, 'thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:

7 Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow-helpers to the truth.

9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth

us not.

10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious

[Demetrius contrasted.

words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.

13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unt thee:

14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name. (A)

(A) Ver. 1-14. Gaius commended for his piety and hospitality to Christian teachers. Several persons of this name are mentioued in the New Testament; this is thought to be the one named in Rom. xvi. 23, who had been remarkably hospitable, and whom the apostle Paul therefore calls "mine host," he having kindly entertained, and probably assisted him, in preaching the gospel gratis to the Gentiles; and St. John now requests him to assist certain others going on the same errand. This Gaius, it should seem, though a man of a strong and liberal mind, was rather delicate in his health and constitution; and therefore the venerable elder prays that his body might prosper and be in health, even as his soul prospered.

But he severely censures the character of one Diotrephes, another person of wealth and consequence in the church,

who, instead of delighting in works of beneficence, as Gaius did, unhappily "loved to have the pre-eminence," and to rule when it was bis duty to obey. A busy, prating, party man: a man of words, but not of deeds. A man who talked much about religion, but showed no kindness to the poor brethren; who even opposed and persecuted those who were so disposed Him the aged apostle promises to call to account, if he should live to visit them: in the mean time he hesitates not to say, that such a man could not have seen Gad: that is, could not have had any believing views of him, nor have enjoyed any sweet communion with him.

But a third character is now introduced, even Demetrius, of whom nothing is known but what is here mentioned, that he bad "a good report of all" who knew him, and even of the truth itself.”

Ver. 6. After a godly sort.—Marg. "a sort worthy of God;" i. e. in a manner and with a temper suited to God's service.

Ver. 12. Ye know that our record is true-See John xix. 25; xxi. 24.

JUDE, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called :

2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.

3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence o write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, un

godly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like

Ver. 1. Jude-(Gr. Judas)—the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James-who, as we find in Matt. x. 3, was also called Lebbeus, whose surname was Thaddeus. This book, like the 2d of Peter, and some other Epistles, was at first scrupled, and by some rejected from the sacred canon, chiefly, as we believe, on account of its reference to the prophecy of Enoch (of which in its place), and perhaps some other apocryphal book; but, in our view of the subject, this is no reason for rejecting an inspired book, for the prophets themselves quote several books now lost (see Note on Josh. x. 13). Their quotations can only sanction what they quote, and that as to matters of fact only, unless they quote them as inspired. The authority of this book, however, is rejected only by such as reject St. Peter's second Epistle, which it very much resembles; nor can we reject either of them as inspired, without regarding them as forgeries, which is utterly improba ble, as may be seen in Mr. Horne, and most writers upon the Canon.

Ver. 3. The common salvation-i. e. the salvation of Christ, common to both Jews and Gentiles.

Ver. 4. Crept in.-Doddr. "glided in."-of old ordained-literally, "proscribed." (Beza, olim prescripti.) Doddr. registered;" an allusion, as some think, to a custom among the Romans, of posting up in the forums the names of persons accused of certain crimes, with rewards for their apprehension, and sometimes for killing them. Such men, that is, wicked teachers or preachers, are pro

scribed in many parts of the word of God. See Psalm 50, v. 16. Some, however, refer this to the ancient prophecies respecting such men. See verse 14, &c.

Ibid. The only Lord-(Gr. despotes), Master. See Note on 2 Peter ii. 1.God.-This word (Theion) is wanting in several MSS., and in the Vulgate. Doddr. reads it, "God the only Sovereign, and our Lord Jesus Christ;" Dr. Pye Smith," Our only Sovereign and Lord Jesus Christ." Messiah, vol. ii. p. 602. Macknight adheres to the common version, but admits the others to be equally just.

Ver. 5. Destroyed them that believed not.-See Heb. iv. 1-3.

Ver. 6. Their first estate.-Marg. " principality." Doddr. adheres to the former; but Mackn. observes they amount to the same meaning-their original state was that of leaders, or princes, in the heavenly host. But left their own habitation--more strictly, we conceive, the station assigned to them; which, we presume, was a voluntary act, and constituted their rebellion. This and the following verses may be compared with the 2d Epistle of Peter, chap. ii. ver. 4, 6, 10-12, &c.; both which passages are supposed to be taken from some ancient Jewish writer; but of this we are not certain.

Ver. 7. Going after strange flesh.-Marg. " other flesh." The fact appears to be, that they gave themselves up to all kinds of uncleanness: the more abominable, the more agreeable to their depraved minds.