Introduction to the First Epistle Of John
1st John
Writer.
The Apostle John, as unbroken tradition affirms, and as internal evidence and
comparison with the Gospel of John prove.
Date.
Theme.
First John is a family letter from the Father to His "little children"
who are in the world. With the possible exception of the Song of Solomon, it is
the most intimate of the inspired writings. The world is viewed as without. The
sin of a believer is treated as a child's offence against his Father, and is dealt with
as a family matter
(1 John 1:9; 2:1).
The moral government of the universe is not in
question. The child's sin as an offence against the law has been met in the Cross,
and "Jesus Christ the righteous" is now his "Advocate with the Father." John's
Gospel leads across the threshold of the Father's house; his first Epistle makes
us at home there. A tender word is used for "children," teknia, "born ones,"
or "bairns." Paul is occupied with our public position as sons; John with our
nearness as born-ones of the Father.
First John is in two principal divisions:
I. The family with the Father, 1 John 1:1-3:24.
II. The family and the world, 1 John 4:1-5:21.
There is a secondary analysis, in each division of which occurs the phrase,
"My little children," as follows:
Introduction to the Second Epistle Of John
2nd John
Writer.
Date.
Theme.
Second John gives the essentials of the personal walk of the believer
in a day when "many deceivers are entered into the world"
(2 John 7).
The key-phrase is "the truth," by which John means the body of revealed truth, the
Scriptures.
The Bible, as the only authority for doctrine and life, is the believer's resource in
a time of declension and apostasy.
The Epistle is in three divisions:
Introduction to the Third Epistle Of John
3rd John
Writer.
Date.
Theme.
The aged Apostle had written to a church which allowed one Diotrephes
to exercise an authority common enough in later ages, but wholly new in the primitive
churches. Diotrephes had rejected the apostolic letters and authority. It
appears also that he had refused the ministry of visiting brethren
(3 John, v. 10),
and cast out those who received them.
Historically, this letter marks the beginning of that
clerical and priestly assumption over the churches in which the primitive church
order disappeared.
This Epistle reveals, as well, the believer's resource in such a
day. No longer writing as an apostle, but as an elder, John addresses this letter,
not to the church as such, but to a faithful man in the church for the comfort and
encouragement of those who were standing fast in the primitive simplicity. Second
John conditions the personal walk of a Christian in a day of apostasy; Third
John the personal responsibility in such a day of the believer as a member of the
local church. The key-phrase is "the truth"
(see 2 John, Introduction).
There are three divisions:
3 John 1-4.
II. Instructions concerning ministering brethren,
3 John 5-8.
III. The apostate leader, and the good Demetrius,
3 John 9-14.
1321_1; 1 John 1:7, But if we walk in the light, as he is
Pathway Lighted
What it is to "walk in the light" is explained by vs.
1 John 1:8-10.
"All things ... are made manifest by the light"
(Ephesians 5:13).
The presence of God brings the con-
sciousness of sin in the nature
(1 John 1:8),
and sins in the life
(1 John 1:9, 10).
The blood of Christ is the divine provision for both. To walk in the light is
to live in fellowship with the Father and the Son.
Sin interrupts, but confession restores that
fellowship. Immediate confession keeps the fellowship unbroken.
1322_1; 1 John 2:1, we have an advocate with the Father
1322_2; 1 John 2:3, if we keep his commandments
1322_3; 1 John 2:19, They went out from us, but they were not of us
Doctrinally Incompatible
"Went out from us," that is, doctrinally. Doubtless then, as now, the deniers
of the Son (vs. 22, 23)
still called themselves Christians.
Cf. 2 Timothy 1:15.
1323_1; 1 John 3:7, he that doeth righteousness is righteous
Ref. Note Page 1236_v
Ref. 2 Corinthians 11:15b; Note Page 1238_1.
See and Cf. Note Page 1238_g.
Ref. Ephesians 5:9, in all goodness and righteousness and truth
Righteousness
The meaning here, and in the passages having marginal references to this,
means the righteous life which is the result of salvation through Christ. The
righteous man under law became righteous by doing righteously; under grace he
does righteously because he has been made righteous (Romans 3:22; Romans 10:3;
See Note Pages 1194_y; Page 1203_1). -
1326_1; 2 John 1:5,
Summary: Law Of Christ
The new "law of Christ" is the divine love, as wrought into the renewed heart by
the Holy Spirit
(Romans 5:5; Hebrews 10:16),
and outflowing in the energy of the Spirit, unforced and spontaneous, toward the
objects of the divine love
(2 Corinthians 5:14-20; 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8).
It is, therefore, "the law of liberty"
(James 1:25; 2:12),
in contrast with the external law of Moses. Moses' law demands love
(Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 6:5; Luke 10:27);
Christ's law is love
(Romans 5:5; 1 John 4:7, 19, 20),
and so takes the place of the external law by fulfilling it
(Romans 13:10; Galatians 5:14).
It is the "law written in the heart" under the New Covenant
(Hebrews 8:8; See Note Page 1297_1).
1321_a; 1 John 1:1, That which was from the beginning
1321_b; 1 John 1:1b, which we have heard
1321_c; 1 John 1:1c, which we have seen with our eyes
1321_d; 1 John 1:1d, which we have looked upon
1321_e; 1 John 1:1e, and our hands have handled
1321_f; 1 John 1:1f, of the Word of life
1321_g; 1 John 1:2, For the life was manifested
1321_h; 1 John 1:2b, shew unto you that eternal life
1321_i; 1 John 1:2b, which was with the Father
1321_j; 1 John 1:3, our fellowship is with the Father, and whith his Son
1321_k; 1 John 1:4, write we unto you, that your joy may be full
1321_l; 1 John 1:5, declare unto you, that God is light
1321_m; 1 John 1:6, If we say that we have fellowship with him
1321_n; 1 John 1:6, walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth
1321_o; 1 John 1:7, But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light
1321_p; 1 John 1:7b, we have fellowship one with another
1321_q; 1 John 1:7c, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sins
1322_a; 1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive
1322_b; 1 John 1:9b, he is faithful and just to forgive us
1322_c; 1 John 1:10, say . . . not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us
1322_d; 1 John 2:1, write I unto you, that ye sin not
James 2:9, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors
James 1:15, it bringeth forth sin: and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death;
Romans 3:23, For all have sinned, and come short
John 9:2f, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents
Acts 1:25, which Judas by transgression fell;
Romans 3:23, For all have sinned, and come short
1 John 2:1, write I unto you, that ye sin not
1322_e; 1 John 2:1b, And if any man sin, we have an advocate
Advocacy.Advocacy: "active support, esp., the act of pleading or arguing for someone or something."
1322_f; 1 John 2:1c, we have an advocate with the Father
Paraclete, or translation = comforter as used in John 14:16.
Word also seen as covering and in verse 2, for propitiation: "Jeus is our covering."
John 14:16.
1322_g; 1 John 2:2, And he is the propitiation for our sins
Jesus is our Covering, available to "cover" the sins of the world
1322_h; 1 John 2:2b, and not ours only, but also or the sins of the whole world
1322_i; 1 John 2:2, also for the sins of the whole world
the sins
Some manuscripts omit the sins
A question might arise here in that "the sins of" part of the verse 2 would seem to offer open-ended forgiveness of all sins for all time. Of course, as a Christian we understand, by faith, that a personal relationship (experience in Jesus) for each is not an option. It is an individual choice to accept or reject the Gospel. John 3:16.
1322_j; 1 John 2:2c, [with the italicized words omitted]but also for the whole world
1322_k; 1 John 2:5, But whoso kepeth his word
1322_l; 1 John 2:5b, the love of God perfected
1322_m; 1 John 2:6, abideth in him ought himself also so to walk
1322_n; 1 John 2:7, Brethren, I write no new commandment
1322_o; 1 John 2:7b, commandment which ye had from the beginning
1322_p; 1 John 2:7c, The old commandment is the word which ye have heard
1322_q; 1 John 2:8, Again, a new commandment I write unto you
1322_r; 1 John 2:8b, darknes is past, and the true light now shineth
1322_s; 1 John 2:9, He that saith he is in the light, and hateth
1322_t; 1 John 2:11, But he that hateth his brother is in darkness
1322_u; 1 John 2:11b, is in darkness, and walketh in darkness
A dismal concept, no light at all! = complete and total absence of God, John 12:35.
1322_v; 1 John 2:12, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake
1322_w; 1 John 2:13, cause ye have known him that is from the beginning
1322_x; 1 John 2:13b, because ye have overcome the wicked one
1322_y; 1 John 2:13c, I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father
1322_z; 1 John 2:13d, because ye have known the Father
1322_aa; 1 John 2:15, Love not the world
1322_bb; 1 John 2:15b, Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world
1322_cc; 1 John 2:15b, If any man love the world
1322_dd; 1 John 2:15c, love the world, the love of the Father is not in him
1322_ee; 1 John 2:16, in the world, the lust of the flesh
1322_ff; 1 John 2:17, but he that doeth the will of God
1323_a; 1 John 2:19, but they went out, that they might be made manifest
1323_b; 1 John 2:19b, be made manifest that they were not all of us
1323_c; 1 John 2:20, But ye have an unction from the Holy One
1323_d; 1 John 2:21, ye know not the truth, but because ye know it
1323_e; 1 John 2:22, Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ
1323_f; 1 John 2:22b, he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ?
1323_g; 1 John 2:22b, He is the antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son
1323_h; 1 John 2:22c, that denieth the Father and the Son
1323_i; 1 John 2:24, ye also shall continue in the Son
1323_j; 1 John 2:25, And this is the promise that he hath promised us
1323_k; 1 John 2:25b, promised us, even eternal life
1323_l; 1 John 2:26, have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you
1323_m; 1 John 2:27, But the anointing which ye have received of him
1323_n; 1 John 2:28, and now, little children, abide in him
1323_o; 1 John 2:28, that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence
1323_p; 1 John 2:29, If ye know that he is righteous
1323_q; 1 John 2:29, every one that doeth righteousness is born of him
1323_r; 1 John 3:1, Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed
1323_s; 1 John 3:1b, that we should be called the sons of God
1323_t; 1 John 3:1c, we should be called the sons of God
Cf. 1 John 3:2, Beloved, now we are the sons of God
children
1323_u; 1 John 3:1d, therefore the world knoweth us not
1323_v; 1 John 3:2b, but we know that, when he shall appear
1323_w; 1 John 3:2c, we shall be like him
1323_x; 1 John 3:4, Whosoever commiteth sin
1323_y; 1 John 3:4b, Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law
1323_z; 1 John 3:5, he was minifested to take away our sins
1323_aa; 1 John 3:5b, and in him is no sin
1323_bb; 1 John 3:8, sin is of the devil
1323_cc; 1 John 3:8b, God was manifested, that he might destroy (evil).
1323_dd; 1 John 3:8c, that he might destroy the works of the devil, (evil).
1323_ee; 1 John 3:9, Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin
1323_ff; 1 John 3:9, born of God doth not commit sin
1323_gg; 1 John 3:10, whosoever doeth not righteousness
1323_hh; 1 John 3:10, whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God
1323_ii; 1 John 3:11, For this is the message that ye heard
1323_jj; 1 John 3:11b, that we should love one another
1323_kk; 1 John 3:13, Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you
1323_ll; 1 John 3:13, if the world hate you
1324_a; 1 John 3:15, not murderer hath eternal life
1324_b; 1 John 3:16, Hereby preceive we the love of God
1324_c; 1 John 3:16b, because he laid down his life for us
1324_d; 1 John 3:16c, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren
1324_e; 1 John 3:17, how dwelleth the love of God in him
1324_f; 1 John 3:18, My little children, let us not love in word
1324_g; 1 John 3:20, For if our heart condemn us
1324_h; 1 John 3:21, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence
1324_i; 1 John 3:22, And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him
1324_j; 1 John 3:23, And this is his commandment
1324_k; 1 John 3:23b, That we should believe on the name of his Son
1324_l; 1 John 3:23c, and love one another, as he gave us commandment
1324_m; 1 John 3:24, keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him
1324_n; 1 John 3:24, by the Spirit which he hath given us
1324_o; 1 John 4:1, but try the spirits whethr they are of God
1324_p; 1 John 4:1b, many false prophets are gone out into the world
1324_q; 1 John 4:2, Herby know ye the Spirit of God
1324_r; 1 John 4:2b, Every spirit that confesseth the Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God
1324_s; 1 John 4:3, and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard
1324_t; 1 John 4:3b, and even now is in the world
1324_u; 1 John 4:4, because greater is he that is in you
1324_v; 1 John 4:4b, than he that is in the world
1324_w; 1 John 4:5, They are of the world
1324_x; 1 John 4:5b, and the world heareth them
1324_y; 1 John 4:6, Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error
1324_z; 1 John 4:7, Beloved, let us love one another
1324_aa; 1 John 4:7b, every one that loveth is born of God
1324_bb; 1 John 4:8, He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love
1324_cc; 1 John 4:9, In this was manifested by the love of God toward us
1324_dd; 1 John 4:9, God sent his only begotten Son into the world
1324_ee; 1 John 4:9c, into the world, that we might live through him
1324_ff; 1 John 4:10, Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us
1324_gg; 1 John 4:10b, sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins
1324_hh; 1 John 4:12, If we love one another God dwelleth in us
1324_ii; 1 John 4:12b, and his love is prefected in us
1324_jj; 1 John 4:14, the Son to be the Saviour of the world
1324_kk; 1 John 4:14b, to be the Saviour of the world
1324_ll; 1 John 4:17, Herein is our love made perfect
1324_mm; 1 John 4:17, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment
1325_a; 1 John 4:18, He that feareth is not made perfect in love
1325_b; 1 John 4:19, We love him, because he first loved us
1325_c; 1 John 4:20, If a man say, I love God, and hateth
1325_d; 1 John 4:21, And this commandment have from him
1325_e; 1 John 5:1, Whosoever believeth that Jeus is the Christ
1325_f; 1 John 5:1b, Jesus is the Christ is born of God
1325_g; 1 John 5:1c, Christ is born of God
1325_h; 1 John 5:1d, and every one that loveth him
1325_i; 1 John 5:2, when we love God, and keep his commandments
1325_j; 1 John 5:3, and his commandments are not grevious
1325_k; 1 John 5:4, whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world
1325_l; 1 John 5:5, but he that believeth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God
1325_m; 1 John 5:6, This is he that came by water and blood
1325_n; 1 John 5:6b, And it is the Spirit that beareth witness
1325_o; 1 John 5:7, For threre are three that bear record in heaven
It is generally agreed that verse 7 has no real authority, and has been inserted by an unknown. However, it does imply the Trinity. Three in one.
1325_p; 1 John 5:8, And there are three that bear witness
1325_q; 1 John 5:8, And there are three that bear witneww in earth
1325_r; 1 John 5:8c, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood
1325_s; 1 John 5:8d, and these three agree in one
Or, are to one point or purpose.
1325_t; 1 John 5:9, If we receive the withness of men, the witness of God is greater
1325_u; 1 John 5:10, believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself
1325_v; 1 John 5:10b, he that believeth not God hath made him a liar
Liar, 1 John 1:10, We observe such open lying today, especially in politics, (and even amongst our relatives and friends) that we have gradually come to accept the lie, and disregard it even though we know better. When it comes to lying to or about God, there is a bit more of a penalty in the act of acceptance. There will come a day when all lies will be exposed for what they are. The remedy is: "Simply tell the truth. The truth will not come back to bite you."
Bob C
1325_w; 1 John 5:12, He that hath the Son hath life
1325_x; 1 John 5:13, have I written unto you that believe on the name
Read as: ye may know that ye have eternal life who believe the name of
i.e., One that has believed on the name, Jesus Christ, the virgin birth, the life, death and resurrection of the Son of God, have ask him for forgiveness, received such, and continue to believe in the full Gospel of his birth and resurrection, will have everlasting life and therefore go to heaven to be with Him for eternity upon His return, or your death (whichever comes first).
1325_y; 1 John 5:14, that, if we ask anything according to his will
1325_z; 1 John 5:16, If any man see his brother sin a sin
1325_aa; 1 John 5:17, All unrighteousness is sin
1325_bb; 1 John 5:18, We know that whosoever is born born of God sinneth not
1325_cc; 1 John 5:19, And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness
1325_dd; 1 John 5:19b, the whole world lieth in wickedness
1325_ee; 1 John 5:20, we know that the son of God is come
1325_ff; 1 John 5:20b, that we man know him that is true
1325_gg; 1 John 5:20c, This is the ture God, and eternal life
1325_hh; 1 John 5:21, Little children, keep yourselves from idols
Dear children, guard yourselves
1325_ii; 1 John 5:21b, Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
1326_a; 2 John 1:1, The elder unto the elect lady
1326_b; 2 John 1:1, unto the elect
1326_c; 2 John 1:2, For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us
1326_d; 2 John 1:2b, and shall be with us for ever
1326_e; 2 John 1:4, I rejoiced greatly that I found
1326_f; 2 John 1:5b, that we love one another
1326_g; 2 John 1:6, And this is love, that we walk after his commandments
1326_h; 2 John 1:7, For many deceivers are entered into the world
1326_i; 2 John 1:7b, are entered into the world that confess not that Jesus Chrsit is come
1326_j; 2 John 1:7c, confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh
1326_k; 2 John 1:7c, This is a deceiver; This is a deceiver and an antichrist
1326_l; 2 John 1:8d, This is a deceiver and an antichrist
1326_m; 2 John 1:8b, but that we receive a full reward
1326_n; 2 John 1:9, Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not
1326_o; 2 John 1:10, receive him not into your house
1326_p; 2 John 1:10b, neither bid him God speed
1326_q; 2 John 1:11, For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds
1326_r; 2 John 1:12, but I trust to come unto you
1327_a; 3 John 1:1, The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius
1327_b; 3 John 1:2, Belvoed, I wish above all things
1327_c; 3 John 1:2b, above all things that thou mayest prosper
1327_d; 3 John 1:4, I have no greater joy than to hear
1327_e; 3 John 1:4b, hear that my children walk in truth
1327_f; 3 John 1:4c, hear that my children walk in truth
1327_g; 3 John 1:6, witness of thy charity before the church
1327_h; 3 John 1:6b, if thou bring forward on their journey
1327_i; 3 John 1:6c, their jouney after a godly sort
1327_j; 3 John 1:7, they went forth, taking nothing
1327_k; 3 John 1:8, We therefore ought to receive such
1327_l; 3 John 1:9, loveth to have the preeminence among them
1327_m; 3 John 1:10, prating against us with malicious
1327_n; 3 John 1:10b, and castety them out of the church
1327_o; 3 John 1:11, Beloved, follow not that which is evil
1327_p; 3 John 1:12, we also bear record; and ye know
1327_q; 3 John 1:14, But I trust I shall shortly see thee
105_3; 1 John 1:7
Profession Without Confession
Practice Not
Oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit
(Cf. John 3:34; Heb. 1:9).
In Christ the oil-fed Light ever burns, the Light of the world
(John 8:12).
But here we have not the world, but the sanctuary. It is a question, not of
testimony in and to
the world, but of our communion and worship as believer-priests in the holiest
(Hebrews 10:19-20).
In the Tabernacle there were two compartments, two lights: the
holy place with the candlestick
(Exodus 25:31,
See Note Page 102_2); the holy of holies with the
shekinah, or manifested glory of God. These two places are now one
(Matthew 27:50, 51;
Hebrews 9:6-8; 10:19-21),
but it is important to see that there are still two lights: Christ, the Light of life
(John 8:12),
through the Spirit giving light upon
the holy things of God, the showbread and altar of incense; and also the shekinah,
now on the face of Jesus Christ
(2 Corinthians 4:6).
Into this twofold light we, as believer-priests, are brought
(1 Peter 2:9).
We "walk in the light," not merely which He gives, but in which He lives
(1 John 1:7).
But what of the command to "bring pure oil"
(Exodus 27:20)?
Because our access, apprehension, communion, and transformation are by the Spirit
(Ephesians 2:18; 1 Corinthians 2:14-15; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Philippians 2:1; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
Our title to His presence is the blood
(Ephesians 2:13),
but only as filled with the Spirit
(Ephesians 5:18)
do we really walk in the light.
102_1; Exodus 25:31, And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold
Showbread is a type of Christ, the Bread of God, nourisher of the Christian's life
as a believer-priest (1 Pet. 2. 9; Rev. 1. 6). In John 6. 33-58 our Lord has more
in mind the manna, that food which "came down"; but all typical meanings of
"bread" are there gathered into His words. The manna is the life-giving Christ;
the showbread, the life-sustaining Christ. The showbread typifies Christ as the
"corn of wheat" (John 12. 24) ground in the mill of suffering (John 12. 27) and (
brought into the fire of judgment (John 12. 31-33). We, as priests, by faith feed
upon Him as having undergone that in our stead and for our sakes. It is meditation
upon Christ, as in Heb. 12. 2-3.
1194_y; Romans 3:22, Even the righteousness of God which is by faith
1194_2; John 19:11, he that delivered me unto the hath the greater sin
John 9:2f, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents
Acts 1:25, which Judas by transgression fell;
Romans 3:23, For all have sinned, and come short
Romans 3:23
Sin, Summary:
The literal meanings of the Heb. and Gr. words variously
rendered "sin," "sinner," etc., disclose the true nature of sin in its manifold
manifestations.
- Sin is transgression, an overstepping of the law, the divine boundary
between good and evil
(Psa. 51. 1; Luke 15. 29);
- iniquity, an act inherently wrong, whether expressly forbidden or not;
- error, a departure from right
(Psa. 51.9; Rom. 3. 23);
- missing the mark, a failure to ireet the divine standard; trespass, the intrusion
of self-will into the sphere of divine authority
(Eph. 2. 1);
- lawlessness, or spiritual anarchy
(1 Tim. 1. 9);
unbelief, or an insult to the divine veracity
(John 16. 9).
Sin originated with Satan (Isa. 14. 12-14)
Sin entered the world through Adam
(Rom. 5. 12)
Sin was, and is, universal, Christ alone excepted (Rom. 3. 23; I Pet. 2. 22)
Sin incurs the penalties of spiritual and physical death
(Gen. 2. 17; Gen. 3. 19; Ezek. 18. 4, Ezek. 13. 20; Rom. 6. 23);
Sin has no remedy but in the sacrificial death of Christ
(Heb. 9. 26; Acts 4. 12)
availed of by faith
(Acts 13. 38-39).
Sin may be summarized as threefold:
- An act, the violation of, or want of obedience to the revealed will of God;
- a state, absence of righteousness; a nature,
- enmity toward God.
1195_2; Romans 3:25, set forth to be a propitiation through faith
Romans 3:25
Sacrifice
Lit. a propitiatory [sacrifice], through faith by his blood; Greek, hilasterion,
"place of propitiation."
The word occurs, 1 John 2:2; 4:10,
as the translation of hilasmos, "that which propitiates," "a propitiatory sacrifice."
Hilaaterion is used by the Septuagint, and in Heb. 9:5 for "mercy-seat." The mercy-seat Was sprinkled with atoning blood on the day of atonement (Lev. 16:14),
in token that the righteous sentence of the law had been (typically) carried
out, so that what must else have been a judgment-seat could righteously be a
mercy-seat
(Heb. 9:11-15; 4:14-16), a place of communion (Ex. 25. 21, 22).
In fulfilment of the type, Christ is Himself the hilasmos, "that which
propitiates," and the hilaaterion, "the place of propitiation"—the mercy-seat
sprinkled with His own blood—the token that in our stead He so honoured the law by
enduring its righteous sentence that God, who ever foresaw the cross, is vindicated
in having "passed over" sins from Adam to Moses
(Rom. 5:13)
and the sins of believers under the old covenant
(Ex. 29:33, note),
and just in justifying sinners under the new covenant.
There is no thought in propitiation of placating a vengeful God, but of doing
right by His holy law and so making it possible for Him righteously to show mercy.
1203_1; Romans 10:3, going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted
1 John 3:7, he that doeth righteousness is righteous
Righteousness
The world "righteousness" here, and in the passages having marginal references tothis, means legal, or self-righteousness; the futile effort of man to work out under law a character which God can approve
(Revelation 19:8;
See Note Page 1348_2
1222_1; 1 John 1:8, Note: The Fact of Indwelling Sin Admitted
1297_1; Hebrews 8:8, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel;
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