1 John 5:2-4

1599 Geneva Bible

Footnotes

1. 1 John 5:2 The love of our neighbor doth so hang upon the love wherewith we love God, that this last must needs go before the first, whereof it followeth, that that is not to be called love when men agree together to do evil, neither that, when as in loving our neighbors, we respect not God’s commandments.
2. 1 John 5:2 There is no love where there is no true doctrine.
3. 1 John 5:3 The reason: for to love God is to keep his commandments, which being so, and seeing that both the loves are commanded of one and the selfsame lawmaker (as he taught before) it followeth also that we do not love our neighbor, when we break God’s commandments.
4. 1 John 5:3 Because experience teacheth us that there is no ability in our flesh, neither yet will to perform God’s commandments, therefore lest the Apostle should seem, by so often putting them in mind of the keeping of the commandments of God, to require things that are impossible, he pronounceth that the commandments of God are not in such sort grievous or burdensome, that we can be oppressed with the burden of them.
5. 1 John 5:3 To them that are regenerate, that is to say, born anew, which are led by the Spirit of God, and are through grace delivered from the curse of the Law.
6. 1 John 5:4 A reason: Because by regeneration we have gotten strength to overcome the world, that is to say, whatsoever striveth against the commandments of God.
7. 1 John 5:4 He declareth what that strength is, to wit, Faith.
8. 1 John 5:4 He useth the time that is past to give us to understanding, that although we be in the battle, yet undoubtedly we shall be conquerors, and are most certain of the victory.
9. 1 John 5:4 Which is the instrumental cause, and as a mean and hand whereby we lay hold on him who indeed doth perform this, that is, hath and doth overcome the world, Even Christ Jesus.