by Lloyd T. Anderson Pastor , Bethany Baptist Church West Covina, California lege of fellowship are described in these verses from the most mature to the babies. The mature, “fathers,” are characterized by a seasoned knowledge of Christ — “him that is from the beginning” (Jn. 1:1, 14). This knowledge is experiential and the result of intimate fellowship with the Father and the Son. The “young men,” those growing in maturity, are commended because they emphat ically overcome the wicked one (Satan), the outcome of being strong spiritually and of having “the word of God abiding in them.” The imma ture, “little children” (paidia, “in fants”), are spiritually undeveloped and are to be distinguished from the “dear sons” (taknia) of verse 12. Al though some are immature, all be lievers are in the family of God and know Him as Father and Christ as the Forgiver of their sins, 12. The need is for all to grow up and enter the full privileges of fellowship.” 2:15-17 THE PERIL OF WORLDLINESS AND FELLOWSHIP The Peril warned against, 12a. Hottel, “This warning is couched in a twofold command: (1) “Do not love the world” (kosmos), the world system under which Satan has or ganized fallen mankind upon his God- opposing principles of price, selfish ness and ambition (Mt. 4:8-9; Eph. 2:2; 6:12); (2) ‘nor the things in the world,’ such as its wealth, pleas ure or honors. It is useless to claim we do not love the world yet love what it offers.” The reason for the warning, 15-b- 17. (1) Love for the world excludes love for God, 15b-16. “If any one goes on loving the world, love for the Father is not in him!” So con
Studios in I John
BROTHERLY LOVE AND FELLOWSHIP
L ove , the expression of fellowship, 7-8. This indispensable ingredient of fellowship in one sense does not involve a new commandment, 7. It is “the one who had from the begin ning” (Lev. 19:18; Deut. 6:15; Mt. 22:37-40; Mk. 12:28-31; Jn. 5). Yet in another sense it does involve a new commandment, 8. Jesus also called it “new” and gave it a new motive, “Love one another as I have loved you” (Jn. 13:34-35; 15:12). It was new with a fresh dynamic, be cause it was realized in Christ, and is realized in the believer when he walks as Christ walked. 86. Hatred, the denial of fellowship, 9-11. Hatred destroys fellowship be cause it belongs to the spiritual realm of darkness where fellowship with the God of light is impossible, 9. Love, on the other hand, belongs to the realm of light where fellow ship with God and with the brethren flourishes, 10. The loving Christian gives no occasion for a fellow believ er to stumble because of him. Hatred not only kills fellowship but breeds spiritual ignorance and blindness, 11. 2:12-14. SPIRITUAL MATURITY AND FELLOWSHIP The Father’s Family, 12. The ad dressees of this letter of John’s were all God’s children. He describes them as “little children” (Teknia, “born- again ones,” “God’s bairns”) whose sins have been remitted. Thus, they all have the privilege of fellowship in the family, irrespective of growth or maturity. Fellowship and Christian Growth, 13-14. Vine, “Those who develop spiritually and enjoy the full privi- 30
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