1816

Epistles of Peter John

II. Peter Ch. III. and last

Verses 18.

1

1 to 4. Chief object of this Epistle warning men against ‘scoffers, who, walking after their own lusts, shall say, Where is the promise of his coming?— for all things continue as they were. (N.B. In answer no reference to any miracles[?] of Jesus)

2

5 to 13. Answer: Once the world was destroyed by water, now it will be by fire. With the Lord a thousand years are but as one day. Though long—suffering, he is not slack in his promise .. The day will come as a thief in the night. Then comes a description of the burning of the world. We look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

3

14 to 16. Wherefore, be diligent, that ye may be found blameless, and account the long—suffering of the Lord salvation ‘even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given unto him, hath written unto you, as also in all epistles: in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as also the other scriptures to their own destruction.

4

17. 18. Therefore, foreknowing, be not led away by the error of the wicked, — but grow in grace, and the knowledge of Christ to whose glory &c.

I John Ch. I.

Verses 10. Neither Writer nor Addressees named.

1

1 to 4. What we have had cognizance of by our senses we declare to you, that ye may have fellowship with us, who have it with God.

2

5 to 7. ‘This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him ‘is no darkness at all.’ (Then quibble about light and darkness, and blood cleansing from sin.

3

8. 9. 10. If we say we have no sins, we lie: if we confess them, he forgives us.

Ch. II

Verses 29 — Addressees named only little children! A tissue of identical and unmeaning propositions: with fors and therefores.

1

1. 2. Sin not: if any man sin, for Advocate and propitiation, he has Jesus. (Contradiction.)

2

3 to 6. They who say I know God, and keep not his commandments are liars.

3

7. 8. ‘I write no new commandment … I write a new commandment’. Contradiction, drowned in nonsense.

4

9 to 11. He who hates his brother is in darkness &c

III. 14. 10 and indeed III. 15 and a murderer and is not of God. III. 10.

I.John Ch.II

5

12. to 14. I write to you little children because your sins are forgiven for God’s name sake. 2. Fathers because ye have known him (bis) 3. Young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one (bis) 4. little children because ye have known the Fathers.

6

15 to 17. Love not the world: love of the world is not of the fathers but of the world: the world passeth away.

7

18. 19. This is the last time: proof, the abundance of antichrists. Nonsensical account of Antichrists. ‘They went out from us, but they were not of us’ &c

8

20. Ye have an unction, and ye know all things

9

21. 25. Nonsense about nothing at all: about knowing the truth and not knowing it, and lying. ‘A liar denies that Jesus is the Christ. Antichrist denies father and son. (Nothing said of Holy Ghost.) If what ye have heard remains in you, ye continue in the son and the Father. He has promised us eternal life.

10

26. This is about seducers. But as ye have been anointed, and the ‘anointing teacheth you all things, and is no lie’ ye will abide in him.

11

28. 29. Abide in him, that when he comes, we may have confidence. If he is righteous every one that doeth righteousness, is born of him.

I John Ch. III

Verses 24. Rubric.

‘1. He declareth the singular love of God towards us, in making us his sons: 3. who therefore ought obediently to keep his commandments, 11. as also brotherly to love one another.’

1

1 to 10. Drivelling identicalism about sinning. ‘Little children, let no man deceive you. He that doeth righteousness is righteous…’ He ‘that committeth sin is of the devil.’ ‘Whosoever is born of God, doth not committ sin.’

2

11 to 18. Nonsense to recommend brotherly love. See II. p. 4.

3

19 to 21. Nonsense about hearts. ‘If our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart and knoweth all things.

4

22. to 24. God’s commandment is — to believe in Jesus, and love one another. Because we keep his commandments whatever we ask, we receive of him.