The children of God and the children of the devil have their distinct characters. This union between Christ and the souls of believers, is by the Spirit he has given them. If you would like to write a letter to the editor, I wrote this short, fast-paced, practical guide to productivity to share what I have learned about getting things done in today’s digital world. Above all things — Or, with respect to all things, as περι παντων rather signifies; that thou mayest prosper and be in health — Namely, of body; even as, I doubt not, thy soul prospereth — In faith, love, and every virtue. joy, than to hear that my children walk in the truth — Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.σε εὐοδοῦσθαι καὶ ὑγιαίνεινκαθὼς εὐοδοῦταί σου ἡ ψυχήin all things I pray that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as prospereth thy soulprosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

3 John begins with a praescriptio, or introductory formula (vss. Now note-in the; first place, What makes a prosperous soul? Dost not thou long for peace with God? 1, 2 & 3 John. That a Christian may be assured of his salvation; to know that we know, is to be assured that we know; not only to have the vital, but the fiducial act of faith. It is conduct, as distinct from mere talking or from pleasing suppositions as to one's own goodness, on which the Epistle insists; for St. John is intolerant of shams, as becomes the disciple who was loved by Him who was the Truth. There is that light in his mind, which shows him the evil and malignity of sin. hereby — Greek, “in this.” “It is herein,” and herein only, that we know (present tense) that we have knowledge of (perfect tense, once-for-all obtained and continuing knowledge of) Him” (1 John 2:4, 1 John 2:13, 1 John 2:14).Tokens whereby to discern grace are frequently given in this Epistle. He hence concludes, that they by no means know God who keep not his precepts or commandments. "The sign of [experiential] knowledge of God is obedience to his commands and recognition of the way of life that he expects from his people. Thereby the promise of eternal life is made sure. Observe, 2. But our moral infirmities, our proneness to sin, he had not. This Spirit of God works a change; in all true Christians it changes from the power of Satan to the power of God. Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. (2) But the same principle will work itself out in love to our brethren. He only is righteous before God, as a justified believer, who is taught and disposed to righteousness by the Holy Spirit. Look at the wished-for correspondence between this soul-prosperity and outward prosperity. (1) The writer and the reader. It is the hope of hypocrites, not of the sons of God, that makes allowance for gratifying impure desires and lusts. Sadly this is the case with this commentary, yet … That thou mayest prosper - εὐοδοῦσθαι euodousthai. And as good-will to men was proclaimed from heaven, so good-will to men, particularly to the brethren, must be in the hearts of those who go to God and heaven. The whole duty and work of a Christian is made up of these two parts: faith and obedience; "looking unto Jesus," the Divine object as well as Author of our faith, and acting according to His will. Renewing grace is an abiding principle.

But a man cannot act like the devil, and at the same time be a disciple of Christ Jesus. Unsubscribe at any time.Series Introduction: I live in a small house. But none who rightly know the heart of man, can wonder at the contempt and enmity of ungodly people against the children of God. 1 John 3:2. Beware of self-deceit.

Stephen S. Smalley – 1, 2, 3 John (Word Biblical Commentary). Receive every article in your inbox by subscribing below. Not as if a certain frame of mind, certain notions, affections, feelings, and tempers, were not a necessary condition of a saving state; but so it is. B. Phillips' translation of this passage shows striking perception: Consider the incredible love that the Father has shown us in allowing us to be called "children of God" and that is not just what we are called, but what we are.This explains why the world will no more recognize us than it recognized Christ.Here and now, my dear friends, we are God's children. These are words of encouragement written to a community that is troubled by schism. Thanks for sharing, Cecily on January 8, 2013 at 10:24 am Thanks for the commentary on 3 John 2. There is the spiritual principle that opposes sinful acts. 3 John 1:2-4. without this there can be no comfortable enjoyment of either of them; and therefore of this sort of mercies, it is in the first place, and above all others, to be wished for, and desired by one friend for another. This word occurs in the New Testament only in the following places: And be in health - To enjoy bodily health.

"To know God was not merely to know Him as the philosopher knows Him; it was to know Him as a friend knows Him. He is praised for his conservatism and for his ability to understand and explain the positions of other scholars. In 1, 2 & 3 John, Gary Derickson explores how John communicates his pastoral concerns in his three epistles.Interacting with the most recent scholarship, Derickson focuses on John’s message and concerns rather than following the common theory of a Johannine school and secessionist polemic.

(16-21) The advantage of faith, love, and obedience. 760. For we cannot know him as Lord and Father, as he shews himself, without being dutiful children and obedient servants. Exegetical Commentary on 2 John 1-13. Under the former head—(1) St. John would have us think of Christian conduct as exhibiting the two aspects of obedience and of purity.