1JN.doc

Book : 1JN
Chapter : 01
Verse : 01

 The apostle John wrote this to Christians.
  # That which was from the beginning 
   The phrase “That which was from the beginning”
  refers to Jesus, who existed before everything was made. You could translate this as “We
  are writing to you about the one who existed before the creation of all things.”
  # the beginning 
   “the beginning of all things” or “the creation of the world”
  # which we have heard 
   The phrase “which we have heard” refers to what Jesus taught
  them. It can be translated as “We heard him teach.”
  # we 
   In verses 1 and 2, the word “we” refers to John and those who knew Jesus when he
  was on this earth, but it does not include the people John was writing to. (See: Exclusive)
  # which we have seen with our eyes, which we have contemplated 
   “We ourselves have
  seen him.”
  # and our hands handled 
   “we have touched him with our hands”
  # the Word of life 
   This refers to Jesus. “He is the one who causes people to live forever.”
  # the life was manifested 
   This refers to Jesus’ coming to earth. It can be translated as
  “God sent him to the earth” (See: Active or Passive)
  # and we have seen 
   “and we saw him”
  # and bear witness 
   “and are telling you about him”
  # the eternal life 
   This phrase also refers to Jesus, who causes us to live forever. It can be
  translated as “that he causes us to live forever.”
  # which was with the Father 
   “He was with God the Father”
  # and was manifested to us 
   “but he came to live among us” (UDB) 

Verse : 03

 # that which we have seen and heard we declare to you also 
   “We declare to you also
  what we have seen and heard”
  # we…us…our 
   These pronouns refer to John and those who saw Jesus’ alive and are now
  teaching people about it. (See Exclusive)
  # you 
   The word “you” is plural and refers to the people John was writing to. (See: Forms
  of ‘You’)
  # have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father
   The word fellowship
  here is referring to a close friendship. These clauses could be translated “be our close
  friends and we are friends with God the Father”
  # our fellowship 
   It is not clear if John is including or excluding his readers. You may
  translate this either way.
  # Christ 
   The word Christ is a title, not a name and it means “the chosen one”. Here it is
  referring to God choosing Jesus to be our savior.
  # that your joy may be made complete 
   “to make your joy complete” or “to make you
  completely happy” (See: Active or Passive)
 

Verse : 05

 # we have heard 
   Here the word “we” refers to John and those who knew Jesus when he
  was on the earth. (See Exclusive)
  # you 
   The word “you” is plural and refers to the people John was writing to. (See: Forms
  of You)
  # God is light 
   This means that God is perfectly pure and holy. It can be translated as “God
  is purely righteous like pure light.” Cultures that associate goodness with light may be
  able to keep the idea of light without explaining the metaphor. (See: Metaphor)
  # in him there is no darkness at all 
   This means that God never sins and is not evil in
  any way. It can be translated as “in him there is no darkness of sin.” Cultures that associate
  evil with darkness may be able to keep the idea of darkness without explaining the
  metaphor.
  # we…us 
   In verses 6
  7 the pronouns “we” and “us” refer to all believers, including the
  people John was writing to. (See: Inclusive)
  # we lie and do not practice the truth 
   “we are certainly lying” (See: Doublet)
  # walk in darkness 
   This means “practice evil” or “always do evil.”
  # walk in the light 
   This means “practice goodness” or “always do what is good.”
  # the blood of Jesus 
   This refers to the death of Jesus. (See: Metonymy) 

Verse : 08

 # If we 
   In verses 8, 9, and 10 the phrase “if we” begins a hypothetical situation that could
  possibly happen. (See: Hypothetical Situations)
  # we…us 
   In verses 8
  10 the pronouns “we” and “us” refer to all believers. (See: Inclusive)
  # have no sin 
   “never sin” or “have never sinned” (UDB)
  # deceive 
   “trick” or “fool”
  # the truth is not in us 
   “we do not believe what he said is true”
  # he…him…his 
   These pronouns are probably referring to Jesus, but they may refer to
  God the Father. It is best to leave the pronouns ambiguous if your language will allow it.
  (See: Ambiguity)
  # faithful and righteous 
   “loyal and good”
  # to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness 
   “and will completely
  forgive us of what we have done wrong.” (See: Doublet)
  # we make him a liar 
   “it is the same as calling him a liar, because he said we have all
  sinned.” The phrase “because he said we have all sinned” is implicit. (See: Explicit and
  Implicit Information)
  # his word is not in us 
   This can be translated “we do not understand or obey what he
  says.” 

Chapter : 02
Verse : 01

 # My dear children 
   John was an elderly man and their leader. He used this expression
  to show his love for them. It can be translated as “My dear children in Christ” or “You
  who are as dear to me as my own children.” (See: Metaphor)
  # these things I write 
   “I am writing this letter”
  # But if anyone sins 
   This is something that is likely to happen. “But when anyone sins”
  (See: Hypothetical Situations)
  # we…us 
   In verses 1
  3 these words refer to John and the people he was writing to. (See:
  Inclusive)
  # an advocate with the Father 
   “someone who speaks to God the Father and asks him to
  forgive us”
  # Jesus Christ the righteous one 
   “and that person is Jesus Christ, the only one who is
  perfect”
  # He is the propitiation for our sin 
   “Jesus Christ voluntarily sacrificed his own life for
  us, so that as a result God forgives our sins” (UDB)
  # By this we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments 
   The phrase “we
  know him” means “we have a relationship with him.” This can be translated as “If we
  do what he tells us to do, then we can be certain that we have a good relationship with
  him.”
  # him…his 
   These words could refer to God or to Jesus. (See: Ambiguity) 

Verse : 04

 # He who says 
   “Anyone who says” or “The person who says”
  # I know God 
   This could be translated as “I have a good relationship with God.”
  # does not keep 
   “does not do” or “disobeys”
  # his commandments 
   “what God tells him to do”
  # the truth is not in him 
   “he does not believe what God says is true”
  # keeps 
   “does” or “obeys”
  # his word 
   “what God tells him to do”
  # the love of God 
   Possible meanings are 1) “our love for God” or 2) “God’s love for us.”
  # truly in that person the love of God has been perfected 
   This can be translated as an
  active sentence: “But those who obey what God commands them to do are the people
  who love God in every way” (UDB) or “God’s love for people has achieved its goal when
  they do what he tells them to do.” (See: Active or Passive)
  # By this we know that we are in him. 
   The phrase “we are in him” means that the
  believer is always united with God or has continual fellowship with God. Often in 1 John
  the phrase “remain in him” is used to mean the same thing. This can be translated as
  “When we obey what God says, we can be certain that we have fellowship with him.”
  # he remains in 
   “he has a relationship with”
  # ought himself also to walk even as Jesus Christ walked 
   “must live has Jesus Christ
  lived” or “should also obey God just as Jesus Christ did” 

Verse : 07

 # Beloved 
   This can be translated as “Friends” or “Dear believers in Christ”
  # I do not write a new commandment to you, but an old commandment 
   John was referring
  to Jesus’ command to love one another. This could be translated as “I am writing
  to you to love one other. That is not a new thing to do but an old commandment that you
  were told.”
  # from the beginning 
   “from when you first believed in Christ” (See: Explicit and Implicit)
  # Yet I am writing a new commandment to you 
   This can be translated as “But in one
  way the commandment I write to you is new.”
  # which is true in Christ and in you 
   This can be translated as “It is new because what
  Christ did was new, and what you are doing is new.”
  # the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining 
   Here “darkness”
  refers to evil and “light” refers to goodness. This can be translated as “because you are
  ceasing to do evil and you are doing more and more good.” (See: Metaphor)
 

Verse : 09

 # He who says 
   “Anyone who says” or “Those who claim” (UDB). This does not refer to a
  specific person.
  # he is in the light 
   This is a way of speaking about living right. When people do what is
  right, they can do it in the light, and not hide in the dark. This can be translated “he does
  what is is right” or “he is in the light doing what is right.” (See: Metaphor)
  # is in the darkness 
   This is a way of speaking about living sinfully. When people do what
  is wrong, they like to hide in the dark. This can be translated as “is in the darkness, doing
  what is evil.”
  # there is no occasion for stumbling in him 
   “nothing will cause him to stumble.” The
  word “stumbling” is a metaphor that means to fail spiritually or morally. This could be
  translated as “nothing will cause him to sin” or “he will never fail to do what is pleasing
  to God.”
  # is in the darkness and walks in the darkness 
   This same idea is said twice to bring
  attention to how evil it is to hate a fellow believer. This could be translated as “is living
  in darkness” or “is living in the darkness of sin.” (See: Doublet)
  # he does not know where he is going 
   This is a metaphor that can be translated as “he
  does not even know he is doing what is evil.”
  # the darkness has blinded his eyes 
   “the darkness has made him unable to see.” This
  could be translated as “sin has made it impossible for him to understand the truth.” 

Verse : 12

 # dear children 
   See how you translated this in 2:1.
  # your sins are forgiven you 
   This can be translated with an active clause: “God has
  forgiven your sins” (UDB). (See: Active or Passive)
  # for Christ’s name’s sake 
   “Christ’s name” is a metonym which refers to Christ and all he
  has done.“ This could be translated as “because of what Christ has done for you” (UDB).
  (See: Metonymy)
  # I write to you, fathers 
   The word “fathers” here is a metaphor and refers to mature
  believers. This could be translated as “I write to you, mature believers.”
  # you know 
   “you have a relationship with”
  # him who is from the beginning 
   “him who has always lived” or “him who has always
  existed.” It refers either to “Jesus” or to “God the Father.” (See: Ambiguity)
  # young men 
   This metaphor refers to those who are no longer new believers and are
  growing in spiritual maturity. This could be translated as “young believers.”
  # the word of God remains in you 
   This could be translated as “you know the word of
  God.”
  # overcome 
   “conquered” or “victory over” or “defeated” (UDB) 

Verse : 15

 # Do not love the world 
   In 2:15
  17 the word “world” refers to all the the things people
  do and the the things they want that do not honor God. This could be translated as “Do
  not behave like the people in the world who do not honor God” (UDB). (See: Metonymy)
  # nor the things that are in the world 
   “and do not want the same things those who
  dishonor God want”
  # the love of the Father is not in him 
   This means “he does not love the Father.”
  # If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him 
   This can be translated
  as “A person cannot love this world and all that dishonors God and love the Father at the
  same time.”
  translationNotes
  # the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the vain glory of life 
   This is a list of
  some of the things in the world. It explains what is meant by “everything that is in the
  world.”
  # the lust of the flesh 
   “the strong desire to have physical pleasure”
  # the lust of the eyes 
   “the strong desire to have things that we see”
  # the arrogance of life 
   “the bragging about what a person has” or “the pride people feel
  because of their things”
  # life 
   This refers here to the things that people have in order to live such as possessions
  and wealth.
  # is not of the Father 
   This can be translated as “does not come from the Father” or “is
  not how the Father teaches us to live.”
  # is passing away 
   “will one day not be here” 

Verse : 18

 # Little children 
   See how you translated this in 2:1.
  # it is the last hour 
   The phrase “the last hour” refers to the time just before Jesus returns
  to the earth and judges all people. This can be translated as “Jesus will return soon.” (See:
  Metonymy)
  # by which we know 
   This can be translated as “and because of this we know” or “and
  because many antichrists have come, we know.”
  # many antichrists have come 
   “there are many people who are against Christ.”
  # They went out from us 
   “They left us”
  # but they were not of us 
   “But they did not really belong to us anyway” or “they were
  not really part of our group in the first place.” The reason they were not really part of
  the group is that they were not believers in Jesus.
  # For if they had been of us, they would have continued with us 
   This could be translated
  as “Because, if they were really believers they would not have left us.”
  # they went out in order that they might be shown that they are not of us 
   This can
  be stated with an active clause: “they left us so that God could show us they were never
  really believers.” (See: Active or Passive) 

Verse : 20

 # But you have an anointing from the Holy One 
   “But the Holy One has anointed you.”
  In the Old Testament “anointing” refers to pouring oil on a person to set him apart to
  serve God. Here “anointing” refers to Jesus giving the Holy Spirit to believers to set them
  apart to serve God. This could be translated as “But Jesus Christ, the Holy One, has given
  you his Spirit.” (See: Metaphor)
  # no lie is of the truth 
   “no lie comes from the truth.” The phrase “the truth” may refer
  to God, the one who is full of truth. This could also be translated as “No lie comes from
  the true one.” 

Verse : 22

 # Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? 
   John used a rhetorical
  question to emphasize who the liars are. It could be translated as a question with an answer:
  “Who is the liar? It is anyone who denies that Jesus is the Christ.” (See: Rhetorical
  Question)
  # denies that Jesus is the Christ 
   “refuses to say that Jesus is the Christ” or “says that Jesus
  is not the Christ”
  # denies the Father and the Son 
   This can be translated as “refuses to say the truth about
  the Father and the Son” or “rejects the Father and the Son.”
  # does not have the Father 
   “does not belong to the Father”
  # confesses the Son 
   “speaks the truth about the Son”
  # has the Father 
   “belongs to the Father” 

Verse : 24

 # As for you 
   In 2:24
  26 the word “you” is plural and refers to the people John is writing
  to. (See: Forms of You)
  # let that which you have heard from the beginning remain in you 
   “remember and
  believe what you have heard from the beginning.” How they heard it, what they heard,
  and what “the beginning” means can be made explicit: “continue to trust what we have
  taught you about Jesus just as you have trusted since you first became believers.” (See:
  Explicit and Implicit Information)
  # that which you have heard from the beginning 
   This can be translated as “what we
  taught you about Jesus when you first became believers.”
  # If that which you heard from the beginning remains in you 
   “If you continue to trust
  what we taught you”
  # also remain in the Son and in the Father 
   See how this was translated in 2:5
  6
  # And this is the promise which he promised us; eternal life 
   “And this is what he
  promised to give us; eternal life” or “And he has promised to cause us to live forever.”
  # he promised us 
   Here the word “he” is emphatic and refers to Christ. The word “us”
  refers to John and all believers, including those he was writing to. (See: Inclusive)
  # would lead you astray 
   “would try to make you believe a lie” or “want to draw you away
  from God and His truth” 

Verse : 27

 # And as for you 
   In 2:27
  29 the word “you” is plural and refers to the believers John is
  writing to. (See: Forms of You)
  # the anointing 
   This refers to “God’s Spirit.” See the note about “anointing” in 2:20.
  # as his anointing teaches you 
   “because his anointing teaches you”
  # all things 
   Here this phrase is a hyperbole. It could be translated as “everything that you
  need to know” (UDB) (See: Hyperbole)
  # remain in him 
   See this phrase was translated in Explicit and Implicit)
  # Now 
   This word is used here to mark a new part of the letter.
  # dear children 
   See how you translated this in 2:1.
  # he appears 
   “we see him”
  # boldness 
   “confidence”
  # before him at his coming 
   The phrase “his coming” refers to when Jesus comes again
  as the king and judge of the world. This could be translated as “when he returns to judge
  all people.”
  # is born of him 
   “is born of God” or “is God’s child” 

Chapter : 03
Verse : 01

 # See what kind of love the Father has bestowed on us 
   “Think about how much our
  Father loves us” (UDB)
  # bestowed upon us 
   “given to us” or “shown us”
  # us…we 
   In 3:1
  3 these pronouns refer to John, his audience, and all believers.(See: Inclusive)
  # we should be called children of God 
   This can be translated with an active verb: “the
  Father should call us his children.” (See: Active or Passive)
  # the world does not know us, because it did not know him 
   Here “the world” refers
  to people who do not honor God. What the world did not know can be made explicit:
  “Those who do not honor God do not know that we belong to God, because they did not
  know God (See: Metonymy and Explicit and Implicit Information)
  # it has not yet been revealed 
   This can be translated with an active verb: “God has not
  revealed”
  # And every one that has this confidence fixed on him purifies himself just as he is
  pure. This can be translated “Everyone who confidently expects to see Christ as he really
  is will keep himself pure because Christ is pure.” 

Verse : 04

 # commits sin 
   “continues to sin” (UDB)
  # does lawlessness 
   “is refusing to obey God’s law” (UDB)
  # You 
   Here “you” is plural and refers to the people John is writing to. (See: Forms of You)
  # Christ was revealed 
   This can be translated with an active verb: “Christ appeared” or
  “the Father revealed Christ.” (See: Active or Passive)
  # remains in him 
   See how this was translated in 2:5
  6
  # has neither seen him or known him 
   This says the same thing in two different ways
  for emphasis. This can be translated as “has never truly believed in him.” (See: Doublet) 

Verse : 07

 # Dear children 
   See how you translated this in 2:1.
  # let no one lead you astray 
   This can be translated “do not let anyone fool you” or “do
  not let anyone deceive you” (UDB)
  # He who does righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous 
   This could be
  translated as “He who does what is right is pleasing to God just as Christ is pleasing to
  God.”
  # does sin 
   “continues to sin repeatedly” (UDB)
  # is of the devil 
   “belongs to the devil” or “is like the devil” (UDB)
  # from the beginning 
   This refers to the very earliest times of creations before humans
  first sinned. This could be translated as “since the earliest times of creation.” (See:
  Metonymy)
  # the Son of God was revealed 
   This can be translated with an active clause: “God revealed
  his son” (See: Active or Passive) 

Verse : 09

 # Whoever has been born of God 
   This can be translated with an active clause: “Whoever
  God has made his child.” (See: Active or Passive)
  # does not sin 
   “cannot continually sin” (UDB)
  # God’s seed 
   This compares a physical seed that is planted in the earth and grows to the
  Holy Spirit that God puts in believers which gives them power to resist sin and do what
  pleases God. This could be translated as “the Holy Spirit.” (See: Metaphor)
  # he has been born of God 
   This can be translated as an active clause: “God has given
  him new spiritual life” or “he is a child of God.”
  # In this the children of God and children of the devil are revealed. 
   This can be translated
  with an active sentence: “This is how we know the children of God and the children
  of the devil.” 

Verse : 11

 # we should love 
   Here, the word “we” refers to all believers. (See: Inclusive)
  # And why did he kill him? Because 
   John uses a question to teach his audience. This
  could be translated as a statement: “He killed him because” (See: Rhetorical Question)
  # his works were evil, and his younger brother’s righteous 
   This could be translated
  “because he was always doing evil things and his younger brother was doing good things.” 

Verse : 13

 # Marvel not 
   “Do not be surprised.”
  # brothers 
   “fellow believers”
  # if the world hates you 
   Here the word “world” refers to the people who do not honor
  God. This can be translated as “if those who do not honor God hate you who do honor
  God (See: Metonymy)
  # we have passed out of death into life 
   “we are no longer spiritually dead but are spiritually
  alive”
  # remains in death 
   “is still spiritually dead”
  # Whoever hates his brother is a murderer 
   This compares a person who hates another
  believer with a murderer. Since hatred is the cause of murder, God considers anyone
  who hates to be as guilty as someone who kills a person. This can be translated as “Whoever
  hates another believer is as guilty as someone who kills a person.” (See: Metaphor)
  # has eternal life living in him 
   “Eternal life” is something God gives believers after we
  die, but it is also a power God gives believers in this life to help them to stop sinning and
  to do what please him. This could also be translated as “has the power of spiritual life
  working inside of him.” 

Verse : 16

 # Christ laid down his life for us 
   This expression means “Christ willingly gave his life
  for us” or “Christ willingly died for us.” (See: Idiom)
  # the world’s goods 
   This could be translated as “material possessions like money, food,
  or clothing.”
  # sees his brother in need 
   “and realizes a fellow believer needs help”
  # and shuts up his heart of compassion from him 
   This expression means “but does not
  show him compassion” or “but does not willingly help him.”
  # how does the love of God remain in him? 
   John uses a question to teach his audience.
  This could be translated as a statement: “God’s love is not in him.” (See: Rhetorical Question)
  # My dear children 
   See how you translated this in 2:1.# let us not love in word nor in tongue 
   The phrases “in word” and “in tongue” mean
  basically the same thing. They refer to what a person says. This can be translated as “do
  not just say you love people.” (See: Doublet and Metonymy)
  # but in deed and truth 
   This could be translated as “but show that you truly love people
  by helping them.” 

Verse : 19

 # we are of the truth 
   This could be translated as “we are living according the the way
  Jesus taught us.”
  # assure our heart
   In 3:19
  22 the word “heart” refers to a person’s conscience or the part
  of a person’s thinking through which God makes him aware that he is doing something
  sinful. This can be translated as “we will not feel guilty in the presence of God.” (UDB)
  (See: Metonymy)
  # God is greater than our heart 
   This could be translated as “we know God is a better
  judge than our heart.”
  # and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. 
   This can be translated “we do what
  pleases him”
 

Verse : 23

 # this is his commandment 
   This could be translated “this is what God wants us to do.”
  # remains in him, and God in him 
   See how this was translated in 2:5
  6.
  # for love is of God 
   “ This can be translated “because God causes us to love each other”
  # born of God 
   This is a metaphor which means has a relationship to God like a child to
  his father (See: Metaphor)
  # and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 
   This can be translated “because
  those who love their fellow believers have become God’s children and know him.”
  (UDB)
  # He who loves not knows not God, for God is love 
   This can be translated “God’s nature
  is to love all people. Those who do not love their fellow believers do not know God
  because the character of God is to love people.” 

Chapter : 04
Verse : 01

 # do not believe every spirit 
   In 4:1
  3 the word “spirit” refers to a spiritual power or being
  that gives a person a message or prophecy. This could be translated as “do not trust every
  prophet who claims to have a message from a spirit.”
  # but test the spirits 
   This could be translated “but be sure to listen carefully to what the
  prophet says.”
  # has come in the flesh 
   “has taken on human form” or “has come in a physical body”
  # This is the spirit of the antichrist – This could be translated “They are teachers who
  oppose Christ ” (UDB)
  # which you have heard is coming 
   This could be translated “You have heard that people
  like that are coming among us.”
  # and now is already in the world. 
   This could be translated “Even now they are already
  here!” (UDB) 

Verse : 04

 # You are of God 
   “You belong to God.”
  # dear children 
   See how you translated this in 2:1.
  # have overcome those spirits 
   This could be translated “You have not believed the false
  teachers.”
  # he who is in you 
   “he” refers to God.
  # he who is in the world 
   “he” refers to Satan.
  # the world 
   The term the world refers to people who do not obey God.
  # Those spirits are of the world 
   This could be translated “Those false teachers are people
  who do not obey God.”
  # therefore what they say is of the world 
   This could be translated “therefore they teach
  ideas that are against God“
  # and the world listens to them 
   This could be translated “so the people who do not obey
  God listens to them”
 

Verse : 07

 # Beloved 
   “Dear friends.” (UDB)
  # let us love one another 
   “Believers are to love other believers.”
  # God is love 
   This is a metaphor which means “The character of God is love.” (See:
  Metaphor)
  # for love is of God 
   “ This can be translated “because God causes us to love each other”
  # born of God 
   This is a metaphor which means has a relationship to God like a child to
  his father.
  # and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 
   This can be translated “because
  those who love their fellow believers have become God’s children and know him.”
  (UDB)
  # He who loves not knows not God, for God is love 
   This can be translated “God’s nature
  is to love all people. Those who do not love their fellow believers do not know God
  because the character of God is to love people.” 

Verse : 09

 # In this the love of God was revealed among us, 
   This could be translated “God showed
  that he loved us,”
  # that we might live through him 
   This could be translated “enable us to live eternally
  because of what Jesus did.”
  # In this is love 
   This could be translated “God showed us what real love is”
  # not that we loved God, 
   This could be translated “it is not like the way we love God”
  # propitiation means an atoning sacrifice.
  # and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 
   This could be translated “and
  sent his Son to sacrifice himself so that God could forgive our sins.” 

Verse : 11

 # Beloved 
   “Dear friends.” (UDB)
  # if God so loved us 
   This can be translated “since God loves us so much”
  # love one another 
   “Believers are to love other believers.”
  # God remains in us…we remain in him and he in us 
   See how this was translated in
  2:5
  6.
  # his love is perfected in us 
   This could be translated “God’s love is made complete in us.”
  # because he has given us of his Spirit 
   This could be translated “because he has put his
  Holy Spirit in us”
  # And we have seen and have borne witness that the Father has sent the Son to be the
  Savior of the world. 
   This can be translated “And we apostles have seen the Son of God
  and tell everyone that God, the Father has sent his Son to save people on this earth.”
 

Verse : 15

 # Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God 
   “Those who say the truth about Jesus,
  that he is the Son of God.” (UDB)
  # God remains in him, and he in God 
   See how this was translated in 2:5
  6.
  # God is love
   This is a metaphor which means “The character of God is love.” (See:
  Metaphor)
  # and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him 
   This can be
  translated “those who continue to love others have a close relationship with God, and
  God has a close relationship with them.”) 

Verse : 17

 # In this love has been made perfect among us, that we may have confidence on the
  day of judgment 
   Possible meanings are 1) the word “this” refers back to 4:16. Alternate
  translation: “And when a person lives in love, and he is in God and God is in him, our
  love is complete. And, we may have complete confidence on the day of judgment.” Or
  2) the word “this” refers to “confidence.” Alternate translation: “When we are confident
  that God will accept us on the day he judges everyone, then we know our love is complete
  among us.”
  # because as he is, just so are we in this world 
   “because the relationship that Jesus has
  with God is the same relationship we have with God in this world”
  # perfect love throws out fear 
   Here “love” is described as a person with the power to
  remove fear. Alternate translation: “But when our love is complete we are no longer
  afraid.” (See: Personification)
  # because fear has to do with punishment 
   “because we are afraid if we think God will
  punish us when he comes to judge everyone”
  # But he who fears has not been made perfect in love 
   “When a person is afraid that
  God will punish him that means his love is not complete”
 

Verse : 19

 # We 
   This refers to John, the people he is writing to, and believers everywhere.“ (See:
  Inclusive)
  # hates his brother 
   “hate a fellow believer.” (UDB)
  # commandment from him 
   “him” refers to God. 

Chapter : 05
Verse : 01

 # is born of God 
   “is a child of God”
  # him who became the father 
   “the father.” Alternate translation: “him who caused us
  to be his children”
  # also loves him who was born of him 
   “also loves his child.” Alternate translation: “also
  loves his children.”
  # By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and do his
  commandments 
   “When we love God and do what he commands, then we know that
  we love the children of God”
  # For this is love for God, that we keep his commandments 
   “Because when we do what
  he commands that is true love for God”
  # And his commandments are not burdensome 
   “And what he commands is not a burden”
  or “And what he commands is not difficult to do” 

Verse : 04

 # everyone 
   This refers to all children of God.
  # overcomes the world 
   This can be translated “refuses to do the evil things unbelievers
  do”
  # And this is the victory…our faith 
   This could be translated “Our faith gives us the power
  to resist sinning against God.”
  # Who is he who overcomes the world? 
   This is a rhetorical question which contains a
  metonymy (world). “He” refers to believers. (See: Rhetorical Question and Metonymy) 

Verse : 06

 # This is he who came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ 
   “Jesus Christ is the one
  who came by water and blood.”Here “water” refers to the baptism of Jesus. Also “blood”
  refers to Jesus’ death on the cross. Alternate translation: “God showed that Jesus Christ
  is his son at Jesus’ baptism and his death on the cross.” (See: Metonymy)
  # not only by water, but by water and by blood 
   This can be translated as a new sentence:
  “He came not by water only, but by water and by blood.” Alternate translation: “God did
  not just show us Jesus was his son through his baptism, but through his baptism and his
  death on the cross.”
  # For there are three who bear witness 
   “For there are three who testify about Jesus”
  # and the Spirit and the water and the blood 
   Here, “water” and “blood” are described
  as a person who stands up in court and tells the people what he saw and heard. (See:
  Personification)
  # and the three agree in one 
   “and the three agree with each other” 

Verse : 09

 # If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater 
   Alternate translation:
  “If we believe what people say, then we should believe what God says because he always
  tells the truth.
  # He who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself 
   Alternate translation:
  “Whoever believes in Jesus knows for sure he is the Son of God.”
  # has made him a liar 
   “is calling God a liar”
  # because he has not believed the witness that God has borne concerning his Son 
  
  “because he does not believe God has told the truth about his Son” 

Verse : 11

 # And the witness is this 
   “This is what God says.” (UDB)
  # this life is in his Son 
   “We will live forever if we are joined with his Son” (UDB), or “We
  will live forever if we are united with his Son.”
  # He who has the Son has life 
   This could be translated “He who believes in Jesus has
  eternal life.” 

Verse : 13

 # These things 
   “This letter”
  # to you who believe on the name of the Son of God 
   The word “name” refers to the Son
  of God. Alternate translation: “to you who trust in the Son of God.” (See Metonymy)
  # And this is the confidence which we have before him 
   “And because we trust in the
  Son of God we can be sure of this”
  # if we ask according to his will 
   “if we ask for the things that the Son of God desires”
  # we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him 
   “we know that we
  will receive what we asked from him” 

Verse : 16

 # brother 
   “fellow believer.”
  # God will give him life 
   “life” here refers to eternal life. 

Verse : 18

 # We know that 
   “We” refers to all believers. (See: Inclusive)
  # does not sin 
   “does not habitually sin.” (UDB)
  # whole world lies 
   “World” is a metonymy which refers to the world system ruled by
  Satan. (See: Metonymy)
  # in the evil one 
   “Evil one” is a metonymy which refers to Satan. (See: Metonymy)
  # and the whole world lies in the evil one 
   This can be translated “Satan controls all the
  unbelievers in the world.” 

Verse : 20

 # we know 
   “We” refers to all believers.
  # given us understanding 
   “Has enabled us to understand the truth.” (UDB)
  # we know him who is true, 
   “him” refers to God the Father.
  # we are in him 
   See how this was translated in 2:5
  6.
  # Dear children 
   See how you translated this in 2:1.