Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture: James, First, Second, and Third John
Digital Verbum Edition
Overview
In this addition to the successful Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture, two respected scholars and Bible teachers interpret James and First, Second, and Third John from within the living tradition of the Church. The commentary provides crisp explanations of the text with helpful sidebars and ideas for application to enrich preaching, group Bible study, and personal reflection. This volume presents excellent biblical scholarship in a format accessible to laypeople with no special training in biblical studies.
Top Highlights
“In other words, ‘water and blood’ points, at one and the same time, to Christ’s work of salvation and our reception of that work through the sacraments of baptism and the Eucharist.” (Page 229)
“But most often in 1 John ‘world’ refers to human society that is set against God (3:1), that is the home of sinful patterns of life (2:16) and is under the power of the evil one (4:4). When John calls us to ‘not love the world or the things of the world,’ he is referring not to the created order as such, which is good, but to a system of values and a sphere of temptation in human society that is hostile to God.” (Page 164)
“The title of address, My children (or ‘my little children’),8 shows John’s intimate knowledge of his audience and his affection for them, but it also demonstrates his authority as a spiritual father.” (Page 151)
“The ‘one begotten by him’ could refer to Jesus the unique Son, but the context shows that John has the Christian believer in mind. The one who believes is begotten of God, and so if we love the Father, who begets, then we should also love those begotten of God. John is giving here a further rationale for what he said in 4:21: ‘Whoever loves God must also love his brother.’” (Page 223)
“In this context, the testimony of the Spirit ‘consists in that action by which the truth of Jesus’ baptism and death is brought to life within the Church through the sacraments of baptism and the Eucharist.’16 The Holy Spirit ‘testifies’ to us about Christ by making the redemptive power of his work manifest in our lives.” (Page 229)