1ST JOHN 5:20(B)
VINCENT'S
WORD STUDIES by Marvin R. Vincent, 1886.
An
understanding (διάνοιαν)
Only
here in John's writings. The faculty of understanding. See on Luke
1:51. Westcott remarks that nouns which express intellectual powers
are rare in the writings of John.
We
may know (γινώσκομεν)
Apprehend
progressively. Compare John 17:3.
Him
that is true (τὸν ἀληθινόν)
Compare
Revelation 3:7, Revelation 3:14; Revelation 6:10. On true, see on
John 1:9. "God very strangely condescends indeed in making
things plain to me, actually assuming for the time the form of a man,
that I at my poor level may better see Him. This is my opportunity to
know Him. This incarnation is God making Himself accessible to human
thought - God opening to man the possibility of correspondence
through Jesus Christ. And this correspondence and this environment
are those I seek. He Himself assures me, 'This is life eternal, that
they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou
hast sent.' Do I not now discern the deeper meaning in Jesus Christ
whom Thou hast sent? Do I not better understand with what vision and
rapture the profoundest of the disciples exclaims, 'The Son of God is
come, and hath given us an understanding, that we might know Him that
is true?'" (Drummond, "Natural Law in the Spiritual
World").
This
God
the Father. Many, however, refer it to the Son.
Eternal
life
See
on 1 John 1:2.
