A big day for Students of the Word, as we start not only a new section but begin to read about antichrist and the last days. We take as careful a look as we can at the meaning of antichrist, and try to distance ourselves from the cultural associations that surround us in order to try best to discern the meaning in the text. This also leads to an examination of what is meant by an anointed one.

What is abiding? How does abiding in Christ empower us to overcome the Evil One? In this episode we explore exactly those questions.

In chapter 3, we examine the apparent contradiction: God loves the world, and we are to be like God, so why do those who love the world, and the things in it, not have God in them? The astounding answer is in Genesis.

In this episode we deep-dive into I John 2:15-17 and the many different ways John could be using the word 'love' as it relates to loving the world, and the things in it.

Before moving on to verse 15, we spend some time again reviewing the poetic section of verses 12-14. One last time we explore the three questions we must ask when we encounter poetic material.

We return to the poetry found in 1 John 2:12-14. This time we consider the question of how the poem is connected to the rest of the text and why it has been inserted where it was.

Then the relationships between the various chiastic parallel components are compared and contrasted, and an understanding of how these connections impact the overall message is sought.

In 1 John 2:12-14, John gives a heartfelt address to three different groups within the Christian community - children, fathers and young people - conveying words of encouragement and assurance. His message reinforces the believers' confidence in their relationship with God through Christ and that the foundation of a faith in Christ provides the means to conquer challenges and grow closer to God.

In this episode the poetic nature of these verses is considered. We question why we have broken into poetry in the first place, and why the author thought a poetic structure was important. Then the poetic structure itself is very closely examined.

This is a convicting exploration of 1 John 2:7-11, about the connection between loving our brother and loving the Father, what that love looks like, and how this love affects our position within either the Light or the darkness.

John's many reasons for writing are then examined in verses 12-14, with an emphasis on WHO the letter is for, starting with who is meant by the "little children".

In this episode, we spend a good bit of time wrestling with the word choice and syntax of 2:10-11, and in doing so, we stumble across some interesting patterns and questions that shed light on the whole paragraph that we are finishing.

We begin today by returning to verse 9 and thinking through what exactly it means to hate your brother. Do we let ourselves off this charge too easily on some technicality or other? Then in verse 10 we consider the implications of John's assertion that the one loving his brother abides in the light. Tune in next time for more on stumblingblocks!