1 João 3

1 João 3:16

Hughes comments - The great compelling motive force in his life since conversion is that of love; not, however, love originating, far less ending, in himself, but the love which originates and ends with God in Christ. His conduct, however it be judged, is dictated by the love of Christ (not so much his love for Christ—though that inevitably is involved—as Christ's love for him, which is prior to and the explanation of his love for Christ, and which is supremely manifested, as is clear from what immediately follows, in Christ's atoning sacrifice of Himself… It is this love (agape) and none other, that shuts him in, confines him as between two walls (Ed: A good word picture of synecho) to one purpose which may be summed up in the terms of the preceding verse as being to live selflessly "unto God" and, within the framework of that supreme allegiance, to his fellow-men ("unto you" - 2Co 5:13+). (Paul's Second Epistle to the Corinthians: The English Text ... - Page 192) Westcott - That which constrains us is not only His example, but the truth which that example reveals. WE ARE UNDER MORAL OBLIGATION TO LOVE And we ought (opheilo - present tense) to lay down our lives (psuche) for the brethren (adelphos) - We are called to imitate Jesus (1Jn 2:6) and there is no greater way than in imitating His love. The present tense of opheilo signifies that we ought to be laying down our lives daily for our brethren! "Surrendering ourselves for others is a regular Christian obligation, and should be regarded as an ordinary duty rather than a transcendent deed of virtue." (Smalley) But just try to accomplish this surrender in your own (natural) strength! You and I simply cannot do it! We need to rely on the enabling power of the Spirit to die daily! Yes, we still have to make the decision (usually moment by moment as opportunities present themselves to "die to self"), but it is God's Spirit in us Who initiates this desire in our heart and gives us the power to accomplish it (Php 2:12+, Php 2:13+). And don't worry, God will give us plenty of "pop tests" to allow us to practice dying to self and loving others! If you are married, you know full well that what I am saying is all too true! It is interesting that John choose opheilo and not dei, for the former conveys more of a moral obligation and the latter more of a physical necessity. Hiebert adds "Instead of saying “must” (dei), which would have conveyed the thought of “logical necessity,” John uses “ought” (opheilomen) which conveys an inner sense of “moral obligation.”" John