SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 John 2000 – Page 9

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 4:9

4:9a

This: (Pronoun Reference) The word This refers forward to 4:9b, God’s sending his Son into the world.

among us: (Alternative Interpretations) There are two interpretations of the meaning of the Greek phrase used here:

(1) It probably indicates to whom God revealed his love, so the clause means, “God revealed/demonstrated to us his love (for people).” (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), New English Bible, Revised Standard Version)

(2) Some think it indicates who God loves. So the clause would then mean, “God showed that he loves us.” (Good News Translation, The Jerusalem Bible, King James Version, Living Bible)

4:9b

one and only: (Alternative Interpretations) There are two opinions about the meaning of the Greek word used here:

(1) Almost certainly it means “unique, the only one who exists.” (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), Good News Translation, The Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible, Revised Standard Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, Living Bible)

(2) A few people think it means “the only one who was born.” (New International Version (2011 Revision) margin, King James Version)

4:9c

we might live through Him: (Meaning) John means that Christ has caused us to be truly alive, he has given us eternal life.

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 2:6

2:6a

abide in Him: (Collocation) This has the same meaning as are “in Him” in 2:5. See the note on 2:5c.

2:6b

must walk: (Connotation) John is giving an implied command to his readers. He is saying that since they claim to live in God they ought to behave as Jesus did. In translation it is important that this should be understood as a command and not just as a statement.

walk: (Metaphor) Here, walk is used as a metaphor for the way we live and behave. The point of similarity is that both walking and behavior are actions that continue for some time and are done on purpose. If there is no common metaphor for this in your language, it is best to translate the meaning “should live” directly, as Good News Translation, The Jerusalem Bible and New English Bible have done.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 3:10

3:10a

By this: (Pronoun Reference) The words By this are referring to 3:10b–c.

children of the devil: (Meaning) This means the same as the phrase “is of the devil” in 3:8a.

3:10c

nor is anyone: (Ellipsis) The full meaning of this is that also the people who do not love their fellow Christians are not the children of God.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 5:2

5:2a

By this: (Alternative Interpretations) There are two views as to what the word this refers to:

(1) It is probably giving emphasis to the second half of the verse.

(2) Some think it refers back to the idea in 5:1 that whenever we love someone we also love their children. (New English Bible)

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 2:17

2:17a

(Revised Standard Version) And: (Logical Relationship) 2:17 gives a second reason for the appeal in 2:15 not to love the world. It is therefore connected in meaning to 2:15b. It does not follow in meaning from 2:16.

is passing away: (Meaning) John is telling his readers that this world will not last much longer. When Jesus returns to judge the world everything that is evil will be destroyed. The verb is in the present tense here because Jesus is already at work in the world, so the evil is already being destroyed.

its desires: (Meaning) This refers to all the evil ways of the world, such as the wrong attitudes mentioned in 2:16.

2:17b

whoever: (Meaning) As in 2:4, this means “anyone who.” It could also be translated “if anyone,” or “if you.”

does: (Tense) The tense here indicates continuous action, not just doing God’s will once.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 3:21

Paragraph 3:21–24

Read 3:21–24 in both Berean Standard Bible and Good News Translation. Compare the two versions.

Paragraph Theme: Here John repeats the main theme of this section, saying that we must obey God’s commands to believe in Jesus and love each other.

3:21 (Alternative Interpretations)

There are two interpretations of how this verse is related to 3:19–20:

(1) This verse is probably describing the situation when our hearts do not condemn us, in contrast with the situation mentioned in 3:20. In this case the verses may be linked with a word like “But” (see Living Bible), or have no linking word.

(2) Some think this verse is referring to the situation which results when we have “assured our hearts” (see 3:19). In that case the verses would be linked with “And so” (see Good News Translation).

3:21a

our hearts do not condemn us: (Meaning) See the note on 3:20.

3:21b

we have confidence before God: (Meaning) This particularly refers to not being afraid of speaking freely to God.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 5:13

Section 5:13–21

We can be sure that we have eternal life

Read 5:13–21 carefully.

Section Theme: John ends his letter by reassuring his readers that they do have eternal life and that they do truly know God.

Paragraph 5:13–17

Read 5:13–17 in both Berean Standard Bible and Good News Translation. Compare the two versions.

Paragraph Theme: John reminds his readers that because they have eternal life they can have confidence when they ask God for anything. Praying for other Christians who are sinning is an example of this.

5:13 (Focus)

This verse is a summary of John’s purpose in writing this letter. In it he focuses on two things: firstly that his readers must believe in Jesus, and secondly that they should not doubt that they have eternal life.

5:13a

these things: (Pronoun Reference) John is referring back to all the things he has written in this letter.

believe in the name: (Biblical Term) As in 3:23b, this means believing or trusting Jesus’ authority and character as God’s Son.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 1:5

Paragraph 1:5–10

Read 1:5–10 in both Berean Standard Bible and Good News Translation. Compare the two versions.

Paragraph Theme: In the previous verses John expresses the desire that his readers should share the fellowship which he has with God. In 1:5–10 he makes the point that God is morally pure and holy, and therefore those who sin cannot have fellowship with God unless they confess their sins and God forgives them. His purpose is to persuade his readers to confess their sins.

1:5a

And: (Discourse Feature) Because the previous verses contrast with what John is saying in 1:5–10, a connecting word such as “But” may be needed here instead of And. Good News Translation uses “Now,” which in English indicates a mild contrast.

this: (Pronoun Reference) The word this refer to the statement “God is light…”

we: (Pronoun Reference) John is referring to himself and the other apostles.

from Him: (Pronoun Reference) In order to make clear who this refers to, it will probably be necessary to use a fuller form, for example, “from Jesus Christ,” or “from God’s Son” as in Good News Translation.

1:5b–c

God is light: (Meaning) This is a description of God’s nature or character. Be sure in translation it does not sound as if John is identifying God with some particular light. The following clause confirms this statement by denying its opposite: “in him there is no darkness at all.”

light…darkness: (Metaphor) In the Bible “light” symbolizes goodness and purity and the truth that comes from God’s revelation of himself. “Darkness” symbolizes ignorance and all that is evil. If these symbols are not clear in your language, it may be necessary to state the meaning explicitly in your translation.

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Source: SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 2000

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 4:9

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 2:6

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 3:10

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 5:2

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 2:17

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 3:21

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 5:13

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 1:5

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