Verse:
1 John 5:4
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith (faith / pistis).
Commentary by Adam Clarke
Whatsoever is born of God Source
"Whatsoever" (the neuter for the masculine) is begotten of God: overcometh the world. "I understand by this," says Schoettgen, "the Jewish Church, or Judaism, which is often termed olam hazzeh, this world. The reasons which induce me to think so are,
1. Because this, world, denied that the Messiah was come; but the Gentiles did not oppose this principle.
2. Because he proves the truth of the Christian religion against the Jews, reasoning according to the Jewish manner; whence it is evident that he contends, not against the Gentiles, but against the Jews. The sense therefore is, he who possesses the true Christian faith can easily convict the Jewish religion of falsity." That is, He can show the vanity of their expectations, and the falsity of their glosses and prejudices. Suppose we understand by the world the evil principles and practices which are among men, and in the human heart; then the influence of God in the soul may be properly said to overcome this; and by faith in the Son of God a man is able to overcome all that is in the world, viz., the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eye, and the pride of life.
Commentary by Albert Barnes
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world.
The world, in its maxims, and precepts, and customs, does not rule him, but he is a freeman. The idea is, that there is a conflict between religion and the world, and that in the heart of every true Christian religion secures the victory, or triumphs.
In John 16:33, the Saviour says, "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. He obtained a complete triumph over him "who rules the darkness of the world," and laid the foundation for a victory by his people over all vice, error, and sin. John makes this affirmation of all who are born of God. "Whatsoever," or, as the Greek is, "Everything which is begotten of God," (~pan to gegenhmenon~;) meaning to affirm, undoubtedly, that in every instance where one is truly regenerated, there is this victory over the world.It is one of the settled maxims of religion, that every man who is a true Christian gains a victory over the world; and consequently a maxim as settled, that where the spirit of the world reigns supremely in the heart there is no true religion. But, if this be a true principle, how many professed Christians are there who are strangers to all claims of piety--for how many are there who are wholly governed by the spirit of this world!
"overcometh" 1 Corinthians 15:57
1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
And this is the victory.Even our faith.
This is the source or means of the victory which is thus achieved.
Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, 1 John 5:5. He overcame the world, John 16:33, and it is by that faith which makes us one with him, and that imbues us with his Spirit, that we are able to do it also.
1 John 5:5 John 16:33
Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Source
Commentary by John Wesley
For whatsoever Is born of God overcometh the world
- This expression implies the most unlimited universality. And this is the victory
-Conquers whatever it can lay in the way, either to allure or fright the children of God from keeping his commandments. Even our faith
- The grand means of overcoming. Source
- Seeing all things are possible to him that believeth.
Commentary by Matthew Henry
For whatsoever is born of God, or, as in some copies, whosoever is born of God, overcometh the world, 1 John 5:4. He that is born of God is born for God, and consequently for another world. He has a temper and disposition that tend to a higher and better world; and he is furnished with such arms, or such a weapon, whereby he can repel and conquer this; as it is added, And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith, 1 John 5:4. Faith is the cause of victory, the means, the instrument, the spiritual armour and artillery by which we overcome; for,
(1.) In and by faith we cleave to Christ, in contempt of, and opposition to, the world.
(2.) Faith works in and by love to God and Christ, and so withdraws us from the love of the world.
(3.) Faith sanctifies the heart, and purifies it from those sensual lusts by which the world obtains such sway and dominion over souls.
(4.) It receives and derives strength from the object of it, the Son of God, for conquering the frowns and flatteries of the world.
(5.) It obtains by gospel promise a right to the indwelling Spirit of grace, that is greater than he who dwells in the world.
(6.) It sees an invisible world at hand, with which this world is not worthy to be compared, and into which it tells the soul in which it resides it must be continually prepared to enter; and thereupon,
Source
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Prepared by William C. Barman for George Young Memorial United Methodist Church -- Palm Harbor, FL on 9/22/03; 9:52:00 AM