3:1 Wives, in the same way [cf. 2:13] be submissive [subject yourselves; cf. Gal. 3:28; Eph. 5:24; Col. 3:18; 1 Pet. 3:5] to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over [to win over to a point of view; cf. 1 Cor. 9:19-22] without words [actions speak louder than words] by the behavior [behavior/actions demonstrate reality] of their wives,

Note: List advantages to being respectful.

3:2 when they see [observe] the purity [irreproachable conduct that is free from moral defilement] and reverence [Gr. “phobos” refers to healthy fear (cf. 2:18)] of your lives.

3:3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment [not a prohibition against being well groomed or nicely dressed but against making these a priority over inner beauty and godly character], such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.

3:4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

3:5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands,

3:6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

3:7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate [respond accordingly to her needs, desires, gifts, abilities] as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker [refers to physical and not to moral, spiritual, or intellectual weakness] partner [implies a side-by-side relationship] and as heirs with [joint-heirs; signals equality] you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder [to cut in on] your [husband] prayers [our relationships with others matters (cf. Matt. 5:23-24) and impacts our prayers].

Note: How do you think being respectful would impact troubled marriages today?

3:8 Finally [the conclusion of his remarks on submission], all of you [believers represented variety of groups within society, including slaves, wives, husbands, etc.], live in harmony with one another [cf. Rom. 12:18]; be sympathetic [to feel what someone else feels; cf. Rom. 12:15], love as brothers [Gr. “philadephia”; to have family-like affections for others in the body of Christ], be compassionate [or kindhearted; feeling others’ needs and then acting to meet those needs (like the Good Samaritan in Lk. 10:25-37)] and humble [an attitude that keeps a person from being consumed by pride and selfish desires; Jesus set example of humility when He washed the disciples’ feet (cf. Jn. 13:1-15)].

3:9 [how to respond to persecution by non-Christians…] Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing [involves both good words and good actions toward those who persecute or torment us; blessing is the opposite of cursing], because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing [eternity with God].

10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.

3:11 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.

3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

3:13 Who [even the most irreligious people recognize what is good; cf. Prov. 3:3-4] is going to harm you if you are eager [passionate (translates the Gr. word “zealot”] to do good?

3:14 But even if [if perchance; the possibility of persecution was real] you should suffer [cf. Matt. 5:10] for what is right, you are blessed [highly privileged]. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened [disturbed; emotional turmoil; cf. Matt. 10:28].”

3:15 But [introduces the antidote to fear: focus on Christ] in your hearts [the place where fear would dwell] set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared [ready to speak out] to give an answer [a defense] to everyone who asks [whether in a court of law or an everyday informal inquiry] you to give the reason [a rational account of; a reasonable defense] for the hope [the “faith”] that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

3:16 keeping [maintaining] a clear conscience [personal integrity before God], so that those who speak [to speak evil against] maliciously [a reminder that we live in a hostile world] against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander [speaking evil about another in order to destroy good reputation].

Note: Do not supply people with the ammunition with which to speak maliciously against you or to slander you.

3:17 It is better, if it is God’s will [God may allow suffering to come into our lives for our growth and His glory], to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

3:19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—

3:20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,

3:21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

3:22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

2:1 Therefore, rid [constantly and deliberately; to lay aside as one removing filthy clothes; rid yourself of everything inconsistent with your new life] yourselves of [1] all malice [wickedness; a general term for that which is morally evil; cf. Eph. 4:31] and [2] all deceit [that which is fake; speaking or acting from selfish motives], [3] hypocrisy [being two-faced; the insincerity and pretense of professing Jesus but play acting as a Christian], [4] envy [wanting what someone else has (includes material possessions as well as praise and prestige); cf. Ex. 20:17], and [5] slander [evil speech directed to others; gossip] of every kind.

2:2 Like newborn babies [Gr. “brephos” is the same word used of baby Jesus in the manger (Lk. 2:16); here refers to new converts in Christ], crave [to deeply long for; cf. Matt. 5:6] pure spiritual milk [the Word of God (cf. 1 Pet. 1:23,25) which nourishes believers lives], so that by it you may grow up in your salvation [begins with the new birth; includes growing and maturing in holiness; one day will include salvation from presence of sin],

2:3 now that you have tasted [means to experience for yourself] that the Lord is good [cf. Ps. 34:8].

2:4 As you come to [daily drawing close to Him; we have the privilege of coming into God’s presence at any time and bring any need to Him] him, the living [Jesus imparts life] Stone [Jesus; cf. Acts 4:11-12] — rejected [cf. Ps. 118:22 and John 15:18-19] by men [those He came to save] but chosen [means “selected in love”] by God and precious [highly valued or esteemed] to him—
 
2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built [stones fit together and have a relationship to one another; God is the builder] into a spiritual house [the church; requires more than one stone to build] to be a holy priesthood [cf. Ex. 19:6 re “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation”; priesthood refers to all who have placed their faith in Christ for salvation], offering spiritual [not “animal” sacrifices] sacrifices [we offer ourselves (Rom. 12:1); we offer love (Eph. 5:2); we offer our resources and praises to God] acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
 
2:6 For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone [the first stone set during the building process; cornerstone was square to ensure the proper alignment of the remainder of the building; Eph. 2:19-22], and the one who trusts in him [Jesus, the cornerstone] will never be put to shame [cf. Rom. 9:33; 10:11].”
 
2:7 Now to you who believe [Christians], this stone [Jesus] is precious [highly valued; esteemed]. But to those who do not believe [or who do not regard Jesus as precious], “The stone the builders [those who toss Jesus aside as the cornerstone and instead choose to build their lives on something else] rejected [tossed aside in favor of another stone] has become the capstone [the very head of the corner; cf. Ps. 118:22],”

2:8 and, “A stone that causes men to stumble [a result of disobedience] and a rock that makes them fall [cf. Isa. 8:14; a result of disobedience].” They stumble [tripping or falling; taking offense at; rejecting the only one capable of saving them and giving meaning to their lives] because they disobey [willful rejection] the message — which is also what [the consequences of disbelief] they were destined for [cf. 2 Peter 3:9].
 
2:9 But you are a chosen people [God’s people are unique and distinct] a royal [because we are members of God’s family] priesthood [cf. Ex. 19:6; being a priest is a high honor; we can approach God directly (Heb. 14:6) rather than through an intermediary], a holy nation [cf. Ex. 19:6; set apart because of our devotion to God], a people belonging to [a treasured possession of] God [cf. Ex. 19:5; Mal. 3:17; not because of our race but because of our choice to place our faith in Christ alone for salvation], that you may declare [we are called to speak about what God has done for us, specifically in regard to our salvation] the praises [wonderful deeds] of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
 
2:10 Once you were not a people [cf. Hos. 1:9-10; 2:23], but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy [God withholding from us what we deserve; evidence of God’s love for us].

2:11 Dear friends [beloved; these believers were well-known to Peter], I urge [to appeal to; to beg, invite, or request] you, as aliens [refers to foreigners who reside for a time in a foreign land] and strangers [refers to people who are just passing through a foreign land] in the world [cf. 1 Pet. 1:1], to abstain from [a reminder that believers have not yet lost their capacity to desire or to do wrong things] sinful [or fleshly desires; fleshly refers to everything human that stands in opposition to God] desires, which war against your soul [or against you; the whole person; cf. Rom. 7:13-25].

2:12 Live such good [honorable, decent] lives [believers are to live their lives in the light of eternity and in the light of the holiness of God] among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong [because they misunderstand your motives and actions; cf. Matt. 5:11], they may see your good deeds and glorify God [cf. Matt. 5:16] on the day he visits us.

2:13 Submit [accept the authority of; not when it means violating God’s Word and sinning against God (cf. Acts 5:29)] yourselves for the Lord’s sake [so that the spread of the gospel will not be hindered] to every authority [literally means “creature;” cf. Rom. 13:1-2] instituted among men [human institutions]: whether to the king [in Peter’s time Emperor Nero, a cruel tyrant who ruled from AD 54–68], as the supreme authority,

2:14 or to governors, who are sent by him [the king or emperor] to [this word introduces the God-ordained functions (that help maintain peace and safety) of those in authority] punish [legal punishment] those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

Note: Recall a time when you rebelled against authority. What consequences did you suffer?

2:15 For it is God’s will that by [defines the will of God] doing good [refers to what is written in 2:13-14] you should silence [muzzle, gag, restrain] the ignorant talk [about Christianity] of foolish [those without reason; those who lie about and slander believers] men.

2:16 Live as free [this does not mean that we are free to do whatever we want] men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up [pretext] for evil; live as servants [Christ frees people to serve God] of God.

2:17 Show proper respect [honor, value, esteem] to everyone [because all are made in the image of God]: Love [volitional, self-sacrificial kind of love] the brotherhood [the family of believers] of believers, fear [show deep respect, reverence, awe] God, honor [Gr. “timao;” the word “respect” is translated from same verb] the king.

2:18 Slaves [Gr. “oiketes” which means household servant; some of Peter’s readers may have been servants serving in pagan homes], submit [cooperate, willingly obey, be loyal] yourselves to your masters [one who has authority] with all respect [our attitude matters; Gr. “phobos” which refers to healthy fear], not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh [hard to deal with; cruel].

Note: How can you endure an extremely difficult situation in a way that would honor God?

2:19 For it is commendable if a man bears up [endure, put up with] under the pain [mental anguish] of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.

2:20 But how is it to your credit [reputation] if you receive a beating [to hit with the fist (as in Mk. 14:65); to treat roughly] for doing wrong and endure it? But [repeats thought of 2:19] if you suffer [under the hands of a harsh master] for doing good and you endure [without lashing back] it, this is commendable before God.

2:21 To this [the patient endurance of unjust treatment when you least deserve it] you were called, because Christ suffered [cf. Jn. 15:20] for you, leaving you an example [Gr. “hupogrammaton” refers to model of handwriting set up by teachers for pupils to copy], that you should follow in his [Jesus’] steps [footprints].

2:22 [note how Jesus was an example] “[cf. Isa. 53:9] He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

2:23 [cf. Isa. 53:7] When they hurled [they did so repeatedly] their insults [vile and abusive language] at him, he did not retaliate [to return abuse]; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted [to commit; kept entrusting] himself to him [God] who judges justly [according to justice; God will have the final say].

2:24 He himself bore our sins [cf. Isa. 53:12] in his body on the tree, so that we might die to [in reference to] sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds [a cut which bleeds] you have been healed [cf. Isa. 53:5].

2:25 For you were like sheep going astray [cf. Isa. 53:6], but now you have returned [from going astray down the way of sin] to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1:1 Peter, an apostle [means “one who is sent”] of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers [refers to an alien residing in a foreign land] in the world, scattered throughout [the recipients (both Jews and Gentiles) of the letter lived in the five provinces of he Roman Empire in what is now northern Turkey; Jews from these provinces heard Peter preach on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:9-10)] Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,

1:2 who have been chosen [elect; shows God’s initiative in all matters of salvation] according to the foreknowledge [means our salvation was not an afterthought on God’s part] of God the Father [the One who planned salvation before the beginning], through the sanctifying [to set apart or dedicate someone or something to God’s use] work of the Spirit, for obedience [the act of responding in faith to the gospel; characterizes the life of a believer] to Jesus Christ [the One who shed His blood] and sprinkling by his blood [expression possibly comes from the sprinkling of the blood on the ark of the covenant on the Day of Atonement (cf. Lev. 16) or from the red heifer ceremony of Num. 19]: Grace [God’s undeserved favor; God’s initiative in reaching out to undeserving sinners] and peace [the wholeness resulting from salvation; there is no peace without grace first] be yours in abundance [God has an inexhaustible supply of grace and peace].

1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy [means God has not given us what our rebellion against Him does deserve] he has given us new birth [cf. Jesus and Nicodemus (Jn. 3:1-21)] into a living hope [underscores the future orientation of believers’ lives in Christ; to live in the present with eyes on eternity; cf. Peter’s use of the word “hope” in 1:3,13,21; 3:5,15] through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead [the central reality of our faith; in the resurrection, God vindicated Jesus as His Son (Rom. 1:4)],

1:4 and into an inheritance [means “a possession”] that can never perish [stated positively: perpetual], spoil [stated positively: pure] or fade [stated positively: permanent]—kept in heaven for you [for believers],

1:5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time [at the return of Christ].

1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while [a short time in comparison with their eternal salvation (1:5) and reward (1:4)] you may have had to suffer grief [to be distressed] in all kinds [various or “many colored”] of trials [included persecution].

1:7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth [genuine faith will not perish when tested thus making it more valuable than gold] than gold, which perishes even though refined [tested] by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed [second coming].

1:8 Though you have not seen [cf. Jn. 20:29] him, you love [Gr. “agapao” or love in its highest form] him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe [Gr. “pisteuo” is the verb form of the noun translated “faith” in 1:9] in him and are filled with an inexpressible [nobody can fully explain it] and glorious joy [the opposite of the distress or sorrow caused by various trials],

1:9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls [in NT refers to the entire person: body, mind, and spirit].

1:10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets [Isaiah (9:2-7; 11:1-9; 53:1-12), Joel (2:28-32), and Micah (4:1-5) foretold God’s coming salvation and grace], who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care,

1:11 trying to find out the time [when their prophecies (concerning the Messiah) would be fulfilled] and circumstances [concerning the Messiah’s coming] to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.

1:12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves [i.e., the people of their own time] but you [recipients of Peter’s letter were privileged to experience what the prophets did not live to see (the fulfillment of the prophetic vision of Messiah)], when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those [including Peter] who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels [have not experienced the kind of salvation from sin that saved humans have experienced] long to look into these things [how God’s plan of salvation is being accomplished].

1:13 Therefore [word indicates that what follows flows from what preceded (1:1-12); marks transition from declaration of truth (1:1-12) to exhortation to action], prepare your minds [“gird up the loins of your mind” as men who wore long robes gathered them up in order to run or to work] for action; be self-controlled [sober, serious, fully-rational]; set your hope [“a living hope” (1:3)] fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed [second coming; God’s ultimate deliverance in eternity].

1:14 As obedient children [believers must behave in the way their Heavenly Father asks them to], do not conform [Gr. “suschematizo” means to fashion or conform (cf. Rom. 12:2)] to the evil desires [Gr. “epithumia” often refers to sexual lusts or passions and also to other worldly desires such as greed for material things; any desire for satisfaction apart from God; former pagan practices; former moral laxity] you had when you lived in ignorance [of God and His Word; cf. “empty way of life” in 1:18].

1:15 But [word signals change between former pagan lives and present Christian lives] just as he who called you is holy [utterly set apart from sin], so be holy [set apart for God’s service; to conform our lives to God’s standards and character; the plural of the word “holy” is “saints”] in all you do;

1:16 for it is written [cf. Lev. 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7]: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

1:17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.

1:18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers,

1:19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

1:20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.

1:21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

1:22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth [obeying the gospel command to repent and receive Christ as Lord by faith] so that you have sincere [Gr. “anupokritos” which means “not hypocritical”] love [Gr. “agapao”] for your brothers [Gr. “philadelphia”], love one another [fellow believers (members of God’s family)] deeply, from the heart.

1:23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed [as of an earthly father whose seed gives temporal (or perishable) life], but of imperishable [as of our Heavenly Father whose seed (used metaphorically) gives eternal (or imperishable) life], through the living and enduring word of God [His Word is the standard for all our faith and practice].

1:24 For [or “for it is written” as in 1:16; cf. Isa. 40:6-8], “All men are like grass [cf. Ps. 103:15-16], and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,

1:25 but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was preached [as the gospel] to you.

5:1 Everyone who believes [to put your confidence in] that Jesus is the Christ [God’s Messiah] is born of God [refers to spiritual process by which believers receive new life from God and become a part of His family; being born again (cf. Jn. 3:3,7)], and everyone who loves the father [the Heavenly Father is the one who has given us spiritual birth] loves his child [the one to whom the Heavenly Father has given spiritual birth] as well.

5:2 This is how we know that we love [to love as God loves] the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands [including the directive that we love God’s children (1 Jn. 3:23; 4:21)].

5:3 This is love for God: to obey [the indwelling Spirit enablers believers to keep His commands] his commands [cf. Jn. 14:15,21,23-24,31; 15:10]. And his commands are not burdensome [cf. Matt. 11:28-30],

5:4 for everyone born of God overcomes [conquer, defeat] the world [refers to people antagonistic to God’s family (the church); sinful humanity which is alienated from God]. This is the victory [Gr. “nike” (like the sports shoes)] that has overcome the world [the world system that opposes God], even our faith.

5:5 Who is it that overcomes [to conquer the disbelief and hatred of the world] the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

5:6 This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.

5:7 For there are three that testify:

5:8 the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.

5:9 We accept man’s testimony, but God’s testimony [in essence, the Bible contains His testimonies to His Son] is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son.

5:10 Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart [because the indwelling Holy Spirit bears witness]. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar [by their unbelief unbelievers are saying that God lied and does not give eternal life through Christ], because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son.

5:11 And this is the testimony: [1] God has given us eternal life [eternal life begins when a person trusts Jesus as Savior, and it never ends], and [2] this life is in his Son [likely that John was addressing a heresy that said that eternal life can be attained without a relationship with God through Christ].

5:12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

5:13 I write [cf. Jn. 20:31] these things [refers to John’s main reason for writing his epistle] to you who believe in the name of the Son of God [absolute reliance on Christ for salvation] so that you may know [false teachers caused believers to doubt whether they really possessed eternal life] that you have eternal life.

5:14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

5:15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

5:16 If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that.

5:17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.

5:18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin [describes a lifestyle, not a single act]; the one [God’s own Son] who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm [to touch or strike with the result of harming or destroying] him.

5:19 [cf. Col. 1:13] We know [certainty based on trustworthy evidence (testimony)] that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

5:20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true—even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

5:21 Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.

4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

4:2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

4:3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

4:5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.

4:6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

4:7 Dear friends [loved ones], let us love [Gr. agape: “self-giving that acts on behalf of others, regardless of the cost to the one loving” (Dean)] one another, for love comes from God [the source of our agape love for one another; unlike eros or phileo love, agape love does not come naturally to humans]. Everyone [those who love one another (4:7)] who loves [showing love is an evidence of salvation] has been born [cf. John 3:1-8] of God and knows [personal knowledge] God.

4:8 [conversely] Whoever does not [fails to] love [gives evidence that He does not have His nature and…] does not know God, because God is love [cf. 4:16; everything God does is an expression of His nature — thus He rules in love, He judges in love, etc.].

4:9 [How can we know for sure God loves us?] This is how God showed [the love John spoke of involved concrete and objective acts] his love among us: He sent [God’s love required Him to send Jesus] his one and only [unique, only one of the kind] Son into the world [the incarnation] that we might live through him [cf. Jn. 3:16-17].

4:10 This [refers to God’s act on our behalf in 4:9; distinguished God’s kind of love with any love claimed by the false teachers] is love: not that we loved God [as false teachers claimed], but that he loved [took the initiative; cf. Rom. 5:8] us and sent [it is possible to give without loving but it is not possible to love without giving; the true nature of love is unselfish and sacrificial] his Son as an atoning sacrifice [propitiation (offering made to appease) / expiation (forgiveness or sending away sins and guilt)] for our sins.

4:11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another [cf. Jn. 13:34-35].

4:12 No one has ever seen [some believe this is a reference to the false teachers who may have claimed visions of God] God [cf. Jn. 4:24; Ex. 33:20,23]; but [the evidence of God is seen when we show His love to others; cf. Jn. 13:35] if we love one another, God lives [abides and can be seen] in us and his love is made complete [reaches its intended purpose in our lives; this happens only when love is expressed in concrete actions] in us.

4:13 We know [are assured; have confirmation] that we live [abide] in him and he in us, because [how we know] he has given us of his Spirit [cf. Eph. 1:13-14; Holy Spirit motivates us to obey God in loving acts].

4:14 And we [testimony of the church] have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

4:15 [how the Holy Spirit comes to live in a person] If anyone acknowledges [heartfelt confession] that Jesus is the Son of God [testimony of those who are believers], God lives in him [in the person of he Holy Spirit] and he in God [members of God’s family].

4:16 And so we know [refers to knowledge of God’s love gained through experience; and because we know we…] and rely [having faith in His Son; believe, trust in, rely on the fact that God loves us] on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in [remain in, abide in] love [“Living in love means Christ is your Savior, and you need not fear the judgment” (Butler)] lives in God, and God in him.

4:17 In this way, love is made complete [has fulfilled its purpose] among us so that we will have confidence [boldness] on the day of judgment [assurance of eternal salvation; God’s love enables believers to face death with confidence], because in this world we are like him.

4:18 There is no fear [the other side of confidence] in love. But perfect [strong, mature] love drives out fear [fear of judgment], because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears [live in fearful uncertainty of the day of judgment] is not made perfect in love [denial of God’s love and failure to trust Him].

4:19 We love [the love with which we love is not our own but the love of God in us] because he first [took the initiative (cf. 4:10)] loved us [God’s love sets us free to love others].

4:20 If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother [fellow human being or fellow Christian], he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

4:21 And he has given us this command [cf. Jn. 13:34]: Whoever loves God must also love his brother [God’s love and Christian love are inseparable; cf. Mk. 12:30-31].

3:1 How great [Gr. word “potapen” refers to something that has come from another country; something exotic or beyond what we have previously experienced] is the love the Father has lavished [poured] on us, that we should be called children [word emphasizes birth rather than infancy] of God [“children of God” is both a reality and a title for believers]! And that is what we are [in the present, not at some future point]! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him [cf. Jn. 1:10].

3:2 Dear friends [beloved or those who are loved], now [not at some time in the future] we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him [we will be like Him in body (cf. Phil. 3:21); glorification (the final stage of salvation)], for we shall see [to perceive, to recognize, to appreciate] him as he is [we will see Jesus as Savior and Lord; those who reject Him will see Him as Judge; cf. 2 Cor. 3:18].

3:3 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies [morally and spiritually; cf. Matt. 5:8] himself, just as he is pure.

3:4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.

3:5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin.

3:6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

3:7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.

3:8 He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.

3:9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.

3:10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

3:11 This is the message you heard from the beginning [from the time John’s readers first became believers (cf. 1 Jn. 2:7); cf. Jn. 13:34-35; 15:17]: We should [not an option; an obligation] love one another.

Note: What keeps you from loving others?

3:12 Do not be like Cain [along with Abel, son of Adam and Eve; read Gen. 4:1-16; Heb. 11:4; Cain offered grain and fruits for his offering], who belonged to the evil one [cf. Jn. 8:44] and murdered his brother [Abel; offered an animal sacrifice (with the right attitude)]. And why did he murder [one of the results of failing to love others] him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous [Cain angered by Abel’s righteous life].

Note: How can jealousy and hatred lead to murder?

3:13 Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world [hostile to God (cf. 1 Jn. 2:15)] hates [because believers are different (cf. 1 Pet. 4:3-4)] you [cf. Jn. 5:18-19].

3:14 We know [John used the Greek verb translated “we know” sixteen times in this letter] that we have passed [something experienced in the past with continuing results] from death to life, because we love [love is outward evidence that a person has passed from death to life] our brothers [other Christians]. Anyone who does not love remains in death.

3:15 Anyone who hates his brother [another Christian] is a murderer [cf. Matt. 5:21-22 re: violating the spirit of the Sixth Commandment through anger and verbal abuse], and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.

Note: If a heart is empty of love, what fills in the void?

3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down [voluntarily] his life for us [stresses the reality of Christ’s death]. And we ought to lay down [we can do this by giving up personal rights, seeking the best for others, putting the interests of others above our own, serving others without expecting anything in return; cf. Jn. 15:13] our lives for our brothers.

Note: How can we “lay down” our lives for others?

3:17 If anyone has material possessions [the necessities of life; cf. Lk. 12:48] and sees his brother in need [real need, not wants] but has no pity [locks or shuts up compassion; “shuts up his heart” (NKJV)] on him [cf. parable of the good Samaritan (Lk. 10:25-37)], how can the love [Biblical love is a verb; love must take action] of God [God’s kind of love which expressed itself in giving (cf. Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8)] be in him [cf. Jas. 2:14-17]?

3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue [talk is cheap] but with actions [actions must back up words] and in truth.

Note: “They love one another. They never fail to help widows; they save orphans from those who will hurt them. If they have something, they give freely to the man who has nothing; if they see a stranger, they take him home and are happy, as though he were a real brother. They don’t consider themselves brothers and sisters in the usual sense, but brothers instead through the Spirit, in God.” (Written by Aristedes about Christians to the Roman Emperor Hadrian)

3:19 This [actively demonstrating God’s love to others in practical ways] then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence

3:20 whenever our hearts [or consciences] condemn us. For God [His voice of assurance] is greater than our hearts [the accusing voice of conscience], and he knows everything [God knows more about us than we know about ourselves].

3:21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence [the assurance that we are accepted; freedom of speech in approaching God in prayer; cf. Heb. 4:16] before God

3:22 and receive from him anything we ask [cf. Jn. 15:7 (prayers must pertain to fruitbearing and glorifying God); cf. Matt. 7:7; 21:22], because we obey his commands and do what pleases him [cf. Jn. 9:31].

3:23 And this is his command: [1] to believe [implies a decisive action] in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and [2] to love [ongoing lifestyle] one another [believing in Jesus requires that we love others who believe in Him] as he commanded us.

3:24 Those who obey his commands [cf. 1 Jn. 3:23] live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit [provides believes with the presence of the indwelling Christ] he gave us.

Note: Does your conduct verify the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life?

2:1 My dear children [an affectionate term], I write this to you so that you will not sin [tense of Greek verb conveys acts of sin, not habitual sinning—occasional sins, not a sinful lifestyle]. But if anybody does sin [refers to a single act rather than habitual sin], we have one who speaks [an advocate; from Gr. “parakletos” or “one called alongside”] to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ [cf. Heb. 7:25], the Righteous One [the only One qualified to represent us before the Father and to plead our case].

2:2 He is the atoning sacrifice [propitiation; to appease; to make atonement or expiation for; to be gracious; to show mercy; emphasizes the removal of divine wrath (Jesus’ death turned God’s wrath from the sinner)] for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world [this does not mean that all will be saved; only those who repent and place their faith in Jesus alone will be saved].

2:3 We know that we have come to know [conveys the idea of knowledge by experience; there is a difference between “know Him” and “know about Him”] him if we obey [to keep, to observe; this is evidence of our relationship with Him; a continuous, habitual action] his commands.

2:4 The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar [because his lifestyle contradicts his confession], and the truth is not in him.

2:5 But if anyone obeys his word [same as “obey his commands” in 2:3], God’s love [Gr. “agape” means determined goodwill that seeks the best interests of others; involves volition rather than emotion] is truly made complete [has fulfilled the purpose or intention for which it is designed] in him. This is how we know we are in him:

2:6 Whoever claims to live in him must [ought to] walk [continuously; Gr. “peripateo” means “to walk” and is often used figuratively of one’s way of life] as Jesus did.

2:7 Dear friends [term of endearment; this is one word (“beloved”) in the Greek text from the Gr. root “agape”], I am not writing you a new command [the command to love one another] but an old one, which you have had since the beginning [either from the OT (cf. Lev. 19:18) or from the time the gospel had been proclaimed to them; cf. 1 Jn. 3:11]. This old command is the message you have heard.

2:8 Yet I am writing you a new [new in its centrality in the Christian life] command [cf. Jn. 13:34]; its truth is seen in him [this kind of love was a reality in Jesus’ life] and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light [Jesus is and brings the true light; cf. Jn. 1:4-5] is already shining.

2:9 Anyone who claims to be in the light [in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ] but hates his brother [probably refers to another Christian] is still in the darkness [or in the realm of evil; cf. Col. 1:13].

2:10 Whoever loves [the proof that a person is a genuine believer] his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble [does not trip himself up; does not cause others to stumble].

2:11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going [without direction; aimless wandering], because the darkness has blinded him [without sight].

2:12 I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.

2:13 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father.

2:14 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

2:15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

2:16 For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world.

2:17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

2:18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.

2:19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.

2:21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth.

2:22 Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist—he denies the Father and the Son.

2:23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

2:24 See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.

2:25 And this is what he promised us—even eternal life.

2:26 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.

2:27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.

2:28 And now, dear children [a term of affection], continue [remain; do not allow the false teachers to lead you away from Christ] in him [to “continue in him” refers to fellowship], so that when he appears [the second coming of Christ] we may be confident [to have boldness; to be fully assured of one’s position] and unashamed [some will be ashamed because of unconfessed sin that has marred their walk with Him or because they have stored no treasure up in heaven] before him at his coming [Gr. “parousia”].

2:29 If [or “since”] you know that he is righteous [Jesus lived a life totally without sin], you know that everyone who does what is right [lives a Christlike life; doing what is right provides the visible proof of being a Christian] has been born of him [born again].

22:1 Then the angel showed me [glimpse of the interior of heavenly Jerusalem] the river of the water of life [cf. John 4:10], as clear as crystal, flowing [abundantly] from the throne of God and of the Lamb [and therefore free from any impurities]

22:2 down the middle of the great [main] street of the city. On each side [refers to accessibility] of the river stood the tree [nourished by the river of life; symbolizes restoration of what was forfeited in Eden] of life [cf. Gen. 2:9; this tree represents eternal life], bearing twelve [number symbolizing completeness in religion or spiritual matters] crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month [cf. Ps. 1:1-3; Ezek. 47:12]. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing [perhaps reference to ongoing spiritual health] of the nations.

22:3 No longer [heaven will restore what was lost when sin entered the world] will there be any curse [of sin]. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve [not just rest in heaven] Him.

22:4 They will [finally] see [previously not possible; great privilege] His face [full revelation; intimacy to be constantly enjoyed; barriers removed], and His name will be on their foreheads.

22:5 There will be no more night [perhaps meaning no more evil (cf. Jn. 3:19); nothing will diminish God’s glory in heaven]. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light [God’s light dispels all darkness or evil]. And they will reign for ever and ever.

22:6 The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”

22:7 “Behold, I [Christ] am coming soon [phrase appears three times in ch. 22:7,12,20; does not necessarily mean immediately; implies a call to readiness and expectancy because when He does return it will be quick or sudden]! Blessed is he who keeps [continually heeds, guards, obeys; cf. Rev. 1:3] the words of the prophecy [foretelling (prophecy) and forthtelling (exhortation)] in this book.”

22:8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship [see also 19:10] at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me.

22:9 But he [cf. v. 8, angel] said to me, “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep [observe/obey] the words of this book. Worship God [only He is worthy of worship; theme of the book]!”

22:10 Then he [cf. v. 8, angel] told me, “Do not seal up [instead make the message public] the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time [season] is near [therefore apply message today].

22:11 [cf. Matt. 13:30; first part of this verse refers to sin-hardened people who have reached the point of no return or perhaps means that some will not have time to repent because Jesus will return suddenly and without warning] Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile [morally defiled] continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy.”

22:12 “Behold, I am coming soon [cf. 2 Pet. 3:8; a warning (to the lost) and a promise (to the believer); should serve as motivation to holy living]! My reward [can mean either a positive reward or a negative punishment] is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done [work or sum total of a person’s life; cf. Rom. 2:5-6].

22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last [and everything in between], the Beginning and the End.

22:14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes [equivalent to trusting Christ as Savior and Lord; see Rev. 7:14], that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates [John 10:9] into the city.

22:15 Outside [the gates; excluded from heaven by their sins; the place of those who do not wash their robes] are the dogs [label of reproach; applied to those who had committed abominable sins], those who practice magic arts [promote pagan superstitions], the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you [plural: perhaps refers to John and the seven churches] this testimony [message] for [the message of this book is intended primarily for…] the churches [as in 1:4 and also all churches throughout history; believers who make up churches]. I am the Root [cf. Isa. 11:1] and the Offspring of David [Jewish Messiah (Anointed One)], and the bright Morning Star [dawning of eternal day for all who place their trust in Him; the One who dispels darkness; heralds new day of hope and promise].”

22:17 The [Holy] Spirit [inspires the church (bride) to issue the invitation to “come”] and the bride [church in the sense of the totality of all believers] say, “Come [invitation to lost sinners to come to Jesus for salvation]!” And let him who hears [implies that recipients of gospel must share it with others] say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty [spiritually], let him come [while there is time]; and whoever wishes [indicates freedom to believe], let him take the free gift [cf. Rom. 6:23b] of the water of life.

22:18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.

22:19 And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

22:20 He who testifies to these things says [the heart of our Christian hope…], “Yes, I am coming [incentive for holy living] soon [a relative term; God does not measure time as we do].” Amen. [John’s yearning and earnest prayer…] Come [reflects our readiness and faithfulness to His work], Lord Jesus [cf. 1 Cor. 16:22; Maranatha (Aramaic) means “Come, Lord Jesus”].

Note: “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Pet. 3:9)

22:21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen [let it be so].

Note: Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.

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21:1 Then I saw a new [in character, kind, or quality] heaven and a new earth [some see this as an all-encompassing phrase meaning a whole new universe], for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no [absence of] longer any sea [symbol of turmoil and danger; nothing to separate as the sea separated him (on Patmos) from his fellow believers (on the mainland)].

21:2 I saw the Holy City [pure and beautiful like a new bride], the new [same meaning as in verse 1] Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven [as a gift] from God [the “architect and builder” as per Heb. 11:10; origin and source], prepared [by God] as a [metaphor/description of the most intimate human relationship] bride [the Holy City; redeemed humanity] beautifully dressed for her husband.

21:3 And I heard a loud voice [unidentified] from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling [Gr. skene: tabernacle, tent, booth (temporary dwellings)] of God is with men [no more need for earthly temple like the one in earthly Jerusalem], and He will live [permanently] with [Gr. skenosei: dwell or tabernacle with] them. They will be His people [literally “peoples”], and God Himself will be with them and be their God.

21:4 He will wipe [tenderly so] every tear from their eyes [no more sorrow because no more sin]. There will be no more death [the result of sin; cf. Rev. 20:14 and 1 Cor. 15:26] or mourning [one of the effects of sin and death] or crying [as a result of persecution, daily circumstances, sin] or pain [a penalty of the fall (cf. Gen. 3:16)], for the old [previous] order of things has passed away.”

21:5 He [Jesus Christ] who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true [because “these words” were spoken by the One who is Himself trustworthy and true].”

21:6 He said to me: “It [the results of redemption are fully completed] is done [cf. Jesus’ declaration from the cross in Jn. 19:30]. I am the Alpha and the Omega [the A to Z], the Beginning [the beginning source of all things] and the End [the goal of all things]. To him who is thirsty [those who recognize that they are spiritually needy] I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.

21:7 He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

21:8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars-their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

21:9 One of the seven angels [John’s “tour” guide] who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues [cf. 17:1] came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride [symbolizes the close, harmonious relationship that exists between Christ and the congregation of the redeemed], the wife of the Lamb [this title used seven times in 21:9-17].”

21:10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high [perhaps in contrast to the desert where John had seen the harlot (17:3); a place where John could gain a wide view], and showed me the Holy City [inhabited by the redeemed], Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.

21:11 It shone [no need for a sun or moon] with the glory [brilliance or radiance; the fullness of who God is; the abiding presence of God] of God, and its brilliance [radiance: something in which light is concentrated] was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.

21:12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.

21:13 There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west.

21:14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

21:15 The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls.

21:16 The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long.

21:17 He measured its wall and it was 144 cubits thick, by man’s measurement, which the angel was using.

21:18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass.

21:19 The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone [among the Hebrews, precious stones symbolized God’s presence (Robbins); same jewels/stones which adorn breastplate of high priest (Ex. 28:17-20)]. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,

21:20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.

21:21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.

21:22 I did not see a temple [a notable absence for any Jew who thought of the temple when thinking about Jerusalem; a temple (a place where people worshiped and encountered God) was necessary in a fallen world] in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

21:23 The city does not need the sun [natural light] or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God [the Creator of Light] gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.

21:24 The nations [people groups (people of every tribe and culture) rather than political entities; our identity as people groups will still be evident in the new Jerusalem] will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring [in tribute] their splendor [glory] into it.

21:25 On no day will its gates ever be shut [on earth gates are shut because of fear and for security], for there will be no night [darkness] there.

21:26 The glory and honor of the nations [people groups; heaven will be a multicultural place] will be brought into it [cf. Isa. 60:5].

21:27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful [these have their own final place of destruction where they will spend eternity], but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

20:1 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain.

20:2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.

20:3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

20:4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

20:5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection.

20:6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

20:7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison

20:8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore.

20:9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them.

20:10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

20:11 Then I saw a great white throne [some believe this event is a general judgment of all human beings who have ever lived (cf. Jn. 5:28-29); others believe that Christians will already have experienced the judgment Paul spoke about in Rom. 14:10-12] and him [the Lord Jesus Christ] who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.

20:12 And I saw the dead [the subjects of this judgment], great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done [both good and evil] as recorded in the books [contain a detailed record of the works of every person].

20:13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades [a name used to refer to the burial of anyone] gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done.

20:14 Then death and Hades [cf. 1 Cor. 15:26] were thrown into the lake of fire [a place of eternal separation from God; cf. Matt. 18:9]. The lake of fire is the second death [this phrase also occurs in Rev. 2:11; 20:6,14; 21:8; the “first death” is the death of the human body; second death refers to the separation of the human person from God in conscious torment].

20:15 If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life [a citizenship register for those who will live in heaven forever; a register of those saved by grace through faith; cf. Rev. 3:5; 13:8; 17:8], he was thrown into the lake of fire.