To My Little Children

Description

The First Epistle of John has not been short of treatment down through the centuries with over one hundred commentaries from patristic times to the present. Hamilton Moore is well placed to write this commentary having had the opportunity during fifty years of ministry to preach on the Epistle several times, finding its powerful message was received with blessing. Why focus upon it again? Basically, the reason being his concern to reaffirm the Epistle’s theme of assurance which is so important for believers locally and around the world, including the land where God after fifty years of ministry called him to serve, i.e., among the Romanian Christian communities.

This theme of Christian assurance for John’s little children is one of the crucial notes in this Epistle which has aroused surprisingly little echo among expositors. Here, in the present work it is given the greater focus it requires. This Epistle has a truly pastoral emphasis. It was sent by John to his little children in the apostolic communities, a message to remove fear, to reassure them by repeatedly highlighting the proofs of life which demonstrated those who were ‘of God’ from those who were being guided by the spirit of antichrist. They are encouraged to have confidence for the day of judgment, confident that God is their Father, confident that they can approach Him in prayer.