Remember the greatest: Remaining in love and casting out fear in 1 John
This article argues that the confusing admonition in favor of love and casting out fear in 1 John 4 is clarified when read in light of Deuteronomy and Leviticus. The commands to love God and love neighbor from Deut 6:4-5 and Lev 19:18b were ubiquitous in Second Temple Jewish contexts, and were a...
| Published in: | Review and expositor |
|---|---|
| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
|
| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Sage
[2018]
|
| In: |
Review and expositor
|
| IxTheo Classification: | CB Christian life; spirituality HB Old Testament HC New Testament NBF Christology NCC Social ethics |
| Further subjects: | B
Fear
B Gospel of John B Love B Leviticus B 1 John B Boldness |
| Online Access: |
Presumably Free Access Volltext (Verlag) |
| Summary: | This article argues that the confusing admonition in favor of love and casting out fear in 1 John 4 is clarified when read in light of Deuteronomy and Leviticus. The commands to love God and love neighbor from Deut 6:4-5 and Lev 19:18b were ubiquitous in Second Temple Jewish contexts, and were a prominent part of Jesus' teachings in the Gospels (Mark 12:29-31; Matt 22:37-40; Luke 10:27-28). Although often unrecognized, or at least unexplored, these Old Testament texts also influence the Gospel and Letters of John (e.g., John 5:39-47; 13:24-35; 1 John 4:16b-21). First John, in particular, can be read as an interpretation of Leviticus 19 that rearticulates and expands on traditions of Jesus' instructions reflected in John 13-17. The author of 1 John uses these traditions to explain how the purifying blood of Jesus the Advocate enables believers to have boldness rather than fear. In this way, 1 John calls on believers to remain in the love who is God so that they can act with confident love regardless of the fear that threatens them. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2052-9449 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Review and expositor
|
| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1177/0034637317752931 |