Comments on: The Epistles of John (Part 33): 1 John 4:1–3 http://www.witheringfig.com/new-testament/the-epistles-of-john-part-33-1-john-41%e2%80%933/ In principio erat Verbum... Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:53:03 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: stephen http://www.witheringfig.com/new-testament/the-epistles-of-john-part-33-1-john-41%e2%80%933/comment-page-1/#comment-17116 stephen Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:45:29 +0000 http://www.witheringfig.com/?p=423#comment-17116 Good thinking, Scott! That's a good catch, and I appreciate your comment. In one of my NTs I have this written next to the verse in questions: "reaction to docetism." I think that the phrase <span class="greek">ἐν σαρκί</span> (in the flesh) is probably meant to combat the notion of docetism (NB: the root or <em>docetism</em> — <span class="greek">δοκέω</span> — to seem). John wants it to be clear that Jesus appeared <em>in the flesh</em> as a human being and not as someone who merely <em>seemed to be</em> human. However, I think two issues still remain: (a) Is this aimed at docetists only? (b) What exactly is going on with this language of "spirit"? Good thinking, Scott! That’s a good catch, and I appreciate your comment. In one of my NTs I have this written next to the verse in questions: “reaction to docetism.”

I think that the phrase ἐν σαρκί (in the flesh) is probably meant to combat the notion of docetism (NB: the root or docetism — δοκέω — to seem). John wants it to be clear that Jesus appeared in the flesh as a human being and not as someone who merely seemed to be human.

However, I think two issues still remain:
(a) Is this aimed at docetists only?
(b) What exactly is going on with this language of “spirit”?

]]> By: Scott Ferguson http://www.witheringfig.com/new-testament/the-epistles-of-john-part-33-1-john-41%e2%80%933/comment-page-1/#comment-17113 Scott Ferguson Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:17:22 +0000 http://www.witheringfig.com/?p=423#comment-17113 Isn't it possible that the author is warning specifically against the Docetists - those who deny Jesus had a physical body- of his day. Kinda like the "other gospel" that Paul warned against. Isn’t it possible that the author is warning specifically against the Docetists – those who deny Jesus had a physical body- of his day. Kinda like the “other gospel” that Paul warned against.

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