SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:14
¶ Y nosotros hemos visto, y testificamos que el Padre ha enviado a su Hijo para ser Salvador del mundo.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 John 4:14
Verse 14. And we have seen] Jesus Christ manifested in the flesh; see chap. i. 1, &c.; and do testify - bear witness, in consequence of having the fullest conviction, that the Father sent the son to be the saviour of the world. We have had the fullest proof of this from his doctrine and miracles, which we heard and saw during the whole time that he sojourned among men.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 14. And we have seen, and do testify , &c.] This seems to be particularly said of the apostles, who had a clear discerning of the love and grace of God, manifested in the mission of Christ into the world; for though no man had seen his nature and his person, yet they had seen his love, and the exceeding riches of his grace, which he had shown forth in Christ Jesus; and they had also seen Christ, God manifest in the flesh; they had seen his glory, as the glory of the only begotten of the Father; they had seen him with their bodily eyes; they had seen his works and miracles; they had seen him dying and risen again from the dead, and go up to heaven; they were witnesses, and eyewitnesses of him, and bore a faithful testimony of him, and for him, and particularly set their seal to this truth, that the Father sent the Son [to be] the Saviour of the world ; not of every individual person in it, for there are some that will go into everlasting punishment, and even a world that will be condemned; Christ is not in fact the Saviour of all the individuals of human nature, and therefore was not sent to be such; for if he was, the end of his mission is not fully answered; nor of the Jews only, but of the Gentiles also, and who are chiefly intended by the world; (see Gill on 1 John 2:2); and even of all the elect of God, styled his people, his sheep, his friends, his church, and the sons of God; and it may be said of all that believe in him throughout the whole world, without any distinction of nation, age, sex, state, or condition: and Christ is the Saviour both of the souls and bodies of these, from all their sins, original and actual; from the power of Satan, the bondage and curse of the law, and wrath to come, and he is the only, able, willing, and complete Saviour, and who saves with an everlasting salvation. Ver. 15. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God , &c.] The only begotten of the Father; that he is not a mere man, as the Jews, and Ebion and Cerinthus said, but a divine person, equal with the Father; which contains all that relates to the dignity of his person, and his fitness for his office as a Saviour, and which was the test of faith in those times, and the grand article of belief: not that a bare assent to this had what followed annexed to it; for the devils believed and owned that Jesus was the Son of God; and so might, and did, unregenerate persons, as the centurion at the cross of Christ, who know nothing what communion with God is; but this confession is such as is attended with a believing in Christ from the heart unto righteousness, life, and salvation, and a cheerful obedience to his ordinances and commands, from a principle of love to him, and faith in him, things not to be found in devils and carnal men; (see Romans 10:9,10). God dwelleth in him, and he in God ; (see Gill on 1 John 4:13); this should encourage to an open and hearty confession of Christ as the Son of God, and Saviour of sinners, and to a public profession of his name, and faith in him, and an holding it fast without wavering.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 14-21 - The Father sent the Son, he willed his coming into this world. The apostle attests this. And whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the So of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. This confession include faith in the heart as the foundation; makes acknowledgment with the mouth to the glory of God and Christ, and profession in the life an conduct, against the flatteries and frowns of the world. There must be a day of universal judgment. Happy those who shall have holy boldnes before the Judge at that day; knowing he is their Friend and Advocate Happy those who have holy boldness in the prospect of that day, wh look and wait for it, and for the Judge's appearance! True love to God assures believers of God's love to them. Love teaches us to suffer for him and with him; therefore we may trust that we shall also be glorified with him, 2Ti 2:12. We must distinguish between the fear of God and being afraid of him; the fear of God imports high regard an veneration for God. Obedience and good works, done from the principl of love, are not like the servile toil of one who unwillingly labour from dread of a master's anger. They are like that of a dutiful child who does services to a beloved father, which benefit his brethren, an are done willingly. It is a sign that our love is far from perfect when our doubts, fears, and apprehensions of God, are many. Let heave and earth stand amazed at his love. He sent his word to invite sinner to partake of this great salvation. Let them take the comfort of the happy change wrought in them, while they give him the glory. The love of God in Christ, in the hearts of Christians from the Spirit of adoption, is the great proof of conversion. This must be tried by it effects on their temper, and their conduct to their brethren. If a ma professes to love God, and yet indulges anger or revenge, or shows selfish disposition, he gives his profession the lie. But if it is plain that our natural enmity is changed into affection and gratitude let us bless the name of our God for this seal and earnest of eterna happiness. Then we differ from the false professors, who pretend to love God, whom they have not seen, yet hate their brethren, whom the have seen __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 ημεις 2249 τεθεαμεθα 2300 5766 και 2532 μαρτυρουμεν 3140 5719 οτι 3754 ο 3588 πατηρ 3962 απεσταλκεν 649 5758 τον 3588 υιον 5207 σωτηρα 4990 του 3588 κοσμου 2889
Vincent's NT Word Studies
14. We have seen (peqeameqa). Have deliberately and steadfastly contemplated. Compare i. 1, and see on John i. 14.
Do testify (marturoumen). Rev., bear witness. See on John i. 7. Sent. See on ver. 9.
The Savior of the world. See the same phrase, John iv. 42, and compare John iii. 17. Swth.r Savior, occurs in John only here and John iv. 42. Elsewhere it is applied both to God (1 Timothy. i. 1; ii. 3; Tit. i. 3; ii. 10; iii. 4; Jude 25), and to Christ (Luke ii. 11; Acts v. 31; xiii. 23; 2 Tim. i. 10; Tit. i. 4, etc.). The title is found in Paul's Epistles of the Captivity (Eph. v. 23; Philip. iii. 20), and in the Pastorals (see above), but not in Corinthians, Romans, Galatians, or Thessalonians. In classical writings the term is applied to many deities, especially to Zeus (Jupiter); also to Hermes (Mercury), Apollo, Hercules, and even to female deities, as Fortune and Aphrodite (Venus). "Zeus Soter" (Zeus Savior) was used as a formula in drinking at banquets. The third cup was dedicated to him. Compare Plato: "Then, by way of a third libation to the savior Zeus, let us sum up and reassert what has been said" ("Philebus," 66). The drinking of this cup was a symbol of good fortune, and the third time came to mean the lucky time. "Twice then has the just man overthrown the unjust; and now comes the third trial, which, after Olympic fashion, is sacred to Zeus the savior,... and surely this will prove the greatest and most decisive of falls" (Plato, " Republic," 583). Hence the proverb, to triton tw swthri, lit., the third to the savior; i.e., the third or lucky time. The name was also given later to princes or public benefactors. The kindred noun swthria salvation, does not occur in John's Epistles, and appears only once in the Gospel (iv. 22). It is found thrice in Revelation (vii. 10; xii. 10; xix. 1). Swzein to save occurs six times in John's Gospel, and once in Revelation (xxi. 24). It does not appear in the Epistles.
