The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the first Epistle of Saint John, and…The comentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the first Epistle of Sainct Ihon, and…

5 They are of the world. This is no small comfort, that they which dare encounter with God in us, are only strengthened with worldly helps. Further, the Apostle understandeth the world, as Satan is the Prince of it. Together is added another comfort, when he saith, that the world embraceth in false Prophets, that which it doth acknowledge for their own. We see how great the readiness of man is to vanity. Therefore false doctrines easily enter by and by, and spread far and wide. The Apostle denieth that there is cause why we should therefore be troubled: because there is nothing new or unwonted, if the world which is whole a liar, do willingly hear a lie.

5 They are of the worlde. This is no small comfort, that they which dare incounter with God in vs, are onely strengthened with worldly helpes. Further, the Apostle vnderstandeth the worlde, as Sathan is the Prince of it. Together is added another comfort, when he saith, that ye world imbraceth in false Prophets, that which it doth acknowledge for their own. We sée how great ye readinesse of man is to vanitie. Therefore false doctrines easilye enter by and by, and spread farre and wide. The Apostle denyeth that there is cause why wée shoulde therefore bée troubled: because there is nothing newe or vnwonted, if the world which is whole a lier, doe willingly heare a lie.

6 We are of GOD. Albeit this agreeth unto all the godly: yet properly it belongeth to the true and faithful ministers of the Gospel. For the Apostle by the assurance of the Spirit rejoiceth, that he and his fellows do sincerely serve GOD, and that they have received of him whatsoever they deliver. It may also be that the false Apostles may boast themselves of the same, (as it is their manner under a masking visor, as it were of GOD, to deceive:) ⟨image 89⟩but faithful teachers differ much from them which speak nothing of themselves in words, that they do not perform in deed. Yet we must always remember what cause he handleth here. There was a small number of the godly: & unbelief almost possessed all things: few did truly clean to the Gospel: the greater part was prone to error. Hence came the occasion of offence: which that John might meet withal, he biddeth us be contented with the fewness of the faithful: because all the children of God do give honour to him, and submit themselves to his doctrine. For the contrary member he opposeth immediately after, that They which are not of God, hear not the pure doctrine of the gospel. By which words he signifieth, that that great multitude, to whom the Gospel tasteth not, do not therefore hear the approved and lawful servants of God, because it is a stranger to God himself: and that therefore nothing is diminished from the authority of the Gospel, while it is rejected of many. But to this doctrine is annexed a profitable admonition, that by the obedience of faith we prove our selves to be of God: There is nothing more easy, then to boast that we are of God: and therefore there is nothing amongst men more common.