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This IMPERFECT PARALLEL SYMMETRY, which follows the literary unit for 1 John 4:7-19, could be rendered as the second part of a composite structure that combines the two literary units. I chose to separate them because this unit looks at those who do not love others properly, whereas the previous unit urges us to love properly. In analyzing this literary unit, it seems that everything is emphatic.
1) The FIRST/FIRST elements, A and A′, is a CONTRAST between to types of people that confess they love God: a hypocrite who does not exhibit proper love for his brother and the one who loves God′s children. The context infers that the child born of Him in verse 5:1B refers to those who are born again — they are the brother in verse 4:20.
2) The two B CORRESPONDING ELEMENTS clarify the two commandments: to love God and to love the brothers. As with the A elements, I interpret the children of God as those same born-again brothers.
3) The EXTRA C′ element focus on obedience to those commandments, particularly the two commands: love God and love your brothers.
4) In the LAST/LAST elements, D and D′, help define the born again group, that is those born of God. D states they must believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and D′ states nearly the same thing.
5) The CLOSING SUMMARY for verses 5:6 to 5:12 discusses God′s testimony. The x CENTER POINT stresses God′s testimony about Jesus. The SUBSTRUCTURE SUMMARY states that God gave us eternal life through Jesus the Son of God — if someone has received the Son, he has eternal life in Christ who is the Son of God. For those who have not received Jesus, he does not have that promise of eternal life. Show More Rhetoric Show Less Rhetoric
PARALLEL SYMMETRY (IMPERFECT):
... love of God and love God′s children ...
a change of topic
BEGINNING MARKER:
anyone who hates his brother cannot love God
A
If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. (v4:20)
two commandments: love God and your brother
B
And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also. (v4:21)
no text
C
those born of God believe Jesus is the Christ
D
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, (v5:1A)
anyone who loves God loves His children
A′
and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. (v5:1B)
observe God′s commandments to love God and His children
B′
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. (v5:2)
EXTRA: if we love God, we keep His commandments
C′
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. (v5:3)
those born of God (overcomers) believe Jesus is the Son of God
D′
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (v5:4,5)
the Spirit testifies Jesus came by water and blood
a
This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. (v5:6)
three testify: Spirit, water, and blood
a′
For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. (v5:7,8)
God testified through His Son
x
If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son. (v5:9)
the believer has God′s testimony
b
The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; (v5:10A)
the unbeliever does not have God's testimony
b′
the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. (v5:10B)
SUBSTRUCTURE SUMMARY: the testimony: God gave eternal life through His Son
sum
And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. (v5:11,12)