Origen of Alexandria

In his own words on 1 John

• 1 John 1:5

  God is light, according to John. The only-begotten Son therefore is the brightness of that light, proceeding from God without separation, as brightness from light, and lightening the whole creation.

  ON FIRST PRINCIPLES 1.2.7

• 1 John 2:1

  Let us consider whether the title advocate ("paraclete") means one thing when applied to the Savior and another when applied to the Holy Spirit. In regard to the Savior "paraclete" seems to mean intercessor, for in Greek it bears both meanings, comforter and intercessor, but according to the phrase which follows, in which it is said that he is the propitiation for our sins, it seems that it must mean intercessor, because he intercedes with the Father for our sins. When used of the Holy Spirit, however, the word paraclete ought to be understood as comforter, because he provides comfort for the souls to whom he opens and reveals a consciousness of spiritual knowledge.

  ON FIRST PRINCIPLES 2.7.4

• 1 John 2:1

  How could Jesus have become an advocate and propitiation without the power of God which completely destroys our weakness, a power furnished by Jesus which flows in the souls of believers?

  COMMENTARY ON JOHN 1.241

• 1 John 2:11

  Whoever does evil and hates his brother has extinguished the lamp of love, and therefore he walks in darkness.

  SERMONS ON LEVITICUS 13.2.4

• 1 John 2:14

  In my opinion, if someone is a child inside, then he will appear to be a child on the outside as well, however old he is. The same is true of someone who is an overgrown teenager. But it also follows from this that anyone can be an adult and parent on the inside, whatever age they may be.

  CATENA

• 1 John 3:8

  Insofar as we commit sins, we have not yet put off the generation of the devil, even if we are thought to believe in Jesus. Everyone who is not of the devil does not commit sin.

  COMMENTARY ON JOHN 20.103-4

• 1 John 3:9

  When we are persuaded by the devil to sin, we receive his seed. But when we go on to complete the work which he urged, then he has begotten us, for through sin we are born to him as children.

  SERMONS ON EXODUS 8.6

• 1 John 3:13

  If we have passed from death to life by passing from unbelief to faith, let us not be surprised if the world hates us. For no one who has failed to pass from death to life, but has remained in death, can love those who have left the darkened house of death.

  EXHORTATION TO MARTYRDOM 41

• 1 John 5:16

  Since there are sins "unto death," it follows that anyone who commits one of them will die as a result.

  SERMONS ON LEVITICUS 11.2.6