Ans. This passage identifies the believer with the spotless new nature that he possesses by the new birth. The epistle regards the believer at the height of his proper standing in Christ. Every Christian is looked at here as acting solely in the power and energy of the new nature. But you may say he often does not. This is true, otherwise there were no need for 1:9, but this is not the subject here. It could not say "ought not to sin" for it is solely speaking here of what is born of God, and it is plain that nothing born of God can sin. The reason we ever sin is because we allow that within us to act which is not born of God. Such a Christian is not contemplated here.
Ans. Leaven throughout Scripture is a type of what is evil, never of what is good,-of hidden "malice and wickedness." Leaven was not to be burned before the Lord; the offering of Lev. 7:1313Besides the cakes, he shall offer for his offering leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanksgiving of his peace offerings. (Leviticus 7:13) was not burned by fire, (see Lev. 2:1111No meat offering, which ye shall bring unto the Lord, shall be made with leaven: for ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, in any offering of the Lord made by fire. (Leviticus 2:11)), and the offering of it there shows that though we are not in the flesh, it is still in us.
Ans. The sweet savor is that of Christ's name which is spread abroad by preaching, whether the result of that preaching to man be life by receiving it, or death by rejecting it. In either case Christ is proclaimed.
Ques. Please explain, "Whosoever shall be ashamed of Me," etc., Luke 9:2626For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. (Luke 9:26), "If we deny Him, He also will deny us," 2 Tim. 2:1212If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: (2 Timothy 2:12), and other similar passages.
Ans. Those who are ashamed of, or deny Him,-through fear or shame refuse Christ, choosing rather the approval and applause of the world,-their end is seen in Rev. 21:88But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8),
“But the fearful and unbelieving,... shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.