1 John 1

1 John 1:1-2

The Word of Life
(Luke 24:36–49; John 20:19–23)

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have gazed upon and touched with our own hands—this is the Word of life. 2 And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us.

• That which was from the beginning

  • which we have heard
  • which we have seen with our own eyes
  • which we have gazed upon and touched with our own hands

• THIS is the Word of life.

• THIS is the life that was revealed;

  • we have seen it
  • and testified to it

• AND

  • we proclaim to you
    • the eternal life
    • that was with the Father
    • and was revealed to us

• Compare this to John 1:1-5

1 John 1:3-4

3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write these things so that our^a joy may be complete.

• W proclaim (report, announce) to you

  • what we have seen and heard

• WHY?

  • so that you also
    • may have fellowship with us.
      • G2842 - koinóniaG2842-koinónia
        • fellowship, lit: partnership)
        • a) contributory help, participation
        • b) sharing in, communion
        • c) spiritual fellowship, a fellowship in the spirit

• So, what is this fellowship?

  • And this fellowship of ours
    • is with the Father
    • and with His Son, Jesus Christ

• Purpose for writing this letter

  • We (John and ??) write these things

• WHY?

  • so that our (or your) joy may be complete.
    • G4137 - pléroóG4137-pléroó
      • to make full, complete
      • properly, fill to individual capacity.

1 John 1:5-7

Walking in the Light
(John 8:12–29)

5 And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But^b if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

• And THIS is the message

  • we have heard from Him
  • and announce to you

• God is light (Compare John 1:4-5)

  • and in Him
    • there is no darkness at all

• IF

  • we say we have fellowship with Him
    • YET walk in the darkness
  • we lie
  • and do NOT practice the truth.

• BUT

  • IF
    • we WALK in the light
      • G4043 - peripateóG4043-peripateó
        • to walk, hence, Hebraistically (in an ethical sense) - I conduct my life, live.
        • properly, walk around, i.e. in a complete circuit (going “full circle”).
    • as He is in the light
    • we HAVE fellowship with one another,
  • AND
    • the Blood of Jesus His Son
      • cleanses us from ALL sin.
    • All-Sin

1 John 1:8-10

8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.

Footnotes:

4 a BYZ and TR your
7 b NA does not include But .

• IF

  • we say we have no sin,
    • we DECEIVE ourselves,By-Self
  • AND
    • the TRUTH is NOT in us.

• IF

  • we confess our sins,
  • He
    • is faithful and just
    • to forgive us our sins
  • AND
    • to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.
    • All-Unrighteousness

• IF

  • we say we have not sinned,
    • we make Him out to be a liar
  • AND
    • **His Word is NOT in us.

• Notice the verbs “say” and “confess” and remember that Jesus said that whatever is in the heart the mouth speaks.