Overview
The first chapter of 1 John serves as an introduction to the key themes of the entire letter.
It establishes the Apostle John's credibility, as an eyewitness to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
The chapter primarily focuses on God's nature as light, and the implications of that nature for believers, in terms of fellowship, sin, and honesty.
Bible Study/Commentary
Verses 1-2: The Word of Life
In these verses, John is presenting himself as a direct witness of Jesus Christ, whom he refers to, as the "Word of life".
His aim is to make the readers aware of his personal experience, and knowledge of Christ, as a foundation from which he is able to offer reliable teaching, about the truth of God.
The “Word of Life” here, refers to Jesus Christ, mirroring John's Gospel in which he starts, by calling Jesus the Word! See John chapter 1, verse 1.
Verses 3-4: Proclamation for Fellowship
John makes it clear that his purpose in writing this letter, is to share the message of Christ, who is the 'Word of Life!' so that others may also have fellowship with God, and with other believers.
John emphasizes the joy, that comes from this fellowship, presenting it as a key aspect of a believer's life.
Verses 5-7: God as Light
John introduces the concept of God as pure light, with no darkness.
This analogy serves to express the absolute purity and holiness of God.
John goes on to state that followers of Christ, must 'walk in the light', to have fellowship with one another.
Walking in the light, signifies living in accordance with God's commandments, and in honesty, openness, and truth.
Throughout his three letters, John makes it clear that the new commandments, are to believe in Jesus, and to love your brothers and sisters.
Verses 8-10: Acknowledging and Confessing Sin
John addresses the issue of sin in these verses.
He cautions believers not to claim sinless perfection, stating that doing so would be deceptive, and contradictory to God's truth.
John then emphasizes the importance, of confessing our sins.
John assures believers, that God is faithful and just, willing to forgive sins, and purify from all unrighteousness, those who confess their sins.
Overall Summary
The first chapter of 1 John, highlights the importance of personal fellowship.
John shares his personal experiences with Christ, to establish credibility, and invite readers into fellowship with God, and with other believers.
The chapter introduces God's nature as light, and establishes that believers, should walk in this light, living in truth, and confessing their sins.
In doing so, as believers, we can experience the joy of true fellowship, and the assurance of God's forgiveness.
1st John 1
The Word of Life
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
Walking in the Light
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But 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. 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 a liar, and his word is not in us.
Q&A
- a. What had John heard, seen, looked upon, and handled? 1:1
b. What had been manifested (brought to light) to them? 1:2
c. What did John bear witness to and declare? 1:2
d. Had Jesus been with the Father? 1:2
e. Who was Jesus manifest (brought to light) to? 1:2
f. Why did John declare what he had seen and heard? 1:3
g. Who did John truly have fellowship with? 1:3
h. Who did John want them to have fellowship with? 1:4- 1 That which was from the beginning,
which we have heard,
which we have seen with our eyes,
which we have looked upon,
and our hands have handled,
concerning the Word of life— - 2 the life was manifested,
and we have seen,
and bear witness,
and declare to you
that eternal life
which was with the Father
and was manifested to us— - 3 that which we have seen and heard
we declare to you,
that you also may have fellowship with us;
and truly our fellowship
is with the Father
and with His Son Jesus Christ. - 4 And these things
we write to you
that your joy may be full.
- 1 That which was from the beginning,
- a. What is the message that John had heard and was declaring? 1:5
b. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, what are we really doing? 1:6
c. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, who will we have fellowship with? 1John 1:7
d. If we walk in the light, what with the blood of Jesus cleanse us from? 1:7
- 5 This is the message
which we have heard from Him
and declare to you,
that God is light
and in Him is no darkness at all. - 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him,
and walk in darkness,
we lie and do not practice the truth. - 7 But if we walk in the light
as He is in the light,
we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus Christ
His Son
cleanses us from all sin.
- 5 This is the message
- a. If we say that we have no sin; who are we deceiving? 1:8
b. If we say that we have no sin; what is not in us? 1:8
c. If we confess our sins, what is He faithful to forgive us of? 1:9
d. What will He cleanse us from? 1:9
e. If we say that we have not sinned; what are we calling Him? 1:10
f. If we say that we have not sinned; what is not in us? 1:10- 8 If we say that 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 that we have not sinned,
we make (call Him) Him a liar,
and His word is not in us.