1 John 1
CHAPTER 1
Prologue
That which existed from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we saw and our hands handled, concerning the word of life. 2 The life was manifested and we have seen and testify and declare to you the life, the eternal life, which existed with the Father and was manifested to us. 3 What we have seen and heard, we declare to you also, so that you may also have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write, that your joy may be made full.
Life in the light
5 And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce 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 the darkness, we lie and not do the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
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 righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
Commentary
1:3 True Christian fellowship is based around a common belief in the same basic Gospel message which both Jesus and John preached, and living according to it (v. 7). Christian fellowship as John speaks of it isn’t the same as social friendship, although it may include this.
1:10 The more God’s word abides in us, the more we are convicted of both our sinfulness and yet also the grace and certain salvation of God.
