1 John
Summary
John, the "beloved disciple," opens his first epistle by testifying to the "Word of life" which he and the other apostles have heard, seen, and touched. He declares that the purpose of this testimony is to invite the readers into "fellowship" with the apostles and with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. John proclaims the foundational message that "God is light" and that there is no darkness in Him. He emphasizes the necessity of walking in the light to have fellowship with God and one another, clarifying that the blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin. The chapter concludes with a call to acknowledge and confess our sins, assuring that God is faithful and just to forgive.
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, of the Word of life;
(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show to you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested to us;)
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.
And these things we write to you, that your joy may be full.
This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.
If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not live the truth:
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, 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.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.