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, of the Word of life;
2
(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
3
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4
And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
5
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto 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 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 Christ his Son cleanseth 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 just 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.
1 John 1 Study & Commentary
Overview & Chapter Summary
1 John 1 declares the reality of the incarnation, as John speaks of what he has heard and seen. He presents God as Light and explains that fellowship with Him requires walking in the light and confessing our sins for cleansing through the blood of Christ.
Theological Context & Insights
CONTEMPORARY APPLICATIONS
1. Walking in the Light: If we say we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie (v. 6). Our lifestyle must align with the character of the God we profess to serve.
2. The Power of Confession: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us (v. 9). We should not hide our failures but bring them into the light of God’s mercy for restoration.
3. Continuous Cleansing: The blood of Jesus Christ "cleanseth us from all sin" (v. 7). This is a present-tense, ongoing reality that sustains the believer’s standing before a holy God.
Practical Lessons & Daily Application
FORMAL PRAYER
O God, who art Light and in whom is no darkness at all: grant that we may walk in the light as Thou art in the light. We confess our sins before Thee; cleanse us from all unrighteousness through the precious blood of Thy Son. Amen.
