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1 John Chapter
One
I.
Content of the Chapter
Fellowship in Light
A. The origin and revelation and preachment of
the fellowship (v.1-2);
1. Origin: the eternal life which was from the
beginning and was with the Father;
2. Revelation: the Word of life can be heard
and seen and touched;
3. Declaration: we (the Lord’s disciples) now
bear witness and declare to you (believers in later generations);
B. The types and purpose of the fellowship
(v.3-4);
1. Types:
a.
You have fellowship
with us (fellowship among believers);
b.
We have fellowship
with the Father and His son Jesus Christ (fellowship between God and men);
2. Purpose: that our joy may be full;
C. The condition and hindrance and remedy of
the fellowship (v.5-10);
1. Condition: we walk in the light as He is in
the light;
2. Hindrance: our sin and sins;
3. Remedy: confess our sins that we will be
forgiven and cleansed by the Lord’s blood;
II.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1John. 1:1
“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--”
YLT: “That which was from the
beginning
that which we have heard
that which we have seen with our eyes
that which we did behold
and our hands did handle
concerning the Word of the
Life --”
Meaning of Words:
“beginning”: commencement
first; “life”: the divine life (zoe); “see”: stare at
behold; “look upon”:
look closely at; “handle”: touch with hands;
Literal Meaning:
“that which was from the
beginning … concerning the Word of
life--”
“beginning”
it also appears in the Gospel of
John (1:1). But in the gospel it referred to the past eternity before all was
created
and here it was from all was created. “From the beginning”
the Word
was there in the past eternity (see John 1:1-2). “Word of life” means that
“there is word of life in the Word” (see John 1:4)
namely
the Lord Jesus
Christ
who became the flesh in time (John 1:14); and the words that He has
spoken unto us are spirit and are life (John 6:63).
“Which we
have heard
which we have seen with our eyes
which we have looked upon
and
our hands have handled”
“have
looked upon”: have beheld in a short distance;
“have handled”: have personally
touched; there are four different verbs to witness the “Word of life”
proving
that He is not “a kind of imaginable ghost”
but a “living and real person in
the flesh” who can be felt by the five sense organs.
Note that some Bible expositors give two
explanations according to the differences of the tense ---- “have heard” and
“have seen” are in the present perfect tense
showing that John knew the Word
of life is the Son of God now as he knew it before His crucifixion; “did
behold” and “did
handle” are in the past perfect tense
indicating that
John had once after the Lord’s resurrection beheld and touched clearly to prove
that He is the Son of God
Jesus Christ.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
The
Lord Jesus is not fictional character
for he has been testifies by men’s ears
and eyes and hands
nor a creature
for He was from the beginning.
2)
The
Lord Jesus is both God and man ---- a perfect God
for He was from the
beginning
and a perfect man
for He can hear and see and touch.
3)
“One’s
words reflect one’s mind”
the Word of life shows that the Lord Jesus came to
the world to declare the God whom men cannot see (see John 1:18) and abide with
us with grace and truth (John 1:14).
4)
He
is “the Word of life”
so there is life in His words. We search the scriptures
to come to the Lord to hear His words and obtain life (see John 5:39-40).
5)
Let
us not receive the Lord’s words or teachings as knowledge
but search the life
in the divine words or teachings so that we will obtain abundant life.
6)
When
we are born again
we have obtained a life able to speak
namely
a life able
to express the will of God and manifest the glory of God. The more the life
grows
the more shall we conform to the will of God and be enabled to bear
witness to the glory of God.
7)
The
“Word of life” can be felt by men. If a Christian can only say and not do (Matt.
23:3)
it shows that “the Word of life” has not reigned in him.
8)
Our
knowledge and experience of “the Word of life” are become ever deepening and
substantiating (from hearing to seeing
and from seeing and beholding
from
beholding to handling). If believers desire to establish firm faith
they have
to have deeper knowledge
and experience of the Lord and His words.
9)
Only when we behold
and touch and experience the Lord personally
can we preach Him to others (see v.3) so that they will apprehend the joy in life (see v.4).
1John. 1:2 “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--”
YLT:
“and the Life was manifested
and we have seen
and do testify
and declare to
you the Life
the age-during
which was with the Father
and was manifested to
us --”
Meaning
of Words: “manifested”: reveal
appear
show; “see”: behold
perceive; “bear witness”: testify; “eternal”: everlasting; “declare”: announce
report
bring word;
Literal
Meaning:
“the life was manifested”
“the life” refers to the “Word of life” (see v.1)
namely
Jesus Christ; “was manifested”: He came to be incarnated as a man (see
3:8);
“And we have seen
and bear witness”
“have seen”
it shows that His manifestation
is a real person whom can be behold; “bear witness”: testify what one has seen
to others;
“And declare to you that eternal life … and was manifested to us--”
“was
manifested to us”: be manifested to
the disciples like the apostle John; “eternal life”: the everlasting life (that
never changes or pass away or never grows old); “declare to you”: declare to
others;
“Which
was with the Father”
it indicates that
He is different from the Father
but they are one. Here the truth of the
Trinity is suggested.
Here this verse points out the elements of bearing
witness to the Lord: a) the object of the witness ---- the eternal life that
was with the Father; b) the condition of the witness ---- have seen His
manifestation; c) the way of the witness ---- declare to others;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
“The
eternal life” is not a prejudgment by theologians or philosophers
but a real
fact handed down by the eyewitnesses at that time.
2)
God’s
life is not an abstract thing that is difficult to be touched or understood.
Instead
the divine life has been vividly manifested in the Lord Jesus and to
believers.
3)
There
are two characteristics of the life we believers have obtained when we are born
again: a) which is with God and jointed to Him; b) which is everlasting.
4)
The
devil fears most of men’s knowledge of the deity and humility of Jesus Christ
and thus propagates two extreme ideas: a) He is God not a man; b) Jesus is only
a man
not God.
5)
Bearing
witnesses is not delivering the second-hand materials
nor narrating a kind of
knowledge from men. We believers have to see and touch and experience the Lord
personally so that we are enabled to bear witness to the Lord.
6)
The
Word of life is not given to us for our own enjoyment only
but also for our
participation in preaching to and sharing with others.
7)
It
is the two main means of “bearing witnesses” and “declaration” in preachment:
declare the Christ whom we have seen and experienced to unbelievers in the
world through our words and conversations.
8)
“Bearing
witness” is relevant to experiences
and “declaration” relates to ministry.
Experience brings about ministry. The more experiences one owns
the more
ministries shall he be given.
9)
There
are three characteristics of Christians: a) God’s active love upon us; b) the life relationship with God through
Christ; c) willingness of those who have obtained this life to declare the
life;
1John. 1:3 “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.”
YLT:
“that which we have seen and heard declare we to you
that ye also may have
fellowship with us
and our fellowship with the Father
and with His Son Jesus
Christ;”
Meaning
of Words: “see”: perceive
behold;
“fellowship”: communion
partnership
intercourse;
Literal
Meaning: “that which we have seen and heard we declare to you”
“have seen and heard”
here this is the third time of mentioned
the same thing (see v.1-2). It seems that the apostle John emphasizes the
verity of the life on purpose. “Declare to you”: declaration by words
conversation
etc.
“That you also may have fellowship with us”
“you … us” here it
refers to horizontal fellowship among believers; “fellowship”
it is the
spiritual fellowship in the life of the Lord. The only condition is eternal
life. Therefore
the preachment of the gospel is required so that more people
will “live by faith” (see
“Fellowship” in the original means
partnership (see Luke 5:10 “partners”). Therefore
here fellowship means that
believers share spiritual experiences and missions and blessings with one
another because of the same life.
“And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His
Son Jesus Christ”
it is the vertical fellowship
of those who are of God with the Trinity. The spirits of all those who have
been born again are quickened by the Spirit so that their function of
fellowship has been recovered
i.e. their fellowship with God in spirits has
been recovered.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) In order to enable men have fellowship with
God
He sent His Son to become the flesh (see v.1-2) and the propitiation for
our sins (see 2:2) so that men will live by faith (see 5:13).
2) All real believers have already got the
function of having fellowship with God. And the more they have fellowship with
God
the more shall they “see” and “hear” in spirit
namely
the more shall
they know God.
3) When believers know and experience God
they
will not only have joy in their own spirits but also be willing to declare the
God in whom they find joy to others so as to enable them also to know and enjoy
God.
4) Believers have not only vertical fellowship
with God but also horizontal fellowship with one another. Both of them consist
of perfect fellowship. The formers one enlarges the latter one.
5) “The eternal life” we have obtained (see
v.2)
as the life of common creatures
has two basic characteristics: a) the
pursuit of survival and growth; b) the desire of having fellowship with the
life of the same species;
6) “Fellowship” in the original has deep
meaning ---- “we believers belong to each other”. Believers are members who are
jointed with and rely on one another.
7) True spiritual fellowship among believers
can be fulfilled among believers by the living relationship with Christ only.
8) The preachment of the gospel is not the end
but a starting point
which leads to the fellowship between God and men and
among men so that all will be filled with joy (see v.4).
9) The preachment of Christ is paving a path
for fellowship. The more Christ believers preach
the wider the range of the
fellowship and the higher of its level will be.
10) If we only bring men into “human fellowship”
or a kind of social activity after we have preached the gospel
it has gone
against the real purpose of our preachment of the gospel. Therefore
whether
believers in the church have come into real oneness in spirit can test whether
our preachment of the gospel has been successful.
11) It is the best way of resisting the heresies
for believers to have normal fellowship with God and believers.
1John. 1:4 “And these things we write
to you that your joy may be full.”
YLT:
“and these things we write to you
that your joy may be full.”
Meaning
of Words: “joy”: cheerfulness
gladness; “full”: make complete
complete
perfect;
Literal
Meaning: “and these things we write to you”
“these things”
in a narrow sense
they refer to the previous three verses
but in a broad
sense
all the words in this epistle. “Write to you”
here the writer suggests
there are two purpose of writing this epistle: a) that you may have fellowship
with us (see v.3); b) that your joy may be full.
“That your joy may be full”
“joy”
it is not only the joy of salvation but
more the joy brought by the fellowship in life. “Joy … be full”
the continual
and full and complete joy; it is also “that our joy may be full” in some old
scriptures. It is the source of joy of helping others
so it is not only those
who are helped but also those who help will have joy.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
It
is not a bitter ministry of preaching the gospel and Christ
but an amazing way
of partaking of joy with others (see Phil. 2:18).
2)
The
bitterness of men is because they have been afar off God and fallen into sins
and transgresses. Only those who have received the way of life and have been
delivered from sins will have fellowship with God and obtain true joy.
3)
The
source of believers’ joy is the fellowship with the God of life and with
believers (see v.3)
because there is no true joy without the Lord of life.
4)
The
joy by fellowship is the deep joy in spirit
which is deeper and fuller and
more permanent than that in soul.
5)
Christians
are not satisfied with material riches or mental enjoyment
nor pursue money or
ranks
because we have more attractive pursuit than these ---- full joy
obtained by fellowship.
6)
There
are two secrets of joy: a) let our soul magnify the Lord that our spirit will
rejoice in God (Luke 1:46-47). Therefore
let us exalt the Lord
not men; b)
let us seek the profit of others first (see 1Cor. 10:33)
not that of our own
(Rom. 15:1).
1John. 1:5 “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.”
YLT:
“And this is the message that we have heard from Him
and announce to you
that
God is light
and darkness in Him is not at all;”
Meaning
of Words: “light”: to shine or
make manifest; “hear”: come to ears; “declare”: announce
preach
report; “message”:
announcement;
Literal
Meaning: “God is light”
“light” according to this
verse (1:5-10; 2:8-11) is opposite to “darkness”
and “darkness” has the
following meanings: a) which is of sin (see v.8); b) which commits sins (see
v.10); c) sins include lies
not practice of the truth (see v.6)
self-deceit
lack of truth in heart (see v.8)
making God a liar
having no His word in
hearts (see v.10)
hating brothers (see 2:9
11); (see 2:11); d) blindness
not
know where one is going (see 2:11).
Therefore
“God is light”
which shows: a) God is light and holiness and
goodness (see v.7); b) truth (see v.8); c) faithfulness and righteousness (see
v.9); d) reality (see v.10); e) true light and shining all (see 2:8); f)
discerning all the facts (see 2:11);
“And in Him is no darkness at all”
it indicates that God has not any nature
or condition against that “He is light”.
“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you”
note that this is the third time of mentioning the word “declare” in this
chapter. The first declaration is because of “having seen…” (see v.2)
and the
second one is due to “having seen and having heard …” (see v.3)
and the third
one is because of “having heard …”. We have to see and hear from the Lord ahead
so that we will be able to declare Him to others.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
“God
is light”
and He is the true light (see 2:8). All the light in the world is
merely the illustration and symbol of the true light. The nature of the light
manifests the nature of God:
a.
Light
dispels darkness. And God
tolerates no sin or evil.
b.
Light
exposes. Everything before the
light of God is naked and laid bare to his eyes (see Ps. 36:9; Heb. 4:13).
c.
Light
illuminates and guides. God shines and leads us the way that we have to walk in
by the light of life (see Ps. 36:9; 56:13).
d.
Light
disinfects and sterilizes. The light of God is with healing in His wings (see Mal. 4:2).
e.
Light
comforts and encourages. The great light of God shines upon the people sitting
in darkness (see Matt. 4:16).
2)
“God
is light”. Once man has seen God
he will see light. If we have real fellowship
with God
we will not walk in darkness (see v.6).
3)
The
entrance of God’s words gives light (Ps. 119:130). If we desire to know clearly
our situations and future
we have to take the word of God as a lamp unto our
feet and a light unto my path (Ps. 119:105).
4)
If
we want to preach the Lord’s messages
we have to firstly hear His on-going
words and preach to men and profit them.
1John. 1:6 “If we say that we have
fellowship with Him
and walk in darkness
we lie and do not practice the
truth.”
YLT:
“if we may say -- `we have fellowship with Him
' and in the darkness may walk
-- we lie
and do not the truth;”
Meaning
of Words: “fellowship”:
intercourse
partnership; “walk”: go
live; “lie”: utter untruth; “not
practice”: not keep
not do; “truth”: reality
verity;
Literal
Meaning: “if we say that we have fellowship with
Him”
“if we say”
the
same phrase appears three times in this chapter (see v.6
8
10)
which quotes
the saying of heretical teachers ---- here this is the first heretical saying;
“have fellowship with”
the heretical teachers claim that they draw near to God
and have fellowship with God.
“And walk in darkness”
“walk in darkness”
the works are
completely different from the nature of God “who is light” (see v.5)
dark and
shameful (see Eph. 5:11-12).
“We lie and do not practice the truth”
“lie”
it shows that their saying of
“having fellowship with God” is groundless and false. “Do not practice the
truth”: it means that one’s walking goes against the truth that “God is light”.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The real condition of a Christian is not
according to his words
but his conversations.
2) One cannot have fellowship with God unless
he gets away from the darkness. All things of darkness will prevent the
fellowship with God.
3) No one can call him a Christians and yet
still live an immoral life in sins.
4) If a proud man does not know utterly his
pride
he is not only in pride but also in darkness.
5) If a man only expresses his good expectation
but is unwilling to practice in his conversation
he is a liar and his good
expectation is untrue.
6) C. H. Dodd said
“The church is a living
group that believes a pure and good God and endeavors to do good” (see Eph.
2:10).
7) Truth is not a kind of abstract theory
but
a practical principle. Truth not only lies in man’s mind but also manifests in
the real life activities.
8) Truth is both rational and moral
which
practices man’s mind as well as the whole personality.
9) All that destroys our fellowship with God
and men is not real truth. In other words
teachings of real truth will foster
the fellowship.
1John. 1:7 “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.”
YLT:
“and if in the light we may walk
as He is in the light -- we have fellowship
one with another
and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son doth cleanse us from
every sin;”
Meaning
of Words: “light”: brightness; “walk”: go
tread; “as”: like; “fellowship”:
partnership; “cleanse”:
make … clean
purge; “sin”:
miss the mark;
Literal
Meaning: “if we walk in the light”
it means that our conversations are according to
the nature of God “who is light” (see v.5)
i.e. walk in the light of God’s
holiness
or in the light of God’s truth
no darkness at all.
“As He is in the light”
as God who bears not “darkness”; it does not
mean there is no sin
but we do not commit sins intentionally.
“We have fellowship with one another”
this is the first
result of our walking in light ---- draw near to God and have fellowship with
God;
“And the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all
sin”
“the blood of Jesus”: the blood of Him shedding on the cross for
redemption; His blood has remitted not only our sins before we were saved but
also those we have committed after we have been saved as long as we confess
them (see v.9). “Cleanses”: just like we have not been defiled by the sin; “all
sin”: all sins including that we have not realized. The second result of our
walking in light is that all our sins are cleansed.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Righteousness has not fellowship with
unrighteousness
nor light with darkness (see 2Cor. 6:14). If a believer
desires to have fellowship with God
he has to walk in the light of God (see
Ps. 36:9).
2) The blood of the Lord Jesus shedding on the
cross can cleanse our sins before we were saved as well as all the sins that we
have confessed after we have been saved (see v.9).
3) The great redemption of Christ not only
justifies sinners but also sanctifies them before God.
1John. 1:8 “If we say that we have no
sin
we deceive ourselves
and the truth is not in us.”
YLT:
“if we may say -- `we have not sin
' ourselves we lead astray
and the truth is
not in us;”
Meaning
of Words: “deceive”: be out of
the way
go astray;
Literal
Meaning: “if we say that we have no sin
we deceive
ourselves”
“if we say…”
this is the second saying of the heretical teachers
(see v.6). The false teachers of heresies announce that the spirits of men are
holy by nature and men’s external evil works have always nothing to do with
their inner spirits. “Deceive ourselves”
one has obviously sinned
but he
denies it for the sake of conscience ---- he is deceiving his conscience.
“And the truth is not in us”
since one has despised the truth in heart
truth will definitely not be in him.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) We are inborn sinners by nature. Though we
have been saved
sin is still in us (see Rom. 7:20).
2) Whether man has sinned does not depend on
the defense by his mouth
but on the feeling of his conscience (see
3) He who denies sins not only deceives himself
but also humiliates God
for God’s words tell us that all have sinned (see
1John. 1:9 “If we confess our sins
He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.”
YLT:
“if we may confess our sins
stedfast He is and righteous that He may forgive
us the sins
and may cleanse us from every unrighteousness;”
Meaning
of Words: “confess”: acknowledge
assent; “faithful”: trustful
trustworthy; “just”: righteous
equitable; “forgive”: forsake
leave; “unrighteousness”: injustice
wrongfulness;
Literal
Meaning: “if we confess our sins”
“confess our sins”:
confess all the sins we have committed before God;
“He is faithful and just”
“faithful”: God will definitely fulfill and keep
His promises. “Just”: it means that God walks according to just and equitable
principles without partiality.
“To forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness”
“forgive”: God
will no longer remember our sins as if we have not sinned. “Cleanse”: clear
away all the traces of our unrighteousness and make us wholly pure before Him;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The right attitude of Christians toward sin
is not denial
but confession ---- confess that we may still sin and keep keen
feeling of conscience and receive the light of God with equanimity.
2) Some believers misunderstand the disposition
of God and over-emphasize the love of God excessively but ignore the
faithfulness and righteousness of God. They do not know that the righteousness
of God should be firstly satisfied and then God will let His love come upon us
according to His faithfulness. It is so not only before we were saved but also
after we have been saved.
3) God is faithful
who can not violate His
promise to us. God is righteous
who cannot go against His principles of
justice.
4) The problem of believers is not whether they
have sinned but whether they have been forgiven by God. And the problem of
believers is not whether they are righteous
but whether they have been
cleansed by God.
5) He who confesses and does not hide his sins
will be forgiven by God and his transgresses will be covered (Ps. 32:1-5). The
unrighteousness of he who does not find excuses for his unrighteousness will be
cleansed by God
1John. 1:10 “If we say that we have
not sinned
we make Him a liar
and His word is not in us.”
YLT:
“if we may say -- `we have not sinned
' a liar we make Him
and His word is not
in us.”
Meaning
of Words: “sin”: miss the mark;
“make”: cause
appoint; “word”:
utterance (logos);
Literal
Meaning: “if we say that we have not sinned”
“if we say…”
this is the third saying of
the false teachers of heresies (see v.6
8); “we have not sinned”: have never
committed any sin (see v.9);
“We make Him a liar”
it is because that God’s word has pointed
again and again that all have sinned (see
“And His word is not in us”
since man does not respect God’s word and makes
Him a liar
God’s word can not work in such man.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Man’s word is unreliable
but God’s word is
reliable. Our real condition is truly what God has spoken concerning us.
2) When a man despises God’s word and sticks to
defend for himself
he has just make God a liar. Actually
it is not God but
man himself is a liar.
3) Only when we honor the word of God and walk
according to it will His word abide in us.
4) The condition of believer’s fellowship with
God is not whether we have sinned
but whether we have confessed our sins
and
not whether we are holy
but whether we have asked for remission according to
His word.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
Five Stages of the Will God Appoints for
“the Word of Life”
A. From the beginning (v.1);
B. Manifestation (v.2);
C. Bear witness (v.2-3);
D. Fellowship (v.3);
E. Joy be full (v.4);
Fellowship in Light
A. The origin of the fellowship ---- the Word
of life from the beginning
namely
the eternal life which was with the Father
(v.1
3);
B. The reason of the fellowship ---- was manifested that men have seen and heard (v.2-3);
C. The extension of the
fellowship ---- bear witness … declare … (v.2-3
5);
D. The purpose of the fellowship ---- the joy
of one another shall be full (v.4);
E. The principle of the fellowship ----
practice the truth and walk in light (v.6-7);
F. The remedy of the fellowship ---- confess
one’s sins and be cleansed by the Lord’s blood (v.7-9);
G. The maintenance of the fellowship ---- the
word that is in us (v.10);
Three False Sayings
---- “If We Say”
A. That we have fellowship with God and yet
walk in darkness (v.6) ---- deny that sins will influence men’s relation with
God.
B. That we have no sin (v.8) ---- deny that the
relation of the works of the flesh with the holiness of the spirit;
C. That we have not sinned (v.10) ---- deny
that the relation of the immoral works with sin;
Five “If”s ----
Elements of Fellowship
A. The first and second “if”s (v.6-7) ---- walk
in the light;
B. The third and fourth “if”s (v.8-9) ----
confess sins and be forgiven;
C. The fifth “if” (v.10) ---- by the
propitiation (see 2:1-2);
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou