John emphasizes truth and being cleansed from sin
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¶ 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. |
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- From the beginning ... Word See the beginning of John's
account of the ministry of Christ jn0101.
1 - We have heard ... seen John's testimony is powerful. He is now an old man and doubters are denying the incarnation (God in human flesh). 1 - Of the word Rather "concerning the Word." Jesus is called the "Word" here, in his Gospel jn0101,14, and in the Apocalypse re1913. This supports the position of this commentary that the Apostle John was author of the the Gospel, the Apocalypse (Revelaton), and the epistles. 2 - For the life Should read, "and the life." 2 - Eternal life ... with the Father We see the association of Christ with the Father from eternity past. |
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¶ 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. Not all who claim Christ are walking with Him. 5 - Lack From leipo, meaning "to fall short." See the word in lu1822. 5 - God that giveth He gives constantly through love jn1401-3, ja0114. 6, 7 - Walk in the light Evidence that we follow Christ. Image
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¶ 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. |
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- No sin We are basically sinful. This does not mean we have
to practice our nature.
9 - Confess We also need repentance and turning from sins pr2813, but we come as we are with confession. Also is5507. 9 - Forgive ... cleanse Jesus provides both justification and sanctification. Notice His two qualifications. |
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To some degree we are naturally
inspired to do better (sanctification) in view of the fact that we have
been forgiven (justification), but we still have a personal responsibility.
1 John 1:9 combines the two: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
This is not salvation by works. We receive forgiveness (for deeds of the
past) by grace. We also develop sanctification by grace. It is not a matter
of being suddenly perfect in behavior. It’s a matter of relying on Christ,
putting into practice the power of our own decision to obey. By Christ’s
work in forgiveness and cleansing, we are saved. This is a matter of our
eternal freedom. We obey God because we love Him. We make our choice being
faithful to the end.
Luke 10:25-28: “And, behold,
a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall
I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written
in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love
the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all
thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And
he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.”
We live in the fullness
of Christ. To Him is the glory for providing both justification and sanctification.