
1 John 1
1 John 1 introduces the core themes of the First Epistle of John, focusing on the nature of God as light and the call to live in fellowship with Him and one another. It emphasizes the reality of Jesus Christ as the incarnate Word, witnessed by the apostle and his companions. The chapter sets the foundation for understanding the relationship between living in the light of God and the confession of sins for maintaining fellowship with Him.
1 John 1:1-4 (NKJV)
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—
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—
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.
4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
John emphasizes the eternal nature of Christ, affirming that He existed from the beginning and was made manifest to humanity. The passage highlights the apostles' firsthand experience with Jesus—hearing, seeing, and touching Him—demonstrating the reality of His incarnation. This testimony is shared so that others may have fellowship with the Father and His Son, leading to full joy. The focus is on the Word of Life, Jesus, who brings light and salvation. This aligns with the understanding that true fellowship with God is based on a personal relationship with Christ, who reveals the Father's love and invites believers into a life of faith, obedience, and joy through Him.
1 John 1:5 (NKJV)
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.
John summarizes the message he received from Jesus: God is characterized as light, which in biblical terms means pure, holy, and without any trace of darkness or sin. This metaphor underscores the absolute purity and moral perfection of God, setting a foundational truth for the ethical and spiritual exhortations that follow in the letter.
1 John 1:6-7 (NKJV)
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
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.
These verses contrast the lives of those who claim fellowship with God but live in moral darkness with those who live in the light, as God is in the light. Walking in the light involves living in truth, righteousness, and obedience to God’s commands. Such a life ensures genuine fellowship among believers, and importantly, continual cleansing from sin through Jesus' atonement, highlighting the dynamic nature of Christian living.
1 John 1:8
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
This verse warns against the false belief that a person, even a believer, has reached a state of sinlessness. The phrase "have no sin" refers to the idea that someone believes they no longer struggle with sin or that they are morally perfect. This could apply to both those who have never accepted Christ (who deny their need for salvation) and believers who falsely claim they no longer commit sin after being set free by Christ. While John 8:36 states that Christ makes believers "free indeed," this freedom does not mean sinless perfection but rather deliverance from sin’s control. A true believer is no longer a slave to sin (Romans 6:14), meaning they are not dominated by it, but they still have weaknesses and can fall into sin. Sanctification is a lifelong process, and the struggle between the flesh and the Spirit continues (Galatians 5:17). If a believer denies this reality, they deceive themselves, meaning they ignore their need for daily reliance on Christ. Furthermore, "the truth is not in us" means that such a person is not walking in the light of God’s Word, which clearly teaches the necessity of confession and dependence on Christ (1 John 1:9). True freedom in Christ means victory over sin’s power but not the complete absence of sin’s presence. This verse serves as a strong reminder that humility, confession, and reliance on God’s grace are essential for maintaining fellowship with Him.
1 John 1:9-10 (NKJV)
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.
John emphasizes the necessity of confession and the danger of denying sin. Verse 9 assures believers that if they confess their sins—meaning they acknowledge and repent—God, who is faithful and just, will forgive them and cleanse them from all unrighteousness. This shows that forgiveness is not based on human merit but on God’s faithfulness and Christ’s sacrifice (1 John 2:2). Even though believers have been set free from the bondage of sin (John 8:36), they still need continual cleansing because sanctification is an ongoing process (Philippians 1:6). True confession leads to transformation, not just the removal of guilt. In contrast, verse 10 warns against denying specific sins, stating that refusing to admit wrongdoing is equivalent to calling God a liar since His Word clearly teaches that all have sinned (Romans 3:23). If a person rejects this truth, God’s Word is not truly in them, meaning they are not walking in fellowship with Him. While believers are no longer under sin’s dominion, they must remain humble and acknowledge their need for Christ’s continual cleansing, as true freedom in Christ comes not through self-righteousness but through dependence on His grace.