I. Introduction
Our purpose is to render a commentary on First John chapter one.
We will follow this format:
Verse of Scripture utilizing the YLT text followed by an NASB mouseover of that verse. Key words in the YLT text will be footnoted with a link to a word study based on the Greek text, and/or a general discussion relative to the given word. We are not biblical Greek or Hebrew scholars, please consider our grammatical constructions with a critical eye.
Commentary We shall be commenting on this passage keeping before us at all times the crucial fact that every jot and every tittle comprising these verses came forth under the inspiration of the blessed Holy Spirit. We pray that He, by His grace, helps us along the way.
II. First John Chapter One Commentary Verses
1:1-4-You Just Gotta Know
YLT TEXT: That which was from the beginning [1], that which we have heard [2], that which we have seen [3] with our eyes, that which we did behold [4], and our hands did handle [5], concerning the Word [6] of the Life — and the Life was manifested [7], and we have seen, and do testify [8], and declare [9] to you the Life, the age-during, which was with the Father [9a], and was manifested to us — that which we have seen and heard declare we to you, that ye also may have fellowship [10] with us, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ; and these things we write to you, that your joy [11] may be full. (1Jo 1:1-4; cf. Jhn 1:1-4, 16:28, “John Chapter One Commentary”)
COMMENTARY-O how John is “aching” to communicate the mind-boggling reality that Jesus, God incarnate, has intimately been a part of John and the other disciples’ lives. Feel as he reaches inside to grab the words that make lucid to others the hard reality of God stepping out of eternity and into time right there in Palestine with these very ordinary people: “…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 — 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 — that which we have seen and heard declare we to you…” He repeats himself here, as a man consumed to share some unbelievably fantastic news: ‘…We heard Him and saw Him, shared bread with Him, walked and talked with Him—He was so very much a part of us, day after day—He, the eternal One in our midst—yea we can testify to these things; testify about Him [Act 1:21-22, 2Pe 1:16]; we just have to let people know about this [Act 4:18-20]; we want you to know; to know about Him; to know about what has happened here…’ What is driving John? Yes, it is the Holy Spirit; John’s heart is about to burst—burst for joy (the blessed Timeless Worker is not least a Worker of Joy). And with the grace and excellence of the eternal One Jesus having spilled over onto John, he is driven to share this good news with others so that their hearts too might burst for joy, they too being a part of this: “…that ye also may have fellowship with us, and 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…” Thanks be to God and His servant John for giving us this exceedingly good news and testimony. Let us accept the invitation to fellowship with God and with His people (“A Letter of Invitation”).
1:5-7-Glory to Thee Holy God of Light
YLT TEXT: And this is the message [12] that we have heard from Him, and announce [13] to you, that God is light [14], and darkness [15] in Him is not at all; if we may say — ‘we have fellowship with Him,’ and in the darkness may walk [16] — we lie, and do not the truth [17]; 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 [18] us from every sin (1Jo 1:5-7; cf. John 3:19-21; “John Chapter three Commentary”).
COMMENTARY-Jehovah God is Holy (Light), and He cannot fellowship with unholiness (Darkness), for by His own definition of Himself He cannot engage Darkness, whatever its source: “…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…” And here is the rub for the unbeliever—to gain said fellowship is to walk in the Light, which is to walk in God’s ways (“A Letter of Invitation”, “Be Holy”), the very God that is rejected: “….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…” No cleansing, no holiness, and thus no fellowship with holy God. The unbeliever, by default plodding along in the darkness, is therefore out of fellowship with God: “…if we may say — ‘we have fellowship with Him,’ and in the darkness walk – we lie, and do not the truth…” In other words, here is self-deception (for God is certainly not fooled, though others might be for a season); there is in fact no fellowship with God here; nor can there be with God’s people, for there is nothing held in common, at least. The matter is serious, because being out of fellowship with God can bring Death, seeing that God sources Life (“Children of the Resurrection,” “Psalm Sixteen Commentary”).
Now let us consider this from the perspective of the believer, which is probably the audience John (the Holy Spirit) had in mind. The same self-deception may prevail, but for other reasons. When a saint chooses to Sin, and practice the same, they too are plodding along in the darkness, and are, therefore, similarly out of fellowship with God; moreover, they are out of fellowship with their brethren, for that which was “held in common” beforetime now rests largely with the brethren and not with the wayward saint. Here especially may hold God’s words concerning self-deception, for a saint may be more apt to discount their Sin in the name of self-righteousness. But the striking difference to the unbeliever is that the saint has recourse by way of Christ since as a saint they claim Him as their redeeming Savior, which acclamation by God’s redeeming grace makes them a saint in the first place: “… 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…” (Isa 53:11, Rom 3:23-26, “Righteous Faith”). Thus it behooves the wayward saint to straightaway get back into the Light. So how then does one walk in the Light; practically, what is meant here? It is to walk in the ways of Jesus Christ, for precisely He is said Light ( 2Cr 4:6, “Be Holy”). We are walking in the Light when we are “in” Christ (Jhn 15:5, Rom 8:1, 9, 2Cr 5:17).
1:8-10-I Must Needs Confess
YLT TEXT: if we may say — ‘we have not sin,’ ourselves we lead astray [19], and the truth is not in us; if we may confess [20] our sins, stedfast [21] He is and righteous [22] that He may forgive [23] us the sins, and may cleanse us from every unrighteousness; if we may say — ‘we have not sinned,’ a liar [24] we make Him, and His word is not in us. (1Jo 1:8-10; cf. Neh 1:6, 9:2, “Nehemiah Chapter One Commentary”).
COMMENTARY-Notice the sobering cause and effect contrasts of this passage:
Verse eight puts confession of sinlessness like unto being a liar to oneself: “…if we may say — ‘we have not sin,’ ourselves we lead astray, and the truth is not in us…”,
verse nine puts confession of sin like unto sinlessness, by way of forgiveness: “…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…”,
verse ten puts confession of sinlessness this time like unto calling God a liar: ”…if we may say — ‘we have not sinned,’ a liar we make Him, and His word is not in us….”
Whence the self-deception of verse eight and the blow against God of verse ten? The vain utterance of sinlessness that establishes these follows because the truth (God, His reality) is nowhere within: “…and the truth is not in us…”, and because His Word is nowhere within: “…and His word is not in us…” [25]. Truth and the Word of God—these belong together and are characteristically GOD. That is, quite naturally it follows that the vain sinner that sees no sin in themselves has no notion of God whatsoever—for the holiness of God is the metric over against which Sin finds expression, and Truth and Holiness are made lucid by the Word of God—though they no doubt fancy themselves to be quite righteous here by their own metrics (Luk 18:9-14) and the metrics of their idols round about them (here Satan the father of lies is doing an evil thing—may Jehovah God strike him for every evil assault).
Well, that brings us to verse nine, which we save for last so as to relish it all the more, and dwell on it some—here is repeated that blessed verse:
“… 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…”
What a terrific Word of encouragement from God (this wretch of a sinner is sure glad to hear these words). For starters, please note that this verse applies exclusively to the believer in Jesus Christ, for He is the sinner’s intermediary to Father God (Jhn 14:6; “A Letter of Invitation”). Moreover, He Jesus is the believer’s Intercessor and High Priest at the right hand of Father God (Intercessor-Isa 53:12, Hbr 7:24-25, 1Jo 2:1, et al., High Priest-Psa 110:4, Hbr 2:17, 3:1, 4:14, 5:8-10, et al., at right hand of God-Mar 16:19, Act 7:55, Hbr 1:3, 8:1).
It is not as though the Christian believer is perfect—far from it (as the beloved unbeliever is oft quick to point out). We are perfected in Christ, and sealed by the Holy Spirit of God, but we are still clothed in flesh, and as long as we are thus clothed we are going to sin (Ecc 7:20, Mrk 14:38), and therefore offend God, God only knows how often. But, we have recourse, by the blood of Christ, as John says earlier in this chapter (1Jo 1:7—surely walking in the Light and confession of sin mean the same thing). Yes, recourse through the Intercessor Jesus, by way of heartfelt confession and repentance ( Psa 51:7, 17; it must be genuine and sincere). Let us thank God for it; we thank thee Father God for this cleansing Grace. Dear Christian friend whom I admire and love and serve, when we sin, let us straightaway confess our sin/s (“An Open Walk with God”), so that fellowship with our blessed God is ever vibrant and vital, filled with the unspeakable joy that attends such a blessed relationship.
Thank you for making a way great savior God; praised be thy holy Name.