1The apostle professeth to declare what he had formerly seen and known of the Word of life, to the end that others might have fellowship with him. 5The substance of his doctrine is, that to have fellowship with God, we must be holy as he is holy; and that if we confess our sins, we shall be forgiven through the blood of Christ.
1THATa which was 1from the beginning, which we have heard, whichb we have seen with our eyes, which we 2have looked upon, andc our hands have handled, 3of the Word 4of life;
a John 1:1.
1 Namely, of the creation, that is, from all eternity. See Micah 5:1; John 1:1; whereby Christ’s Divine nature is described; as by the following words His human nature, according to which He was heard, seen, and felt, and in which also by miracles and other, He sometimes manifested His glory.
b John 1:14; 2 Peter 1:16.
2 This speaks more than seen; for, this is done incidentally many times, but that which a person looks upon, he observes with attention.
c Luke 24:39; John 20:27.
3 That is, of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is called the Word by this apostle, John 1:1, 14; 1 John 5:7; Rev. 19:13. See the annotation at John 1 on verse 1.
4 This title is ascribed to the Word, that is, to the Son of God, because He has that eternal living Essence of God in Himself, and gives life to the creatures, and has not only proclaimed eternal life to us, but has also purchased, and imparted it to us. See John 1:4; 14:6.
2 (5For 6the life 7was manifested, and 8we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you 9that eternal life, 10which was with the Father, and was manifested unto 11us;)
5 Gr. and; as also 1 John 3:4.
6 That is, the Son of God, Who is also called the Life, John 1:4; John 14:6.
7 Namely, in the flesh, as Paul speaks in 1 Tim. 3:16.
8 Namely, we, apostles have seen the Word, that is, the Son of God in His assumed human nature. A phrase usual concerning the Person of Christ, when that is spoken of His complete Person, denominated from one nature, which must be understood only according to the other nature. See likewise in verse 7; John 3:13; Acts 20:28.
9 That is, Christ, Who lives from eternity, and is the Author and Giver of eternal life, as He is also before called the Life, verse 2.
10 That is, as John speaks in his Gospel, John 1:1, that was with God. See the exposition there.
11 Namely, His apostles, whom He had chosen and called for His witnesses, and given them to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. See Mat. 13:11; Acts 1:8 and 2:32.
3That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may 12have fellowship 13with us: and truly 14our fellowship 15is 16with the Father, and 17with his Son Jesus Christ.
12 Namely, in all the spiritual benefits which Christ has procured for us, and which are proclaimed in the Gospel.
13 Apostles of Christ, and all other believers with one another, verse 7.
14 Namely, which we believers have together.
15 Or, be.
16 Namely, Who now is reconciled unto us through Christ, and makes us partakers of His heavenly benefits.
17 Namely, being made partakers of His righteousness and glory by faith. And it appears that the apostle here speaks of a spiritual communion which we have with Christ.
4And these things write we unto you, that 18your joy 19may be full.
18 Namely, which is already kindled in your hearts, by the preaching of the Gospel and the operation of the Holy Spirit, Rom. 14:17.
19 That is, increase here more and more, and be perfect hereafter. See John 15:11; 16:24.
5This then is 20the message which we have heard of 21him, and declare unto you, thatd God is 22light, and in him is 23no darkness at all.
20 Gr. epangelia; which word for the most part signifies promise, but is here as suitably translated message or declaration, because what follows contains not so much a promise, as indeed a message or declaration.
21 Namely, Jesus Christ.
d John 1:9; 8:12; 9:5; 12:35, 36.
22 Namely, in Himself clearly knowing all things with His understanding and being completely pure and holy in His will; as well as because He also enlightens men by His Spirit, John 1:4.
23 Namely, of any ignorance, error or unholiness.
6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and 24walk 25in darkness, we 26lie, and 27do not the truth:
24 Namely, so that sin would reign over us; Rom. 6:12, 14, 17, 20.
25 Namely, of ignorance, errors, unholiness and sins, which are actions of darkness, Eph. 5:11.
26 That is, speak not the truth, forasmuch as God has not promised His communion to such, and they who are truly in communion with God, walk not in darkness, 1 John 3:9; for, light and darkness have no communion one with another, 2 Cor. 6:14.
27 That is, deal not uprightly, John 3:21.
7But if we walk 28in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship 29one with another, ande30the blood of Jesus Christ 31his Son 32cleanseth us from 33all sin.
28 That is, not only in the true knowledge of the Gospel, but also in true purity and holiness of life.
29 Namely, we believers amongst ourselves and together with God and His Son, verse 3. Or, we with God, and God with us.
e Heb. 9:14; 1 Peter 1:19; Rev. 1:5.
30 This the apostle adds to show that our walking in the light is not a meritorious or efficient cause of this our communion with God, but a fruit and evidence of the same. Seeing Christ the Son of God has effected the same by His blood, that is, bloody suffering and death, thereby reconciling and uniting us with God.
31 This the apostle adds to it to express the dignity of the merit of Christ, as Acts 20:28.
32 Namely, taking away from us the guilt and punishment of sin by the benefit of justification, and also the defilement of sin, or our corruption by the benefit of regeneration, which has its beginning in this life, but shall also be perfect hereafter.
33 Namely, innate as well as actual, great as well as small.
8Iff we say that we have no sin, 34we deceive ourselves, and 35the truth is not in us.
f 1 Kings 8:46; 2 Chron. 6:36; Job 9:2; Psalm 143:2; Prov. 20:9; Eccl. 7:20.
34 Namely, from the right way which leads unto salvation.
35 That is, God’s Word, which is called the truth, John 17:17, and teaches continuously otherwise. Or, such thinking or imagination consists in untruth.
9Ifg we 36confess our sins, he is 37faithful and 38just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
g Psalm 32:5; Prov. 28:13.
36 Namely, before God, with true sorrow and amendment.
37 Namely, in His promises which He has made to penitent sinners.
38 That is, not that confession of sins, according to God’s justice, deserves forgiveness of sins, but this word expounds the preceding, seeing justice requires that a man performs what he has promised. See Psalm 143:1; 2 Peter 1:1.
10If we say that we have not sinned, we 39make him a liar, and 40his word is not in us.
39 Namely, as much as lies in us, that is, accuse Him of lying, seeing He testifies differently in His Word.
40 That is, the truth; namely, which God propounds in His Word, as he speaks in verse 8.