1 John 1

King James Version

Full text for 1 John Chapter 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, 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;)

3That 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.

4And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

5¶ 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.

6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

7But 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.

8¶ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

The apostle testifies to the "Word of life," Jesus Christ, whom they personally witnessed, to share fellowship with God the Father and His Son. The central message is that God is light, and fellowship with Him requires walking in that light, leading to cleansing by Christ's blood. Acknowledging and confessing sins leads to God's faithful and just forgiveness and cleansing, while denying sin is self-deception.

Medium Summary

The chapter begins with the apostle's personal testimony concerning Jesus Christ, the "Word of life," whom they heard, saw, and touched, emphasizing His tangible reality. This firsthand witness aims to bring readers into fellowship with the apostles, and ultimately with God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, to complete their joy. The core message declared is that God is pure light, entirely devoid of darkness. Consequently, claiming fellowship with God while living in sin (darkness) is a falsehood and a denial of truth. True fellowship with God and with one another is demonstrated by walking in the light, which results in the cleansing from all sin by the blood of Jesus Christ. The apostle emphasizes the universal reality of sin, stating that to deny having sin is self-deception and a rejection of truth. However, confessing sins ensures God's faithful and just forgiveness and cleansing from all unrighteousness. To claim not to have sinned is to make God a liar, indicating a rejection of His word.

Long Summary

The epistle opens with a profound declaration from the apostle concerning the "Word of life," Jesus Christ, emphasizing His tangible reality. He states that this divine Person was personally heard, seen, looked upon, and handled by the apostles, providing a concrete foundation for their message. This "eternal life," which was with the Father, was manifested to them, and they bear witness to it. The primary purpose of this apostolic testimony is to invite the readers into a shared fellowship, first with the apostles, and then directly with God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. This shared spiritual communion is intended to bring about a fullness of joy for the believers. The central message received from Christ and now declared is that God is absolute light, utterly devoid of any darkness. This fundamental truth establishes a critical condition for genuine spiritual fellowship. To claim fellowship with God while persistently walking in moral or spiritual darkness is presented as a lie, indicating a lack of truth in such a person. Conversely, walking in the light, mirroring God's own nature, signifies true fellowship among believers. Crucially, this walk in the light is also the condition under which the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, effectively cleanses believers from all sin. The apostle directly addresses the human condition of sin, asserting that to deny having sin is to deceive oneself, and the truth is not present within such an individual. He further states that claiming not to have sinned is tantamount to making God a liar, implying a rejection of His revealed word concerning humanity's fallen state. However, a path to reconciliation is offered: if believers confess their sins, God is presented as faithful and just. In His faithfulness and justice, He will forgive their sins and cleanse them from all unrighteousness, highlighting the efficacy of Christ's atonement and God's character.

Core Concepts

  • The Word of LifeThis refers to Jesus Christ, the eternal life that was with the Father and was manifested to the apostles, whom they personally witnessed and touched.
  • Apostolic TestimonyThe firsthand witness and declaration by the apostles concerning Jesus Christ, intended to share eternal life and fellowship with others.
  • Fellowship with GodThe spiritual communion with God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, which is the ultimate goal of the apostolic message and brings full joy.
  • God is LightThe fundamental nature of God, revealed as absolute purity, truth, and righteousness, entirely devoid of any darkness or sin.
  • Walking in the LightLiving in accordance with God's truth and moral righteousness, which is essential for true fellowship with God and with fellow believers.
  • Cleansing by Christ's BloodThe means by which believers are purified from all sin, made effective through walking in the light and acknowledging one's sinful state.
  • Confession of SinsThe act of acknowledging and admitting one's sins to God, which leads to His faithful and just forgiveness and cleansing from all unrighteousness.