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| Parallel Chapters and Verses, Greek and Hebrew Lexicon, Commentaries, Strong's Bible Dictionary, Concordances and Cross References for 1 John 1 1 John: 1 John 1:1 New American Standard Bible: What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life-- God's Word Translation: The Word of life existed from the beginning. We have heard it. We have seen it. We observed and touched it. King James Version: 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; Bible in Basic English: That which was from the first, which has come to our ears, and which we have seen with our eyes, looking on it and touching it with our hands, about the Word of life Weymouth New Testament: That which was from the beginning, which we have listened to, which we have seen with our own eyes, and our own hands have handled concerning the Word of Life-- World English Bible: That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we saw, and our hands touched, concerning the Word of life Alphabetical: and at beginning concerning eyes from hands have heard life Life- looked of our proclaim seen That the this touched was we What which with Word GSB: 1:1 That {1} which was from the beginning, which we have {a} heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the {b} Word of life; (1) He begins with the description of the person of Christ who he makes one and not two: and him both God from everlasting (for he was with the Father from the beginning, and is that eternal life) and also made true man, whom John himself and his companions both heard, beheld, and handled. (a) I heard him speak, I saw him myself with my eyes, I handled with my hands him that is true God, being made true man, and not I alone, but others also that were with me. (b) That same everlasting Word by whom all things are made, and in whom only is there life. PNT: 1:1 Fellowship with God SUMMARY OF I JOHN 1: The Word of Life. Eternal Life Manifested. God Is Light. Those in Fellowship with Him Must Walk in the Light. That which was from the beginning. Compare Joh 1:1. See notes there. Compare also Ge 1:1. The Word, manifested as Christ, was from the beginning. Which we have heard,... looked upon,... handled. In its incarnate form in the person of Jesus Christ. The Word of life. Christ, the revealed Word, when He became flesh and dwelt among men; in him was life (Joh 1:14,4). WES: 1:1 That which was - Here means, He which was the Word himself; afterwards it means, that which they had heard from him. Which was - Namely, with the Father, ver.2, before he was manifested. From the beginning - This phrase is sometimes used in a limited sense; but here it properly means from eternity, being equivalent with, in the beginning, John 1:1. That which we - The apostles. Have not only heard, but seen with our eyes, which we have beheld - Attentively considered on various occasions. Of the Word of life - He is termed the Word, John 1:1; the Life, John 1:4; as he is the living Word of God, who, with the Father and the Spirit, is the fountain of life to all creatures, particularly of spiritual and eternal life. MHC: 1:1-4 That essential Good, that uncreated Excellence, which had been from the beginning, from eternity, as equal with the Father, and which at length appeared in human nature for the salvation of sinners, was the great subject concerning which the apostle wrote to his brethren. The apostles had seen Him while they witnessed his wisdom and holiness, his miracles, and love and mercy, during some years, till they saw him crucified for sinners, and afterwards risen from the dead. They touched him, so as to have full proof of his resurrection. This Divine Person, the Word of life, the Word of God, appeared in human nature, that he might be the Author and Giver of eternal life to mankind, through the redemption of his blood, and the influence of his new-creating Spirit. The apostles declared what they had seen and heard, that believers might share their comforts and everlasting advantages. They had free access to God the Father. They had a happy experience of the truth in their souls, and showed its excellence in their lives. This communion of believers with the Father and the Son, is begun and kept up by the influences of the Holy Spirit. The benefits Christ bestows, are not like the scanty possessions of the world, causing jealousies in others; but the joy and happiness of communion with God is all-sufficient, so that any number may partake of it; and all who are warranted to say, that truly their fellowship is with the Father, will desire to lead others to partake of the same blessedness. 1 John 1:2 New American Standard Bible: and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us-- God's Word Translation: This life was revealed to us. We have seen it, and we testify about it. We are reporting to you about this eternal life that was in the presence of the Father and was revealed to us. King James Version: (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;) Bible in Basic English: (And the life was made clear to us, and we have seen it and are witnessing to it and giving you word of that eternal life which was with the Father and was seen by us); Weymouth New Testament: the Life was manifested, and we have seen and bear witness, and we declare unto you the Life of the Ages which was with the Father and was manifested to us-- World English Bible: (and the life was revealed, and we have seen, and testify, and declare to you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was revealed to us); Alphabetical: and appeared eternal Father has have it life manifested proclaim seen testify The to us us- was we which with you GSB: 1:2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen [it], and bear witness, and {c} shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) (c) Being sent by him: and that doctrine is correctly said to be shown, for no man could so much as have thought of it, if it had not been thus shown. PNT: 1:2 For the life was manifested. The office of the apostle, having seen and known the Eternal Life as he lived on earth, was to bear witness of him to the world. WES: 1:2 For the life - The living Word. Was manifested - In the flesh, to our very senses. And we testify and declare - We testify by declaring, by preaching, and writing, 1Jo 1:3,4. Preaching lays the foundation, 1Jo 1:5 - 10: writing builds there on. To you - Who have not seen. The eternal life - Which always was, and afterward appeared to us. This is mentioned in the beginning of the epistle. In the end of it is mentioned the same eternal life, which we shall always enjoy. MHC: 1 John 1:3 New American Standard Bible: what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. God's Word Translation: This is the life we have seen and heard. We are reporting about it to you also so that you, too, can have a relationship with us. Our relationship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. King James Version: 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. Bible in Basic English: We give you word of all we have seen and everything which has come to our ears, so that you may be united with us; and we are united with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ: Weymouth New Testament: that which we have seen and listened to we now announce to you also, in order that you also may have fellowship in it with us, and this fellowship with us is fellowship with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. World English Bible: that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ. Alphabetical: also and Christ Father fellowship have heard his indeed is Jesus may our proclaim seen so Son that the to too us We what with you GSB: 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, {2} that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship [is] with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. (2) The use of this doctrine is this, that all of us being coupled and joined together with Christ by faith, might become the sons of God: in which only consists all true happiness. PNT: 1:3 That ye also may have fellowship. To declare what they had seen and heard was simply to preach the gospel. This knowledge communicated to others brought those who accepted it into a fellowship of knowledge and hope. Those are in fellowship who are partakers of the same faith, hopes, and privileges. With us. All the saints entered into fellowship with the apostles, but the apostles were in fellowship with the Father. This grand fellowship, that of the saints with the Father and the Son, is simply a guarantee that no good thing will be withheld from us; that all things are ours. There is a fellowship of peace, of concord, of eternal life and glory. WES: 1:3 That which we have seen and heard - Of him and from him. Declare we to you - For this end. That ye also may have fellowship with us - May enjoy the same fellowship which we enjoy. And truly our fellowship - Whereby he is in us and we in him. Is with the Father and with the son - Of the Holy Ghost he speaks afterwards. MHC: 1 John 1:4 New American Standard Bible: These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete. God's Word Translation: We are writing this so that we can be completely filled with joy. King James Version: And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. Bible in Basic English: And we are writing these things to you so that our joy may be made complete. Weymouth New Testament: And we write these things in order that our joy may be made complete. World English Bible: And we write these things to you, that our joy may be fulfilled. Alphabetical: be complete joy made make may our so that These things this to We write PNT: 1:4 These things write we unto you. This assurance of the divine fellowship is given in order that your joy may be full. They may rejoice with the fullness of joy in the glorious hope. WES: 1:4 That your joy may be full - So our Lord also, John 15:11; 16:22. There is a joy of hope, a joy of faith, and a joy of love. Here the joy of faith is directly intended. It is a concise expression. Your joy - That is, your faith and the joy arising from it: but it likewise implies the joy of hope and love. MHC: 1 John 1:5 New American Standard Bible: This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. God's Word Translation: This is the message we heard from Christ and are reporting to you: God is light, and there isn't any darkness in him. King James Version: 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. Bible in Basic English: This is the word which came to us from him and which we give to you, that God is light and in him there is nothing dark. Weymouth New Testament: This is the Message which we have heard from the Lord Jesus and now deliver to you--God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness. World English Bible: This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. Alphabetical: all and announce at darkness declare from God have heard him in is light message no that the there This to we you GSB: 1:5 {3} 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. (3) Now he enters into a question, by which we may understand that we are joined together with Christ, that is, if we are governed with his light, which is perceived by the ordering of our life. And thus he reasons, God is in himself most pure light, therefore he agrees well with them who are of the light, but with them that are of the darkness he has no fellowship. PNT: 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him. The message heard from Christ, now declared, is that God is light. The source whence all light, whether it be physical, or moral, or spiritual, comes; the Enlightener of the universe. The term denotes luminous clearness, the free and benevolent source from whence flow light, intelligence, purity and blessing, absolutely free from alien intermixture, since in him there is no darkness at all. Light represents truth, knowledge and holiness. Darkness represents ignorance, error, falsehood and sin. WES: 1:5 And this is the sum of the message which we have heard of him - The Son of God. That God is light - The light of wisdom, love, holiness, glory. What light is to the natural eye, that God is to the spiritual eye. And in him is no darkness at all - No contrary principle. He is pure, unmixed light. MHC: 1:5-10 A message from the Lord Jesus, the Word of life, the eternal Word, we should all gladly receive. The great God should be represented to this dark world, as pure and perfect light. As this is the nature of God, his doctrines and precepts must be such. And as his perfect happiness cannot be separated from his perfect holiness, so our happiness will be in proportion to our being made holy. To walk in darkness, is to live and act against religion. God holds no heavenly fellowship or intercourse with unholy souls. There is no truth in their profession; their practice shows its folly and falsehood. The eternal Life, the eternal Son, put on flesh and blood, and died to wash us from our sins in his own blood, and procures for us the sacred influences by which sin is to be subdued more and more, till it is quite done away. While the necessity of a holy walk is insisted upon, as the effect and evidence of the knowledge of God in Christ Jesus, the opposite error of self-righteous pride is guarded against with equal care. All who walk near to God, in holiness and righteousness, are sensible that their best days and duties are mixed with sin. God has given testimony to the sinfulness of the world, by providing a sufficient, effectual Sacrifice for sin, needed in all ages; and the sinfulness of believers themselves is shown, by requiring them continually to confess their sins, and to apply by faith to the blood of that Sacrifice. Let us plead guilty before God, be humble, and willing to know the worst of our case. Let us honestly confess all our sins in their full extent, relying wholly on his mercy and truth through the righteousness of Christ, for a free and full forgiveness, and our deliverance from the power and practice of sin. 1 John 1:6 New American Standard Bible: If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; God's Word Translation: If we say, "We have a relationship with God" and yet live in the dark, we're lying. We aren't being truthful. King James Version: If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: Bible in Basic English: If we say we are joined to him, and are walking still in the dark, our words are false and our acts are untrue: Weymouth New Testament: If, while we are living in darkness, we profess to have fellowship with Him, we speak falsely and are not adhering to the truth. World English Bible: If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and don't tell the truth. Alphabetical: and by claim darkness do fellowship have him If in lie live not practice say that the to truth walk we with yet PNT: 1:6 If we... walk in darkness. To claim a fellowship with him who is Light and to walk in the darkness of error, of ignorance, and of sinfulness are utterly inconsistent. Do not the truth. He who obeys not the truth walks in darkness. WES: 1:6 If we say - Either with our tongue, or in our heart, if we endeavour to persuade either ourselves or others. We have fellowship with him, while we walk, either inwardly or outwardly, in darkness - In sin of any kind. We do not the truth - Our actions prove, that the truth is not in us. MHC: 1 John 1:7 New American Standard Bible: but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. God's Word Translation: But if we live in the light in the same way that God is in the light, we have a relationship with each other. And the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from every sin. King James Version: 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. Bible in Basic English: But if we are walking in the light, as he is in the light, we are all united with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son makes us clean from all sin. Weymouth New Testament: But if we live in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin. World English Bible: 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. Alphabetical: all and another as blood But cleanses fellowship from have he Himself his if in is Jesus light of one purifies sin Son the us walk we with GSB: 1:7 But if we walk in the {d} light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, {4} and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (d) God is said to be light by his own nature, and to be in light, that is to say, in that everlasting infinite blessedness: and we are said to walk in light in that the beams of that light shine to us in the Word. (4) A digression the matter at hand, to the remission of sins: for this our sanctification who walk in the light, is a testimony of our joining and knitting together with Christ: but because this our light is very dark, we must obtain another benefit in Christ, that is, that our sins may be forgiven us being sprinkled with his blood: and this in conclusion is the support and anchor of our salvation. PNT: 1:7 But if we walk in the light. We walk in the light by following Christ, the Light of the world. We have fellowship on with another. All who are walking in the light have the common life. The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. Cleansed by the blood of Christ, and thus made holy, we are fitted for the heavenly communion. WES: 1:7 But if we walk in the light - In all holiness. As God is (a deeper word than walk, and more worthy of God) in the light, then we may truly say, we have fellowship one with another - We who have seen, and you who have not seen, do alike enjoy that fellowship with God. The imitation of God being the only sure proof of our having fellowship with him. And the blood of Jesus Christ his Son - With the grace purchased thereby. Cleanseth us from all sin - Both original and actual, taking away all the guilt and all the power. MHC: 1 John 1:8 New American Standard Bible: If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. God's Word Translation: If we say, "We aren't sinful" we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. King James Version: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Bible in Basic English: If we say that we have no sin, we are false to ourselves and there is nothing true in us. Weymouth New Testament: If we claim to be already free from sin, we lead ourselves astray and the truth has no place in our hearts. World English Bible: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Alphabetical: and are be claim deceive deceiving have If in is no not ourselves say sin that the to truth us we without GSB: 1:8 {5} If we say that we have no sin, we {e} deceive ourselves, and the {f} truth is not in us. (5) There is none but need this benefit, because there is none that is not a sinner. (e) This fully refutes that perfectness of works of supererogation (doing more than duty requires, the idea that excess good works can form a reserve fund of merit that can be drawn on in favour of sinners) which the papists dream of. (f) So then, John speaks not thus for modesty's sake, as some say but because it is so indeed. PNT: 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves. To say that we have reached a sinless state in which we no longer need the blood of Christ to cleanse us is a deception. This language is in square opposition to the claims of the Perfectionists of all ages. WES: 1:8 If we say - Any child of man, before his blood has cleansed us. We have no sin - To be cleansed from, instead of confessing our sins, 1Jo 1:9, the truth is not in us - Neither in our mouth nor in our heart. MHC: 1 John 1:9 New American Standard Bible: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. God's Word Translation: God is faithful and reliable. If we confess our sins, he forgives them and cleanses us from everything we've done wrong. King James Version: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Bible in Basic English: If we say openly that we have done wrong, he is upright and true to his word, giving us forgiveness of sins and making us clean from all evil. Weymouth New Testament: If we confess our sins, He is so faithful and just that He forgives us our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. World English Bible: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Alphabetical: all and cleanse confess faithful forgive from he If is just our purify righteous sins to unrighteousness us we will GSB: 1:9 {6} If we confess our sins, he is {g} faithful and just to {h} forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (6) Therefore the beginning of salvation is to acknowledge our wickedness and to require pardon from him, who freely forgives all sins, because he has promised to do so and he is faithful and just. (g) So then our salvation depends on the free promise of God, who because he is faithful and just, will perform that which he hath promised. (h) Where then are our merits? for this is our true happiness. PNT: 1:9 If we confess our sins. Instead of affirming that we are sinless we should confess our sins. He is faithful and just. If we confess our sins the Lord will be faithful to his promise of mercy, and just in requiring us to have the atonement of Christ, to forgive us our sins. WES: 1:9 But if with a penitent and believing heart, we confess our sins, he is faithful - Because he had promised this blessing, by the unanimous voice of all his prophets. Just - Surely then he will punish: no; for this very reason he will pardon. This may seem strange; but upon the evangelical principle of atonement and redemption, it is undoubtedly true; because, when the debt is paid, or the purchase made, it is the part of equity to cancel the bond, and consign over the purchased possession. Both to forgive us our sins - To take away all the guilt of them. And to cleanse us from all unrighteousness - To purify our souls from every kind and every degree of it. MHC: 1 John 1:10 New American Standard Bible: If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. God's Word Translation: If we say, "We have never sinned," we turn God into a liar and his Word is not in us. King James Version: If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Bible in Basic English: If we say that we have no sin, we make him false and his word is not in us. Weymouth New Testament: If we deny that we have sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Message has no place in our hearts. World English Bible: If we say that we haven't sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Alphabetical: a and be claim has have him his If in is liar lives make no not our out place say sinned that to us we word GSB: 1:10 {7} If we say that we have not sinned, we make him {i} a liar, and his {k} word is not in us. (7) A repeat of the former verse, in which he condemned all of sin without exception: so much so that if any man persuade himself otherwise, he does as much as in him lies, make the word of God himself useless and to no effect, yes, he makes God a liar: for to why in times past did we need sacrifices, or now Christ and the gospel, if we are not sinners? (i) They do not only deceive themselves but are blasphemous against God. (k) His doctrine shall have no place in us; that is, in our hearts. PNT: 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned. God says we have sinned. He declares There is none righteous; no, not one. See Ro 3:10 Ps 14:4. We make him a liar. Hence, if we affirm that we are sinless, we make God a liar. NOTE.--It must be noted that these words concerning sin, found in 1Jo 1:8-10, are not addressed to Gentile sinners, but a generation which had grown up in the church. Indeed, of all the epistles, this is the only one which can truly be said to have been addressed to a Christian generation. Hence, it would naturally emphasize, not the unconverted sinner's need of pardon, but of the Christian's constant need of a pardoning Savior. It is the Christian who cannot say that he has no sin, and who must find pardon by confessing his sins to Christ (Ac 2:38) shows how the alien sinner may obtain remission (1Jo 1:9); shows how the Christian, when he sins, may obtain remission. WES: 1:10 Yet still we are to retain, even to our lives' end, a deep sense of our past sins. Still if we say, we have not sinned, we make him a liar - Who saith, all have sinned. And his word is not in us - We do not receive it; we give it no place in our hearts. 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