Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

1 John 1:1-4

1 John 1:1-4. THE INTRODUCTION

The first four verses are introductory. They are analogous to the first eighteen verses of the Gospel, and to the first three of the Revelation. Like the Prologue to the Gospel, this Introduction tells us that the Apostle’s subject is the Word who is the Life. The similarity between the two Prefaces extends to details. “In each the main subject is described first (John 1:1-5; 1 John 1:1): then the historical manifestation of it (John 1:6-13; 1 John 1:2): then its personal apprehension (John 1:14-18; 1 John 1:3 f.).”—Westcott.

Note that neither before nor after the Introduction is there any address or salutation, just as at the end there is neither valediction nor blessing. In form this Epistle is very unlike other Epistles in N.T.

1–4. A prolonged and somewhat involved construction. Such complicated sentences are not common in S. John: but comp. John 6:22-24; John 13:2-4. Some make ἐστίν understood to be the main verb: ‘That which was from the beginning is that which we have heard, &c.’ Others take ἐψηλάφησαν: ‘That which was from the beginning, which …, which …, our hands also touched.’ But almost certainly the main verb is ἀπαγγέλλομεν, and ὅ in each case introduces the thing declared. 1 John 1:2 being parenthetical, part of 1 John 1:1 is repeated for clearness and emphasis (Winer, 709 note 4). The crowding of profound thoughts has proved almost too much for the Apostle’s command of Greek. In the plurals, ἀκηκόαμεν, ἑωράκαμεν, &c., we have the testimony of the last survivor of those who had heard and seen the Lord, the sole representative of His disciples, speaking in their name.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

1 John 1:1-4

Old Testament

New Testament