THAT WHICH (ο). Strictly speaking, the neuter relative here is not personal, but the message "concerning the Word of life" (περ του λογου της ζωης), a phrase that reminds one at once of the Word (Λογος) in John 1:1; John 1:14; Revelation 19:14 (an incidental argument for identity of authorship for... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS MANIFESTED (εφανερωθη). First aorist passive indicative of φανεροω, to make known what already exists, whether invisible (B. Weiss) or visible, "intellectual or sensible" (Brooke). In Colossians 3:4 Paul employs it of the second coming of Christ. Verse 1 John 1:2 here is an important parenthes... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT WHICH WE HAVE SEEN (ο εωρακαμεν). Third use of this form (verses 1 John 1:1; 1 John 1:2; 1 John 1:3), this time resumption after the parenthesis in verse 1 John 1:2.AND HEARD (κα ακηκοαμεν). Second (verse 1 John 1:1 for first) use of this form, a third in verse 1 John 1:5. Emphasis by repe... [ Continue Reading ]
WE WRITE (γραφομεν ημεις). Literary plural present active indicative of γραφω, which see in the singular in 1 John 2:12-14.MAY BE FULFILLED (η πεπληρωμενη). Periphrastic perfect passive subjunctive of πληροω, stressing the state of completion in the purpose (ινα), remain full, precisely as in J... [ Continue Reading ]
AND (κα). Mutual fellowship depends on mutual knowledge (Westcott).MESSAGE (αγγελια). Old word (from αγγελος, messenger), in N.T. only here and 1 John 3:11, and note απ' αυτου (from God like απαγγελλω in verse 1 John 1:3) and αναγγελλομεν, to announce, to disclose, here as in John 4:25.GOD IS L... [ Continue Reading ]
IF WE SAY (εαν ειπωμεν). Condition of third class with εαν and second aorist (ingressive, up and say) active subjunctive. Claiming fellowship with God (see verse 1 John 1:3) involves walking in the light with God (verse 1 John 1:5) and not in the darkness (σκοτος here, but σκοτια in John 1:5). Se... [ Continue Reading ]
IF WE WALK (εαν περιπατωμεν). Condition of third class also with εαν and present active subjunctive (keep on walking in the light with God).AS HE (ως αυτος). As God is light (verse 1 John 1:5) and dwells in light unapproachable (1 Timothy 6:16).ONE WITH ANOTHER (μετ' αλληλων). As he has alrea... [ Continue Reading ]
IF WE SAY (εαν ειπωμεν). See verse 1 John 1:6.WE HAVE NO SIN (αμαρτιαν ουκ εχομεν). For this phrase see John 9:41; John 15:22; John 15:24. That is, we have no personal guilt, no principle of sin. This some of the Gnostics held, since matter was evil and the soul was not contaminated by the sinf... [ Continue Reading ]
IF WE CONFESS (εαν ομολογωμεν). Third-class condition again with εαν and present active subjunctive of ομολογεω, "if we keep on confessing." Confession of sin to God and to one another (James 5:16) is urged throughout the N.T. from John the Baptist (Mark 1:5) on.FAITHFUL (πιστος). Jesus made co... [ Continue Reading ]
IF WE SAY (εαν ειπωμεν). As in verses 1 John 1:6; 1 John 1:8.WE HAVE NOT SINNED (ουχ αμαρτηκαμεν). Perfect active indicative of αμαρτανω. This is a denial of any specific acts of sin, while in verse 1 John 1:8 we have the denial of the principle of sin. David Smith observes that the claim to pe... [ Continue Reading ]