1 John 1:1-4

Introduction:

When John completes his gospel, he states:

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.--John 21:25

He seems to express a sense of futility to his work. There is no way possible that he can record all Who Jesus is, nor all He has done. John has written his gospel so that we might believe Jesus is the Christ (John 20:31), and through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he did a sufficient job toward that goal. However, his gospel did not record all there is to know about Jesus, nor is that even possible.

However, this does not compel John to remain silent. Instead, with great joy, he finds himself again writing to the church. In his first epistle he states that his goal for writing is joy expressed through fellowship with God the Father, Jesus Christ and with one another.

Commentary

v 1
In the beginning...

By turning our attention to the beginning (ἀρχῆς), the reader is to reminded of Genesis 1:1, John 1:1. In Genesis, "the beginning" is an unmarked time when God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit determined to begin creation. In John, "the beginning" goes even before that creation exercise, establishing that the Word has always existed with God. In the same way, John is establishing that this beginning transcends time. This beginning cannot be recorded, for if you were able to trace back into the past, before time was recorded, you would never find a time when "that which was from the beginning" did not exist.

John goes on to explain what "that" is. "It" was heard (ἀκηκόαμεν). The word John uses (from which we get acoustic), means there is a literal sound that was perceived by the ear. "It" was seen (ἑωράκαμεν), again meaning something literally perceived with the eye. However, this was not a momentary flash of lightening, a quick vision that just as quickly disappeared. No, John also states that they "looked" (ὀφθαλμοῖς) at it. This is not a repetition of saying he saw it, for this time John uses a word that means he studied and investigated "it." He closely examined "it." In fact, he also says he touched (ἐψηλάφησαν) "it" with his hands. Again, this is not simply brushing up against something, nor is it a quick strike, like on a hot stove. The word here actually means to feel or grope, to study with your hands as if you were blind. This is the same word Paul uses in Acts 17:27. It is also what Jesus commands disciples to do in Luke 24:39 when they can't believe He has truly resurrected.

The "It" is not an "it" but a "He." John goes on to say that which he has seen, heard, studied and felt is concerning (or about/around) the Word of Life. This is a unique title given to Jesus Christ. (see: Philippians 2:16). John lays out for us that his letter is in reference to Jesus Christ and He is the message he desires to communicate.

v 2
John then unpacks the Word of Life (further validating Word of Life references the person of Christ) with a parenthetical statement. (Though there are not parenthesis in the Greek text, the context makes sense that this verse further explains the Word of Life before he continues his original statement in verse 3.) John is careful to state that the life was "manifested." The life was not created, or formed, it was manifested. John uses this word both to speak of Christ's first appearing (1 John 3:5; 1 John 3:8) and His anticipated second coming (1 John 2:28; 1 John 3:2). Clearly, John intends for us to understand he is writing about the appearing of Jesus Christ.

John attaches to this manifestation, that they have seen (observed with their eyes) and testify and proclaim to you the Eternal Life. Testify and proclaim are not quite the same thing. He is not simply saying they saw Jesus and then talked a lot about Him. He is saying that they have seen Jesus and they share their own personal account (testify) about Him, as well as sharing the message Christ had given them (proclaim). By seeing Jesus, they are compelled to share not only what they saw and personally observed, but also what they heard from Jesus as He reported truth to them.

Again, since there are no capitalizations in the Greek (most manuscripts were written in all caps), the ancient manuscripts do not instruct us when it is a proper noun that should be capitalized and when it is simply a noun. However, it appears that "Eternal Life" should be viewed as a title for Jesus (or at least a reference to Him, therefore also capitalized) by the fact that John states this Eternal Life was with the Father. This should harken us back to John 1:1, and the Word was with God, naturally leading us to see this as a reference to Christ. Obviously, the fact that this life became manifested (and by being manifested could be seen, heard, examined, studied) it leads us to conclude this Life appearing is also a reference to Jesus. (see John 1:4; John 14:6)

v 3
After making sure the reader understands who the Word of Life is, John then refocuses on what the Word of Life has done. He now begins to explain his purpose in writing. Those who are reading have not had the privilege of seeing and hearing directly from Jesus, however, John is going to allow them to share in his privilege through his proclamation. He explains that what he has seen and heard he is now going to proclaim. Again, this encompasses both his testimony (what He saw Jesus do) and his proclamation (the message he heard from Jesus).

The fact that John was an eyewitness and had the privilege to behold the manifestation firsthand does not put him in a separate fellowship with God. Instead, he explains that his proclamation (and obviously the listeners submission to the message) will allow all who believe to have fellowship with one another. Though John is an Apostle, he does not entertain an exclusive fellowship that keeps others in the Body of Christ out. Instead, he sees his responsibility to proclaim what he saw and heard so that others can enjoy fellowship with him.

Though Gnosticism is not directly named in this epistle, John will later deal with heresies developed by the gnostics. However, even in the first paragraph of his epistle, he significantly damages the gnostic position. If anyone were privileged to "secret information" it would certainly be an Apostle. Yet, John does not hold that secret message to himself, or challenge his readers that they must search for the mysterious information on their own. He does not lay an unattainable knowledge before his readers or claim special privilege through his unique Apostolic role. Instead, John makes his aim to declare all that he has seen and heard from Christ. He is going to make this knowledge known and accessible to his readers.

[While the first person plural pronouns in this section are up for some debate, I do believe in these first three verses they are clearly a reference to the apostles, and not to all believers. Though John sees other believers in the household of faith (as evidence by his numerous references to the readers as children), he does see a distinction between his apostolic office and there position. Obviously, I cannot say that I saw or heard Jesus Christ upon His first manifestation. Jesus Himself affirms that many will believe in Him without seeing Him (John 20:29). Peter also confirms this (1 Peter 1:8). I am not, however, making the case that every time John uses the first person plural pronoun he is referencing the Apostles, for just as in any letter, the referent of a pronoun may change, I do believe later in the letter, John uses "we" and "us" to refer to all brethren. Yet in these three verses, due to the unique nature of observing the manifestation of Christ, I do believe "we" and "us" refers to the Apostolic office.]

John presents that genuine fellowship with others begins in fellowship with God and with Jesus Christ. When John invites others to participate in the fellowship the Apostles enjoy, he states that this fellowship is "housed" in fellowship with God and Jesus Christ. Men cannot be reconciled to one another until they are first reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.

v 4
John has already expressed the benefit for the submissive listener, they will receive fellowship with the Apostles, fellowship with other believers and fellowship with God the Father and Jesus Christ. Now, John presents his own personal benefit...joy! John reveals that when the Apostles would proclaim the message of Christ, this would make their joy full (πεπληρωμένη). Just as any believer's joy is made more complete by sharing the glory of the gospel, so the Apostles find great joy in proclaiming the message of Christ.

Exposition--"The Joyful Fellowship in Christ"

Fellowship (κοινωνία) is often misrepresented. I've often heard the joke that fellowship is Christian code language for food. Socials are often called "fellowships." But fellowship is not an activity or an event. Genuine fellowship can only be known between brothers and sisters in Christ, for their fellowship must start in Him. Fellowship begins, stays and ends in Jesus Christ.

In the same way, John begins his letter with Christ. He is the One from the beginning. He was manifested from Bethlehem (Luke 2:7) to Bethany (Luke 24:50). John writes to declare what He saw, observed and studied from Christ. Also, he proclaims that message which he heard directly from Christ. Therefore, John is not just sharing what he observed about Jesus, but also propositional truths revealed from Christ...such as His eternality.

The message John proclaims is centered in Christ. The fellowship he enjoys is founded in Christ. Genuine fellowship cannot be experienced between people if not grounded in Christ. Therefore, fellowship cannot be had unless a person is a believer in Jesus Christ. And once a believer, true fellowship is most richly experienced when Jesus is the center of the focus.

"I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth" (3 John 4). Therefore, John testifies and proclaims the message of Christ so that others could join in fellowship with each other, by first entering into fellowship with Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

John has established that his joy can be made complete by writing this letter. He has written a gospel recording the events and teachings of Jesus Christ. He has acknowledged that his gospel did not record all that Jesus said or did. However, he is writing this letter to establish his readers in fellowship with Christ.

Though we do not serve as Apostles, it is important to realize the standards remain the same. We have the opportunity to proclaim to others the message of Christ. We should find that our message is completely centered upon Christ. Our churches should enjoy genuine fellowship as believers are reconciled to one another by being reconciled to Christ and experience that fellowship as they focus on their Savior.

But we do not do this as an obligation. Just like John, it is our way to experience complete joy.

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An mp3 file of the sermon preached on this passage, as well as small group questions and children's material can be found at Grace: Resources.