1 John 1:1-4
1 “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— 2 and the life was revealed, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was revealed to us— 3 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. 4 These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.”
Verse 1: John emphasizes the tangible reality of Jesus Christ. He and the other apostles were eyewitnesses of Jesus’ physical presence on Earth. They heard His teachings, saw him with their own eyes, and even touched him. This proclamation is about the Word of life, referring to Jesus himself, who is the embodiment of life and truth. This is a direct affront to the Gnostic belief that Jesus did not come in the flesh.
Verse 2: John continues to affirm that they have seen and testify to the life that appeared in Jesus Christ. This confirms that Jesus came in the flesh and not only in spirit, as Gnostics believed. They proclaim to their readers the reality of eternal life, which was not only with the Father but has also appeared to them. This eternal life is found in Jesus, who is the source and giver of life.
Verse 3: John’s purpose in proclaiming what they have seen and heard about Jesus is to invite others into fellowship with them. This fellowship is not just with the apostles, but with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. It is an invitation to enter into a deep and intimate relationship with God through Jesus. This invitation is for Gnostic unbelievers.
Verse 4: John concludes this passage by expressing his desire to make their joy complete. By sharing the truth about Jesus and inviting others into fellowship with God, John wants to bring fullness and completeness to their joy. This joy is not dependent on circumstances but is rooted in the unchanging reality of their relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
