1 John 1:1-4 (NKJV) 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, concerning the Word of life— 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
(Through the Bible Day by Day: A Devotional Commentary (7 Vols.))
OUTLINE OF THE FIRST EPISTLE OF JOHN
THE REDEEMING LOVE OF GOD IN CHRIST
INTRODUCTION (1:1-4).
- The Character of God Revealed in Christ (1:5-2:6).
- The New Commandment (2:7-28).
- Divine Sonship Tested by Love (2:29-3:18).
- The Ground of Assurance (3:19-4:6).
- “God Is Love” (4:7-21).
- The Threefold Witness (5:1-12).
CONCLUSION (5:13-21).
From Precept Austin comments on 1 John 5:1:
“John Stott helps us disentangle John’s tightly woven argument in 1Jn 5:1-5 – We have by now become familiar with the three tests which John applies, with repeated but varied emphasis, to the professing Christian. In chapter 2 he describes all three tests in order, obedience (1Jn 2:3–6), love (1Jn 2:7–11) and belief (1Jn 2:18–27). In chapter 3 he treats only obedience (1Jn 2:28–3:10) and love (1Jn 3:11–18), while in chapter 4 only belief (1Jn 4:1–6) and love (1Jn 4:7–12). In 1Jn 4:13–21 he has combined the doctrinal and social tests. Now, however, in the brief opening paragraph of chapter 5, we meet the three together again. The words ‘believe’ and ‘faith’ occur in 1Jn 5:1, 1Jn 5:4 and 1Jn 5:5, ‘love’ in 1Jn 5:1, 1Jn 5:2 and 1Jn 5:3, and the need to obey or carry out ‘his commands’ in 1Jn 5:2 and 1Jn 5:3. What John is at pains to show is the essential unity of his threefold thesis. He has not chosen three tests arbitrarily or at random and stuck them together artificially. On the contrary, he shows that they are so closely woven together into a single, coherent fabric that it is difficult to unpick and disentangle the threads. The previous paragraph, at the end of chapter 4, ended with a statement of our duty, if we love God, to love our brother also (1Jn 4:21). John now elaborates the essential connection between these two loves, and between them and both belief and obedience. We cannot believe in Jesus Christ without loving the Father and his children (1Jn 5:1–2a); we cannot love the Father without obeying His commands and overcoming the world (1Jn 5:2b–4a); and we cannot overcome the world without believing in Jesus Christ (1Jn 5:4b–5). So this compressed paragraph begins and ends with belief, but between these two termini is concerned with love and obedience. The real link between the three tests is seen to be the new birth. Faith, love and obedience are all the natural growth which follows a birth from above, just as in 1Jn 4:13–16 faith and love were shown to be evidences of the mutual indwelling of God and His people. (The Letters of John: An Introduction and Commentary)”
V1 “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, concerning the Word of life…” The beginning refers to the start of Jesus’s ministry. John heard, saw, touched Jesus, the Word of life (John 8:12 and John 12:46). Nevertheless, the effects of the creator are seen in the universe from the creation even to this day. Jesus is the Word of life. Physical food is needed for physical life to continue. Spiritual food is needed for spiritual life to continue. Without food, we die. Spiritual food comes from the words of God. Matthew 4:4 (NKJV) But He answered and said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” Also see, 1 Peter 2:22, Isaiah 55:2-3, and Acts 20:22. Some understand “Word of life” to refer to the Gospel. In this context, it seems more likely to refer to a title of Jesus, the Messiah. John not only saw and heard Jesus, he was a close associate–close enough to touch Him.
V2 “…the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us…” The life was manifested refers to His life in heaven before the incarnation. Eternal life is the principle of life in God. Only God has life in Himself; He was never created; He has always existed. “With the Father” shows the personhood of the Son is different from the personhood of the Father. Yet, there is only one God.
V3 “…that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” John is writing that we were there when all these things happened. This is the Jesus we preach to you. John’s purpose is for anyone to know how to have fellowship with God. We were created for fellowship with God and to serve Him forever. He does not need these things, but it seemed good to God is the the King of the universe and everything good.
Why Did God Create Us?
To have fellowship with God and serve Him forever.
Fellowship:
- 2 Corinthians 5:15 (NKJV) and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
- 1 Corinthians 1:9 (NKJV) God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (2 Corinthians 13:14)
- John 14:3 (NKJV) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Serve:
- Colossians 3:23-24 (NKJV) And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, [24] knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
- Matthew 6:24 (NKJV) “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
- 1 Peter 4:10 (NKJV) As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
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Fellowship with God brings God’s teaching into our lives by word and what we do.
Fellowship with God brings fulfillment to our soul.
Fellowship with God brings life, growth, and producing fruit (John 15:4-5).
Fellowship with God brings enjoying God’s love.
For proper fellowship we need:
- Holiness—2 Corinthians 6:14-18, Ephesians 5:8-11, and James 4:4
- Obeying God—1 John 3:24 and John 14:21
V4 “And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” No use having a small serving of joy, for we have this letter and its message to have a full serving of joy.
(Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary) JOY—a positive attitude or pleasant emotion; delight.
“Many kinds of joy are reported in the Bible. Even the wicked are said to experience joy in their triumphs over the righteous (1 Cor. 13:6; Rev. 11:10). Many levels of joy are also described, including gladness, contentment, and cheerfulness.
“But the joy that the people of God should have is holy and pure. This joy rises above circumstances and focuses on the very character of God. For example, the psalmist rejoices over God’s righteousness (71:14–16), salvation (21:1; 71:23), mercy (31:7), creation (148:5), word (119:14, 162), and faithfulness (33:1–6). God’s characteristics as well as His acts are the cause of rejoicing.
“The joy required of the righteous person (Ps. 150; Phil. 4:4) is produced by the Spirit of God (Gal. 5:22). This kind of joy looks beyond the present to our future salvation (Rom. 5:2; 8:18; 1 Pet. 1:4, 6) and to our sovereign God, who works out all things for our ultimate good, which is Christlikeness (Rom. 8:28–30). This kind of joy is distinct from mere happiness. Joy like this is possible, even in the midst of sorrow (1 Cor. 12:26; 2 Cor. 6:10; 7:4).”
We learn:
- John was an eye-witness of Jesus, His actions, and His message.
- Jesus is life
- Jesus gives joy
My outline of 1 John showing the tests for genuine faith.
1 John 1:1-4 Introduction
1 John 1:5-7 God Is Light
1 John 1:8-10 Forgiveness
1 John 2:1-2 Jesus is the Forgiver
1 John 2:3-6 Test to know if we are a Christian–Obedience to God
1 John 2:7-11 Test to know if we are a Christian–A Life of Love
1 John 2:12-14 Test to Know If We Are a Christian-How We Think and Live?
1 John 2:15-17 Test to Know If We Are a Christian-Do We Love the World?
1 John 2:18-19 Test to Know If We Are a Christian-Do We Have Attitude of anti-Christ?
1 John 2:20-21 The Holy Spirit Teaches Us Truth
1 John 2:22-23 Test to Know If We Are a Christian-Do We Affirm That Jesus Is Messiah?
1 John 2:24-25 Test to Know If We Are a Christian-Are We Faithful to the Teachings of the Bible?
1 John 2:26-27 Christians Can Understand the Bible With Help of the Holy Spirit
1 John 2:28-29 The Need for Perseverance
1 John 3:1-3 Blessing of Being God’s Children
1 John 3:4-10 Test to Know If We Are a Christian—Do We Continue to Do the Same Sins As Before Saved?
1 John 3:11-12 Test to Know If We Are a Christian-Do We Love Other Christians?
1 John 3:13-15 Test to Know If We Are a Christian-Does the World Love Our Christianity?
1 John 3:16-18 Test to Know If We Are a Christian—Do We Love Others?
1 John 3:19-21 Test to Know If We Are a Christian–Do We Have a Clear Conscience?
1 John 4:1-6 Test to Know If We Are a Christian-Do We Acknowledge That Messiah Came in the Flesh?
1 John 4:7-12 Test to Know If We Are a Christian-Do We Love Our Fellow Christian Brothers and Sisters?
1 John 4:13-21 Test to Know If We Are a Christian-Do We Want to Preach the Gospel?
1 John 5:1-5 Test to Know If We Are a Christian-Do We Obey Jesus’s Rules in the New Testament?
1 John 5:6-8 Jesus Truly Is The Messiah
1 John 5:9-12 Test to Know If We Are a Christian-Do We Have Eternal Life Through Jesus Christ Alone?
1 John 5:13 Test to Know If We Are a Christian-Do We Believe in the Son of God?
1 John 5:14-15 God Answers Prayer If It Is His Will
1 John 5:16-17 Helping Each Other in this Life After We Sin
1 John 5:18 Test to Know If We Are a Christian-Do We Keep Sinning or Is There a Change?
1 John 5:19-20 Identifying the True God
1 John 5.21 Avoid Idols