Words in italic type have been added for clarity. They are not found in the original Hebrew or Aramaic.

I John

What Was Heard, Seen, and Touched

I John 1:¹ 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—

• Jesus had an impact on John. If I met someone, I don’t know how he could convince me he was sinless, let alone the embodiment of truth, or that he was WITH God in the beginning, and that he actually WAS God. (John 1).
• John is calling Jesus “the Word” of life, comparing Him to scripture. The more John thought about Jesus the more he understood scripture and God’s plan for man. Jesus was crucified the same day the Passover lamb was slaughtered. This was something that could not have been manipulated unless He was the Passover lamb prepared for man’s sins even before man had sinned in the Garden of Eden.
• Every word that proceeds from a man’s mouth is either life or death: Jesus’ Words were Life!
  Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
  Personal Application: Is your mouth a graveyard or an orchard of life?

I John 1:² 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 (made known) to us—

I John 1:³ 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.

• Reference Verse:
  Revelation 1:19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

I John 1:⁴ And these things we write to you that (our) your joy may be full.

Fellowship with Him and One Another

I John 1:⁵ This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light (truth) and in Him is no darkness (deception) at all.

I John 1:⁶ If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness (deception), we lie and do not practice the truth.

I John 1:⁷ But if we walk in the light (truth) as He is in the light (truth), we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

I John 1:⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

• We are not sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners. Sin is inherited in our spiritual DNA.

I John 1:⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I John 1:¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

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