| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
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| 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, of the Word of life; |
From the beginning – The beginning of the Lord's ministry. R1145:6
Which we have heard – This was their testimony. That they saw Christ in his life and in his death; they saw him after his resurrection, and they knew these things. The apostles suffered the loss of all things in proclaiming the truth. R460:2*
The testimony on which faith rests is not man's, it is God's own. Man had no testimony on this matter worth listening to until God spoke. God made himself responsible and he is sure to fulfill his promise. R1329:1
Which we have seen – The evangelists testified to that of which they had positive knowledge. They saw Christ after his resurrection. R1145:6
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| 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) |
Manifested unto us – The inspired Apostle saw the Lord and heard his teachings when he was here in the flesh. R1495:1
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| 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. |
Declare – Teach. E284
Sound doctrine, necessary to be taught. John's writings were not meant merely as social letters, devoid of doctrine or teaching. E284
With us – Fellow-heirs of the same promises. R1495:1
Our fellowship – No one has fellowship at all with the Lord unless he comes into covenant relationship with him. CR317:1
To be established in Present Truth signifies that we have partaken of the sweets of fellowship with him. R1627:3
What condescension on the part of the divine Father and Son and what favor toward us! R1495:1
With the Father – We all are one family--the divine royal family whence universal blessings shall shortly flow to all in heaven and in earth. R1495:1, 2508:6
Jesus Christ – The second Adam becomes the head of a new or spiritual race, and the restorer of the human race. R623:3
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| 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. |
Unto you – He is addressing the justified and sanctified in Christ Jesus. R5938:1, 2235:1
To stir up the pure minds of believers to an appreciation and enjoyment of their privileges, that thereby they might grow and develop. R5938:2, 2235:2
Joy may be full – Joy may be regarded as the effervescence or overflow of true and genuine happiness. It is our Heavenly Father's good pleasure that his children be so full of happiness as to bubble over all the time. R1494:2
Theirs, if they progressed in grace and knowledge to the full stature of a man in Christ Jesus. R5938:2, 2235:2
To this end the Father has prepared a table before them, in the presence of their enemies, and filled their cup of happiness full, even to running over. (Psa. 23:5) The table of good things is his precious truth. R1494:2[R1494]
The vast majority of Christians never experience the fullness of joy, peace and blessing that they might possess. R5938:2, 2235:2
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| 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. |
God – God is the impersonation of every virtue and every grace; consequently he has the blessed satisfaction and peace of conscious moral perfection as well as inherent wisdom and power. R1833:1
The Creator of all things, he is also the competent Sustainer of all things. In silent grandeur, from age to age, the whole physical universe fulfills his will, without a suspicion of disorder or mishap; and the same power is pledged for its sustenance throughout the eternal future. R1832:6
Is light – Light is healing, beneficial and health-giving. R5544:6
Light stands for truth, for righteousness. R5718:3, 5938:2, 5038:1, 2235:2, 647:4*
Divine truth--coming to us through the appointed channel of God's Word and declared by his faithful servants imbued with his Spirit. R2057:3*
In him – Since in God is no darkness at all, and he has promised to guide us continually by his Spirit through his Word, we cannot walk in darkness while we follow his leading. R1495:4
Is no – No sin, no imperfection. R5938:3, 2235:2
Darkness – Represents error, superstition, sin. R5718:3, 5938:3, 5038:1, 2235:2
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| 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: |
We have fellowship – In proportion as we are seeking to walk in his ways, we become intimate with God in the particular sense in which a child knows his father. R5118:5
If we have fellowship with him we are walking (progressing) in the light--in the light which divine truth sheds about us and in the light of his approving countenance. R1495:4
It must be along the lines of truth, goodness, purity. R5938:3, 2235:3
The truth is all clear and plain in God's sight and he, by his Spirit, through his Word, will lead all of his children into light in its due season, if they are in actual fellowship with him. R647:2*
It is a great mistake to imagine that we have communion and fellowship with God, when we only speak to him in prayer, and never examine the Word to hear him speak to us. R647:5*
None can commune with God without becoming acquainted in some measure with his truth; and if they are in harmony and fellowship with him, his plans and purposes will become theirs. R647:5*, 888:4*
Walk in darkness – If we are unfaithful, even for a little space, we shall fail to make development along spiritual lines. R5118:5
If our course of life is dark, a sinful one. R5938:3, 2235:3
If any walk in darkness--away from the truth and toward error, it is not God's fault, but their own, in not obeying the truth. R1495:4
We lie – Speak falsely. R13:4
For God does not lead his children that way. R1495:4
Do not the truth – Perform not the truth. R13:4
They don't want to know it, because they don't want to do it. R647:5*
If they do not desire to obey the truth, they will deceive themselves in an endeavor to disbelieve it, and to substitute something else in its place. R647:5*
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| 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. |
Walk in the light – Truth. A20; R647:2*
Be guided by God's Word. R5055:4
In harmony and fellowship with God--to the extent of our ability. R5938:4, 2235:4
It does not imply absolute freedom from the imperfections of sin. R5938:4, 2235:4
If we are still trusting in the finished redemptive work of Christ, and obedient to the heavenly calling, we are walking in the light of God's promises and instruction. R1495:4
We may maintain our communion with God, and may realize, on confession, the forgiveness of every sin and that the precious blood--the ransom--keeps us clean from every stain of sin. R689:5
In the presence of the "true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world." (John 1:9) R159:4*
We – And Jehovah. R689:5
Have fellowship – With all saints who are faithfully traveling in the same way. R1495:4, 647:5*
True fellowship implies love, sympathy, a mutual sharing of good or ill, common principles, common interests, and a common aim. R647:1*
Let us see to it that our fellowship is based upon the sure foundation--the blood of Jesus Christ--and that our rejoicing and communion be of the increasing light as we walk together. R647:2*
One with another – If we do not "love the brethren whom we have seen," so as to be able to have fellowship and spiritual pleasure with them, it would be an indication that we are not wholly in harmony and fellowship with God. R5938:3, 2235:3
Between all such there must be a bond of fellowship and union--whether hidden or open--that bond is the one faith and one baptism into the one Lord. R5938:4, 2235:4
We have sweet fellowship not only with God and his Son, but with all saints who are faithfully traveling in the same way. R1495:4
God and we. R689:5
The blood – A life given, i.e., death. R93:6; NS847:5
The ransom. R689:5, 652:6; E445, E461; F105
The blood shed on Calvary. R1336:3*, 1298:6*
The merit of our Lord's sacrifice. E445; NS847:5
In Scriptural usage blood stands for, or represents, the life. NS847:5
Of Jesus Christ – His blood became the basis for the forgiveness of our sins, made peace for us, and transferred us from the domain of sentenced culprits back to sonship. R1230:3, 1231:2
It was by his death on the cross that Christ made atonement for the sins of the world. R1299:1
His Son – After he came. R316:1*
Cleanseth us – Washes us. R4870:3, 416:6*
When we come short. R5924:1
In answer to earnest prayers. R4870:6
By the grace of God our deficiencies are made good. R5005:2
Because we are unable to walk up to the spirit of the Law perfectly, although desiring to do so. R5005:2
God forgave us freely "for Christ's sake" because he paid the penalty which was the full satisfaction of justice. E461
The blood cleanses us and commutes our sins. R4982:6
"Keeps cleansing"; Not merely what he did at first--but the Apostle says his blood keeps cleansing us from all sin. CR390:1; SM723:1; NS357:4
Keeps us clean from sin, if realizing our imperfections we continually make application for forgiveness. R2235:4
It was efficacious for us as men, justifying us; and it avails for all the weaknesses and imperfections of our flesh after we become "new creatures." R4484:4, 689:3; SM723:1; NS357:1
A cleansing which may be ours after we are the Lord's and have the robe. SM255:1
Any who do not persevere in keeping their garments clean will have their names blotted out. R4870:3
If a scarlet or crimson object is viewed through a red class in the light, it appears white; so, though our sins be as scarlet or crimson, when we come where God will view them through the blood of Christ, they are accounted as white. R13:4, 689:6
Every error, every slip, every mistake, is a spot upon our wedding garment. With great humility we should go to the Master that we might have such spots promptly cleansed away. R4634:4
From all sin – Not only from the sins that are past, but also from all stains upon the robe; unintentional blemishes, spots upon our garments. R4870:3
He is not speaking of original sin--but sins due to the flesh or ignorance. Q302:T
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| 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. |
If we – New creatures. R4615:2, 2721:3; NS243:5
Say – Speaking of our flesh, and ignoring the justification provided in Christ to cover its blemishes. R2721:3
The Apostle was surmising that some would claim that they had reached perfection and that their daily life was perfect. SM723:2; NS357:4
"Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?" (Prov. 20:9) R2053:2
That we have no sin – No imperfection in our fallen flesh. R3281:5, 5903:1, 5440:1; NS243:5
No actual sin; if we claim that our every word, thought and deed is perfect. R689:5
That we are free from any breaches of the perfect law of love toward God and man. SM723:2; NS357:5
We cannot fully avoid sin in the flesh, on account of its weaknesses, and the deceptiveness and unfavorable conditions surrounding us. R5440:1
We will commit trespasses; for we have merely good intentions of the heart, with only an imperfect body in which to operate. R5750:3
The new creatures are responsible for sin--the new creature never willfully sins, never intentionally does wrong, but may be ensnared through the evil propensities of its fallen body of flesh. R4615:2, 3281:5, 2440:3
There is no more serious condition for the Lord's people to get into than to imagine that they are perfect in the flesh. It implies that they are blind to many of their own failings. SM723:2; NS357:5
All who are honest with themselves will acknowledge that they are imperfect and cannot do the things that they would perfectly. Q809:T
We deceive ourselves – Anyone who would say that he was perfect and without flaw, would be deceiving himself. R5041:5
Those who deny that they have any sins, imperfections, have a great load of them uncanceled, charged up to them. R5939:2, 2235:6
Some Christians have gone to the extreme of claiming that they can never commit sin, after their past sins have been graciously forgiven of the Lord, and after they have entered into the covenant relationship. R5938:2, 5939:2, 2235:1,5
"Holiness people" boast that for so many years they have lived perfectly, without sin. The human being who considers himself absolutely perfect in thought, word and deed is sadly deceived. NS469:3; R5938:2, 2235:2
Get into a snare of the Adversary. R5939:2, 2235:5
If they do not desire to obey the truth, they will deceive themselves in an endeavor to disbelieve it, and to substitute something else in its place. R647:5*
We are weak through the fall, and liable to deception and error at the hands of the world, the flesh and the devil. R3281:6
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| 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
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If we – The justified and sanctified in Christ Jesus. R5938:1, 5939:4, 2236:1, 2235:1, 1654:3, 769:3
Those now called of God to be members of the Bride of Christ. R4931:6
The Church. Q656:4
Not the world of unbelievers, "sinners" in the ordinary sense of the word. R5938:1, 4931:6, 2235:1
Confess – And only if we confess. R5939:2, 2235:6
Our daily trespasses are to be acknowledged to the Lord, and forgiveness sought and obtained. R5440:1
This confession of sins does not relate to the world, who have not yet become children of God. R4931:6
Our sins – Unintentional faults and shortcomings. R2235:4, 5938:4, 5903:1, 4932:1; Q656:4
Trespasses. Q656:4
In our flesh dwelleth no perfection. R5939:6, 5750:3, 5440:1, 2721:3, 2236:5
To the extent that the will consented to sin, even for a moment, it was unforgivable, and for that measure of responsibility we must expect to suffer stripes, i.e., chastisements. R1985:4
The Apostle is not referring to the question of mortal sin again, and the applying for a new robe of Christ's righteousness. All that was done in the past. SM724:3; NS358:1
Not referring to original sin, Adamic sin. Q656:4
This principle will be applicable also during Messiah's reign. None will make progress on the highway of holiness except first they confess their sins and turn from them. R4931:6
Thus will Christ set men's sins in order before them, they must freely confess their sins and bear their shame as did Joseph's brethren. R1646:4
Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isa. 1:18) R13:4
He is – God commended his love to us, and it is his love which constrains us to seek him and to desire to serve him. R4931:3
Just – Because Christ died. R3281:5
We can see readily enough that the Almighty must be the very embodiment of justice. R4931:3
God's will meant the requirement of justice and he opened up the way by which he could be just and yet be the justifier of those who believe in Jesus, who become his disciples, to take up their cross and follow him. R4931:3, 5903:1, 769:3; HG299:2
Since the precious blood of Christ redeemed us from the curse of death. R3656:3
God can be just in forgiving our sins because Jesus has appeared for us. Our Redeemer has become our Advocate. NS243:6; R5939:4, 4931:6, 2236:1
As he would have been unjust to have allowed us to escape the pronounced penalty before satisfaction was rendered, so also it would be unjust were he to forbid our restitution, since by his own arrangement our penalty has been paid. A157
Christ's sacrifice having been accepted as "the propitiation for our sins; and not of ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world," ( 1 John 2:2) all must go free. R252:2; R5939, R2236
To forgive us – Those who have become new creatures in Christ by faith and obedience--God has agreed to forgive all their unwilling trespasses upon request. R4932:1, 2822:3
These assurances of divine favor and willingness to forgive are designed to have upon our hearts a mellowing influence which will make us all the more careful to avoid sin and to maintain fellowship with the Lord. R5939:3, 2235:6
Stumbling into sin contrary to the will, through weakness of the flesh and temptation, is to be considered a stumbling from which there is every hope of recovery. R3260:4
If we find ourselves cold or lukewarm, let us cultivate fervency, let us fan the flame of sacred love in our hearts by frequent reflection on the Lord's grace toward us. R2388:4
We should go to the Lord and seek forgiveness, and assure him of our intention to do better in the future. Q656:4
To cleanse us – Keeps us clean from sin, if we continually make application for forgiveness, because of realization of imperfections of our flesh. R5938:5, 2235:4; NS165:1
Purify us. A gradual process, accomplished often through tears and tribulations Not merely the setting aside of our sins and trespasses in a legal way. Q656:5
We may keep ourselves in the love of God by keeping ourselves clean. R5440:1
It is in this cleansing process, which follows the legal justification, that the justified believer must experience some of the baneful results of a past course of sin; reap the reward of his former sowing. R1654:3
All unrighteousness – Natural imperfections and shortcomings. SM724:2; NS165:1, 358:1
Sin. R5938:4, 2235:4
Except sin against the holy Spirit (Matt. 12:31, 32); all manner of sin amin the age to come. Q280:7; R5105:6
It is evident that the tendency of mixed sin is toward mortal sin. R1985:4
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| 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. |
Sinned – "All have sinned." (Rom. 3:23) R93:3
Make him – God. R5440:1, 5939:2, 3281:5, 791:4, 93:3
A liar – Make God a liar and disown the Advocate whom God provided. R3281:5, 5440:1
Those who take any other course than that of confessing sins and asking forgiveness, are making God a liar; and he will leave them to the darkness of their own way. R5939:2, 2235:6
His word is not in us – We have not properly studied or understood God's Word. SM723:2; NS357:5
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