Keraia
1 John 1

1 John 1:3

The Word of Life · 1 John 1:1–4
Read 1 John 1

Translations

Modern
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.
Traditional
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.
Literal
…that which we have seen and have heard we declare to you also, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.
Latin
…quod vidimus et audivimus, annuntiamus vobis, ut et vos societatem habeatis nobiscum, et societas nostra sit cum Patre, et cum Filio ejus Jesu Christo.

Original

Greek
English
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.

Notes

1 John 1:3

  • What we have seen: The Word of life had, as a human being, revealed God to the apostles.

  • this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son: After the Spirit gave the apostles new life (regenerated them), they entered spiritual fellowship with the Father and the Son.

  • you also may have fellowship with us: Whoever entered into fellowship with the apostles by associating with them while they were alive, or enters now by remaining in their teaching, has fellowship with the Father and the Son through them.

1 John 1:1–4

  • This opening section, written in the form of a poem, is similar to the message of the beginning of John’s Gospel (John 1:1–18).

  • The we language in the introduction refers to John and the other apostles, and perhaps to other Christians who had seen and touched Jesus Christ. The apostles personally saw Jesus and had personal fellowship with God through him. John, representing the apostles, now invites those he is writing to join in that fellowship.

Theme notes and profiles

The Son of God

Parallels

Luke 24:36–49 John 20:19–23

People

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world

Glossary

Fellowship First Letter of John Incarnation Inspiration of the Bible Love Resurrection Word, Word of God, Words of God

Topics

Apostles: Duties of Commission of, Above, Buddhism Christian Fellowship Communion of Saints Communion of Saints is With: Each Other Communion of Saints is With: God Communion with God Communion with God is Communion with the Father Communion with God is Communion with the Son Fellowship of the Righteous Fellowship with God God Speaks to You God: Grace of Grace: Manifestation of, in Others, a Cause of Gladness Jesus, the Christ: Incarnation of Joining Church Joy of Saints, Made Full by Communion of Saints Testimony: Religious, Exemplified The Doctrines of the Gospel: Lead to Fellowship with the Father and with the Son Word of God: Inspiration of