1 John 1:1-10 - G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

Reader Related Verse
Bible Comments

This is possibly the last apostolic message to the whole Church. It is complementary to the Gospel of John. Its subject is fellowship with God, into which believers are introduced through their union with Christ.

The whole fact of the mission of our Lord is declared to be a manifestation of eternal life. Concerning this John wrote, 'We have heard," "we have seen," "we beheld," "our hands handled." The purpose of the manifestation was to bring men into fellowship with God. Through the manifestation of eternal life, and our reception of it by faith, we have fellowship with the Father. This means fellowship in Light, Love, and Life.

The first great message of the "word of life" to men is that "God is light." The place of fellowship therefore is that of walking in the light of God. In God there is no darkness, neither can there be. If, then, "men love darkness rather than the light," they are excluded from the fellowship of God.

Because of perpetual imperfection even in our most holy things there is need of a constant cleansing, which is provided in the 'blood of Jesus His Son." Light makes sin known. The sins of the past are forgiven, and the soul is cleansed from all unrighteousness.

Related Commentaries of 1 John 1:1

1 John 1:1-10

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;

2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

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.

4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

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.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

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.

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

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.