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.
First division of the body of the letter (cf. 'Introduction').
Declare, х anangellomen (G312)] - 'announce;' report in turn: different from 1 John 1:3. As the Son announced the message heard from the Father as His apostle (John 15:15; Hebrews 3:1), so the Son's apostles announce what they have heard from the Son. John nowhere uses 'gospel;' but the witness or testimony, the word, the truth: here the message.
God is light. What light is in the natural world, that God, the source of even material light, is in the spiritual-the fountain of wisdom, purity, beauty, joy, and glory. As all material life and growth depend on light, so all spiritual life and growth depend on GOD. As God here, so Christ, in 1 John 2:8, is called "the true light."
No darkness at all. Strong negation х skotia (G4653) ouk (G3756) estin (G2076) oudemia (G3762): 'no, not even one speck of darkness']; no ignorance, error, untruthfulness, sin, death. John heard this from Christ, not only in express, but in acted words-namely, His whole manifestation in the flesh as "the brightness of the Father's glory." Christ Himself was the embodiment of "the message" representing fully in all His sayings, doings, and sufferings, Him who is LIGHT.