TG
Everything TrueGospel offers, in one place.

Study

Bible Reader Scripture Search Word Study & Lexicon Bible Study Builder Reading Plans Verse Chains

Reference

The Reference Library Topical Index

Learn

True Gospel Institute

Grow & Share

Blog Q&A Sermon Notes Bible Studies Podcast

Community

Community Student Dashboard

About

About Us Support Us Contact Log In Create Free Account
BSB
← Prev Next →

1 John 1

BSB·10 verses ·New Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1That whichHo — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → wasἦνēn — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → fromἀπ’ap’ — from, away from, out ofG575 — Full Word Study → the beginning, whichho — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → we have heardἀκηκόαμενakēkoamen — to hear, listen, or understand by earG191 — Full Word Study →, whichho — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → we have seenἑωράκαμενheōrakamen — To see, perceive, or observe with the eyes or mindG3708 — Full Word Study → withτοῖςtois — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → our ownἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → eyesὀφθαλμοῖςophthalmois — Eye; sight; vision; spiritual perceptionG3788 — Full Word Study →, whichho — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → we have gazed uponἐθεασάμεθαetheasametha — To gaze upon, behold intentlyG2300 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → touched with ourἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → own handsχεῖρεςcheires — hand; power, authority, or controlG5495 — Full Word Study →—this is theτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → WordΛόγουLogou — word, statement, message, divine utteranceG3056 — Full Word Study → of lifeζωῆςzōēs — Life, living existence, vitalityG2222 — Full Word Study →. 2Andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → this is the lifeζωὴzōē — Life, living existence, vitalityG2222 — Full Word Study → that was revealedἐφανερώθηephanerōthē — To reveal, make manifest, or display openlyG5319 — Full Word Study →; we have seen it andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → testified to it, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → we proclaimἀπαγγέλλομενapangellomen — To announce, report, or declareG518 — Full Word Study → to youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → theτὴνtēn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → eternalαἰώνιονaiōnion — eternal, everlasting, foreverG166 — Full Word Study → lifeζωὴνzōēn — Life, living existence, vitalityG2222 — Full Word Study → thatἥτιςhētis — whoever, whichever, the one whoG3748 — Full Word Study → wasἦνēn — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → withπρὸςpros — toward, to, with, in relation toG4314 — Full Word Study → theτὸνton — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → FatherΠατέραPatera — father; male parent; ancestorG3962 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → was revealedἐφανερώθηephanerōthē — To reveal, make manifest, or display openlyG5319 — Full Word Study → to usἡμῖνhēmin — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study →. 3We proclaimἀπαγγέλλομενapangellomen — To announce, report, or declareG518 — Full Word Study → to youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → whatho — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → we have seenἑωράκαμενheōrakamen — To see, perceive, or observe with the eyes or mindG3708 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → heardἀκηκόαμενakēkoamen — to hear, listen, or understand by earG191 — Full Word Study →, so thatἵναhina — in order that; so that; to the intent thatG2443 — Full Word Study → youὑμεῖςhymeis — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → alsoκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → may haveἔχητεechēte — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study → fellowshipκοινωνίανkoinōnian — Fellowship; sharing in common; participationG2842 — Full Word Study → withμεθ’meth’ — with, after, among, followingG3326 — Full Word Study → usἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study →. Andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → this fellowshipκοινωνίαkoinōnia — Fellowship; sharing in common; participationG2842 — Full Word Study → of oursἡμετέραhēmetera — our; belonging to usG2251 — Full Word Study → is with theτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → FatherΠατρὸςPatros — father; male parent; ancestorG3962 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → withμετὰmeta — with, after, among, followingG3326 — Full Word Study → Hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → SonΥἱοῦHuiou — Son; male child or descendantG5207 — Full Word Study →, JesusἸησοῦIēsou — The Lord SavesG2424 — Full Word Study → ChristΧριστοῦChristou — The Anointed OneG5547 — Full Word Study →. 4Weἡμεῖςhēmeis — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → writeγράφομενgraphomen — to write or compose in written formG1125 — Full Word Study → these thingsταῦταtauta — This one; he, she, it; that person or thingG3778 — Full Word Study → so thatἵναhina — in order that; so that; to the intent thatG2443 — Full Word Study → ourἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → joyχαρὰchara — Joy, gladness, delightG5479 — Full Word Study → may beē — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → completeπεπληρωμένηpeplērōmenē — to fill up, complete, or bring to fulfillmentG4137 — Full Word Study →. 5AndΚαὶKai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → thisαὕτηhautē — This one; he, she, it; that person or thingG3778 — Full Word Study → isἔστινestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → thehē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → messageἀγγελίαangelia — A message or announcement; newsG31 — Full Word Study → we have heardἀκηκόαμενakēkoamen — to hear, listen, or understand by earG191 — Full Word Study → fromἀπ’ap’ — from, away from, out ofG575 — Full Word Study → Himαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → announceἀναγγέλλομενanangellomen — To report, announce, or make knownG312 — Full Word Study → to youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →: GodΘεὸςTheos — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → isἐστινestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → lightφῶςphōs — Light; illumination; radianceG5457 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → Himαὐτῷautō — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → there isἔστινestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → noοὐκouk — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → darknessσκοτίαskotia — Darkness, spiritual blindness, evilG4653 — Full Word Study → at all. 6IfἘὰνEan — conditional particle; if, whether, in case thatG1437 — Full Word Study → we sayεἴπωμενeipōmen — to speak, say, or tellG2036 — Full Word Study → we haveἔχομενechomen — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study → fellowshipκοινωνίανkoinōnian — Fellowship; sharing in common; participationG2842 — Full Word Study → withμετ’met’ — with, after, among, followingG3326 — Full Word Study → Himαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → yetκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → walkπεριπατῶμενperipatōmen — to walk, to conduct oneself, to liveG4043 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → theτῷtō — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → darknessσκότειskotei — darkness, obscurity, absence of lightG4655 — Full Word Study →, we lieψευδόμεθαpseudometha — to speak falsehood; to lie or deceiveG5574 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → do not practiceποιοῦμενpoioumen — to do, make, perform, or accomplishG4160 — Full Word Study → theτὴνtēn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → truthἀλήθειανalētheian — Truth; reality; authenticityG225 — Full Word Study →. 7Butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → ifἐὰνean — conditional particle; if, whether, in case thatG1437 — Full Word Study → we walkπεριπατῶμενperipatōmen — to walk, to conduct oneself, to liveG4043 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → theτῷtō — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → lightφωτὶphōti — Light; illumination; radianceG5457 — Full Word Study → asὡςhōs — as, like, when, in the manner thatG5613 — Full Word Study → Heαὐτόςautos — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → isἐστινestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → theτῷtō — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → lightφωτίphōti — Light; illumination; radianceG5457 — Full Word Study →, we haveἔχομενechomen — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study → fellowshipκοινωνίανkoinōnian — Fellowship; sharing in common; participationG2842 — Full Word Study → withμετ’met’ — with, after, among, followingG3326 — Full Word Study → one anotherἀλλήλωνallēlōn — one another; mutual relationshipG240 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → theτὸto — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → bloodαἷμαhaima — blood; life force; violent deathG129 — Full Word Study → of JesusἸησοῦIēsou — The Lord SavesG2424 — Full Word Study → Hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → SonΥἱοῦHuiou — Son; male child or descendantG5207 — Full Word Study → cleansesκαθαρίζειkatharizei — to cleanse, purify, make cleanG2511 — Full Word Study → usἡμᾶςhēmas — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → fromἀπὸapo — from, away from, out ofG575 — Full Word Study → allπάσηςpasēs — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → sinἁμαρτίαςhamartias — transgression, violation of God's law; wrongdoingG266 — Full Word Study →. 8IfἘὰνEan — conditional particle; if, whether, in case thatG1437 — Full Word Study → we sayεἴπωμενeipōmen — to speak, say, or tellG2036 — Full Word Study → we haveἔχομενechomen — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study → noοὐκouk — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → sinἁμαρτίανhamartian — transgression, violation of God's law; wrongdoingG266 — Full Word Study →, we deceiveπλανῶμενplanōmen — to lead astray, deceive, or cause to wanderG4105 — Full Word Study → ourselvesἑαυτοὺςheautous — himself, herself, itself, themselves; oneselfG1438 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → thehē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → truthἀλήθειαalētheia — Truth; reality; authenticityG225 — Full Word Study → isἔστινestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → notοὐκouk — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → usἡμῖνhēmin — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study →. 9Ifἐὰνean — conditional particle; if, whether, in case thatG1437 — Full Word Study → we confessὁμολογῶμενhomologōmen — To confess, profess, or openly acknowledgeG3670 — Full Word Study → ourἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → sinsἁμαρτίαςhamartias — transgression, violation of God's law; wrongdoingG266 — Full Word Study →, He isἐστινestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → faithfulπιστόςpistos — Faithful, trustworthy, reliableG4103 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → justδίκαιοςdikaios — righteous, just, morally uprightG1342 — Full Word Study → toἵναhina — in order that; so that; to the intent thatG2443 — Full Word Study → forgiveἀφῇaphē — to release, forgive, or send awayG863 — Full Word Study → usἡμῖνhēmin — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → our sinsἁμαρτίαςhamartias — transgression, violation of God's law; wrongdoingG266 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → to cleanseκαθαρίσῃkatharisē — to cleanse, purify, make cleanG2511 — Full Word Study → usἡμᾶςhēmas — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → fromἀπὸapo — from, away from, out ofG575 — Full Word Study → allπάσηςpasēs — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → unrighteousnessἀδικίαςadikias — Unrighteousness, injustice, moral wrongdoingG93 — Full Word Study →. 10Ifἐὰνean — conditional particle; if, whether, in case thatG1437 — Full Word Study → we sayεἴπωμενeipōmen — to speak, say, or tellG2036 — Full Word Study → we have not sinnedἡμαρτήκαμενhēmartēkamen — to sin; to miss the mark; to transgressG264 — Full Word Study →, we make Him out to beποιοῦμενpoioumen — to do, make, perform, or accomplishG4160 — Full Word Study → a liarψεύστηνpseustēn — One who speaks falsehood; deceiverG5583 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → Hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → wordλόγοςlogos — word, statement, message, divine utteranceG3056 — Full Word Study → isἔστινestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → notοὐκouk — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → usἡμῖνhēmin — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study →.
Scripture Explorer
Original Language
Notes & Doctrine
Chapter Commentary
Cross-Refs
Highlight
My Note
Original Hebrew / Greek
Loading…
Translation Notes & Doctrine — This Verse
Loading…
Chapter Commentary — 1 John 1
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

The apostle John opens his first epistle with eyewitness testimony to Jesus Christ—the eternal Word who became flesh and can be known personally. The letter's purpose is twofold: to assure believers of authentic fellowship with God through Christ, and to call them to live in moral consistency with that fellowship. The opening verses establish John's apostolic authority and then move into the heart of Christian life: walking in the light, confessing sin, and experiencing the cleansing power of Christ's blood.

Verses 1-4: Eyewitness Testimony and Fellowship

John begins by emphasizing the reality and tangibility of his message about Jesus. He uses escalating language: "heard," "seen with our eyes," "looked upon," and "hands have handled." These were not abstract theories or vague impressions—John and the other apostles had physical, sensory contact with the risen Christ. The phrase "Word of life" refers to Jesus Himself, who embodies eternal life and makes it knowable to us.

In verse 2, John clarifies that this life "was manifested"—God made the invisible visible in Jesus Christ. The apostles witnessed it and now "bear witness" to pass it on. Notice the progression: they saw, they believe, they testify. In verse 3, John's purpose becomes clear: he writes so that his readers may share in the same fellowship the apostles enjoy—fellowship with one another and ultimately with the Father and the Son. This is not merely intellectual agreement but relational communion.

Verse 4 reveals the emotional fruit of this truth: fullness of joy. When we grasp that we can truly know God through Christ and live in genuine fellowship with Him, our deepest longings are satisfied.

Verses 5-7: Light, Darkness, and Walking in Truth

Here John delivers the core message: "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" (verse 5). This statement means God is absolutely holy, pure, and truthful. There is no moral ambiguity, no hidden corruption, no shadow of deception in His character.

Verse 6 addresses a critical inconsistency: claiming fellowship with God while living in moral darkness (habitual sin). John calls this both a lie and a denial of truth. Genuine fellowship with a holy God cannot coexist with willful, unrepentant sin. This doesn't mean believers never stumble—it means we don't make a habit of darkness while claiming to know the light.

Verse 7 presents the positive alternative: "If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another." Walking in the light means pursuing holiness, being honest about sin, and seeking to obey God's Word. The beautiful promise follows: "the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." This reminds us that our standing before God rests not on our perfection but on Christ's sacrifice. His blood covers all our sins—past, present, and future—when we trust in Him.

Verses 8-10: Confession and Forgiveness

John now addresses a dangerous self-deception: claiming to be sinless. Verse 8 says anyone who denies having sin "deceive[s] ourselves, and the truth is not in us." Honesty about our sinful nature is foundational to Christian health.

But verse 9 offers the remedy with stunning comfort: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Confession (Greek: homologeo, meaning "to agree" or "speak the same") means aligning our assessment of our sin with God's. When we do, His faithfulness guarantees forgiveness and cleansing.

Verse 10 closes with stark language: denying that we have sinned makes God Himself a liar and excludes His word from our lives.

Application for Today

John calls us to radical honesty about sin coupled with radical confidence in Christ's cleansing. We don't earn God's favor by hiding our failures; we experience His grace by bringing them into the light and confessing them. True fellowship flows from walking in honesty and trusting the finished work of Jesus. How are you walking today—in the light or in shadows? Come into the light through confession, and experience the joy of authentic fellowship with God.

Cross References
Loading…
Highlight This Verse
My Note