1

1 John Chapter 1 lessons

1/9/2011 Chapter 1: v 1-4 Reality of the Incarnation part 11/16/2011 Chapter 1: v 1-4 Reality of the Incarnation part 21/23/2011 Chapter 1: v 5-6 God is Light and our fellowship with Him part 11/30/2011 Chapter 1: v 7-8 God is Light and our fellowship with Him part 22/6/2011 Chapter 1: v 9-10 Confession of Sin2/13/2011 Chapter 1 Review/Question Chp 1

2

1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life—

2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us

1 JOHN 1: v 1-2

3

Usage of the word “what” in verse 1

• 1 John 1:1 What was from the beginning,

• could we substitute another word for “what” ?

• Word of Life

• Jesus Christ

4

Compare 1 John 1:1 with John 1:1

• 1 John 1:1 What was from the beginning,

• John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word,(the Word was in the beginning)

• the word “was” is an important Greek verb

• “eimi” – the state in which someone or something continuously exists

• Greek verb tense is called the imperfect tense

5

what we have heard,

• Greek verb is “akouo” – to hear

• Greek verb tense is called the perfect tense

• Past completed action with abiding results into the present

• Rearranging with subject first, then verb

We have heard what

• Expanded translationthat which we have heard with the present resultthat it is ringing in our ears,

6

what we have seen with our eyes,

• Greek verb is “horao” – to stare at, so as to discern

• Greek verb tense is also the perfect tense

• Rearranging with subject first, then verb

• We have seen what with our eyes

• Expanded translation and see John 6:35-36that which we have discerningly seen with our eyeswith the present result that it is in our mind’s eye,

7

what we have looked at

• Greek verb is “theaomai” – to behold, contemplate

view attentively

• Other verses – Luke 23:55, John 1:14, John 1:32 • Greek verb tense is aorist

• we have looked at what

• Expanded translation“that which we gazed upon as a spectacle,”

8

and touched with our hands,

• Greek verb is “pselaphao” – to feel, touch, handle

• Key verse – Luke 24:39

• Greek verb tense is aorist

• the hands of us touched

• Expanded translation“and our hands handled with a view to investigation,”

9

concerning the Word of Life

• concerning is “peri” – with respect to

• Word is “logos” – a word, speech, with article “the”- the divine word = Christ

• “Word” 6 times in John writing – John1:1,14 & Rev.19:13

• “Word of Life” -1 John1:1

• “bread of Life” – John 6:35

• “Prince of Life” – Acts 3:13-16

• “the life” – John 11:15 & 14:6

10

1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life—

2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us

1 JOHN 1: v 1-2

11

and the life was manifested,

• Greek verb is “phaneroo” – to make visible, clear

• Greek verb tense is aorist

• “manifested” used 9 times in 1 John - 1John 2:28, 3:2, 3:5, 3:8, & 4:9

• other important verses – John 17:6 and 1 Tim. 3:16

Expanded“and this aforementioned life was made visible,”

12

and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life,

• we have seen the eternal life

• we testify the eternal life

• we proclaim to you the eternal life

• “have seen” is the verb “hora” in the perfect tense

• “testify” is to bear witness - see John 3:31-32

• “proclaim” is to announce, declare, report see John 16:13-15 & Matt. 14:12

13

Expanded

and we have seen it with discernmentand have it in our mind’s eye, and are bearing witness and bringing back to you a message concerning the life, the eternal life,

14

which was with the Father and was manifested to us

• which was with the Father

• which was manifested to us

• “which” = the eternal life = Word of Life

• Expanded translationwhich is of such a nature as to have beenin fellowship with the Father and was madevisible to us.

15

Wuest’s Expanded Translation of the Greek New Testament

1 John

:1 That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard with the present result that it is ringing in our ears, that which we have discerningly seen with our eyes with thepresent result that it is in our mind’s eye, that which we gazed upon as a spectacle, and our hands handled with a view to investigation, that which is concerning the Word of the Life

:2 and this aforementioned life was made visible, and we have seen it with discernment and have it in our mind’s eye, and are bearing witness and bringing back to you a messageconcerning the life, the eternal life, which is of such a nature as to have been in fellowshipwith the Father and was made visible to us.