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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"><title>1 John 1:1 Context: That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we saw, and our hands touched, concerning the Word of life</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/5001a.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 4800px), only screen and (max-device-width: 4800px)" href="/4801a.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1550px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1550px)" href="/1551a.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1250px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1250px)" href="/1251a.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1050px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1050px)" href="/1051a.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 900px), only screen and (max-device-width: 900px)" href="/901a.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 800px), only screen and (max-device-width: 800px)" href="/801a.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 575px), only screen and (max-device-width: 575px)" href="/501a.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-height: 450px), only screen and (max-device-height: 450px)" href="/h451a.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../vmenus/1_john/1-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_john/1-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="//biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="//biblehub.com/crossref/">Cross Refs</a> > 1 John 1:1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../2_peter/3-18.htm" title="2 Peter 3:18">◄</a> 1 John 1:1 <a href="../1_john/1-2.htm" title="1 John 1:2">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading">Context</div><font color="#000000"><b><i>Introduction, The Incarnate Word</i></b></font><p>      <span class="reftext"><a href="/1_john/1-1.htm" target="_top"><b>1</b></a></span>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 <span class="reftext"><a href="/1_john/1-2.htm" target="_top"><b>2</b></a></span>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 <span class="reftext"><a href="/1_john/1-3.htm" target="_top"><b>3</b></a></span>what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. <span class="reftext"><a href="/1_john/1-4.htm" target="_top"><b>4</b></a></span>These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete. <p><font color="#000000"><b><i>God Is Light</i></b></font><p>      <span class="reftext"><a href="/1_john/1-5.htm" target="_top"><b>5</b></a></span>This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. <span class="reftext"><a href="/1_john/1-6.htm" target="_top"><b>6</b></a></span>If we say that we have fellowship with Him and <i>yet</i> walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; <span class="reftext"><a href="/1_john/1-7.htm" target="_top"><b>7</b></a></span>but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. <span class="reftext"><a href="/1_john/1-8.htm" target="_top"><b>8</b></a></span>If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. <span class="reftext"><a href="/1_john/1-9.htm" target="_top"><b>9</b></a></span>If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. <span class="reftext"><a href="/1_john/1-10.htm" target="_top"><b>10</b></a></span>If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. <p><br /><br /><a href="//www.lockman.org" target="_top">NASB ©1995</a><div class="vheading2">Parallel Verses</div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_john/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we beheld, and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_john/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />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: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/dbt/1_john/1.htm">Darby Bible Translation</a></span><br />That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes; that which we contemplated, and our hands handled, concerning the word of life;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_john/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we beheld, and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_john/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/1_john/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />That which was from the beginning, which we have listened to, which we have seen with our own eyes, and our own hands have handled concerning the Word of Life--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_john/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we saw, and our hands touched, concerning the Word of life<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_john/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we did behold, and our hands did handle, concerning the Word of the Life -- <div class="vheading2">Library</div><span class="headingtext"><a href="//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_ephesians_peter/walking_in_the_light.htm">Walking in the Light</a><br></span><span class="snippet">'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.'--1 John i. 7. John was the Apostle of love, but he was also a 'son of thunder.' His intense moral earnestness and his very love made him hate evil, and sternly condemn it; and his words flash and roll as no other words in Scripture, except the words of the Lord of love. In the immediate context he has been laying down what is to him the very heart <a href="//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_ephesians_peter/walking_in_the_light.htm" title="continued">…</a><br></span><span class="citation">Alexander Maclaren—</span><span class="citation2">Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John</span><p><span class="headingtext"><a href="//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_ephesians_peter/the_message_and_its_practical.htm">The Message and Its Practical Results</a><br></span><span class="snippet">'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 <a href="//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_ephesians_peter/the_message_and_its_practical.htm" title="continued">…</a><br></span><span class="citation">Alexander Maclaren—</span><span class="citation2">Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John</span><p><span class="headingtext"><a href="//christianbookshelf.org/jowett/my_daily_meditation_for_the_circling_year/june_the_twenty-seventh_god_is.htm">June the Twenty-Seventh God is Light!</a><br></span><span class="snippet">"In Him is no darkness at all." --1 JOHN i. That wonderful mansion of God's Being is gloriously radiant in every room! In the house of my life there are dark chambers, and rooms which are only partially illumined, the other parts being in the possession of night. Some of my faculties and powers are dark ministers, and some of my moods are far from being "homes of light." But "God is light," and everything is glorious as the meridian sun! His holiness, His grace, His love, His mercy: there are <a href="//christianbookshelf.org/jowett/my_daily_meditation_for_the_circling_year/june_the_twenty-seventh_god_is.htm" title="continued">…</a><br></span><span class="citation">John Henry Jowett—</span><span class="citation2">My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year</span><p><span class="headingtext"><a href="//christianbookshelf.org/wesley/sermons_on_several_occasions/sermon_85_on_working_out.htm">On Working Out Our Own Salvation</a><br></span><span class="snippet">"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Phil. 2:12-13. 1. Some great truths, as the being and attributes of God, and the difference between moral good and evil, were known, in some measure, to the heathen world. The traces of them are to be found in all nations; So that, in some sense, it may be said to every child of man, "He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; even to do justly, to love mercy, and to <a href="//christianbookshelf.org/wesley/sermons_on_several_occasions/sermon_85_on_working_out.htm" title="continued">…</a><br></span><span class="citation">John Wesley—</span><span class="citation2">Sermons on Several Occasions</span><p><span class="headingtext"><a href="//christianbookshelf.org/lee/sermons_on_various_important_subjects/sermon_xxv_the_good_man.htm">The Good Man Useful in Life and Happy in Death. </a><br></span><span class="snippet">"Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: For the end of that man is peace." * * Preached at the funeral of Asa Witter, Esq. Oct. 9th, 1792. The subject of this psalm is the way and end of the righteous and the wicked. It is designed to calm the minds of good people when tried with adversity, and to reconcile them to the divine administration in the unequal distributions of Providence, and the apparent disregard of character, in those distributions. With these views, the writer, after glancing <a href="//christianbookshelf.org/lee/sermons_on_various_important_subjects/sermon_xxv_the_good_man.htm" title="continued">…</a><br></span><span class="citation">Andrew Lee et al—</span><span class="citation2">Sermons on Various Important Subjects</span><p><span class="headingtext"><a href="//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons_sermons_volume_7_1861/fellowship_with_god.htm">Fellowship with God</a><br></span><span class="snippet">And now, my brethren and sisters in the common faith of our Lord Jesus, this morning I trust that many of us can say, "Our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." Did the apostle John need to say, "Truly"--as much as though some doubted or denied it? We, too, have sometimes an occasion to make as solemn an affirmation as he has done. There are certain sectaries who exalt the form of their church government into a sine qua non of piety, and they say of us that it is impossible <a href="//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons_sermons_volume_7_1861/fellowship_with_god.htm" title="continued">…</a><br></span><span class="citation">Charles Haddon Spurgeon—</span><span class="citation2">Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861</span><p><span class="headingtext"><a href="//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/the_good_news_of_god/sermon_iii_the_life_of.htm">The Life of God</a><br></span><span class="snippet">1 JOHN i. 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! What do we mean, when we speak of the Life everlasting? Do we mean that men's souls are immortal, and will live for ever after death, either in happiness or misery? We must mean more than that. At least we ought to mean more than that, if we be Christian men. For the Bible tells us, that Christ brought life and immortality to <a href="//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/the_good_news_of_god/sermon_iii_the_life_of.htm" title="continued">…</a><br></span><span class="citation">Charles Kingsley—</span><span class="citation2">The Good News of God</span><p><span class="headingtext"><a href="//christianbookshelf.org/ryle/the_upper_room_being_a_few_truths_for_the_times/chapter_vi_acts_17_26_one.htm">Acts 17:26 "One Blood. "</a><br></span><span class="snippet">[6] THIS is a very short and simple text, and even a child knows the meaning of its words. But simple as it is, it supplies food for much thought, and it forms part of a speech delivered by a great man on a great occasion. The speaker is the Apostle of the Gentiles, St. Paul. The hearers are the cultivated men of Athens, and specially the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. The place is Mars' Hill at Athens, in full view of religious buildings and statues, of which even the shattered remains are a <a href="//christianbookshelf.org/ryle/the_upper_room_being_a_few_truths_for_the_times/chapter_vi_acts_17_26_one.htm" title="continued">…</a><br></span><span class="citation">John Charles Ryle—</span><span class="citation2">The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times</span><p><span class="headingtext"><a href="//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the_works_of_the_rev_hugh_binning/sermon_x_for_what_the.htm">"For what the Law could not Do, in that it was Weak through the Flesh, God Sending his Own Son in the Likeness of Sinful Flesh,</a><br></span><span class="snippet">Rom. viii. 3.--"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh." The greatest design that ever God had in the world, is certainly the sending of his own Son into the world. And it must needs be some great business, that drew so excellent and glorious a person out of heaven. The plot and contrivance of the world was a profound piece of wisdom and goodness, the making of men after <a href="//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the_works_of_the_rev_hugh_binning/sermon_x_for_what_the.htm" title="continued">…</a><br></span><span class="citation">Hugh Binning—</span><span class="citation2">The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning</span><p><span class="headingtext"><a href="//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the_works_of_the_rev_hugh_binning/lecture_ii_union_and_communion.htm">Union and Communion with God the End and Design of the Gospel</a><br></span><span class="snippet">Psalm lxxiii. 24-28.--"Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, &c. Whom have I in heaven but thee? &c. It is good for me to draw near to God."--1 John i. 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."--John xvii. 21-23. "That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, &c." It is a matter of great consolation that God's <a href="//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the_works_of_the_rev_hugh_binning/lecture_ii_union_and_communion.htm" title="continued">…</a><br></span><span class="citation">Hugh Binning—</span><span class="citation2">The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning</span><p><span class="headingtext"><a href="//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the_works_of_the_rev_hugh_binning/sermon_xvii_but_seek_ye.htm">"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God, and his Righteousness, and all These Things Shall be Added unto You. "</a><br></span><span class="snippet">Matth. vi. 33.--"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." The perfection even of the most upright creature, speaks always some imperfection in comparison of God, who is most perfect. The heavens, the sun and moon, in respect of lower things here, how glorious do they appear, and without spot! But behold, they are not clean in God's sight! How far are the angels above us who dwell in clay! They appear to be a pure mass of light and <a href="//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the_works_of_the_rev_hugh_binning/sermon_xvii_but_seek_ye.htm" title="continued">…</a><br></span><span class="citation">Hugh Binning—</span><span class="citation2">The Works of the Rev. 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