The Study of "First John!" - 1:1-4 (Part 4)

Video Blog for this Study: I John 1:1-4 (Part 4)

I John 1:1-4 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life

THE STUDY

     In the last part of verse 1 we see the phrase “word of life.” In the Bible Knowledge commentary it reads …. By capitalizing the term “Word” the NIV interprets this as a title for the Lord like that found in John 1:1, 14. But there, this title has no qualifying phrase such as the expression “of life” which is used here. It seems more natural to understand the phrase in the sense of “the message about life” for which Philippians 2:16 furnishes a parallel (see also Acts 5:20).^[1] Let me try to explain what this commentary is saying in terms that I can relate too. In John 1:1 we read “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” In all three of these instances John capitalized “Word.” But in his Epistle he chooses not to capitalize it. This may be due to the fact that the phrase “of life” follows the word and in the Gospel of John it is without any phrase connected to it. We also know that in Philippians 2:16 … holding fast to the word of life, refers to “the message about life.” Either way it seems to be consistent to the fact that one of the many titles Jesus has, “Word of Life” is what John is alluding to.

     The NIV adds the wording “This we proclaim” to summarize and complete the sentence that was started in the beginning of this verse. All of this is done so that those who read this passage will understand “That which was from the beginning (ESV)…. this we proclaim concerning the Word of life (NIV).

     John is laying down the foundation for his dealings with the Gnostics. He started with “in the beginning.” He finds common ground with the Gnostics. From this he brings the understanding that Jesus was heard, seen, and touched by those who were with Him. John ends this verse with one of the many titles Jesus has been given, “Word of life.”

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH …

     This is a great place to stop so let’s see what we can walk away with today.

·              *    Let us remember that Jesus, who is called the Word, speaks God’s word with authority. The next sermon  you listen to let this thought resonate within you, “IT’S THE AUTHORITATIVE WORD OF GOD!” We cannot take the word and water it down, cut and paste what we like or dislike, or only receive what makes us feel good. If we are living in Christ then we must realize Jesus is the living Word of life and for us to have life in Jesus we must live in the Word.

CONCLUDE

     We will be doing this study 5 times a week. The next time we are together will be Monday. I look forward to getting back together with you. Remember, Jesus loves you and his Word reveals that!

Blessings

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (1 Jn 1:1). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.