The Study of I John 1:2

Video Blog Link for this Lesson: I John 1:2

RECAP LAST WEEK

Let us recap what we have learned so far when it comes to our study of I John.

·         I John is an Epistle not a Letter: the difference is ….

o   - Epistle: is to a group of people and to be circulated among the body of believers.

o   - Letter: is to an individual and very personal.

·         The main reason for this epistle is to address the issue of Gnosticism.

o   Definition: a set of religious beliefs and spiritual practices. A common characteristic of some of these groups was the teaching that the realization of Gnosis (esoteric or intuitive knowledge), is the way to salvation of the soul from the material world. They saw the material world as created through an intermediary being (demiurge) rather than directly by God.

·         John addresses this cultic sect by starting on common ground.

o   In the beginning ……. Jesus!

·         John builds his case against the Gnostics layer by layer. He talks about hearing, seeing and touching this one named Jesus. (Common Ground).

·         John ends verse 1 by giving Jesus one of His many titles “Word of life.”

THE STUDY

I John 1:2

[The life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us]

A literal translation of the first clause in this text is, “And the life appeared.” Although most translations omit the conjunction and, some render it “for,” “when,” or even “yes.” It can be best translated to help us understand what John is trying convey by saying, “indeed the life appeared.”

Verse 2 is considered a parenthetical remark. What does that mean? A parenthetical remark is a word or clause within a statement that has been added by the speaker as an explanation or comment. John adds this clause to further explain the word “LIFE.” One of the commentaries states there is significance to John stating “the life” instead of just “life.”

Remember who John is dealing with, Gnostics. They had a belief that dealt with a figure called the DEMIURGE which means “Craftsman.” This craftsman was considered a Divine Being ascribed by Plato in his account of the formation of the visible world. The Gnostics used the word “God” disparagingly to their inferior deity to whom they ascribed the origin of the material universe. This word distinguished him from the supreme God.^[1] John is introducing Jesus as “the life” opposed to this one the Gnostics believed in.

In verse 2 John emphasizes a few things to help solidify his point.

(1)He shares that this “Life” is eternal. Both in the Gospel and in his first epistle, John employs the expression eternal life repeatedly. In the Gospel it occurs seventeen times (3:15, 16, 36; 4:14, 36; 5:24, 39; 6:27, 40, 47 [everlasting], 54, 68; 10:28; 12:25, 50; 17:2, 3). And in I John it appears six times (1:2; 2:25; 3:15; 5:11, 13, 20).

(2) Next, John describes this life as more than a concept. It stands for Jesus Christ, as John shows in the clause “that which was with the Father.”

(3) Finally, John writes that “the life appeared” and “the eternal life … has appeared to us.” John refers to the historic event of Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection, and personal visits after his resurrection.

All of this was done by John to build his case against the Gnostic. He does this by starting with Jesus.

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH …

·         First, we need to remember Jesus is forever! Don’t let anyone tell you any different.

·         Secondly, Jesus is not a concept, HE IS and will ALWAYS BE!

·         Finally, don’t let anyone take away your testimony. John was sharing his testimony with the Gnostics and this is the foundation that he uses to reveal the TRUTH!

CONCLUSION:

Just one letter of the alphabet makes all the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian. A non-Christian loves the world, where as a Christian loves the Word. May God bless you because of the love you have for the “WORD OF LIFE.”

Blessings

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Cross, F. L., & Livingstone, E. A. (2005). The Oxford dictionary of the Christian Church (3rd ed. rev.) (471). Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press.