1 John 1

1 John 1:1

THat which was from the beginning] From the beginning of the world. An allusion to Genesis 1:1. John 1:1. Proverbs 8:22. Christ is hereby intended, who is the true God, chap. 5. 20. and was before the beginning of the world. But the Scripture, speaking of him which is from eternity, useth this phrase, from the beginning, to descend to our capacity, who are not able to comprehend any thing before the beginning of the world, Matth. 25 34.

which we] We apostles, chosen witnesses to publish these things, Acts 1:8. and Acts 10:41.

have heard] The truth of these things was confirmed to them by three senses; hearing, seeing, handling; the later still surer then the former. He doth not say, Which we have read, to wit, in the prophets: neither doth mean, what they had heard of the Pharisees, expounding the prophets: But from John the Baptist, John 1:36-37; John 1:40. from Christ himself, in his fermons, as the Samaritanes did, John 4:42. For, as he was true God, so was he true man also; and, in his humane nature, testified of his divine. Yea, they heard God the Father from heaven testifie of him also, Matthew 17:5. 2 Peter 1:17-18.

which we have seen] We saw him in his humane nature, and saw his miracles, Luke 1:2. 2 Peter 1:16. Eye-witnesses are more worthy of credit then ear-witnesses, Acts 4:20. John 3:11. and John 15:27. Acts 1. 21, 22. and 10. 40, 41. This proves Christ to be true man, as his being from the beginning sets out his Deity.

with our eyes] So men use to speak of things most certain, yet not so well known to their hearers, Job 19:27. And so of the ears, Psalms 44:1. Some restrain it to the vision in the mount, where they saw Christs glory: but it may be understood of all visible declarations of the truth of Christs humane nature to them, by his eating, drinking, &c. and of his divine, by working miracles in their sight, John 1:14. 1 Timothy 3:16.

which we have looked upon] Wishly and deliberately: for we see many things we do not regard, nor fasten our eyes on them. We looked upon him, as men look on rare sights in a theatre, diligently, clearly, chearfully; 1 Corinthians 4:9. 1 Peter 1:12.

our hands] Touching is the surest sense: for eyes and ears may sooner be deceived, in bodily substances, then hands, Luke 24:39. John 20:25.

have handled] Gr. touched: As musicians touch their stringed-instruments. They touched him both before his resurrection, Matthew 14:31. and after it, John 20:27.

of the word] Of Christs humane nature, who is also the word of God, John 1:1. as being begotten of the Father, as the word is by the minde; and making the Fathers minde known to us, as our words make our meaning manifest to others.

of life] Who is a living word himself, and gives both naturall and spirituall life to others, John 1:4. and John 5:26. chap. 5. 11.

1 John 1:2

For the life] See on v. 1.

was manifested] Before, it lay hid in it self; now it was manifested by incarnation, John 1:14. 1 Timothy 3:16. and by miracles, which none else did, John 3:2. and 7. 31, 46. and 11. 47. and 12. 37. and 15. 24.

we have seen it] This is repeated, for more assurance, that none need doubt of it.

and bear witnesse] For the glory of Christ. See on v. 1.

and shew unto you] For your good. Ye could never have found it out your selves, if God had not revealed it to us, and we taught it you, Romans 10:14.

which was with the Father] John 1:1-2. The word imports, neernesse, with some distinction: therefore also he is said to be in the Father, John 14:10-11. Christ is one God with the Father, yet a distinct person from him: and he was with him invisible altogether, till he was incarnate.

was manifested unto us] John 1:14.

1 John 1:3

That which we have seen] This is the third time repeated, to put it out of all question.

that ye also] Who did not see, hear nor handle the word of life, as we did, v. 1. So that he wrote this epistle not to get ought from them, but to do good to them, that they might have a share with him in spirituall comforts, 2 Corinthians 12:14.

May have fellowship] That being united by faith with Christ, and with his members, ye may partake of his graces, and spirituall life from him; and by him be united to God the Father, and have communion with him, John 17:21. Hebrews 3:14.

with us] Apostles, whom ye think happie, 2 Corinthians 1:21.

and truely, &c.] And not with us onely, but with God and Christ also, which is a greater preeminence.

1 John 1:4

These things write we unto you] He doth not say, We preach them, but, We write them; to shew, that there is enough in Scripture, without tradition, to bring us to a comfortable life on earth, and perfect joy in heaven.

that your joy may be full] That by encrease of your faith, 2 Joh. v. 12. ye may have peace of conscience, and joy of the holy Ghost, in so great a measure, that ye may not doubt of Gods favour, but rejoyce in it continually, till ye come to enjoy him for ever, Romans 5:1-2. 1 Peter 1:6. Thus John, the beloved disciple of Christ, imitates his master in the very phrase it self. See John 15:11. and John 17:13.

1 John 1:5

That then is the message] The sum of the Gospel is communion with God, which cannot be without regeneration.

which we have heard of him] Gr. from him. Not, concerning him, by some other, as John 1:15. We heard it from Christ, v. 3. who testifies concerning his father, as follows in this verse.

that God is light] Full of wisedom and holinesse, James 1:17.

in him is no darknesse at all] No ignorance nor sin.

1 John 1:6

If we say] In heart, as Psalms 14:1. Or, professe it in word.

and walk in darknesse] He doth not say, And have walked in darknesse; for all have done so, before regeneration: but, If we walk in darknesse, Ephesians 5:8. Walking sets not out any one action, but the continued course of life, Psalms 119:1. and Psalms 128:1. To walk in darknesse, is to be conversant in ignorance and sin.

we lye] In saying so: for, what fellowship hath light with darknesse? 2 Corinthians 6:14.

do not the truth] Walk not according to Gods word, John 3:21. Or, deal not truely, that is, sincerely.

1 John 1:7

If we walk in the light] If we live according to the light of grace received, and go on in a wise and holy way, till we come to perfection.

as he is in the light] He possesseth the fulnesse of wisedom and holinesse from eternity, 1 Timothy 1:16.

we have fellowship one with another] We with God, and God with us. Or, we Christians one with another.

the blood of Jesus Christ] Lest any should despair, as not being able to walk perfectly in the light, as God is in it, he addes this for our comfort, that, if we do our endeavour, Christs blood will purge away our failings.

his Son] This shews the great price of his blood, as being the blood of the Son of God; yea, of God himself, Acts 20:28.

leanseth us from all sin] Titus 2:14. That is, from the guilt of all sin: for if but one sin be left unpardoned, that were sufficient to condemn us. It cleanseth also from the filth and stain of sin, Hebrews 19:14. 1 Peter 1:2. Revelation 1:5-6.

1 John 1:8

If we say] As before he did discourage fearfull ones; so now he labours to cast down proud persons, that think they have no sin, nor need of Christs blood. He saith not, If thou say, as if he spake to some particular person onely: nor, If ye say, as if he intended ordinary Christians alone; but, If we, apostles, or whatever we be, say so: to shew, that all are sinners, James 3:1.

that we have no sin] Contrary to 1 Kings 8:46. 2 Chronicles 6:36. Proverbs 20:9. And he doth not say, We have not had sin formerly, but we have not at present, even when we are in state of grace, Romans 7:17; Romans 7:20; Romans 7:23.

the truth is not in us] We are not sincere: or, we believe not Gods word, v. 6, 10. John 17:17. It is not then modestie onely that makes the best men to confesse their sins; but the truth compels them to do it.

1 John 1:9

he is faithfull and just] A great comfort. If we could conceive God not to be so mercifull as to forgive our sins, doubtlesse he will be faithfull and just to perform his promise, and not to require that again of us, which Christ hath discharged by shedding his blood for us, Romans 3:25. Isaiah 53:7.

1 John 1:10

we make him a lyer.] As much as in us lies. See the like, Matthew 5:28. A man commits adultery in his heart with a woman, yet she is not desiled: So on the contrary, by believing, we seal to Gods truth, John 3:33. We do then not onely deceive our selves, when we deny our sins, v. 8. but also by consequence charge God with falshood, who hath often said, that all men are sinners, Rom. 3. 10, 23. and 5. 12. and teacheth us to ask pardon, Math. 6. 12. and sent his Son to die for our sins, chap. 2. 2. and 3. 16.

his word is not in us] Christ: or, the written word hath no place in us, John 8:37.