This is what we proclaim to you, John wrote, what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen (ἑωράκαμεν, a form of ὁράω)^[1] with our eyes, what we have looked at (ἐθεασάμεθα, a form of θεάομαι)^[2] and our hands have touched (concerning the word of life – and the life was revealed, and we have seen [ἑωράκαμεν, a form of ὁράω] and testify and announce to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us).^[3]  John, by making the word of life—what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and our hands have touched—equivalent to—the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us—has defined eternal life as something more than a future time without end.

Eternal life is the Lord Jesus, the life He lived, the righteousness that comes by way of [his] faithfulness – a righteousness from God that is in fact based on Christ’s faithfulness,^[4] and the love that is the fulfillment of the law,^[5] as well as a place^[6] with Him in heaven.  As Jesus prayed, Now this is eternal life – that they know (γινώσκωσιν, a form of γινώσκω)^[7] you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent.^[8]  If you have known (ἐγνώκατε, another form of γινώσκω) me, He said to Thomas, you will know (γνώσεσθε, another form of γινώσκω) my Father too.  And from now on you do know (γινώσκετε, another form of γινώσκω) him and have seen (ἑωράκατε, another form of ὁράω) him.^[9]  The person who has seen (ἑωρακὼς, another form of ὁράω) me, he replied to Philip, has seen (ἑώρακεν, another form of ὁράω) the Father!^[10]

What we have seen (ἑωράκαμεν, a form of ὁράω) and heard we announce to you too, John continued, so that you may have fellowship with us (and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ).  Thus we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.  Now this is the gospel^[11] message we have heard from him and announce to you, John continued, God is light, and in him there is no darkness (σκοτία)^[12] at all.  If we say we have fellowship with him and yet keep on walking in the darkness (σκότει, a form of σκότος),^[13] we are lying and not practicing the truth.^[14]

The reason the translators added gospel to the text above is quoted in a footnote below.^[15]  Jesus said, or John wrote, light has come into the world and people loved the darkness (σκότος) rather than the light, because their deeds were evil (πονηρὰ, a form of πονηρός;^[16] or, full of labours, annoyances, hardships).  For everyone who does evil (φαῦλα, a form of φαῦλος;^[17] or ordinary, or, worthless) deeds hates the light and does not come to the light, so that their deeds will not be exposed.^[18]

When I read the Bible and said, “yea, verily, amen, Lord,” and didn’t believe what it said, I was walking in darkness.  It was a foolish thing to do, considering the psalm, O Lord, you examine me and know…even from far away you understand my motives.^[19]  I stepped into the light when I began to argue with Him.  And I wasn’t always reverent about it.  But his Spirit was patient with me.  He made me honest with Him, what I believed and what I didn’t believe, and eventually with myself (which is not easy), and patient enough to wait for understanding, where I was wrong or had misunderstood his word (as opposed to running off, saying, “none of it is true,” or, “it means whatever you want”).

But if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, John continued, we have fellowship with one another [e.g., with others walking in the light] and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.^[20]  This is so important, Faith 101.  It is equivalent in my mind to, There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.^[21]  Honesty is impossible apart from this knowledge.  Walking in darkness I wasn’t such a bad guy.  In the light I discovered how sinful the sin in my flesh actually is, and I mourned.  Walking deeper into the light I discovered how corrupt my righteousness is, and I grieved.

If we say we do not bear the guilt of sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.  But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.  If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar and his word is not in us.  (My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.)  But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous One, and he himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the whole world.^[22]  As Paul wrote, For God has consigned all people to disobedience (ἀπείθειαν, a form of ἀπείθεια) so that he may show mercy to them all.^[23]