In Jesus eternal life entered our world

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1 John 1:1-4 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our[a] joy complete.

The heresy emerging in the days of Peter and Jude was an even greater danger during John’s last years. As competing teachers introduced conflicting doctrines, many Christians became confused about who was the false teacher, and who was the true. Confusion also arose as the drive for holiness brought an unexpected reaction: those who slipped into sin began to wonder if they still had a personal relationship with God.

John focused on the doubts, fears, and uncertainties that well up in believers of every era who try to follow Jesus, yet who often find themselves stumbling and unsure.

John immediately shared with us his deep personal concern. He wrote in order “that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ” (v. 3). “Fellowship” is the Greek word koinonia. It’s a word of intimacy and means “communion; close relationship; participation; sharing.” John’s desire for us is what we ourselves yearn for: a warm, comfortable relationship with God in which we are aware of being close to Him in heart and mind.

John has seen in the historical Jesus (vv. 1–2) the reality of life. In Jesus eternal life entered time, and through Jesus John personally experienced that fellowship he desired for all of us. We can almost picture the old man deeply aware of how close he now stands beside his Lord, beckoning you and me to come closer and share with him that intimate relationship with the Father and Son that makes joy complete.

Richards, L., & Richards, L. O. (1987). The teacher’s commentary (p. 1048). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.


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