A few things to note in this passage:

• verse 3 & 7: The Greek word translated “fellowship” three times in these verses is koinonia.
• verse 3: The Apostle John says that the point of his message is to bring those who hear into “fellowship with us”.  It is obvious that bringing people into Biblical community is a high priority for him. He also adds, “our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ”.  We can see how our fellowship with one another is simply a reflection of the fellowship we have with God.  And, in other passages, we can see how our fellowship with God is simply a reflection of the fellowship within the Trinity. (see John 17)

Click here to learn the author, date, theme, etc. of the Book of 1 John. Have a thought about this passage?  Please add your comment at the bottom. Some sections which are especially significant when discussing biblical, multi-ethnic community have been highlighted in blue.

1 John 1

The Word of Life

¹That 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. ²The 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. ³We 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. ⁴We write this to make our^[a] joy complete.

Walking in the light

⁵This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. ⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all^[b] sin.

⁸If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

Footnotes:

1. 1 John 1:4 Some manuscripts your
2. 1 John 1:7 Or every

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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society. NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks of International Bible Society. Use of either trademark for the offering of goods or services requires the prior written consent of International Bible Society.

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