1:1-4 How are we to understand what John says here?
1:1-4 How are we to understand what John says here?
Here John positively affirms from personal, experiential knowledge the reality of the humanity of Jesus, and the authenticity of the gospel.
John was an eyewitness to all that Jesus did during his earthly ministry; he saw Him, heard Him, and touched Him (cp Lk 24:36-40; Jn 1:14; 16:28; 20:26-30).
That which was from the beginning in 1Jn 1:1 refers to the pre-incarnate Jesus - before He took on human form (cp Nu 21:4-9 with 1Cor 10:9; Psa 45:6-7; Isa 6:1-5 with Jn 12:37-41; Mic 5:2; Jn 1:1-2; 3:13; 8:56-58; 17:5; Ac 20:28; Ro 9:5; Php 2:5-8; Col 2:8-10; 1Ti 3:16; Tit 2:13; He 1:8-12; 2Pe 1:1-2; 1Jn 3:16; Rev 1:8, 11, 17-18; 21:6; 22:13, 16, 20).
The pre-incarnate Jesus was an equal member of the Godhead from all eternity. (For a more detailed study on the deity of Jesus, see comments on Mt 3:16-17; Lk 1:35 (B), Jn 12:41, Ac 20:28, 1Jn3:16-18, 2Jn 1:9-11).
1:8 See comments on