1 John 1:1–4

  ¹ That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—² the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—³ that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. ⁴ And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

Commentary 

Vs. 1 “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—”

 In the beginning there was the Word (John 1:1), the Lord Jesus Christ, preexistent to all things created in heaven and on earth, and coexisting in Perfect Union and Harmony with God the Father and God the Spirit. This Word then was heard by the Apostles, was seen by the Apostles, was meditated upon by the Apostles, and was even touched by the Apostles, indicating that this Word of life came to us in the form of human life as the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, who Himself is the One who imparts by His Word new and everlasting life to everyone who believes in Him!

 Vs. 2 “the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—"

 Again, that life, the Word of life was manifested here on earth in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ through the things that he has done and the things He continues to do, bringing eternal life to one and to all who believe in Him. Therefore, the Apostle John says that they (the Apostles as chosen by Him) also bear witness to Him, to that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us.  

 Vs. 3-4 “that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. ⁴ And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.”

 Having then declared that the Word of Life, the Lord Jesus Christ has come to us as a Man, the Apostle John once again reaffirms that it is, He whom they, the Apostles, have seen and heard, and so it is He alone whom they declare, so that all who believe in Him may have fellowship with them. For truly their (and our) fellowship is with God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. The Apostle John then in writing these things has done so, so that our joy may be full. Universally then the Body of Christ shares in the joy of the Son and the joy of the Father.

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.