A.T. Robertson Commentary 1 John 1

That which (ο). Strictly speaking, the neuter relative here is not personal, but the message "concerning the Word of life" (περ του λογου της ζωης), a phrase that reminds one at once of the Word (Λογος) in Joh 1:1, 14; Revelation 19:14 (an incidental argument for identity of authorship for all these books). For discussion of the Λογος see on Joh 1:1-18. Here the Λογος is described by της ζωης (of life), while in Joh 1:4 he is called η ζωη (the Life) as here in verse 2 and as Jesus calls himself (John 11:25; John 14:6), an advance on the phrase here, and in Re 19:14 he is termed ο λογος του θεου (the Word of God), though in Joh 1:1 the Λογος is flatly named ο θεος (God). John does use ο in a collective personal sense in Joh 6:37,39. See also παν ο in 1 John 5:4.

From the beginning (απ' αρχης). Anarthrous as in Joh 1:1; 6:64; 16:4. See same phrase in 2:7. The reference goes beyond the Christian dispensation, beyond the Incarnation, to the eternal purpose of God in Christ (John 3:16), "coeval in some sense with creation" (Westcott).

That which we have heard (ο ακηκοαμεν). Note fourfold repetition of ο (that which) without connectives (asyndeton). The perfect tense (active indicative of ακουω) stresses John's equipment to speak on this subject so slowly revealed. It is the literary plural unless John associates the elders of Ephesus with himself (Lightfoot) the men who certified the authenticity of the Gospel (John 21:24).

That which we have seen (ο εωρακαμεν). Perfect active, again, of οραω, with the same emphasis on the possession of knowledge by John.

With our eyes (τοις οφθαλμοις ημων). Instrumental case and showing it was not imagination on John's part, not an optical illusion as the Docetists claimed, for Jesus had an actual human body. He could be heard and seen.

That which we beheld (ο εθεασαμεθα). Repetition with the aorist middle indicative of θεαομα (the very form in Joh 1:14), "a spectacle which broke on our astonished vision" (D. Smith).

Handled (εψηλαφησαν). First aorist active indicative of ψηλαφαω, old and graphic verb (from ψαω, to touch), the very verb used by Jesus to prove that he was not a mere spirit (Luke 24:39). Three senses are here appealed to (hearing, sight, touch) as combining to show the reality of Christ's humanity against the Docetic Gnostics and the qualification of John by experience to speak. But he is also "the Word of life" and so God Incarnate.

Was manifested (εφανερωθη). First aorist passive indicative of φανεροω, to make known what already exists, whether invisible (B. Weiss) or visible, "intellectual or sensible" (Brooke). In Col 3:4 Paul employs it of the second coming of Christ. Verse 2 here is an important parenthesis, a mark of John's style as in Joh 1:15. By the parenthesis John heaps reassurance upon his previous statement of the reality of the Incarnation by the use of εωρακαμεν (as in verse 1) with the assertion of the validity of his "witness" (μαρτυρουμεν) and "message" (απαγγελλομεν), both present active indicatives (literary plurals), απαγγελλω being the public proclamation of the great news (John 16:25).

The life, the eternal life (την ζωην την αιωνιον). Taking up ζωη of verse 1, John defines the term by the adjective αιωνιος, used 71 times in the N.T., 44 times with ζωη and 23 in John's Gospel and Epistles (only so used in these books by John). Here lt means the divine life which the Logos was and is (John 1:4; 1 John 1:1).

Which (ητις). Qualitative relative, "which very life."

Was with the Father (ην προς τον πατερα). Not εγενετο, but ην, and προς with the accusative of intimate fellowship, precisely as in Joh 1:1 ην προς τον θεον (was with God). Then John closes the parenthesis by repeating εφανερωθη.

That which we have seen (ο εωρακαμεν). Third use of this form (verses 1,2,3), this time resumption after the parenthesis in verse 2.

And heard (κα ακηκοαμεν). Second (verse 1 for first) use of this form, a third in verse 5. Emphasis by repetition is a thoroughly Johannine trait.

Declare we (απαγγελλομεν). Second use of this word (verse 2 for first), but αγγελια (message) and αναγγελλομεν (announce) in verse 5.

That ye also may have (ινα κα υμεις εχητε). Purpose clause with ινα and present active subjunctive of εχω (may keep on having). "Ye also" who have not seen Jesus in the flesh as well as those like John who have seen him. Like κα υμιν (to you also) just before.

Fellowship with us (κοινωνιαν μεθ' ημων). Common word in this Epistle, from κοινωνος, partner (Luke 5:10), and κοινωνεω, to share, in (1 Peter 4:13), with μετα emphasising mutual relationship (Acts 2:42). This Epistle often uses εχω with a substantive rather than a verb.

Yea, and our fellowship (κα η κοινωνια δε η ημετερα). Careful explanation of his meaning in the word "fellowship" (partnership), involving fellowship with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ and only possible in Christ.

We write (γραφομεν ημεις). Literary plural present active indicative of γραφω, which see in the singular in 2:12-14.

May be fulfilled (η πεπληρωμενη). Periphrastic perfect passive subjunctive of πληροω, stressing the state of completion in the purpose (ινα), remain full, precisely as in Joh 16:24. See aorist subjunctive in Joh 15:11 and perfect indicative in Joh 17:13. The MSS. differ as often between ημων (our) and υμων (your).

And (κα). Mutual fellowship depends on mutual knowledge (Westcott).

Message (αγγελια). Old word (from αγγελος, messenger), in N.T. only here and 3:11, and note απ' αυτου (from God like απαγγελλω in verse 3) and αναγγελλομεν, to announce, to disclose, here as in Joh 4:25.

God is light (ο θεος φως εστιν). Precisely so the Λογος is light (John 1:4–9) and what Jesus claimed to be (John 8:12). John repeats it in negative form as he often does (John 1:3).