Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 John 1:4

"and these things we write, that our joy may be made full." — 1 John 1:4 (ASV)

The author links his concern for his readers to his own standing as an apostolic witness. Their obedience will result in the completion of “joy” (GK 5915) in him, and therefore also in them and in the whole fellowship. This joy is mentioned in his gospel: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (cf. also 16:22–24; 17:13). Clearly this joy is inseparable from the salvation that is present in the Son, but it is directly bound up with the person of the Son, who is himself present in the fellowship. Joy is a gift of the Father, even as the Son is a gift of the Father; it is present wherever the fellowship truly appears. But joy can never be perfectly known or fully complete because the fellowship itself, though real, is imperfectly realized. The present joy in the fellowship is a token of the ultimate expression of joy, which depends on the final revelation of the Son. In John’s gospel, this final revelation required Jesus’ “going away” so that he may “come again” (cf. Jn 16:16). II. Requirements for Fellowship With God Who Is Light (1:5–2:28)