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Selected Verse: 1 John 1:5 - Strong Concordance
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
1Jo 1:5 |
Strong Concordance |
This [3778] then [2532] is [2076] the message [1860] which [3739] we have heard [191] of [575] him [846], and [2532] declare [312] unto you [5213], that [3754] God [2316] is [2076] light [5457], and [2532] in [1722] him [846] is [2076] no [3756] darkness [4653] at all [3762]. |
|
King James |
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
First division of the body of the Epistle (compare Introduction).
declare--Greek, "announce"; report in turn; a different Greek word from Jo1 1:3. As the Son announced the message heard from the Father as His apostle, so the Son's apostles announce what they have heard from the Son. John nowhere uses the term "Gospel"; but the witness or testimony, the word, the truth, and here the message.
God is light--What light is in the natural world, that God, the source of even material light, is in the spiritual, the fountain of wisdom, purity, beauty, joy, and glory. As all material life and growth depends on light, so all spiritual life and growth depends on GOD. As God here, so Christ, in Jo1 2:8, is called "the true light."
no darkness at all--strong negation; Greek, "No, not even one speck of darkness"; no ignorance, error, untruthfulness, sin, or death. John heard this from Christ, not only in express words, but in His acted words, namely, His is whole manifestation in the flesh as "the brightness of the Father's glory." Christ Himself was the embodiment of "the message," representing fully in all His sayings, doings, and sufferings, Him who is LIGHT. |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
This then is the message which we have heard of him - This is the substance of the announcement (ἐπαγγελία epangelia) which we have received of him, or which he made to us. The message here refers to what he communicated as the sum of the revelation which he made to man. The phrase "of him" (απ ̓ αὐτου ap' autou) does not mean respecting him, or about him, but from him; that is, this is what we received from his preaching; from all that he said. The peculiarity, the substance of all that he said, may be summed up in the declaration that God is light, and in the consequences which follow from this doctrine. He came as the messenger of Him who is light; he came to inculcate and defend the truths which flow from that central doctrine, in regard to sin, to the danger and duty of man, to the way of recovery, and to the rules by which men ought to live.
That God is light - Light, in the Scriptures, is the emblem of purity, truth, knowledge, prosperity, and happiness - as darkness is of the opposite. John here says that "God is light" - φῶς phōs - not the light, or a light, but light itself; that is, he is himself all light, and is the source and fountain of light in all worlds. He is perfectly pure, without any admixture of sin. He has all knowledge, with no admixture of ignorance on any subject. He is infinitely happy, with nothing to make him miserable. He is infinitely true, never stating or countenancing error; he is blessed in all his ways, never knowing the darkness of disappointment and adversity. Compare the Jam 1:17 note; Joh 1:4-5 note; Ti1 6:16 note.
And in him is no darkness at all - This language is much in the manner of John, not only affirming that a thing is so, but guarding it so that no mistake could possibly be made as to what he meant. Compare Joh 1:1-3. The expression here is designed to affirm that God is absolutely perfect; that there is nothing in him which is in any way imperfect, or which would dim or mar the pure splendor of his character, not even as much as the smallest spot would on the sun. The language is probably designed to guard the mind from an error to which it is prone, that of charging God with being the Author of the sin and misery which exist on the earth; and the apostle seems to design to teach that whatever was the source of sin and misery, it was not in any sense to be charged on God. This doctrine that God is a pure light, John lays down as the substance of all that he had to teach; of all that he had learned from him who was made flesh. It is, in fact, the fountain of all just views of truth on the subject of religion, and all proper views of religion take their origin from this. |
Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
This then is (καὶ αὕτη ἐστὶν)
Rev., correctly and literally, and this. According to the proper reading the verb stands first in order (ἐστὶν αὕτη), with emphasis, not merely as a copula, but in the sense "there exists this as the message." For a similar use of the substantive verb, see Jo1 5:16,Jo1 5:17; Jo1 2:15; Joh 8:50.
Message (ἐπαγγελία)
This word, however, is invariably used in the New Testament in the sense of promise. The best texts read ἀγγελία, message, which occurs only at Jo1 3:11; and the corresponding verb, ἀγγέλλω, only at Joh 10:18.
We have heard of Him (ἀκηκόαμεν ἀπ' αὐτοῦ)
A form of expression not found elsewhere in John, who commonly uses παρ' αὐτοῦ. See on Joh 6:46. The phrase here points to the ultimate and not necessarily the immediate source of the message. Not only John, but others in earlier times had heard this message. Compare Pe1 1:10, Pe1 1:11. Ἁπό points to the source παρά to the giver. Thus, Joh 5:41, " I receive not honor from (παρά) men." They are not the bestowers of honor upon me." Joh 5:44, "How can ye believe which receive honor from (παρά) one another;" the honor which men have to give, "and seek not the honor that cometh from (παρά) God;" the honor which God alone bestows. On the other hand, Jo1 3:22, "Whatsoever we ask we receive from (ἀπό) Him," the ultimate source of our gifts. So Mat 17:25 : "Of (ἀπό) whom do the kings of the earth take custom - of (ἀπό) their own children or of (ἀπό) strangers?" What is the legitimate and ultimate source of revenue in states?
Declare (ἀναγγέλλομεν)
Compare the simple verb ἀγγέλλειν to bring tidings, Joh 20:18, and only there. Ἀναγγέλλειν is to bring the tidings up to (ἀνά) or back to him who receives them. Ἀπαγέλλειν is to announce tidings as coming from (ἀπό) some one, see Mat 2:8; Joh 4:51. Καταγγέλλειν is to proclaim with authority, so as to spread the tidings down among (κατά) those who hear. See Act 17:23. Found only in the Acts and in Paul.
God is Light (Θεὸς φῶς ἐστὶν)
A statement of the absolute nature of God. Not a light, nor the light, with reference to created beings, as the light of men, the light of the world, but simply and absolutely God is light, in His very nature. Compare God is spirit, and see on Joh 4:24 : God is love, Jo1 4:8, Jo1 4:16. The expression is not a metaphor. "All that we are accustomed to term light in the domain of the creature, whether with a physical or metaphysical meaning, is only an effluence of that one and only primitive Light which appears in the nature of God" (Ebrard). Light is immaterial, diffusive, pure, and glorious. It is the condition of life.
Physically, it represents glory; intellectually, truth; morally, holiness. As immaterial it corresponds to God as spirit; as diffusive, to God as love; as the condition of life, to God as life; as pure and illuminating, to God as holiness and truth. In the Old Testament, light is often the medium of God's visible revelations to men. It was the first manifestation of God in creation. The burning lamp passed between the pieces of the parted victim in God's covenant with Abraham. God went before Israel in a pillar of fire, descended in fire upon Sinai, and appeared in the luminons cloud which rested on the mercy-seat in the most holy place. In classical Greek φῶς light, is used metaphorically for delight, deliverance, victory, and is applied to persons as a term of admiring affection, as we say that one is the light of our life, or the delight of our eyes. So Ulysses, on seeing his son Telemachus, says, "Thou hast come, Telemachus, sweet light (γλυκερὸν φάος)" (Homer, "Odyssey," xvi., 23). And Electra, greeting her returning brother, Orestes, "O dearest light (φίλτατον φῶς)" (Sophocles, "Electra," 1223). Occasionally, as by Euripides, of the light of truth ("Iphigenia at Tauris," 1046). No modern writer has developed the idea of God as light with such power and beauty as Dante. His "Paradise" might truthfully be called a study of light. Light is the only visible expression of God. Radiating from Him, it is diffused through the universe as the principle of life. This key-note is struck at the very opening of "the Paradise."
"The glory of Him who moveth everything
Doth penetrate the universe, and shine
In one part more and in another less.
Within that heaven which most His light receives
Was I."
"Paradiso," i., 1-5.
In the final, beatific vision, God Himself is imagined as a luminous point which pours its rays through all the spheres, upon which the spirits gazed, and in which they read the past, the present, and the future.
"O grace abundant, by which I presumed
To fix my sight upon the Light Eternal,
So that the seeing I consumed therein!
I saw that in its depth far down is lying
Bound up with love together in one volume,
What through the universe in leaves is scattered;
Substance, and accident, and their operations,
All interfused together in such wise
That what I speak of is one simple light."
"Paradiso," xxxiii., 82-90.
"In presence of that light one such becomes,
That to withdraw therefrom for other prospect
It is impossible he e'er consent;
Because the good, which object of will,
Is gathered all in this, and out of it
That is defective which is perfect there."
"Paradiso," xxxiii., 100-105.
"O Light eterne, sole in thyself that dwellest,
Sole knowest thyself, and, know unto thyself
And knowing, lovest and smilest on thyself!
"Paradiso xxxiii., 124-126.
Light enkindles love.
"If in the heat of love I flame upon thee
Beyond the measure that on earth is seen,
So that the valor of thine eyes I vanquish,
Marvel thou not thereat; for this proceeds
From perfect sight, which, as it apprehends,
To the good apprehended moves its feet.
Well I perceive how is already shining
Into thine intellect the eternal Light,
That only seen enkindles always love."
"Paradiso," v., 1-9
See also " Paradiso," cantos xxx., xxxi.
In Him is no darkness at all (καὶ σκοτία οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν αὐτῷ οὐδεμία)
It is characteristic of John to express the same idea positively and negatively. See Joh 1:7, Joh 1:8, Joh 1:20; Joh 3:15, Joh 3:17, Joh 3:20; Joh 4:42; Joh 5:24; Joh 8:35; Joh 10:28; Jo1 1:6, Jo1 1:8; Jo1 2:4, Jo1 2:27; Jo1 5:12. According to the Greek order, the rendering is: "And darkness there is not in Him, no, not in any way." For a similar addition of οὐδείς not one, to a complete sentence, see Joh 6:63; Joh 11:19; Joh 19:11. On σκοτία darkness, see on Joh 1:5. |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
And this is the sum of the message which we have heard of him - The Son of God. That God is light - The light of wisdom, love, holiness, glory. What light is to the natural eye, that God is to the spiritual eye. And in him is no darkness at all - No contrary principle. He is pure, unmixed light. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
This then is the message - This is the grand principle on which all depends, which we have heard of απ' αυτου, From him; for neither Moses nor the prophets ever gave that full instruction concerning God and communion with him which Jesus Christ has given, for the only-begotten Son, who was in the bosom of the Father, has alone declared the fullness of the truth, and the extent of the blessings, which believers on him are to receive. See Joh 1:18.
God is light - The source of wisdom, knowledge, holiness, and happiness; and in him is no darkness at all - no ignorance, no imperfection, no sinfulness, no misery. And from him wisdom, knowledge, holiness, and happiness are received by every believing soul. This is the grand message of the Gospel, the great principle on which the happiness of man depends. Light implies every essential excellence, especially wisdom, holiness, and happiness. Darkness implies all imperfection, and principally ignorance, sinfulness, and misery. Light is the purest, the most subtile, the most useful, and the most diffusive of all God's creatures; it is, therefore, a very proper emblem of the purity, perfection, and goodness of the Divine nature. God is to human soul, what the light is to the world; without the latter all would be dismal and uncomfortable, and terror and death would universally prevail: and without an indwelling God what is religion? Without his all-penetrating and diffusive light, what is the soul of man? Religion would be an empty science, a dead letter, a system unauthoritated and uninfluencing, and the soul a trackless wilderness, a howling waste, full of evil, of terror and dismay, and ever racked with realizing anticipations of future, successive, permanent, substantial, and endless misery. No wonder the apostle lays this down as a first and grand principle, stating it to be the essential message which he had received from Christ to deliver to the world. |
8 Again [3825], a new [2537] commandment [1785] I write [1125] unto you [5213], which thing [3739] is [2076] true [227] in [1722] him [846] and [2532] in [1722] you [5213]: because [3754] the darkness [4653] is past [3855], and [2532] the true [228] light [5457] now [2235] shineth [5316].
3 That which [3739] we have seen [3708] and [2532] heard [191] declare we [518] unto you [5213], that [2443] ye [5210] also [2532] may have [2192] fellowship [2842] with [3326] us [2257]: and [2532] truly our [2251] fellowship [2842] [1161] is with [3326] the Father [3962], and [2532] with [3326] his [846] Son [5207] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547].
1 In [1722] the beginning [746] was [2258] the Word [3056], and [2532] the Word [3056] was [2258] with [4314] God [2316], and [2532] the Word [3056] was [2258] God [2316].
2 The same [3778] was [2258] in [1722] the beginning [746] with [4314] God [2316].
3 All things [3956] were made [1096] by [1223] him [846]; and [2532] without [5565] him [846] was [1096] not [3761] any thing [1520] made [1096] that [3739] was made [1096].
16 Who [3588] only [3441] hath [2192] immortality [110], dwelling [3611] in the light [5457] which no man [3762] can approach unto [676]; whom [3739] no man [444] hath seen [1492], nor [3761] can [1410] see [1492]: to whom [3739] be honour [5092] and [2532] power [2904] everlasting [166]. Amen [281].
4 In [1722] him [846] was [2258] life [2222]; and [2532] the life [2222] was [2258] the light [5457] of men [444].
5 And [2532] the light [5457] shineth [5316] in [1722] darkness [4653]; and [2532] the darkness [4653] comprehended [2638] it [846] not [3756].
17 Every [3956] good [18] gift [1394] and [2532] every [3956] perfect [5046] gift [1434] is [2076] from above [509], and cometh down [2597] from [575] the Father [3962] of lights [5457], with [3844] whom [3739] is [1762] no [3756] variableness [3883], neither [2228] shadow [644] of turning [5157].
5 And [2532] the light [5457] shineth [5316] in [1722] darkness [4653]; and [2532] the darkness [4653] comprehended [2638] it [846] not [3756].
11 Jesus [2424] answered [611], Thou couldest have [2192] no [3756] power [1849] at all against [3762] [2596] me [1700], except [1508] it were [2258] given [1325] thee [4671] from above [509]: therefore [5124] [1223] he that delivered [3860] me [3165] unto thee [4671] hath [2192] the greater [3187] sin [266].
19 And [2532] many [4183] of [1537] the Jews [2453] came [2064] to [4314] Martha [3136] and [2532] Mary [3137] [4012], to [2443] comfort [3888] them [846] concerning [4012] their [846] brother [80].
63 It is [2076] the spirit [4151] that quickeneth [2227]; the flesh [4561] [3756] profiteth [5623] nothing [3762]: the words [4487] that [3739] I [1473] speak [2980] unto you [5213], they are [2076] spirit [4151], and [2532] they are [2076] life [2222].
12 He that hath [2192] the Son [5207] hath [2192] life [2222]; and he that hath [2192] not [3361] the Son [5207] of God [2316] hath [2192] not [3756] life [2222].
27 But [2532] the anointing [5545] which [3739] ye [5210] have received [2983] of [575] him [846] abideth [3306] in [1722] you [5213], and [2532] ye need [5532] [2192] not [3756] that [2443] any man [5100] teach [1321] you [5209]: but [235] as [5613] the same [846] anointing [5545] teacheth [1321] you [5209] of [4012] all things [3956], and [2532] is [2076] truth [227], and [2532] is [2076] no [3756] lie [5579], and [2532] even as [2531] it hath taught [1321] you [5209], ye shall abide [3306] in [1722] him [846].
4 He that saith [3004], I know [1097] him [846], and [2532] keepeth [5083] not [3361] his [846] commandments [1785], is [2076] a liar [5583], and [2532] the truth [225] is [2076] not [3756] in [1722] him [5129].
8 If [1437] we say [2036] that [3754] we have [2192] no [3756] sin [266], we deceive [4105] ourselves [1438], and [2532] the truth [225] is [2076] not [3756] in [1722] us [2254].
6 If [1437] we say [2036] that [3754] we have [2192] fellowship [2842] with [3326] him [846], and [2532] walk [4043] in [1722] darkness [4655], we lie [5574], and [2532] do [4160] not [3756] the truth [225]:
28 And I [2504] give [1325] unto them [846] eternal [166] life [2222]; and [2532] they shall [622] never [3364] [1519] [165] perish [622], neither [2532] [3756] shall [726] any [5100] man pluck [726] them [846] out of [1537] my [3450] hand [5495].
35 And [1161] the servant [1401] abideth [3306] not [3756] in [1722] the house [3614] for [1519] ever [165]: but the Son [5207] abideth [3306] [1519] ever [165].
24 Verily [281], verily [281], I say [3004] unto you [5213], [3754] He that heareth [191] my [3450] word [3056], and [2532] believeth [4100] on him that sent [3992] me [3165], hath [2192] everlasting [166] life [2222], and [2532] shall [2064] not [3756] come [2064] into [1519] condemnation [2920]; but [235] is passed [3327] from [1537] death [2288] unto [1519] life [2222].
42 And [5037] said [3004] unto the woman [1135], [3754] Now [3765] we believe [4100], not [3754] because [1223] of thy [4674] saying [2981]: for [1063] we have heard [191] him ourselves [846], and [2532] know [1492] that [3754] this [3778] is [2076] indeed [230] the Christ [5547], the Saviour [4990] of the world [2889].
20 For [1063] every one [3956] that doeth [4238] evil [5337] hateth [3404] the light [5457], neither [2532] [3756] cometh [2064] to [4314] the light [5457], lest [3363] his [846] deeds [2041] should be reproved [1651].
17 For [1063] God [2316] sent [649] not [3756] his [846] Son [5207] into [1519] the world [2889] to [2443] condemn [2919] the world [2889]; but [235] that [2443] the world [2889] through [1223] him [846] might be saved [4982].
15 That [3363] whosoever [3956] believeth [4100] in [1519] him [846] should [622] not [3363] perish [622], but [235] have [2192] eternal [166] life [2222].
20 And [2532] he confessed [3670], and [2532] denied [720] not [3756]; but [2532] confessed [3670], [3754] I [1473] am [1510] not [3756] the Christ [5547].
8 He was [2258] not [3756] that [1565] Light [5457], but [235] was sent to [2443] bear witness [3140] of [4012] that Light [5457].
7 The same [3778] came [2064] for [1519] a witness [3141], to [2443] bear witness [3140] of [4012] the Light [5457], that [2443] all [3956] men through [1223] him [846] might believe [4100].
16 And [2532] we [2249] have known [1097] and [2532] believed [4100] the love [26] that [3739] God [2316] hath [2192] to [1722] us [2254]. God [2316] is [2076] love [26]; and [2532] he that dwelleth [3306] in [1722] love [26] dwelleth [3306] in [1722] God [2316], and [2532] God [2316] in [1722] him [846].
8 He that loveth [25] not [3361] knoweth [1097] not [3756] God [2316]; for [3754] God [2316] is [2076] love [26].
24 God [2316] is a Spirit [4151]: and [2532] they that worship [4352] him [846] must [1163] worship [4352] him in [1722] spirit [4151] and [2532] in truth [225].
23 For [1063] as I passed by [1330], and [2532] beheld [333] your [5216] devotions [4574], [2532] I found [2147] an altar [1041] with this [1722] [3739] inscription [1924], TO THE UNKNOWN [57] GOD [2316]. Whom [3739] therefore [3767] ye ignorantly [50] worship [2151], him [5126] declare [2605] I [1473] unto you [5213].
51 And [1161] as he [846] was now [2235] going down [2597], his [846] servants [1401] met [528] him [846], and [2532] told [518] him, saying [3004], [3754] Thy [4675] son [3816] liveth [2198].
8 And [2532] he sent [3992] them [846] to [1519] Bethlehem [965], and said [2036], Go [4198] and search [1833] diligently [199] for [4012] the young child [3813]; and [1161] when [1875] ye have found [2147] him, bring [518] me [3427] word again [518], that [3704] I may come [2064] and worship [4352] him [846] also [2504].
18 Mary [3137] Magdalene [3094] came [2064] and told [518] the disciples [3101] that [3754] she had seen [3708] the Lord [2962], and [2532] that he had spoken [2036] these things [5023] unto her [846].
25 He saith [3004], Yes [3483]. And [2532] when [3753] he was come [1525] into [1519] the house [3614], Jesus [2424] prevented [4399] him [846], saying [3004], What [5101] thinkest [1380] thou [4671], Simon [4613]? of [575] whom [5101] do [2983] the kings [935] of the earth [1093] take [2983] custom [5056] or [2228] tribute [2778]? of [575] their own [846] children [5207], or [2228] of [575] strangers [245]?
22 And [2532] whatsoever [3739] [1437] we ask [154], we receive [2983] of [3844] him [846], because [3754] we keep [5083] his [846] commandments [1785], and [2532] do [4160] those things that are pleasing [701] in his [846] sight [1799].
44 How [4459] can [1410] ye [5210] believe [4100], which receive [2983] honour [1391] one of another [3844] [240], and [2532] seek [2212] not [3756] the honour [1391] that cometh from [3844] God [2316] only [3441]?
41 I receive [2983] not [3756] honour [1391] from [3844] men [444].
11 Searching [2045] what [1519] [5101], or [2228] what manner [4169] of time [2540] the Spirit [4151] of Christ [5547] which [3588] was in [1722] them [846] did signify [1213], when it testified beforehand [4303] the sufferings [3804] of [1519] Christ [5547], and [2532] the glory [1391] that should follow [3326] [5023].
10 Of [4012] which [3739] salvation [4991] the prophets [4396] have enquired [1567] and [2532] searched diligently [1830], who [3588] prophesied [4395] of [4012] the grace [5485] that should come unto [1519] you [5209]:
46 Not [3756] that [3754] any man [5100] hath seen [3708] the Father [3962], save [1508] he which [3588] is [3844] [5607] of God [2316], he [3778] hath seen [3708] the Father [3962].
18 No man [3762] taketh [142] it [846] from [575] me [1700], but [235] I [1473] lay [5087] it [846] down [5087] of [575] myself [1683]. I have [2192] power [1849] to lay [5087] it [846] down [5087], and [2532] I have [2192] power [1849] to take [2983] it [846] again [3825]. This [5026] commandment [1785] have I received [2983] of [3844] my [3450] Father [3962].
11 For [3754] this [3778] is [2076] the message [31] that [3739] ye heard [191] from [575] the beginning [746], that [2443] we should love [25] one another [240].
50 And [1161] I [1473] seek [2212] not [3756] mine own [3450] glory [1391]: there is [2076] one that seeketh [2212] and [2532] judgeth [2919].
15 Love [25] not [3361] the world [2889], neither [3366] the things that are in [1722] the world [2889]. If [1437] any man [5100] love [25] the world [2889], the love [26] of the Father [3962] is [2076] not [3756] in [1722] him [846].
17 All [3956] unrighteousness [93] is [2076] sin [266]: and [2532] there is [2076] a sin [266] not [3756] unto [4314] death [2288].
16 If [1437] any man [5100] see [1492] his [846] brother [80] sin [264] a sin [266] which is not [3361] unto [4314] death [2288], he shall ask [154], and [2532] he shall give [1325] him [846] life [2222] for them that sin [264] not [3361] unto [4314] death [2288]. There is [2076] a sin [266] unto [4314] death [2288]: I do not [3756] say [3004] that [2443] he shall pray [2065] for [4012] it [1565].
18 No man [3762] hath seen [3708] God [2316] at any time [4455]; the only begotten [3439] Son [5207], which [3588] is [5607] in [1519] the bosom [2859] of the Father [3962], he [1565] hath declared [1834] him.