Scofield Reference Bible Notes
1 John 1

1Jo 1:1 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, of the Word of life;

from the beginning

Jhn 1:1; 1Jo 2:13.

heard

Jhn 5:24; Act 4:20.

seen

Jhn 1:14.

looked

2Pe 1:16-17.

handled

Luk 24:39; Jhn 20:27.

Word of life

Jhn 1:1, 14.

1Jo 1:2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

life was manifested

Rom 16:26; 1Ti 3:16.

eternal life

Life (eternal). 1Jo 1:1-2; 1Jo 2:25. (Mat 7:14; Rev 22:19.)

with the Father

Jhn 1:1, 18; Jhn 16:28.

1Jo 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ

Jhn 17:21; 1Co 1:9; 1Jo 2:24.

1Jo 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

your joy may be full

Jhn 15:11; Jhn 16:24; 1Pe 1:8.

1Jo 1:5 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.

God is light

Jhn 3:20-21; 1Ti 6:16.

1Jo 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

If we say that we have fellowship with him

1Jo 2:9-11.

do not

practise not.

1Jo 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

walk in the light

What it is to "walk in the light" is explained by 1Jo 1:8-10. "All things…are made manifest by the light" (Eph 5:13). The presence of God brings the consciousness of sin in the nature (1Jo 1:8), and sins in the life (1Jo 1:9-10). The blood of Christ is the divine provision for both. To walk in the light is to live in fellowship with the Father and the Son. Sin interrupts, but confession restores that fellowship. Immediate confession keeps the fellowship unbroken.

light

Scofield Exodus 27:20, note.

fellowship one with another

1Jo 1:3; 2Ti 2:22.

the blood of Jesus Christ

Sacrifice (of Christ). Rev 1:5. (Gen 4:4; Heb 10:18.)

1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

faithful and just to forgive us our sins

Rom 3:25-26; 2Co 5:21.

just

righteous.

1Jo 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

we make him a liar

1Jo 5:10; Jhn 3:33; Rom 3:4.