1 John 1:1-4
Chapter 1
1
Prologue
What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands concerning the Word of life.2
This life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it, and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us.
3
So, we tell you what we have seen and heard so that you may share in our fellowship; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
4
We are writing this so that our joy may be complete.
Commentaries
Prologue.
The letter explores the relationships among Christ, the apostles, and Christians. Three main themes stand out: 1. The incarnation of the Word is a historical fact that forms the foundation of Christian preaching. 2. The personal experience of John and the other apostles is rooted in real, physical contact with Jesus, which is emphasized multiple times (at least seven). 3. Communion among Christians, based on the experiences of the first witnesses, establishes a living tradition that continues in the Church: “What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you” (1:3). The goal of this proclamation is to fill the hearts of both the giver and the receiver with joy (1:4) and to foster communion in the ecclesial community, sharing in communion with God the Father and Jesus, the Son. With this good news, we Christians are filled with great joy.