1 John 1:5b-2:2
Chapter 1
Light and Sin
We received his message and announced it to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him.If we say we have fellowship with him while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not live in the truth.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we are in fellowship with one another; and the blood of Jesus, the Son of God, cleanses us from all sin.
If we claim, ‘We have no sin,’ we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make God a liar, and his word is not in us.
Chapter 2
My little children, I am writing this to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the righteous one.
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and the sins of the whole world.
Commentaries
Light and Sin.
The image of light, to which the fourth Gospel refers Jesus (cf. Jn 8:12), is now applied to God, the source of revelation and holiness. Each of the expressions introduced by this phrase: “If we say” (6:8, 10) reflects the sentiment of the Gnostic opponents, whose teachings St. John opposes. Truth is the Word of God, proclaimed by Jesus (8:10), which penetrates the believer until it transforms his life. “Acting sincerely” points the way to a vital encounter with Jesus.
The apostle insists with healthy realism: we are sinners. Sin exists (8:10). The heartfelt awareness of our sin should not lead us to despair but to renew our faith in Christ. He is notably emphasized with three salvific roles. He is our “Advocate”—Parakletos. In the Gospel, this refers to the Holy Spirit (cf. Jn 14:16, 26), but here it pertains to Jesus Christ, who intercedes for us in God’s court. He is “Just,” more in the manifestation of his salvation work than in his essence, since he forgives and justifies sinners. He is the “Victim” of atonement (cf. Ex 29:36ff), pointing to Christ’s voluntary sacrifice on the cross (cf. Rev 5:9ff), which has everlasting and universal effectiveness.