1 John 1:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

NIV: We write this to make our joy complete.

NASB: These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.

CSB: We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

NLT: We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.

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

NKJV: And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

This verse concludes the introduction and partially explains the purpose of John's letter. The main point of the letter is found in 1 John 5:13.

John wrote to fulfill mutual joy between himself and his readers. Many false teachers opposed the truth of Christ in the early church. Persecutions from the government and the surrounding culture were thrown at those preaching the truth as well. John's letter serves to counter these concerns and build up his fellow believers in Jesus.

John shares similar thoughts in his other letters. For example, 2 John 1:12 says John desired "to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete." Third John 1:4 says, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." John's Gospel mentions joy more than seven times (John 3:29; 15:11; 16:20, 21, 22, 24; 17:13). Four of these are in John chapter 16, where Jesus concludes that "your joy may be full" (John 16:24). First Peter 1:8 says, "Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory."

Joy is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) and an expected aspect of the Christian life. Part of John's purpose is showing Christians how to experience joy and fulfillment in their walk.

First John 1:1–4 introduces this letter written by the apostle John. John references Jesus’ eternal existence, and His identical nature to God the Father. John also makes a claim to eyewitness testimony: he has personally seen these things he is teaching others about. Mutual fellowship, between Christians, and in Christ, is also mentioned here.

Chapter 1 re-states the fact that Jesus is the eternal Son of God. John confirms that he has personally seen and heard the things he is teaching. God’s truth is presented as “light,” while false teachings are presented as “darkness.” Those who hold to the truth are saved from sin; those who claim to have no sin at all are self-deceived.

Chapter 1 sets the stage for the rest of John’s letter. The concepts of truth vs. falsehood, light vs. darkness, and rightness vs. self-deception are explored in more detail later on. By claiming to be an eyewitness, and marking the difference between God’s truth and error, Chapter 1 gives a sense of how serious this subject is. In fact, the distinction between truth and error is a primary marker used for spiritual self-reflection.

First John seems to assume that the reader is familiar with the gospel. Rather than re-state these facts, John is concerned with building confidence in Christian believers. At the same time, his words encourage believers to examine their own lives for signs of their relationship with Christ. This letter also challenges false teachers and their incorrect claims about Jesus. Many themes are shared with the Gospel of John.