1 John 1:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

NIV: This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

NASB: This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

CSB: This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in him.

NLT: This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

This verse begins the main body of the letter which focuses on "walking in the light." This theme continues through the end of the chapter in verse 10. Echoing his words in verse 3, John notes that he is speaking of first-hand information. The use of "we" likely refers to John and the other apostles. They heard directly from Jesus and then proclaimed—or announced—His teachings to others, including the believers reading John's letter many years later.

This message begins with the idea that God is entirely goodness and truth, with no evil or falsehood. This is phrased in terms of light and darkness, common themes in the New Testament. As in verse 1, John alludes both to the creation account in Genesis chapters 1 and 2 and the introduction to his own Gospel in John chapter 1. God's first recorded words are, "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3). John 1:4–5 records, "In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

Here in 1 John 1:5, John adds that God is light. He is without any darkness or shadow. He is both perfect and without sin.

First John 1:5–10 opens the main topic of John’s letter. God is entirely goodness and truth, and those who follow God cannot also follow evil and falsehood. John offers a pattern of “if” statements, comparing each to the truth. In particular, John mentions those who claim to be entirely free from sin, or to have never sinned. Such a belief is literally the opposite of the gospel. No person is sinless other than Jesus Christ.

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.