John's Motivation
1 John 1:4
John's motivation - his joy, fulfilled through his audience's mutual participation in their fellowship with God and Christ
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Published August 8th, 2022; Updated August 8th, 2022
1 John 1:4
NASB
1 John 1:4
SBL
COLOR KEY
NOUNS DECLINED
v1:4a
v1:4b
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
DISCLAIMER
NAVIGATION
FOOTNOTES AND REFERENCES
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1 John 1:4 NASB
NT
1 John 1:4
nasb
4 a These things we write, so that our b joy may be made complete.
editing
1 John 1:1-4
sbl
Ὃ ἦν ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς, ὃ ἀκηκόαμεν, ὃ ἑωράκαμεν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν, ὃ ἐθεασάμεθα καὶ αἱ χεῖρες ἡμῶν ἐψηλάφησαν, περὶ τοῦ λόγου τῆς ζωῆς—
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—
καὶ ἡ ζωὴ ἐφανερώθη, καὶ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ μαρτυροῦμεν καὶ ἀπαγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν τὴν ζωὴν τὴν αἰώνιον ἥτις ἦν πρὸς τὸν πατέρα καὶ ἐφανερώθη ἡμῖν—
and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—
ὃ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ ἀκηκόαμεν ἀπαγγέλλομεν καὶ ὑμῖν, ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς κοινωνίαν ἔχητε μεθ’ ἡμῶν· καὶ ἡ κοινωνία δὲ ἡ ἡμετέρα μετὰ τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ μετὰ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ·
what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
+ καὶ ταῦτα γράφομεν ἡμεῖς
+ These things we write,
Action-Purpose
+ ἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ἡμῶν ᾖ πεπληρωμένη.
+ so that our joy may be made complete.
After just qualifying and bolstering the credibility of their testimony, John declares that the World of Life was manifested to them, that they have seen Him, and that they are hereby solemnly testifying to what they've heard, seen, and touched with their own ears, eyes and hands - they are testifying and proclaiming to their audience what they've experienced first-hand themselves - the Life eternal, which was in the beginning, with the Father, but now manifested to them.
John makes clear that the thing that he is about to testify to and proclaim, is qualified as something which they (the Apostles) have experienced physically with their physical senses of hearing, sight, and touch. He also qualifies its divinity as the Word of Life, which was from the beginning.
John gets to the main idea in the sentence that spans from verse 1-3: the reason why he is proclaiming this Word of Life to which they are first-hand, credible eyewitnesses, is so that his readers may have fellowship with them (the apostles) and, as a result, also with God and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Ὃ ἦν ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς, ὃ ἀκηκόαμεν, ὃ ἑωράκαμεν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν, ὃ ἐθεασάμεθα καὶ αἱ χεῖρες ἡμῶν ἐψηλάφησαν περὶ τοῦ λόγου τῆς ζωῆς —
καὶ ἡ ζωὴ ἐφανερώθη, καὶ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ μαρτυροῦμεν καὶ ἀπαγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν τὴν ζωὴν τὴν αἰώνιον ἥτις ἦν πρὸς τὸν πατέρα καὶ ἐφανερώθη ἡμῖν —
ὃ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ ἀκηκόαμεν, ἀπαγγέλλομεν καὶ ὑμῖν, ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς κοινωνίαν ἔχητε μεθʼ ἡμῶν. καὶ ἡ κοινωνία δὲ ἡ ἡμετέρα μετὰ τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ μετὰ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.
καὶ ταῦτα γράφομεν ἡμεῖς, ἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ἡμῶν ᾖ πεπληρωμένη.
Καὶ ἔστιν αὕτη ἡ ἀγγελία ἣν ἀκηκόαμεν ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀναγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν, ὅτι ὁ θεὸς φῶς ἐστιν καὶ σκοτία ἐν αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔστιν οὐδεμία.
Ἐὰν εἴπωμεν ὅτι κοινωνίαν ἔχομεν μετʼ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐν τῷ σκότει περιπατῶμεν, ψευδόμεθα καὶ οὐ ποιοῦμεν τὴν ἀλήθειαν•
ἐὰν ἐν τῷ φωτὶ περιπατῶμεν ὡς αὐτός ἐστιν ἐν τῷ φωτί, κοινωνίαν ἔχομεν μετʼ ἀλλήλων καὶ τὸ αἷμα Ἰησοῦ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ καθαρίζει ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης ἁμαρτίας.
ἐὰν εἴπωμεν ὅτι ἁμαρτίαν οὐκ ἔχομεν, ἑαυτοὺς πλανῶμεν καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἡμῖν.
ἐὰν ὁμολογῶμεν τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν, πιστός ἐστιν καὶ δίκαιος, ἵνα ἀφῇ ἡμῖν τὰς ἁμαρτίας καὶ καθαρίσῃ ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης ἀδικίας.
ἐὰν εἴπωμεν ὅτι οὐχ ἡμαρτήκαμεν, ψεύστην ποιοῦμεν αὐτὸν καὶ ὁ λόγος αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἡμῖν.
Ὃ ἦν ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς, ὃ ἀκηκόαμεν, ὃ ἑωράκαμεν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν, ὃ ἐθεασάμεθα καὶ αἱ χεῖρες ἡμῶν ἐψηλάφησαν, περὶ τοῦ λόγου τῆς ζωῆς—
καὶ ἡ ζωὴ ἐφανερώθη, καὶ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ μαρτυροῦμεν καὶ ἀπαγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν τὴν ζωὴν τὴν αἰώνιον ἥτις ἦν πρὸς τὸν πατέρα καὶ ἐφανερώθη ἡμῖν—
ὃ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ ἀκηκόαμεν ἀπαγγέλλομεν καὶ ὑμῖν, ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς κοινωνίαν ἔχητε μεθ’ ἡμῶν· καὶ ἡ κοινωνία δὲ ἡ ἡμετέρα μετὰ τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ μετὰ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ·
καὶ ταῦτα γράφομεν ἡμεῖς ἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ἡμῶν ᾖ πεπληρωμένη.
Καὶ ἔστιν αὕτη ἡ ἀγγελία ἣν ἀκηκόαμεν ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀναγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν, ὅτι ὁ θεὸς φῶς ἐστιν καὶ σκοτία ἐν αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔστιν οὐδεμία.
ἐὰν εἴπωμεν ὅτι κοινωνίαν ἔχομεν μετ’ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐν τῷ σκότει περιπατῶμεν, ψευδόμεθα καὶ οὐ ποιοῦμεν τὴν ἀλήθειαν·
ἐὰν δὲ ἐν τῷ φωτὶ περιπατῶμεν ὡς αὐτός ἐστιν ἐν τῷ φωτί, κοινωνίαν ἔχομεν μετ’ ἀλλήλων καὶ τὸ αἷμα Ἰησοῦ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ καθαρίζει ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης ἁμαρτίας.
ἐὰν εἴπωμεν ὅτι ἁμαρτίαν οὐκ ἔχομεν, ἑαυτοὺς πλανῶμεν καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἡμῖν.
ἐὰν ὁμολογῶμεν τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν, πιστός ἐστιν καὶ δίκαιος ἵνα ἀφῇ ἡμῖν τὰς ἁμαρτίας καὶ καθαρίσῃ ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης ἀδικίας.
ἐὰν εἴπωμεν ὅτι οὐχ ἡμαρτήκαμεν, ψεύστην ποιοῦμεν αὐτὸν καὶ ὁ λόγος αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἡμῖν.
καὶ ἡ ζωὴ ἐφανερώθη, καὶ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ μαρτυροῦμεν καὶ ἀπαγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν τὴν ζωὴν τὴν αἰώνιον ἥτις ἦν πρὸς τὸν πατέρα καὶ ἐφανερώθη ἡμῖν—
ὃ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ ἀκηκόαμεν ἀπαγγέλλομεν καὶ ὑμῖν, ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς κοινωνίαν ἔχητε μεθ’ ἡμῶν· καὶ ἡ κοινωνία δὲ ἡ ἡμετέρα μετὰ τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ μετὰ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ·
καὶ ταῦτα γράφομεν ἡμεῖς ἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ἡμῶν ᾖ πεπληρωμένη.
καὶ ἡ ζωὴ ἐφανερώθη, καὶ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ μαρτυροῦμεν καὶ ἀπαγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν τὴν ζωὴν τὴν αἰώνιον ἥτις ἦν πρὸς τὸν πατέρα καὶ ἐφανερώθη ἡμῖν—
Ὃ ἦν ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς, ὃ ἀκηκόαμεν, ὃ ἑωράκαμεν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν, ὃ ἐθεασάμεθα καὶ αἱ χεῖρες ἡμῶν ἐψηλάφησαν, περὶ τοῦ λόγου τῆς ζωῆς—
Καὶ ἔστιν αὕτη ἡ ἀγγελία ἣν ἀκηκόαμεν ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀναγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν, ὅτι ὁ θεὸς φῶς ἐστιν καὶ σκοτία ἐν αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔστιν οὐδεμία.
ἐὰν εἴπωμεν ὅτι κοινωνίαν ἔχομεν μετ’ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐν τῷ σκότει περιπατῶμεν, ψευδόμεθα καὶ οὐ ποιοῦμεν τὴν ἀλήθειαν·
ὃ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ ἀκηκόαμεν ἀπαγγέλλομεν καὶ ὑμῖν, ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς κοινωνίαν ἔχητε μεθ’ ἡμῶν· καὶ ἡ κοινωνία δὲ ἡ ἡμετέρα μετὰ τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ μετὰ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ·
καὶ ταῦτα γράφομεν ἡμεῖς ἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ἡμῶν ᾖ πεπληρωμένη.
phrasing
1 John 1:4 SBL
1 John 1:4
4 καὶ ταῦτα γράφομεν ^ ἡμεῖς ἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ἡμῶν ᾖ πεπληρωμένη.
1 John 1:1-4
Ὃ ἦν ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς, ὃ ἀκηκόαμεν, ὃ ἑωράκαμεν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν, ὃ ἐθεασάμεθα καὶ αἱ χεῖρες ἡμῶν ἐψηλάφησαν, περὶ τοῦ λόγου τῆς ζωῆς—
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—
καὶ ἡ ζωὴ ἐφανερώθη, καὶ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ μαρτυροῦμεν καὶ ἀπαγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν τὴν ζωὴν τὴν αἰώνιον ἥτις ἦν πρὸς τὸν πατέρα καὶ ἐφανερώθη ἡμῖν—
and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—
ὃ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ ἀκηκόαμεν ἀπαγγέλλομεν καὶ ὑμῖν, ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς κοινωνίαν ἔχητε μεθ’ ἡμῶν· καὶ ἡ κοινωνία δὲ ἡ ἡμετέρα μετὰ τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ μετὰ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ·
what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
+ καὶ ταῦτα γράφομεν ἡμεῖς
+ These things we write,
Action-Purpose
+ ἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ἡμῶν ᾖ πεπληρωμένη.
+ so that our joy may be made complete.
After just qualifying and bolstering the credibility of their testimony, John declares that the World of Life was manifested to them, that they have seen Him, and that they are hereby solemnly testifying to what they've heard, seen, and touched with their own ears, eyes and hands - they are testifying and proclaiming to their audience what they've experienced first-hand themselves - the Life eternal, which was in the beginning, with the Father, but now manifested to them.
John makes clear that the thing that he is about to testify to and proclaim, is qualified as something which they (the Apostles) have experienced physically with their physical senses of hearing, sight, and touch. He also qualifies its divinity as the Word of Life, which was from the beginning.
John gets to the main idea in the sentence that spans from verse 1-3: the reason why he is proclaiming this Word of Life to which they are first-hand, credible eyewitnesses, is so that his readers may have fellowship with them (the apostles) and, as a result, also with God and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Ὃ ἦν ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς, ὃ ἀκηκόαμεν, ὃ ἑωράκαμεν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν, ὃ ἐθεασάμεθα καὶ αἱ χεῖρες ἡμῶν ἐψηλάφησαν περὶ τοῦ λόγου τῆς ζωῆς —
καὶ ἡ ζωὴ ἐφανερώθη, καὶ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ μαρτυροῦμεν καὶ ἀπαγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν τὴν ζωὴν τὴν αἰώνιον ἥτις ἦν πρὸς τὸν πατέρα καὶ ἐφανερώθη ἡμῖν —
ὃ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ ἀκηκόαμεν, ἀπαγγέλλομεν καὶ ὑμῖν, ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς κοινωνίαν ἔχητε μεθʼ ἡμῶν. καὶ ἡ κοινωνία δὲ ἡ ἡμετέρα μετὰ τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ μετὰ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.
καὶ ταῦτα γράφομεν ἡμεῖς, ἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ἡμῶν ᾖ πεπληρωμένη.
Καὶ ἔστιν αὕτη ἡ ἀγγελία ἣν ἀκηκόαμεν ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀναγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν, ὅτι ὁ θεὸς φῶς ἐστιν καὶ σκοτία ἐν αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔστιν οὐδεμία.
Ἐὰν εἴπωμεν ὅτι κοινωνίαν ἔχομεν μετʼ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐν τῷ σκότει περιπατῶμεν, ψευδόμεθα καὶ οὐ ποιοῦμεν τὴν ἀλήθειαν•
ἐὰν ἐν τῷ φωτὶ περιπατῶμεν ὡς αὐτός ἐστιν ἐν τῷ φωτί, κοινωνίαν ἔχομεν μετʼ ἀλλήλων καὶ τὸ αἷμα Ἰησοῦ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ καθαρίζει ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης ἁμαρτίας.
ἐὰν εἴπωμεν ὅτι ἁμαρτίαν οὐκ ἔχομεν, ἑαυτοὺς πλανῶμεν καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἡμῖν.
ἐὰν ὁμολογῶμεν τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν, πιστός ἐστιν καὶ δίκαιος, ἵνα ἀφῇ ἡμῖν τὰς ἁμαρτίας καὶ καθαρίσῃ ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης ἀδικίας.
ἐὰν εἴπωμεν ὅτι οὐχ ἡμαρτήκαμεν, ψεύστην ποιοῦμεν αὐτὸν καὶ ὁ λόγος αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἡμῖν.
Ὃ ἦν ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς, ὃ ἀκηκόαμεν, ὃ ἑωράκαμεν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν, ὃ ἐθεασάμεθα καὶ αἱ χεῖρες ἡμῶν ἐψηλάφησαν, περὶ τοῦ λόγου τῆς ζωῆς—
καὶ ἡ ζωὴ ἐφανερώθη, καὶ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ μαρτυροῦμεν καὶ ἀπαγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν τὴν ζωὴν τὴν αἰώνιον ἥτις ἦν πρὸς τὸν πατέρα καὶ ἐφανερώθη ἡμῖν—
ὃ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ ἀκηκόαμεν ἀπαγγέλλομεν καὶ ὑμῖν, ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς κοινωνίαν ἔχητε μεθ’ ἡμῶν· καὶ ἡ κοινωνία δὲ ἡ ἡμετέρα μετὰ τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ μετὰ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ·
καὶ ταῦτα γράφομεν ἡμεῖς ἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ἡμῶν ᾖ πεπληρωμένη.
Καὶ ἔστιν αὕτη ἡ ἀγγελία ἣν ἀκηκόαμεν ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀναγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν, ὅτι ὁ θεὸς φῶς ἐστιν καὶ σκοτία ἐν αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔστιν οὐδεμία.
ἐὰν εἴπωμεν ὅτι κοινωνίαν ἔχομεν μετ’ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐν τῷ σκότει περιπατῶμεν, ψευδόμεθα καὶ οὐ ποιοῦμεν τὴν ἀλήθειαν·
ἐὰν δὲ ἐν τῷ φωτὶ περιπατῶμεν ὡς αὐτός ἐστιν ἐν τῷ φωτί, κοινωνίαν ἔχομεν μετ’ ἀλλήλων καὶ τὸ αἷμα Ἰησοῦ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ καθαρίζει ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης ἁμαρτίας.
ἐὰν εἴπωμεν ὅτι ἁμαρτίαν οὐκ ἔχομεν, ἑαυτοὺς πλανῶμεν καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἡμῖν.
ἐὰν ὁμολογῶμεν τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν, πιστός ἐστιν καὶ δίκαιος ἵνα ἀφῇ ἡμῖν τὰς ἁμαρτίας καὶ καθαρίσῃ ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης ἀδικίας.
ἐὰν εἴπωμεν ὅτι οὐχ ἡμαρτήκαμεν, ψεύστην ποιοῦμεν αὐτὸν καὶ ὁ λόγος αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἡμῖν.
καὶ ἡ ζωὴ ἐφανερώθη, καὶ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ μαρτυροῦμεν καὶ ἀπαγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν τὴν ζωὴν τὴν αἰώνιον ἥτις ἦν πρὸς τὸν πατέρα καὶ ἐφανερώθη ἡμῖν—
ὃ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ ἀκηκόαμεν ἀπαγγέλλομεν καὶ ὑμῖν, ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς κοινωνίαν ἔχητε μεθ’ ἡμῶν· καὶ ἡ κοινωνία δὲ ἡ ἡμετέρα μετὰ τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ μετὰ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ·
καὶ ταῦτα γράφομεν ἡμεῖς ἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ἡμῶν ᾖ πεπληρωμένη.
καὶ ἡ ζωὴ ἐφανερώθη, καὶ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ μαρτυροῦμεν καὶ ἀπαγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν τὴν ζωὴν τὴν αἰώνιον ἥτις ἦν πρὸς τὸν πατέρα καὶ ἐφανερώθη ἡμῖν—
Ὃ ἦν ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς, ὃ ἀκηκόαμεν, ὃ ἑωράκαμεν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν, ὃ ἐθεασάμεθα καὶ αἱ χεῖρες ἡμῶν ἐψηλάφησαν, περὶ τοῦ λόγου τῆς ζωῆς—
Καὶ ἔστιν αὕτη ἡ ἀγγελία ἣν ἀκηκόαμεν ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀναγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν, ὅτι ὁ θεὸς φῶς ἐστιν καὶ σκοτία ἐν αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔστιν οὐδεμία.
ἐὰν εἴπωμεν ὅτι κοινωνίαν ἔχομεν μετ’ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐν τῷ σκότει περιπατῶμεν, ψευδόμεθα καὶ οὐ ποιοῦμεν τὴν ἀλήθειαν·
ὃ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ ἀκηκόαμεν ἀπαγγέλλομεν καὶ ὑμῖν, ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς κοινωνίαν ἔχητε μεθ’ ἡμῶν· καὶ ἡ κοινωνία δὲ ἡ ἡμετέρα μετὰ τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ μετὰ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ·
καὶ ταῦτα γράφομεν ἡμεῖς ἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ἡμῶν ᾖ πεπληρωμένη.
COLOR KEY
Verbs Nominative Nouns Genitive Nouns Dative Nouns Accusative Nouns
notes
NOUNS DECLINED
οὗτος (Neuter demonstrative pronoun - this; he; she; it) NOM τοῦτο | ταῦτα GEN τούτου | τούτων DAT τούτῳ | τούτοις ACC τοῦτο | ταῦτα ἐγώ (Personal or possessive pronoun singular) NOM ἐγώ | ἡμεῖς GEN ἐμού/μου | ἡμῶν DAT ἐμοί/μοι | ἡμῖν ACC ἐμέ/με | ἡμᾶς ἡ χαρά -ᾶς (Feminine 1st Declension - joy; delight; gladness) NOM α/η + _ = χαρα | α/η + ι = χαραι GEN α/η + ς = χαρας | α/η + ων = χαρων DAT α/η + ι = χαρᾳ | α/η + ις = χαραις ACC α/η + ν = χαραν | α/η + ς = χαρας
v1:4a
καὶ ταῦτα γράφομεν ἡμεῖς These things we write, Even though the English translation presents this as a new sentence, the proposition starts with the word καί, and the previous proposition is punctuated in the Greek (even through punctuation marks are not in the original manuscripts), by a semi-colon (·). This makes it seem like it's a continuation of the sentence or thoughts flowing from verses 1:1-3, continuing in verse 4. καὶ ταῦτα γράφομεν ἡμεῖς These things we write , The verb - γράφομεν - is the Present (tense) Active (voice) Indicative (mood) 1st (person) Plural (number) form of the verb γράφω - I write/am writing. The subject of this verb - ἡμεῖς - is explicitly stated, even though it is implied in the verb form in Greek - γράφομεν - we write/are writing. καὶ ταῦτα γράφομεν ἡμεῖς These things we write, Question: what does John mean when he says "these things?" Is he referring primarily to what he just wrote in the previous three verses? Is he referring to the epistle as a whole? Is he referring to what he just stated - his motivation for writing the letter - their fellowship with God and Christ?
v1:4b
ἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ἡμῶν ᾖ πεπληρωμένη . so that our joy may be made complete . The conjuction translated as "so that" - ἵνα - is followed by the verb εἰμί (I am; exist) in its Subjunctive Mood - ᾖ, which is translated as "may be", which, taken together with the verb πληρόω in its participle form is translated as "so that... may be made complete." The verbal idea is in the passive voice - the action of the verb is being done to the subject. ἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ἡμῶν ᾖ πεπληρωμένη. so that our joy may be made complete. Lit. "the joy of us" The subject of the verb - ἡ χαρὰ - is the recipient of the action of the verb, not the doer of the action, since the verb is in the passive voice. John echoes the words of His Lord that he penned in his epistle, " These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full" ( John 15:11 ). This joy is ultimately realized in the person of Christ, who has made it possible for us to have fellowship with God in spite of our rebellion against Him - " For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity" (Ephesians 2:14-16). Paul considered anything and everything else as rubbish, compared to the joy of having fellowship with God through Christ - "More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; ( Philippians 3:8-10 ). It is our desire for joy that pulls us away from God. The lust of the eye, and the lust of the flesh, and the boastful desires of life persuade our hearts that we can have joy in things other than the God who created all. We are deceived, and then abandon the One Thing that alone can truly give us the joy we desire. And that joy is found in fellowship with God and His Son, Christ Jesus alone. In the words of John Calvin, "Whosoever, then, really perceives what fellowship with God is, will be satisfied with it alone, and will no more burn with desires for other things." *8
STEP 1
Grasping the Text in Their Town *1 Question: What did the text mean to the biblical audience? John makes clear to his audience what his motivation is for writing this letter to them - his joy, fulfilled through his audience's mutual participation in their fellowship with God and Christ.
STEP 2
Measuring the Width of the River to Cross *1 Question: What are the differences between the biblical audience and us? The biblical audience was able to physically fellowship with John and experience his joy, as he was still alive at the time of the writing of this letter (obviously). That is not the case with us, reading John's letter more than 2 millennia after he wrote it. However, we can be sure that John will be rejoycing in heaven just as much, or more, over every single person who reads this epistle, believes his testimony, and comes to saving repentance and faith - “I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance" (Luke 15:7). John was able to "write these things" as a first-hand eye-witness to Christ's life, death, and resurrection, as well as all the teachings he received directly from Him. We cannot claim those credentials, as this was a unique and special office filled by specific men, in a specific salvation-historic time. However, we do have the divinely inspired and preserved words of those men, given to us in the form of God's finished, inerrant and infallible Word. This is the written-down and preserved testimony that counts just as much today as it did in John's time, and we can faithfully proclaim it just as John did, even if we aren't first-hand eye-witnesses.
STEP 3
Crossing the Principlizing Bridge *1 Question: What is the theological principle in this text? The theological principle (reflected in the text, timeless and not situation-specific, not culturally-bound, corresponds with the rest of Scripture, and relevant to both the biblical and contemporary audience) is that, in the same way as John, we should proclaim the testimony that was preserved in the writings of Scripture, and find our ultimate joy in the proclamation of these truths when those who hear it also believe it, and respond in saving faith and repentance, leading to mutual fellowship with God and Christ with those who were once lost as we ourselves were.
STEP 4
Consult the Biblical Map *1 Question: How does our theological principle fit with the rest of the Bible? Not only can we proclaim this written-down eye-witness testimony given by the writers of Scripture, we are commanded to (especially those who's office demands it, like pastors and teachers) - " The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" ( 2 Timothy 2:2 ). Christ had the same motivation - joy through the proclamation of truth that, when believed, leads to saving faith and repentance - " These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full" ( John 15:11 ). As stated earlier, Paul considered anything and everything else as rubbish, compared to the joy of having fellowship with God through Christ - "More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; ( Philippians 3:8-10 ). And like those who witnessed Christ personally, our love is most displayed through the desire to share this joy of fellowship with other people. It is a selfless joy, motivated by the desire for others to benefit.
STEP 5
Grasping the Text in Our Town *1 Question: How should individual Christians today live out the theological principles? Individual Christians today should : 1. ...ask themselves if they are faithfully evangelising. Am I contently enjoying my fellowship with God and Christ, with no desire to share this joy of fellowship with the lost souls out there? Or am I finding my joy in the fellowship extended to them by my faithful proclamation of the written-down, preserved testimony of those who witnessed and experienced Christ first-hand? 2. ...ask themselves where their source of joy lies. Am I finding my ultimate joy in my fellowship with God and Christ, or do I still long for and desire other things - " You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God" (James 4:4 ). 3. ...ask themselves what the "these things" are that they are proclaiming. Am I faithfully proclaiming the preserved, inerrant, infallible, written-down first-hand eye-witness testimony of those who personally witnessed, knew, and experienced Christ Himself, or am I depending on my own, personal, but unverifyable, experiences? 4. ...ask themselves, even if the "these things" they are proclaiming is the right "these things", if the motivation behind their witnessing and evangelizing is the right motivation. Am I doing it because I love Christ and because I love others and long for them to enjoy the same fellowship with God? Or am I doing it so that I look good, look righteous and holy? So that others would think more of me and give me praise and glory and honor?
DISCLAIMER
Although the english diagram contains the NASB text, my approach is to leave the greek in its original form, while I might have to change the english to reflect the greek a bit more literally. This might be neccessary especially where the english translates whole phrases in a different order compared to the greek, otherwise block diagramming them side-by-side might be a challenge. A less extreme example, in 1 John 1:1, the NASB english "and we have touched with our hands" is translated from "αἱ χεῖρες ἡμῶν ἐψηλάφησαν", which more literally puts their hands as the subject doing the action of the verb of touching, otherwise χεῖρ would have been in the dative as ὀφθαλμός (eye) is in the same verse. Full disclosure - my greek is still in the beginning stages, so this is based merely on my own current understanding of how the language works.
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FOOTNOTES AND REFERENCES
*1 - 5 Steps to Understanding Any Biblical Text: The Interpretive Journey from "Grasping God's Word" *2 - MacArthur Bible Handbook by John MacArthur *3 - IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament *4 - Expositor's Bible Commentary: Abridged Edition *5 - Greek Tenses Explained *6 - Daily Dose of Greek *7 - A First John Reader by S.M. Baugh *8 - Calvin's Commentaries
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Disclaimer: The opinions and conclusions expressed on this page are those of the author and may or may not accord with the positions of Biblearc or Bethlehem College & Seminary.