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Robertson's Word Pictures of the NT

1 John 1:6

If we say

(εαν ειπωμεν). Condition of third class with εαν and second aorist (ingressive, up and say) active subjunctive. Claiming fellowship with God (see verse 1 John 1:3) involves walking in the light with God (verse 1 John 1:5) and not in the darkness (σκοτος here, but σκοτια in John 1:5). See 1 John 2:11 also for εν τη σκοτια περιπατεω.We lie

(ψευδομεθα). Present middle indicative, plain Greek and plain English like that about the devil in John 8:44.Do not the truth

(ου ποιουμεν την αληθειαν). Negative statement of the positive ψευδομεθα as in John 8:44. See John 3:21 for "doing the truth," like Nehemiah 9:33.

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See also 1 John 1:6 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 6. _IF WE SAY THAT WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP_] Having fellowship, κοινωνια, _communion_, with God, necessarily implies a _partaking of the Divine nature_. Now if a man profess to have such communion,...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    IF WE SAY THAT WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP UITH HIM - If we reckon ourselves among his friends, or, in other words, if we profess to be like him: for a profession of religion involves the idea of having fellow...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    II. LIGHT AND DARKNESS AND THE TESTS Chapter S 1:5-2:17 _ 1. God is light; walking in darkness and in light (1 John 1:5)_ 2. What the light manifests (1 John 1:8) 3. The advocacy of Christ to maint...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    1 JOHN 1:5 TO 1 JOHN 2:2. FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD REQUIRES A RIGHT VIEW OF SIN. 1 John 1:5. Spiritual fellowship depends on moral affinity. Hence since Jesus has declared the holy perfection of God, we ca...

  • B. W. Johnson's Bible Commentary

    IF WE SAY THAT WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM, ETC. To have fellowship is to have. common life and spirit. If God is light, we cannot walk in darkness, without knowledge of him, living in the dark ways o...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    If we say that we have fellowship with him and at the same time walk in darkness, we lie and are not doing the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with each o...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    THE PASTOR'S AIM (1 John 1:1-4)...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    IF. App-118. TRUTH. See p. 1511 and App-175....

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    1 John 1:5 to 1 John 2:28. God is Light 1 John 1:5 to 1 John 2:11. What Walking in the Light involves This section is largely directed against the Gnostic do

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    An inference from the first principle just laid down. God is light, utterly removed from all darkness: therefore to be in darkness is to be cut off from Him. _If we say_ With great gentleness he puts...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    Fellowship with God and with the Brethren 5. _This then is the message which we have heard of Him_ Better, AND _the message which we have heard_ FROM _Him_ IS THIS. -This" is the predicate, as so ofte...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    6. An inference from the first principle just laid down. God is light, utterly removed from all darkness: therefore to be in darkness is to be cut off from Him. If God is light, then those who have co...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    5–7. FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD AND WITH THE BRETHREN...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    1 John 1:5 to 1 John 2:28. GOD IS LIGHT 1 John 1:5 to 1 John 2:11. WHAT WALKING IN THE LIGHT INVOLVES This section is largely directed against the Gnostic doct

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΈΆΝ (G1437) если. Пять _conj._, введенные с помощью этого слова, сопровождаются _aor. conj._ или _praes. conj._ Во всех случаях условие является предположением возможного: "если это случится" (JG, 371...

  • Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae

    DISCOURSE: 2431 THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING CONFORMED TO GOD’S IMAGE 1 John 1:5. This then is the message which me have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    IF WE SAY THAT WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM,— By _communion_ with God, St. John means a holy exercise of the Divine presence, walking by faith in the light of his countenance, and an abiding consciousn...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    CHAPTER III _IF WE WALK IN THE LIGHT_ 1 John 1:6-7 A. The Text If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth; 7) but if we walk in the light, as He...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM () - the essence of the Christian life. WALK in inward and outward action...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    1 The ministry of John is based upon his personal acquaintance with the Lord in the flesh. Indeed, this was the prime qualification of all the twelve apostles (Act_1:21). They were to bear witness to...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    1:6 say (e-3) In all these cases the verb is in the subjunctive, and puts the case of so doing. I should have translated them 'if we should say,' &c., but that it is the case in ver. 9 also, where it...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD IN LIGHT 1. Observe the grammatical form of 1 John 1:1. In 1 John 1:1 a sentence is begun which, interrupted by the parenthesis in 1 John 1:2, is continued in...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    HOW CAN I BE SURE? 1 JOHN _IAN MACKERVOY_ ABOUT THIS LETTER 1. THE WRITER The letter does not tell us who wrote it. The tradition is that John is the author. John was an *apostle. He was one of...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    [2. First Half. God is Light (1 John 1:5 to 1 John 2:28). (1) STATEMENT OF THE LEADING THOUGHT (1 John 1:5). (2) FIRST INFERENCE: The true fellowship ...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    The Message of the Incarnation and the Duty which it brings. “And this is the message which we have heard from Him and are announcing to you, that God is light, and darkness in Him there is none. If w...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    The heresy of Antinomianism, represented by the Nicolaitans (_cf._ Introd. p. 156). ἐὰν εἴπωμεν, a gentle and charitable hypothesis. He does not charge his readers with actually holding this perniciou...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    FELLOWSHIP IN THE LIGHT 1 John 1:1 As the aged Apostle began to write he was living over again his first happy experiences with the Savior. He heard the voice, saw the person, touched the very body i...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    This is possibly the last apostolic message to the whole Church. It is complementary to the Gospel of John. Its subject is fellowship with God, into which believers are introduced through their union...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    GOD IS LIGHT The Gnostics John was likely dealing with claimed to be specially enlightened. The word _gnosko_ means "I know." John proclaimed God as light and even said there was no darkness in Him. O...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    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. (6) If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    6_If we say _It is, indeed, an argument from what is inconsistent, when he concludes that they are alienated from God, who walk in darkness. This doctrine, however, depends on a higher principle, that...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    The Epistle of John has a peculiar character. It is eternal life manifested in Jesus, and imparted to us the life which was with the Father, and which is in the Son. It is in this life that believers...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    IF WE SAY THAT WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM,.... The Alexandrian copy reads, "for if we say": that is, if any profess to be partakers of the divine nature, to be like unto God, and to have communion wi...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: Ver. 6. _If we say that, &c._] As they do that profess to know God, but in works do deny him, Titus 1:1...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _This then is the message_ That is, one part of it; _which we have heard of him_ The Son of God; _that God is light_ The light of truth, wisdom, holiness, glory. What light is to the natural eye, that...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    IF WE SAY; the apostle deduces from what he has just said of God's nature a most weighty inference. Since He is light, we must walk in the light, or we cannot have fellowship with Him. WALK IN DARKNE...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    IF WE SAY THAT WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM AND WALK IN DARKNESS, WE LIE, AND DO NOT THE TRUTH;...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    Walking in the light, cleansed by Christ's blood:...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    Unlike his second and third epistles, this first from John's pen waits for no salutation, but more like Paul's to the Hebrews, immediately begins with a precious declaration of the glory of the Person...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    5-10 A message from the Lord Jesus, the Word of life, the eternal Word, we should all gladly receive. The great God should be represented to this dark world, as pure and perfect light. As this is the...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    Light and darkness are frequently put for holiness and wickedness, LUKE 16:8 ROMANS 13:12 EPHESIANS 5:8 1 THESSALONIANS 5:5. The sum then is:

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book III Si autem in luce ambulamus, sicut et ipse est in luce, societatem habemus cum ipso, et sanguis Jesu filii ejus emundat nos a peccato."[25] Origen Commentary o...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    1 John 1:6 If G1437 say G2036 (G5632) that G3754 have G2192 (G5719) fellowship G2842 with G3326 Him...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.' Here he makes that position crystal clear. Because God is light no darkness can survive in His pres...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    _The atoning provision for fellowship in the light of God, viewed generally and with specific reference to the Christian life._ 1 John 1:6-7. IF WE SAY: this is a keyword throughout the section, and m...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    First the apostle announces his message that God is light and only light (1 John 1:5). Then follows (down to chap. 1 John 2:2) a universal statement of the evangelical conditions of fellowship with Hi...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    1 John 1:6 Light and Darkness: Sin and Purification. I. The expressions, "light" and "darkness," were wonderfully suitable for those to whom St. John wrote. The Ephesians had paid a special worship t...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    1 John 1:5 I. The form of the announcement in the fifth verse is very peculiar: "This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you." It is not a discovery which we make concern...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    1 John 1:1 The Ground of Christian Ethics. I. St. John begins with speaking of that which he saw, and heard, and handled. Those who read his letter could have no doubt that he was referring to the ti...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    1 John 1:1. _That which was from the beginning which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;_ You know who that is...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    May that Divine Spirit, who inspired every word of this wonderful letter, bless it to all our hearts as we read it! 1 John 1:1. _That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    1 John 1:1. _That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;_ The fact that Chris...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    1 John 1:4. _And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full._ Some Christians have joy, but there are only a few drops in the bottom of their cup; but the Scriptures were written, and...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Fellowship with God made possible through the incarnation. Conditions of perpetual fellowship walking in the light and confessing sins. CHARACTERS: God, Christ, John. CONCLUSION: Fellowship...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    1 John 1:1. _That which was from the beginning._ We have before observed that the neuter gender is often preferred by the Greeks, and with great propriety, when speaking of the Divinity. _L'ETRE Suprê...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    IF, THEN. Here is A _test_ of fellowship. Since light symbolizes purity and holiness, darkness symbolizes sin, evil, error, etc. WE ARE LYING. "If we claim fellowship with God and Christ, yet live liv...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    1 JOHN—NOTE ON 1 JOHN 1:5 “God is light” (v. 1 John 1:5) reflects the OT, where “light” symbolizes both knowledge and purity (see notes on John 1:4–5;...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    1 JOHN—NOTE ON 1 JOHN 1:6 IF WE SAY. John may be summarizing what some were falsely claiming. If God is light (v. 1 John 1:5), then those who walk in darkness

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    1 JOHN 1:1 God Is Light and Christ Is the Way. John begins by emphasizing Christ’s deity, incarnation, saving death, and continuing ministry. He also stresses God’s nature as “light” (1 John 1:5) and...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF S. JOHN.. CHAPTER 1 VER. 1. _That which was from the beginning_, &c. The beginning of this Epistle corresponds with the beginning of St. John's Gospel. Both here and the...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    CHAPTER 5 Ver. 1. _Every one that believeth_, with a living faith, which extends itself to charity, and worketh by love, _that Jesus is the Christ_, i.e., the Messiah, the Saviour and Redeemer of the...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ 1 John 1:5.—The first part of the epistle begins here. It is directed against the Gnostic teaching, that to a man of enlightenment all conduct is morally indifferent. I...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION 1 JOHN 1:1 1. THE INTRODUCTION. It declares the writer's authority, based on personal experience; announces the subject-matter of his Gospel, to which this Epistle forms a companion; and...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Shall we turn to 1 John. Why did John write this epistle? In chapter one, verse four, he tells us, "These things write we unto that your joy may full." So that you might have the fullness of joy. Do y...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 John 1:10; 1 John 1:3; 1 John 1:8; 1 John 2:4; 1 John 2:9;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    If we say [ε α ν ε ι π ω μ ε ν]. The subjunctive mood puts the case as supposed, not as assumed. Walk in the darkness. The phrase occurs only in John's Gospel and First Epistle. Darkness here is skoto...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    THE CHRIST CHAPTER 1 John 1:2; 1 John 2:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS There is a striking similarity between the opening verses of the first chapter of the Gospel of John and the first chapter of the First E...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    If we say — Either with our tongue, or in our heart, if we endeavour to persuade either ourselves or others. We have fellowship with him, while we walk, either inwardly or outwardly, in darkness — In...

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    Observe here, 1. What great plainness of speech St. John uses with and towards such persons as call themselves Christians, and pretend to fellowship with God, but yet hold communion with sin, he says,...

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Old Testament