1That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we saw, and our hands touched, concerning the Word of life 2(and the life was revealed, and we have seen, and testify, and declare to you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was revealed to us); 3that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4And we write these things to you, that our joy may be fulfilled.
5This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie and don’t tell the truth. 7But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we haven’t sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Note/Excursus: There are two major approaches to interpreting 1 John. The Test of Life view sees everything as a test of one’s union with God (justification). John is providing tests by which a person can determine if they are saved. The work that introduced this view is Tests of Life, by Robert Law. John R. W. Scott’s The Letters of John develops it well. Most Reformed writers reflect this approach.
The Test of Fellowship view sees everything as a test of one’s communion with God (fellowship). John is not distinguishing between regenerate and unregenerate people. The key text that initiated a response to Robert Law’s book is J. Dwight Pentecost’s The Joy of Fellowship. Other writers include Guy H. King, The Fellowship, Zane C. Hodges, The Epistles of John: Walking in the Light of God’s Love, and David R. Anderson, Maximum Joy: 1 John – Relationship or Fellowship?
Neutral works include Stephen S. Smalley, 1,2,3 John in Word Biblical Commentary (Vol 51); Marianne Meye Thompson, 1-3 John in the IVP New Testament Commentary Series; and Gary W. Derickson, 1-3 John in Evangelical Exegetical Commentary.