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.
Forgive (Gk. ἀφίημι, aphiemi). (11:26; Matt 6:12, 14, 18:21; Mark 2:7, 11:26, Luke 5:23, 23:34; John 20:20; Rom 4:7; 1 John 1:9) Strong’s 863
There are a handful of words in the NT for forgiveness, which carry the idea of release or freeing from guilt, burden or indebtedness. The word in this verse, ἀφίημι (aphiemi), is one of these words. God forgives people, releasing them from the guilt, burden and indebtedness resulting from their sin. In the same way, people ought to forgive one another (Matt 6:12, 14). It is popular to assert that a Christian must forgive an offender, whether or not the offender seeks forgiveness. The NT does not teach that God forgives those who do not seek forgiveness, nor does it teach that Christians should. Rather, it teaches loving confrontation of an offender and church discipline in the case of an offender who refuses to seek forgiveness (Matt 18:14-20). Yet, there is a strong need for a victim to release an unrepentant offender, for reasons of emotional health, among others. An unrepentant offender must be released to God, to face His judgment and possible wrath (Rom 12:19). Release is central to both these actions, the first releases from responsibility, the second releases to responsibility before God. –SS