5And this is the message we have heard from him and report to you: that God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. [1:6] If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. [1:7] But if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. [1:8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [1:9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [1:10] If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
1JN 1:5-10
Walking in the Light
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Greco-Roman world, (fellowship) was a term deeply rooted in communal participation, often tied to shared identity and mutual responsibility. For Jewish listeners, this concept resonated with covenantal language, emphasizing a shared life with God and one another. The metaphor of (walking) was commonly used to describe ethical conduct, reflecting one’s alignment with divine or societal norms. The contrast between light and darkness was a familiar dualism in both Jewish and Hellenistic thought, symbolizing moral purity versus corruption. The claim to have with God while in darkness would have been seen as a profound contradiction, akin to claiming allegiance while living in opposition. The mention of Jesus’ blood cleansing from sin would evoke Jewish sacrificial imagery, where blood symbolized atonement and purification. Confessing sin was not merely private but a public acknowledgment, aligning oneself with truth in a culture that valued honor and integrity.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
1JN 1:5
- 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.
- BSB
- And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.
- Koinōnos
- And this is the message we have heard from him and report to you: that God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.
1JN 1:6
- KJV
- If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
- BSB
- If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
- Koinōnos
- If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
1JN 1:7
- KJV
- But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
- BSB
- But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
- Koinōnos
- But if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
1JN 1:8
- KJV
- If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
- BSB
- If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
- Koinōnos
- If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1JN 1:9
- KJV
- If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
- BSB
- If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
- Koinōnos
- If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1JN 1:10
- KJV
- If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
- BSB
- If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.
- Koinōnos
- If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
1JN 1:6
- fellowship:The word translated 'fellowship' here implies a deep, shared participation and partnership, not just casual acquaintance. It suggests a common bond and active involvement together.
- may walk,:The phrase 'may walk' refers to one's entire way of life and conduct, not just physical movement. It describes how a person lives and behaves habitually.
- truth;:The word translated 'truth' in this context refers to reality and authenticity, standing in direct opposition to falsehood or deception. It's about living in accordance with what is real.
1JN 1:9
- we shall confess:The word translated 'we shall confess' means to agree with or acknowledge openly and publicly. It implies a declaration of alignment with what is being confessed.