I JOHN

Reading & Thinking about 1 John 1

Victor M. Eskew

 

Directions: 

 

A.   In my How-to-Study the Bible (HTSTB) class, I teach individuslshow to do a verse-by-verse study using only the tools of Bible study.  However, prior to this, I ask the class to read the text at least five times. 

 

B.   For reading to be effective, it must involve active reading. 

1.    Read the text 2 times over and over.  Reading out loud is usually preferable.

2.    Use the handout given in the HTSTB class to pay closer attention to the text, especially to various words and phrases. (See handout)

3.    Handwrite the text as you read it.   I like to write it in such a way that a chart or picture of the verse is presented to my mind.  Too, it divides the verse into sections that my mind can begin to contemplate.

 

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.

 

4.    Divide the verses into sections and think about what the author is doing or saying with each phrase of the verse.

 

Verse 1:

 

          That which was from the beginning                Eternal                  Without beginning

 

          which we have heard,                                    Evidence                Witnessed

          which we have seen with our eyes.

          which we have looked upon

          and our hands have handled,

 

          of the Word of life.                                         Essence                 Word

 

Verse 2

 

          (For the life was manifested,                          Actualized

 

          and we have seen it,                                      Attested                         

 

          and bear witness,                                         Affirmed

          and shew you that eternal life,                                

 

          which was with the Father,                            Association

 

          and was manifested unto us.                         Appeared

 

Verse 3

 

          That which we have seen and heard               Declaration

          declare we unto you,

 

          that ye also may have fellowship with us:        Desire

 

          and truly our fellowship is with the Father,     Deposition

          and with his Son Jesus Christ.

 

Verse 4

 

          And these things write we unto you,               Revelation              Epistle

 

          that your joy may be full.                               Reason                  Expectation

 

Verse 5

 

          This then is the message which we                 Proclamation

          have heard of him, and declare unto you,

 

          that God is light, and in him is no                  Purity

          darkness at all.

 

Verse 6

 

          If we say that we have fellowship with him,      Affirmation            Declare

 

          and walk in darkness,                                   Actions                  Darkness

 

          we lie, and do not the truth.                           Antithetical            Disobey

 

Verse 7

 

          But if we walk in the light,                             Continue

          as he is in the light,

 

          we have fellowship one with another,              Communion

 

          and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son             Cleansing

          cleanseth us from all sin.

 

Verse 8

 

          If we say what we have no sin,                        Declaration

 

          we deceive ourselves,                                    Deception

 

          and the truth is not in us.                              Destitute

 

 

 

 

Verse 9

 

          If we confess our sins,                                   Confession

 

          he is faithful and just                                    Character (of God)

 

          to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us          Cleansing

          from all unrighteousness.

 

Verse 10

 

          If we say we have not sinned,                         Disclosure

 

          we make him to be a liar,                               Designate

 

          and his word is not in us.                              Devoid