6 If we say we are joined to him, and are walking still in the dark, our words are false and our acts are untrue:
If a man says, I have love for God, and has hate for his brother, his words are false: for how is the man who has no love for his brother whom he has seen, able to have love for God whom he has not seen?
If we say that we have no sin, we make him false and his word is not in us.
And this is the test by which men are judged: the light has come into the world and men have more love for the dark than for the light, because their acts are evil. The light is hated by everyone whose acts are evil and he does not come to the light for fear that his acts will be seen. But he whose life is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his acts have been done by the help of God.
But the way of the upright is like the light of early morning, getting brighter and brighter till the full day. The way of sinners is dark; they see not the cause of their fall.
For you say, I have wealth, and have got together goods and land, and have need of nothing; and you are not conscious of your sad and unhappy condition, that you are poor and blind and without clothing. If you are wise you will get from me gold tested by fire, so that you may have true wealth; and white robes to put on, so that your shame may not be seen; and oil for your eyes, so that you may see.
But a man may say, You have faith and I have works; let me see your faith without your works, and I will make my faith clear to you by my works.
And one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warm and full of food; but you do not give them the things of which their bodies have need, what profit is there in this?
Do not keep company with those who have not faith: for what is there in common between righteousness and evil, or between light and dark? And what agreement is there between Christ and the Evil One? or what part has one who has faith with one who has not? And what agreement has the house of God with images? for we are a house of the living God; even as God has said, I will be living among them, and walking with them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people.
Jesus said to them, For a little time longer the light will be among you; while you have the light go on walking in it, so that the dark may not overtake you: one walking in the dark has no knowledge of where he is going.
Who give up the way of righteousness, to go by dark roads;
For you are not a God who takes pleasure in wrongdoing; there is no evil with you. The sons of pride have no place before you; you are a hater of all workers of evil. You will send destruction on those whose words are false; the cruel man and the man of deceit are hated by the Lord.
He who says that he is in the light, and has hate in his heart for his brother, is still in the dark. He who has love for his brother is in the light, and there is no cause of error in him. But he who has hate for his brother is in the dark, walking in the dark with no knowledge of where he is going, unable to see because of the dark.
If we say that we have no sin, we are false to ourselves and there is nothing true in us.
Through the false ways of men whose words are untrue, whose hearts are burned as with a heated iron;
I have come as a light into the world, so that no one who has faith in me will go on living in the dark.
You are the children of your father the Evil One and it is your pleasure to do his desires. From the first he was a taker of life; and he did not go in the true way because there is no true thing in him. When he says what is false, it is natural to him, for he is false and the father of what is false. But because I say what is true, you have no belief in me.
A great number will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, were we not prophets in your name, and did we not by your name send out evil spirits, and by your name do works of power?
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 John 1
Commentary on 1 John 1 Matthew Henry Commentary
An Exposition, With Practical Observations, of
The First Epistle General of John
Chapter 1
Evidence given concerning Christ's person and excellency (v. 1, 2). The knowledge thereof gives us communion with God and Christ (v. 3), and joy (v. 4). A description of God (v. 5). How we are thereupon to walk (v. 6). The benefit of such walking (v. 7). The way to forgiveness (v. 9). The evil of denying our sin (v. 8-10).
1Jo 1:1-4
The apostle omits his name and character (as also the author to the Hebrews does) either out of humility, or as being willing that the Christian reader should be swayed by the light and weight of the things written rather than by the name that might recommend them. And so he begins,
1Jo 1:5-7
The apostle, having declared the truth and dignity of the author of the gospel, brings a message or report from him, from which a just conclusion is to be drawn for the consideration and conviction of the professors of religion, or professed entertainers of this glorious gospel.
1Jo 1:8-10
Here,