I John 1:6
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If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
say--profess. have fellowship with him-- (Jo1 1:3). The essence of the Christian life. walk--in inward and outward action, whithersoever we turn ourselves [BENGEL]. in darkness--Greek, "in the darkness"; opposed to "the light" (compare Jo1 2:8, Jo1 2:11). lie-- (Jo1 2:4). do not--in practice, whatever we say. the truth-- (Eph 4:21; Joh 3:21).
Open source ↗Evidence given concerning Christ's person and excellency (Jo1 1:1, Jo1 1:2). The knowledge thereof gives us communion with God and Christ (Jo1 1:3), and joy (Jo1 1:4). A description of God (Jo1 1:5). How we are thereupon to walk (Jo1 1:6). The benefit of such walking (Jo1 1:7). The way to forgiveness (Jo1 1:9). The evil of denying our sin (Jo1 1:8-10).
Open source ↗1:6 This is the first of several instances in which John challenges the claims of the Gnostics, who had broken away from the apostolic fellowship and were thus living in spiritual darkness. They claimed to have fellowship with God but did not express his character, which is light. Jesus had warned the Jewish leaders of his day not to let the light they thought they had be darkness (Matt 6:23)—their religious beliefs had blinded them to the spiritual illumination they could have received from Christ. In like manner, these Gnostic teachers thought they were enlightened but were actually darkened by their so-called illuminations. They claimed to have spiritual experiences from God, yet they rejected fellowship with the ones who had actually seen God in the flesh, namely, John and the other apostles.
Open source ↗From the web
What trusted teachers and preachers say about this passage, from around the web.
learn.ligonier.org
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Open source ↗thegospelcoalition.org
Open source ↗thegospelcoalition.org
Open source ↗ligonier.org
Open source ↗thegospelcoalition.org
Open source ↗learn.ligonier.org
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
from those who leave the straight paths to walk in the ways of darkness,
If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.
Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness.
But if anyone walks at night, he will stumble, because he has no light.”
What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.