King James Version

What Does 1 John 1:3 Mean?

1 John 1:3 in the King James Version says “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowshi...” — study this verse from 1 John chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

1 John 1:3 · KJV

Context

1

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;

2

(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

3

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

4

And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

5

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. John states the purpose of apostolic proclamation: to bring believers into fellowship (koinōnia, κοινωνία) with the apostles and, through them, with the Father and Son. This word denotes partnership, communion, sharing in common—used for the early church's communal life (Acts 2:42) and participation in Christ's body and blood (1 Corinthians 10:16).

The structure is significant: fellowship with the apostles leads to fellowship with God. This is not elitism but recognition that the apostolic witness to Christ is the divinely appointed means of entering relationship with God. We cannot have true fellowship with the Father except through the apostolically testified Christ.

"Jesus Christ" explicitly names the historical person who is the Son. Fellowship with God is mediated through the incarnate, crucified, and risen Jesus—not through mystical experiences, human philosophy, or religious rituals divorced from Him. The order "Father...Son" reflects the economic Trinity: the Father sends, the Son is sent and reveals the Father.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The concept of fellowship (koinōnia) was countercultural in the Roman Empire's hierarchical society. While Greek philosophical schools had exclusive fellowships and mystery religions promised participation in divine secrets, Christianity offered fellowship with God Himself through Christ—available not to intellectual or social elites but to all who believe the apostolic testimony.

The Gnostic teachers claimed superior fellowship with the divine through secret knowledge. They despised the apostolic testimony as elementary, suitable only for spiritual novices. John's response is devastating: there is no fellowship with God apart from the apostolically testified Jesus Christ. Those who reject this testimony, regardless of their claimed spiritual experiences, have no fellowship with the Father.

The early church understood this verse as establishing the authority of apostolic tradition. The Apostles' Creed and Nicene Creed echo this emphasis—faith must align with what "we have seen and heard." Heresy was defined as departure from apostolic teaching.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding fellowship with God as the purpose of apostolic proclamation shape your view of Scripture's authority?
  2. In what ways might you be tempted to seek fellowship with God apart from the apostolically testified Christ?
  3. How should the connection between fellowship with God and fellowship with believers affect your church commitment?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
ὃ1 of 29

“That which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἑωράκαμεν2 of 29

“we have seen”

G3708

by extension, to attend to; by hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear

καὶ3 of 29

“also”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀκηκόαμεν4 of 29

“heard”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

ἀπαγγέλλομεν5 of 29

“declare we”

G518

to announce

ὑμῖν6 of 29

“unto you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

ἵνα7 of 29

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

καὶ8 of 29

“also”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὑμεῖς9 of 29

“ye”

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

κοινωνία10 of 29

“fellowship”

G2842

partnership, i.e., (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction

ἔχητε11 of 29

“may have”

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

μετὰ12 of 29

“is with”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

ἡμῶν13 of 29

“us”

G2257

of (or from) us

καὶ14 of 29

“also”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἡ15 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κοινωνία16 of 29

“fellowship”

G2842

partnership, i.e., (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction

δὲ17 of 29
G1161

but, and, etc

ἡ18 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἡμετέρα19 of 29

“truly our”

G2251

our

μετὰ20 of 29

“is with”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

τοῦ21 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατρὸς22 of 29

“the Father”

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

καὶ23 of 29

“also”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

μετὰ24 of 29

“is with”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

τοῦ25 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

υἱοῦ26 of 29

“Son”

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

αὐτοῦ27 of 29

“his”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Ἰησοῦ28 of 29

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Χριστοῦ29 of 29

“Christ”

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 John 1:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 John 1:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Corinthians 1:9John 17:3John 17:21Acts 4:20Philippians 2:12 Corinthians 13:14

Test Your Knowledge

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