King James Version

What Does 1 John 1:5 Mean?

1 John 1:5 in the King James Version says “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 ...” — study this verse from 1 John chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

1 John 1:5 · KJV

Context

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.

6

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

7

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. John presents the foundational revelation received from Christ: God is light. This is not metaphor but essential nature—light defines God's very being. In Scripture, light represents holiness, truth, purity, knowledge, and life. "In him is no darkness at all" eliminates any dualism: there is no mixture, shadow, or variation in God's moral perfection. The emphatic double negative (skotia en autō ouk estin oudemia, σκοτία ἐν αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔστιν οὐδεμία) removes all possibility of moral compromise in God.

The source is crucial: this message was "heard of him"—from Christ Himself. It's not human speculation about God's nature but divine self-revelation. "Declare" (anangellomen, ἀναγγέλλομεν) means to announce authoritatively, like a herald proclaiming royal decree.

This truth has profound implications for fellowship with God and full joy. If God is absolute light, fellowship with Him requires walking in light. There can be no compromise with darkness—no secret sins, cherished lies, or moral relativism. The exclusiveness of light and darkness establishes Christianity's exclusive claims: light cannot fellowship with darkness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The declaration "God is light" directly challenged both pagan and Gnostic theology. Greek philosophy sometimes associated the divine with light, but typically as one attribute among others. Gnosticism taught dualism—light and darkness as equal, eternal principles. Some Gnostic systems claimed the creator God was evil or ignorant (associated with darkness), while the supreme God was pure light but distant from creation.

John's absolute statement refutes these errors. The God who created the material world is pure light with no mixture of darkness. Creation is not a cosmic mistake or the work of an inferior deity. Against moral relativism in Greco-Roman culture, John declares absolute moral standards rooted in God's unchanging character.

The Old Testament background includes passages like Psalm 27:1, Isaiah 60:19, and James 1:17. John presents Jesus as the fulfillment of this light-imagery—"the true Light" (John 1:9), "the light of the world" (John 8:12).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the truth that "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" affect your view of sin and holiness?
  2. In what ways might you be compromising with darkness while claiming fellowship with God?
  3. How should God's absolute holiness shape your evangelism and your view of those who reject Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
καὶ1 of 24

“and”

G2532

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

αὕτη2 of 24

“This”

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

ἔστιν3 of 24

“is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ἡ4 of 24
G3588

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

ἐπαγγελία5 of 24

“the message”

G1860

an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good)

ἣν6 of 24

“which”

G3739

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

ἀκηκόαμεν7 of 24

“we have heard”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

ἀπ'8 of 24

“of”

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

αὐτῷ9 of 24

“him”

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

καὶ10 of 24

“and”

G2532

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

ἀναγγέλλομεν11 of 24

“declare”

G312

to announce (in detail)

ὑμῖν12 of 24

“unto you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

ὅτι13 of 24

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ὁ14 of 24
G3588

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

Θεὸς15 of 24

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

φῶς16 of 24

“light”

G5457

luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)

ἔστιν17 of 24

“is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

καὶ18 of 24

“and”

G2532

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

σκοτία19 of 24

“darkness”

G4653

dimness, obscurity (literally or figuratively)

ἐν20 of 24

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

αὐτῷ21 of 24

“him”

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

οὐκ22 of 24

“no”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔστιν23 of 24

“is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

οὐδεμία24 of 24

“at all”

G3762

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing

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 1:5 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 1:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 8:12James 1:17Isaiah 60:19Psalms 27:1John 1:9John 1:4

Test Your Knowledge

1 John 1 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 John Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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