First John 1:6-10

As I continue with my personal study of First John I must consider the historical meaning of the words the author chose to use in order to find the plain meaning of the text (what John's original readers would have understood the words to mean in their setting or context). Let's view John's words in 1:6-10 verse by verse noting the meaning of some key words. John writes,

6If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.

Claim - (Epo, Greek), meaning "to tell something through writing or speaking"

Fellowship - (Koinonia, Greek), meaning intimate participation; social intercourse; benefactor.

Walk - (Peripateo, Greek), meaning to be occupied with; the companion of.

Darkness - (Skotos, Greek), meaning shadiness

Lie - (Pseudomai, Greek), meaning utter or proclaim an untruth.

Live - (Poieo, Greek), meaning to be moved within; to make or to do.

Truth - (Aletheia, Greek), meaning "verity - have become" (Strong's)


7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Walk - (Peripateo), meaning occupied with.

Light - (Phos, Greek), meaning to be illuminated by an original source.

Fellowship - (Koinonia, Greek), meaning intimate participation; social intercourse; benefactor.

Purifies - (Katharizo, Greek), meaning to be purged and purified.

All Sin - (Pas, Greek), meaning the whole of, or all there is. John uses two words for "sin" in this section which I assume "all" is referencing.

Sin - (Hamartia, used in verses 7 & 9), meaning offense; and filled with sin or sin nature.

Sin - (Hamartano, used in verse 10), meaning to not share in the prize (benefactor) because of condition or action; personal action.


8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

Claim - (Epo, Greek), meaning "to tell something through writing or speaking"

Sin - (Hamartia, used in verses 7 & 9), meaning offense; filled with sin or sin nature.

Deceive - (Planao, Greek), meaning wander, to be astray, seduced, to be found out of the way or off track.

Truth - (Aletheia, Greek), meaning "verity - have become"


9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Confess - (Homologeo, Greek), meaning to acknowledge, make a covenant with gratitude.

Sin - (Hamartia, used in verses 7 & 9), meaning offense; filled with sin or sin nature.

Forgive - (Aphiemi, Greek), meaning to send away.

Sins - (Hamartia, used in verses 7 & 9), meaning offense; filled with sin or sin nature.

Purify - (Katharizo, Greek), meaning to be purged and purified.

All - (Pas, Greek), meaning the whole of, or all there is.

Unrighteousness - (Adikia, Greek), meaning legal injustice; wrongfulness of character, life, act.


10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. (I John 1:5-10, NIV)

Claim - (Epo, Greek), meaning "to tell something through writing or speaking"

Sin - (Hamartano, used in verse 10), meaning to not share in the prize (benefactor) because of condition or action; personal action.

Liar - (Pseustes, Greek), meaning falsifier or one who conceals a truth

Word - (Logos, Greek), meaning Divine expression or revelation


Summary:
As John continues to address the false teaching of the Gnostics he comes face to face with something we struggle with today; something the Church has wrestled with in every generation - the mixing in of man's philosophies with the interpretation of the text. The reason we study the Gospel writers and their subsequent Letters is because they witnessed (experienced if you will), the Truth firsthand (note I Jn. 1:1). His words and deeds became their faith, practice and teaching. They no doubt chose their words wisely in order to accurately communicate Jesus to their readers.

As Evangelical Friends we believe that any doctrine that does not keep to the plain meaning of the Bible is less than accurate. Our book of doctrine states that such teachings should be considered delusional in nature and avoided by the Christian. Sadly many today have tainted their understanding of scripture and skewed their theology by adding various philosophies (Greek, etc) to the interpretation of the Bible. Biblical Theologians (like Evangelical Friends) do not.

So what is John saying in these verses through his choice of words? I'll give my summary later but for now, I would like to hear from you! What say you?

Thanks for stopping by!
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Adrian