Meaning of 1 John 1:3

This verse encapsulates the core purpose of the apostolic witness: to share the reality of God's revelation in Christ, thereby inviting others into a shared experience of communion. John and the other apostles are not merely relaying information; they are testifying to a lived, encountered reality – the person and work of Jesus. This testimony is the bridge that connects the believer to the apostles' experience, and through that connection, to God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. The "fellowship" (koinonia) described is not a superficial agreement but a deep, participatory sharing in the life and fellowship of the Godhead itself, a union initiated by the divine outreach through Christ and made accessible through the proclamation of the gospel.

Context and Background

The epistle of 1 John was written by the Apostle John, likely in his later years, to combat emerging Gnostic heresies that denied the true humanity of Jesus and thus his atoning work. These false teachers were distorting the nature of God and the path to salvation. In response, John emphasizes the tangible, historical reality of Jesus' coming, his life, death, and resurrection, as the foundation of true Christian belief and fellowship. He contrasts the genuine witness of the apostles with the speculative claims of the heretics.

Key Themes and Messages

• Authentic Testimony: The apostles' message is rooted in their direct sensory experience ("what we have seen and heard"). This grounds their proclamation in historical fact, not mere speculation.
• The Purpose of Proclamation: The gospel is not meant to be hoarded but shared, with the explicit aim of bringing others into fellowship.
• The Nature of Fellowship (Koinonia): This term signifies a profound sharing, a mutual participation, and a deep communion. It encompasses sharing in the gospel, in God's life, and in the community of believers.
• Trinitarian Fellowship: The ultimate goal of this proclamation is to bring individuals into fellowship not only with the apostles and other believers but, most importantly, with the Father and the Son.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse is foundational for understanding the Christian life. It highlights that faith is not an abstract concept but is built upon the revealed truth of God in Jesus Christ. The church's mission is to share this truth, inviting others to experience the transformative fellowship with God. For individuals, it means actively engaging with the testimony of Scripture and the Christian community, recognizing that through this engagement, they can enter into a direct relationship with God. This fellowship provides assurance, strength, and a shared spiritual life.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

The concept of fellowship with God is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. From the intimate communion God shared with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to the covenant relationship with Israel, God has consistently sought to dwell with and have fellowship with His people. Jesus' incarnation and ministry represent the ultimate fulfillment of this desire, making true and restored fellowship possible for all who believe. The Holy Spirit then continues this work, indwelling believers and enabling this ongoing communion.

Analogies

Imagine a group of explorers who have discovered a wondrous, life-giving spring in a desolate land. They don't keep this discovery to themselves; they return to their people, describing the water's taste, its healing properties, and the lushness surrounding it. Their goal is to bring others to this spring so they too can drink and experience its life-sustaining power. Similarly, the apostles, having encountered the living Water in Christ, proclaim Him to bring others into the life-giving fellowship of the Father and the Son.

Another analogy is that of a family. When a child is born into a loving family, they are immediately brought into the family's fellowship – they share in its life, its love, its sustenance, and its identity. The apostles are sharing the good news of our adoption into God's family, inviting all to experience this intimate, life-giving relationship.

Relation to Other Verses

• John 17:3: "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." This verse underscores that knowing God and Jesus Christ is the essence of eternal life, which is synonymous with fellowship.
• 1 John 1:7: "But 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." This verse directly links walking in the light (living in obedience to Christ's teachings) with fellowship, both with believers and with God.
• 2 Corinthians 13:14: "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." This benediction highlights the Trinitarian nature of Christian fellowship, echoing the sentiment in 1 John 1:3.
• Acts 2:42: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." This verse describes the early church's practice, demonstrating that fellowship was a central component of their communal life, built upon the apostles' witness.