1 John Chapter 1

“That which was from the beginning, &c.] By which is meant not the Gospel, as if the apostle's design was to assert the antiquity of that, and clear it from the charge of novelty; for though that is called the word, and the word of life, and is the Spirit which gives life, and is the means of quickening dead sinners, and brings the report of eternal life and salvation by Christ, yet the seeing of it with bodily eyes, and handling it with corporeal hands, do not agree with that; but Jesus Christ is here intended, who in his divine nature was, really existed as a divine person, as the everlasting Jehovah, the…”

“THE WRITER'S AUTHORITY AS AN EYEWITNESS TO THE GOSPEL FACTS, HAVING SEEN, HEARD, AND HANDLED HIM WHO WAS FROM THE BEGINNING: HIS OBJECT IN WRITING: HIS MESSAGE. IF WE WOULD HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM, WE MUST WALK IN LIGHT, AS HE IS LIGHT. (Jo1 1:1-10) Instead of a formal, John adopts a virtual address (compare Jo1 1:4). To wish joy to the reader was the ancient customary address. The sentence begun in Jo1 1:1 is broken off by the parenthetic Jo1 1:2, and is resumed at Jo1 1:3 with the repetition of some words from Jo1 1:1. That which was--not "began to be," but was essentially (Greek, "een," not "egeneto") before…”

“That which was from the beginning - There can be no doubt that the reference here is to the Lord Jesus Christ, or the “Word” that was made flesh. See the notes at John 1:1. This is such language as John would use respecting him, and indeed the phrase “the beginning,” as applicable to the Lord Jesus, is unique to John in the writings of the New Testament: and the language here may be regarded as one proof that this Epistle was written by him, for it is just such an expression as “he” would use, but not such as one would be likely to adopt who should attempt to palm off his own writings as those of John. One who…”

“That which was - Here means, He which was the Word himself; afterwards it means, that which they had heard from him. Which was - Namely, with the Father, Jo1 1:2, before he was manifested. From the beginning - This phrase is sometimes used in a limited sense; but here it properly means from eternity, being equivalent with, "in the beginning," Joh 1:1. That which we - The apostles. Have not only heard, but seen with our eyes, which we have beheld - Attentively considered on various occasions. Of the Word of life - He is termed the Word, Joh 1:1; the Life, Joh 1:4; as he is the living Word of God, who, with the…”

“1:1-4 This poetic prologue reflects the message of the prologue to John’s Gospel (John 1:1-18). • The we that occurs throughout the prologue refers to John and the other apostles, and perhaps to other Christians who had seen and touched Jesus Christ. The apostles were among the eyewitnesses of Jesus and had personal fellowship with God through him. John, representing the apostles, now invites readers to join in that fellowship. 1:1 We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning: That is, from before time began, eternally (John 8:58). When Jesus came in the flesh (John 1:14), the apostles saw him . . .…”

“That which: Jo1 2:13; Pro 8:22-31; Isa 41:4; Mic 5:2; Joh 1:1, 2-18, Joh 8:58; Rev 1:8, Rev 1:11, Rev 1:17, Rev 1:18, Rev 2:8 which we have heard: Jo1 4:14; Luk 1:2; Joh 1:14; Act 1:3, Act 4:20; Pe2 1:16-18 and our: Luk 24:39; Joh 20:27 the Word: Jo1 5:7; Joh 1:14, Joh 5:26; Rev 19:13 1 John 1:2”