1 John 1:2

“For the life was manifested, &c.] That is, the Word of life, who is life itself, the fountain of life, having it as God, in and of himself, without derivation from, and independent of another, originally and eternally, and who is the cause, author, and giver of life in every sense to others; this living God, who from all eternity was invisible, was in the fulness of time manifested in human nature; (see <430114>John 1:14 <540316>1 Timothy 3:16 <620308>1 John 3:8). And we have seen [it]; as before with the eyes of their bodies: and bear witness; for they were both eye and ear witnesses of the Word, and of the truth of his incarnation, and bore a faithful record to his proper deity, and real…”

“the life--Jesus, "the Word of life." was manifested--who had previously been "with the Father." show--Translate as in Jo1 1:3, "declare" (compare Jo1 1:5). Declare is the general term; write is the particular (Jo1 1:4). that eternal life--Greek, "the life which is eternal." As the Epistle begins, so it ends with "eternal life," which we shall ever enjoy with, and in, Him who is "the life eternal." which--Greek, "the which." the before-mentioned (Jo1 1:1) life which was with the Father "from the beginning" (compare Joh 1:1). This proves the distinctness of the First and Second Persons in the one Godhead.”

“For the life was manifested - Was made manifest or visible unto us. He who was the life was made known to people by the incarnation. He appeared among people so that they could see him and hear him. Though originally with God, and dwelling with him, John 1:1-2, yet he came forth and appeared among people. Compare the Romans 1:3 note; 1 Timothy 3:16 note. He is the great source of all life, and he appeared on the earth, and we had an opportunity of seeing and knowing what he was. And we have seen it - This repetition, or turning over the thought, is designed to express the idea with emphasis, and is much in the manner of John. See John 1:1-3. He is particularly desirous of impressing on them…”

“For the life - The living Word. Was manifested - In the flesh, to our very senses. And we testify and declare - We testify by declaring, by preaching, and writing, Jo1 1:3-4. Preaching lays the foundation, Jo1 1:5-10: writing builds there on. To you - Who have not seen. The eternal life - Which always was, and afterward appeared to us. This is mentioned in the beginning of the epistle. In the end of it is mentioned the same eternal life, which we shall always enjoy. 1 John 1:3”

“1:2 life itself (Greek zōē): Throughout the New Testament, this word is used to designate the eternal life of God (e.g., Eph 4:18). This life resides in Christ, and he makes it available to all who believe in him. • This one . . . was revealed to us: Jesus, the Christ, was known to his apostles as a human being during his earthly ministry.”

“the life: Jo1 5:11, Jo1 5:20; Joh 1:4, Joh 11:25, Joh 11:26, Joh 14:6 was manifested: Jo1 3:5, Jo1 3:8; Rom 16:25, Rom 16:26; Ti1 3:16; Ti2 1:10; Tit 1:2 and bear: Joh 15:27, Joh 21:14; Act 1:22, Act 2:32, Act 3:15, Act 5:32, Act 10:41; Pe1 5:1 show: Jo1 5:20 that eternal: Joh 17:3 which was: Pro 8:22-30; Joh 1:1, Joh 1:2, Joh 1:18, Joh 3:13, Joh 7:29, Joh 8:38, Joh 16:28, Joh 17:5; Rom 8:3; Gal 4:4 1 John 1:3”