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1 John 1:4

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does 1 John 1:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and these things we write, that our joy may be made full.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and these things we write, that our joy may be made full.
1 John 1:4 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 John 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we beheld, and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life
2(and the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare unto you the life, the eternal [life], which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us);
3that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you also, that ye also may have fellowship with us: yea, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ:
4and these things we write, that our joy may be made full.
5And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
← 1 John 1:31 John 1:5 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And these things write we unto you, &c.] Concerning the deity and eternity of Christ, the Word and concerning the truth of his humanity, and the manifestation of him in the flesh; and concerning that eternal life and salvation which is declared in the Gospel to be in him; and concerning the saints' fellowship one with another, and with God the Father, and with Jesus Christ: that your joy may be full; meaning either their spiritual joy in this life, which has Christ for its object, and is increased by the consideration of his proper deity, his incarnation and mediation by a view of free justification by his righteousness, and atonement by his blood; by a sight of his glorious person by faith,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“these things--and none other, namely, this whole Epistle. write we unto you--Some oldest manuscripts omit "unto you," and emphasize "we." Thus the antithesis is between "we" (apostles and eye-witnesses) and "your." We write thus that your joy may be full. Other oldest manuscripts and versions read "OUR joy," namely, that our joy may be filled full by bringing you also into fellowship with the Father and Son. (Compare Joh 4:36, end; Phi 2:2, "Fulfil ye my joy," Phi 2:16; Phi 4:1; Jo2 1:8). It is possible that "your" may be a correction of transcribers to make this verse harmonize with Joh 15:11; Joh 16:24; however, as John often repeats favorite phrases, he may do so here, so "your" may be…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And these things write we unto you - These things respecting him who was manifested in the flesh, and respecting the results which flow from that. That your joy may be full - This is almost the same language which the Saviour used when addressing his disciples as he was about to leave them, John 15:11; and there can be little doubt that John had that declaration in remembrance when he uttered this remark. See the notes at that passage. The sense here is, that full and clear views of the Lord Jesus, and the fellowship with him and with each other, which would follow from that, would be a source of happiness. Their joy would be complete if they had that; for their real happiness was to be…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“That your joy may be full - So our Lord also, Joh 15:11; Joh 16:22. There is a joy of hope, a joy of faith, and a joy of love. Here the joy of faith is directly intended. It is a concise expression. Your joy - That is, your faith and the joy arising from it: but it likewise implies the joy of hope and love. 1 John 1:5”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:4 so that you may fully share our joy: The joy that the apostles have comes from their fellowship with God the Father and the Son (1:3). Readers will share this joy when they enter into the same fellowship.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“that: Isa 61:10; Hab 3:17, Hab 3:18; Joh 15:11, Joh 16:24; Co2 1:24; Eph 3:19; Phi 1:25, Phi 1:26; Jo2 1:12 1 John 1:5”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification