1 John 1:1 Cross References - AUV

¹ We [apostles] proclaim to you [the truth about Jesus], who existed from the beginning [of time]. We have heard [Him] and seen [Him] with our [own] eyes. We looked at Him, and [even] touched Him with our hands. [See John 20:20]. [So, we proclaim that] He is the word of life [i.e., the life-giving Word]!

² [that is, people] who were ministers of the word and original eyewitnesses [of these events], and who passed them on to us; [and since]

³⁹ Look at my hands and my feet and realize that it is I, myself. Feel me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.” {{Some ancient authorities omit verse

¹ The Word [already] existed in the beginning [of time]. [Note: This is a reference to the preexistence of Jesus. See verse 14]. And the Word was with God and the Word was [what] God [was]. ² This Word existed with God from the beginning [of time]. ³ Everything came into being through this Word, and apart from Him not a single thing came into being. ⁴ Life existed in Him; and that Life [was what] enlightened mankind [spiritually]. ⁵ And [His] light continued to shine, [even] in the darkness [of the world], and that darkness did not overcome Him [or, did not fully understand Him]. ⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John [the Immerser]. ⁷ He came to be a witness, so that he might testify concerning that Light, so that all people would believe [in Jesus] through him [i.e., through his testimony. See Acts 19:4]. ⁸ He himself was not that Light, but came [only] to testify concerning that Light. ⁹ [Now] the true Light, who enlightens all mankind, was [indeed] coming into the world [i.e., to earth]. ¹⁰ [Actually] He was in the world [already], for the world came into being through Him, but the world did not acknowledge Him. ¹¹ [Then] He came to His own [world, while on earth], but His own [people, the Israelites] did not welcome Him. ¹² But He gave all those who did welcome Him the opportunity of becoming children of God by believing in His name [i.e., as the Messiah]. ¹³ [Such people] were born of God, not of blood ties [i.e., from physical descendants], nor of the will of the flesh [i.e., merely from a sexual desire], nor of the will of man [i.e., from a husband’s desire for offspring]. ¹⁴ [Eventually] this Word became a human being and lived among us [Note: The word “lived” here refers to pitching a temporary tent]. (And we saw His splendor; such splendor as belongs to the Father’s only Son), full of God’s favor and truth. ¹⁵ John gave testimony about Jesus, shouting out, “This person is the one about whom I said, ‘He who will come after me ranks above me because He existed before me.’” ¹⁶ For we have all received from His full richness one favor after another. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses; [but] God’s favor and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God [i.e., His full splendor], but God, the only conceived [and eventually born Son], who is at the Father’s side, has shown us who He is.

²⁶ For [just] as the Father is Himself [the source of] life, in the same way He gave to His Son also [the power] to be [the source of] life.

⁵⁸ Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am.” [Note: The words “I am” were probably construed as a reference to being Deity. See Ex. 3:14].

³⁵ And the person who saw this happen is giving a true testimony about it. He knows it is true [and is giving it] so that you will believe [it, also].

²⁷ Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here [i.e., to touch the nail scars] and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side [i.e., where the spear had pierced Him]. Stop doubting and believe [that it is really I].”

³ Now, following His death on the cross [and resurrection], Jesus appeared alive [to His apostles] for forty days, and demonstrated by many convincing proofs [that He had been raised bodily from the dead]. [During that time] He also spoke to them about the [coming] kingdom of God.

²⁰ we cannot help but speak about the things we have seen and heard."

¹⁶ For we did not use cleverly conceived stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, because we were eyewitnesses of His Majesty [i.e., the apostles had personally seen the miraculous power of Jesus]. ¹⁷ For Jesus had received honor and glory from God, the Father, when [God’s] voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory saying, “This is my dearly loved Son, and I am very pleased with Him.” ¹⁸ And we heard this voice coming from heaven when we were with Him in the holy mountain.

² Truly, this “Life” was made known to us and we have [actually] seen it [i.e., Him], and so we testify and proclaim to you [that He is] “the Eternal Life,” who was with the Father and was made known to us [apostles]. ³ We declare to you what we have seen and heard [concerning Christ], so that you also may share a relationship with us. And indeed, our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

¹³ I am writing to you fathers, because you have known Him [i.e., Christ], [who has existed] from the beginning [See John 1:1]. I am writing to you young men, because you have overcome the [power of the] evil one [i.e., through faith they had gained victory over Satan, See 5:4]. ¹⁴ I have written to you little children [i.e., dear ones], because you have known the Father [as your God]. I have written to you fathers, because you have known Him [i.e., Christ], [who has existed] from the beginning. [See verse 13]. I have written to you young men, because you are [spiritually] strong and the word of God continues to live in your hearts, and you have overcome the [power of the] evil one [See verse 13].

¹⁴ And we [apostles] have seen and are [reliable] witnesses that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world [See 1:2; 2:2].

⁷ For there are three who give their testimony [about Jesus]:

⁸ “I am the Alpha and the Omega” [Note: These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, and indicate “the beginning and the end” See 21:6], says the Lord God Almighty, who is [in the present], and who was [in the past] and who will come [in the future].

¹¹ saying, “Write down in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicia” [Note: These seven congregations were all located in western Asia Minor].

¹⁷ And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as [though I were] dead. And He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last, ¹⁸ and the Living One. I was dead, and see, I am [now] alive forever and ever! And I possess the keys of death and of the unseen place of departed spirits.

⁸ “And write [this] to the angel of the church at Smyrna: These things are the words of the First and the Last [i.e., Jesus], who was dead, but has come [back] to life:

¹³ And He is dressed in a robe that has been dipped in blood, and the name by which He is called is “The Word of God.”