1 John 1:5

KJV

¶ This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

KJV (with Strong's)

This {G3778} then {G2532} is {G2076} the message {G1860} which {G3739} we have heard {G191} of {G575} him {G846}, and {G2532} declare {G312} unto you {G5213}, that {G3754} God {G2316} is {G2076} light {G5457}, and {G2532} in {G1722} him {G846} is {G2076} no {G3756} darkness {G4653} at all {G3762}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And this is the message which we have heard from him and proclaim to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him — none!

Berean Standard Bible

And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

American Standard Version

And 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First John 1:5 declares the foundational truth that God is absolute light, wholly devoid of any darkness, sin, or imperfection. This profound theological statement serves as the bedrock for John's subsequent exhortations regarding genuine fellowship with God and with one another, asserting that an authentic relationship with the perfectly pure and holy God necessitates a life lived in truth and transparency, reflecting His inherent nature.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the theological linchpin of 1 John 1. Having established the apostolic witness to Jesus Christ, the "Word of life," in [1 John 1:1-4](/1_john/1-1-4 "1 John 1:1-4 - The Apostolic Witness"), John transitions to the core message that defines the nature of God Himself. This declaration about God as light immediately precedes and undergirds John's subsequent arguments in [1 John 1:6-10](/1_john/1-6-10 "1 John 1:6-10 - Walking in the Light"), where he contrasts claiming fellowship with God while walking in darkness with truly walking in the light, which leads to fellowship and cleansing from sin. The entire chapter builds upon this fundamental attribute of God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** John is writing to Christian communities, likely in Asia Minor, grappling with nascent forms of Gnosticism or proto-Gnostic teachings. These false teachers often claimed a special, esoteric knowledge (`gnosis`) of God, yet their lives frequently lacked moral rectitude. Some might have denied the true humanity of Christ (Docetism) or asserted that physical actions had no bearing on spiritual standing. By declaring "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all," John directly confronts these errors, emphasizing that true knowledge of God is inseparable from moral purity and that the nature of God Himself demands an ethical response from those who claim to know Him.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme introduced here is the **absolute purity and holiness of God**. The metaphor of "light" encapsulates God's truth, goodness, knowledge, and moral perfection. It signifies His self-revelation and His inherent opposition to all that is evil or false. Conversely, "darkness" represents sin, falsehood, ignorance, and moral depravity. The emphatic declaration that "in him is no darkness at all" underscores God's utter lack of compromise with evil, setting a clear standard for those who seek fellowship with Him. This theme resonates with the call to holiness found throughout Scripture, such as in [Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44 - Be Holy, for I Am Holy") and [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15-16 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy in All Your Conduct").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **message (Greek, _epangelía'_):** This word, derived from a verb meaning "to announce" or "to promise," refers to an announcement, a declaration, or a divine assurance. In this context, it is not merely a piece of information but a profound theological truth, a foundational proclamation about God's nature that the apostles "heard of him" and now "declare unto you." It carries the weight of an authoritative revelation.
* **light (Greek, _phōs'_):** This term signifies luminousness in its widest application—natural, artificial, abstract, or concrete. Here, it is used figuratively to describe God's very essence. It encompasses His holiness, purity, truth, knowledge, glory, and life-giving power. Just as physical light dispels darkness, spiritual light reveals truth and exposes evil.
* **darkness (Greek, _skotía'_):** This word denotes dimness or obscurity, both literally and figuratively. In the context of God, it refers to the complete absence of moral or spiritual obscurity, ignorance, sin, or wickedness. It stands in stark contrast to "light," representing everything antithetical to God's nature.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you,"**: John asserts the apostolic authority and origin of the truth he is about to convey. The "message" (epangelía) is not a human invention or philosophical speculation, but a direct revelation received from God Himself ("of him," referring to Jesus Christ, the Word of Life, as established in [1 John 1:1-3](/1_john/1-1-3 "1 John 1:1-3 - The Apostolic Testimony")). The apostles are not merely sharing an opinion but faithfully proclaiming what they have personally encountered and been taught by Christ, making it a reliable and authoritative foundation for Christian faith and life.
* **"that God is light,"**: This is the core theological declaration. It is not merely that God *has* light or *gives* light, but that He *is* light. This is an ontological statement about His very being. It signifies His absolute holiness, moral purity, truthfulness, and self-revealing nature. Light illuminates, exposes, purifies, and guides. To say God is light means He is perfectly good, perfectly true, and perfectly righteous in His essence.
* **"and in him is no darkness at all."**: This clause emphatically reinforces the previous statement by using a strong double negative in the original Greek (οὐκ ἔστιν... οὐδεμία - *ouk estin... oudemia*), meaning "not even one darkness." It leaves no room for ambiguity or compromise. There is absolutely no shadow, no hidden corner, no impurity, no evil, no falsehood, no moral blemish, and no ignorance in God whatsoever. His nature is entirely consistent, transparent, and pure.

#### Literary Devices
First John 1:5 primarily employs **Metaphor** and **Antithesis**. The declaration "God is light" is a powerful **Metaphor**, portraying God's intrinsic nature not as a physical entity but as the embodiment of purity, truth, holiness, and self-revelation. Light, in biblical thought, consistently symbolizes goodness, life, knowledge, and divine presence, while darkness represents evil, sin, ignorance, and separation from God. This metaphorical representation of God's essence is immediately followed by a stark **Antithesis**: "and in him is no darkness at all." This direct contrast between light and darkness emphasizes the absolute and unblemished purity of God. The use of the emphatic double negative in the Greek for "no darkness at all" serves as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Emphasis**, underscoring the total absence of any impurity, however slight, within the divine being.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The declaration that "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" is a foundational truth that permeates biblical theology. It speaks to God's absolute holiness, His unchangeable character, and His inherent opposition to all evil. This truth establishes the impossibility of genuine fellowship with God while persisting in sin, setting the stage for John's subsequent ethical imperatives. It underscores that God is the source of all truth and goodness, and that His very nature is one of radiant purity, which both reveals and judges. This attribute of God is the basis for His moral demands on humanity and the standard by which all things are measured.

* [James 1:17](/james/1-17 "James 1:17 - Father of Lights")
* [Psalm 36:9](/psalms/36-9 "Psalm 36:9 - Fountain of Life")
* [Isaiah 5:20](/isaiah/5-20 "Isaiah 5:20 - Woe to Those Who Call Evil Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Understanding God as absolute light, utterly without darkness, profoundly impacts our walk of faith. It calls us to a life of transparency, integrity, and authenticity. If we claim to be in relationship with such a God, our lives must increasingly reflect His character, moving away from hidden sins, deceit, and moral compromise. This truth exposes any hypocrisy in our claims of faith and challenges us to live consistently with the light we profess to follow. It compels us to examine our motives, actions, and thoughts in the light of His perfect holiness, acknowledging that true fellowship with God requires us to "walk in the light as He is in the light," as [1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Walking in the Light") teaches. This is not a call to human perfection, but to an honest, ongoing pursuit of holiness, confessing our failures and relying on Christ's cleansing blood.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the absolute purity of God as "light" challenge areas of hidden sin or compromise in my own life?**
* **In what ways does my understanding of God's character as "light" influence my pursuit of truth and integrity?**
* **How does the absence of darkness in God impact my trust in His character and His promises, especially during times of uncertainty or suffering?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean that "God is light"?**

Answer: To say "God is light" is a profound theological statement about His very essence and character. It means that God is perfectly holy, pure, truthful, and righteous. Just as physical light illuminates and dispels darkness, God, as spiritual light, reveals truth, exposes evil, and provides moral clarity. He is the source of all goodness, knowledge, and life. There is no moral ambiguity, no falsehood, and no impurity in His being. This concept is foundational to understanding His nature, His commands, and the basis for our relationship with Him, as seen in passages like [Psalm 27:1](/psalms/27-1 "Psalm 27:1 - The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation").

**Why does John emphasize "in him is no darkness at all"?**

Answer: The emphatic phrase "in him is no darkness at all" (using a strong double negative in the original Greek) serves to underscore the absolute and unblemished purity of God. It leaves no room for any degree of sin, evil, falsehood, or imperfection within His divine nature. This emphasis was particularly crucial for John's audience, who were facing false teachers claiming spiritual enlightenment while living immoral lives. John makes it unequivocally clear that God is entirely separate from and opposed to all forms of darkness (moral corruption, deceit, spiritual ignorance). This absolute purity of God is the necessary prerequisite for genuine fellowship with Him, as highlighted in [1 John 1:6](/1_john/1-6 "1 John 1:6 - If We Say We Have Fellowship").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The message that "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself declared, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")). He is the perfect embodiment and revelation of God's light, demonstrating God's holiness, truth, and purity in human form. Through His sinless life, His atoning death, and His resurrection, Christ dispelled the darkness of sin and death, offering humanity the opportunity to be reconciled to the perfectly pure God. It is only by trusting in Him, the true Light, that believers are enabled to "walk in the light" ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Walking in the Light")), reflecting the character of the Father and experiencing genuine fellowship with both God and one another, as children of light ([Ephesians 5:8](/ephesians/5-8 "Ephesians 5:8 - Walk as Children of Light")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 8:12

¶ Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Isaiah 60:19

The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.

Psalms 27:1

¶ [A Psalm] of David. The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

John 1:9

[That] was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

John 1:4

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 12:35

Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.