1 John 1:2

(For the life was manifested, and we have seen [it], and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

(For {G2532} the life {G2222} was manifested {G5319}, and {G2532} we have seen {G3708} it, and {G2532} bear witness {G3140}, and {G2532} shew {G518} unto you {G5213} that eternal {G166} life {G2222}, which {G3748} was {G2258} with {G4314} the Father {G3962}, and {G2532} was manifested {G5319} unto us {G2254};)

The life appeared,
and we have seen it.
We are testifying to it
and announcing it to you —
eternal life!

He was with the Father,
and he appeared to us.

And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us.

(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);

Commentary

In 1 John 1:2, the Apostle John continues to lay the foundational truth of his message: the tangible reality of Jesus Christ, the "eternal life" who was manifested to humanity. This verse works in tandem with 1 John 1:1, emphasizing sensory experience to counter early heresies that denied Christ's true physical presence.

Context

John's epistle addresses emerging false teachings, particularly a form of Gnosticism or Docetism, which claimed that Jesus was not truly human but only appeared to have a body. To combat this, John repeatedly stresses that he and other apostles were eyewitnesses to Jesus Christ. They didn't just hear about Him; they "seen [it]," "bear witness," and "shew unto you" this profound truth, grounding faith in historical, verifiable events rather than abstract philosophical ideas.

Key Themes

  • The Incarnation of Christ: The phrase "the life was manifested" directly refers to the incarnation of Jesus Christ. The divine, eternal "life" (who is Christ) became visible and tangible to human beings, stepping out of eternity into time.
  • Eyewitness Testimony: John asserts the apostolic authority based on direct, personal experience. They "have seen it" and therefore "bear witness," providing reliable testimony about Jesus. This emphasis on what was "seen" and "manifested unto us" underscores the factual basis of the Christian faith.
  • Eternal Life as a Person: John identifies "the life" with "that eternal life, which was with the Father." This highlights Jesus' pre-existence and His inherent divine nature. He is not merely a giver of eternal life; He is eternal life itself. This concept is central to understanding what eternal life means in Christian theology.
  • Proclamation of Truth: The apostles' purpose is to "shew unto you" or proclaim this manifested eternal life. Their witness is not just for themselves but for the benefit of others, inviting them into fellowship with God through Christ.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Greek word for "manifested" is phaneroō (φανερόω), meaning "to make visible," "to reveal," or "to disclose." It emphasizes that what was previously unseen or unknown (the divine life) became clearly perceptible.
  • "Eternal life" is zoē aiōnios (ζωὴ αἰώνιος). This isn't merely endless existence, but a quality of life—the very life of God—which is received through faith in Christ and characterized by a deep relationship with the Father and the Son.

Practical Application

This verse reminds believers that our faith is rooted in the historical reality of Jesus Christ. He was not a myth or a spirit, but God manifested in human flesh. This truth provides assurance and stability to our belief. Furthermore, like the apostles, we are called to bear witness to this eternal life that has been revealed to us, sharing the transformative truth of Jesus with the world. Our experience of Christ, though not through physical sight as the apostles had, is real and provides a foundation for our own testimony.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 John 5:20 (17 votes)

    And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, [even] in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

  • John 1:4 (16 votes)

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

  • 1 Timothy 3:16 (15 votes)

    And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

  • John 17:3 (14 votes)

    And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

  • 1 John 5:11 (11 votes)

    And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

  • Titus 1:2 (10 votes)

    In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

  • 1 John 3:8 (10 votes)

    He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.