God’s Word Translation
1 John 1:2
2This life was revealed to us. We have seen it, and we testify about it. We are reporting to you about this eternal life that was in the presence of the Father and was revealed to us.
1 John 1:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)(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;)
- New International Version (NIV)The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.
- English Standard Version (ESV)the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—
- New King James Version (NKJV)the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—
Context of 1 John 1:2
1The Word of life existed from the beginning. We have heard it. We have seen it. We observed and touched it. This life was revealed to us. We have seen it, and we testify about it. We are reporting to you about this eternal life that was in the presence of the Father and was revealed to us. 3This is the life we have seen and heard. We are reporting about it to you also so that you, too, can have a relationship with us. Our relationship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4We are writing this so that we can be completely filled with joy.
Read all of 1 John 11 John 1:2 word by word
καὶ ἡ ζωὴ ἐφανερώθη, καὶ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ μαρτυροῦμεν καὶ ἀπαγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν τὴν ζωὴν τὴν αἰώνιον ἥτις ἦν πρὸς τὸν πατέρα καὶ ἐφανερώθη ἡμῖν·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Forκαίkai · andG2532
- the lifeὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- the lifeζωήzōē · lifeG2222
- was manifestedφανερόωphaneroō · to revealG5319
- we have seenὁράωhoraō · to see: seeG3708
- bear witnessμαρτυρέωmartureō · to testifyG3140
- shewἀπαγγέλλωapaggellō · to announceG518
- unto youσύsu · youG4771
- eternalαἰώνιοςaiōnios · eternalG166
- whichὅστιςhostis hētis ho6ti · who/whichG3748
- wasεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- withπρόςpros · to/withG4314
- the Fatherπατήρpatēr · fatherG3962
- unto usἐγώegō · I/weG1473
Cross-references for 1 John 1:2
- 1 John 5:11This is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is found in his Son.
- John 1:4He was the source of life, and that life was the light for humanity.
- John 11:25Jesus said to her, “I am the one who brings people back to life, and I am life itself. Those who believe in me will live even if they die.
- John 14:6Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me.
- 1 John 3:5You know that Christ appeared in order to take away our sins. He isn’t sinful.
- Romans 16:25God can strengthen you by the Good News and the message I tell about Jesus Christ. He can strengthen you by revealing the mystery that was kept in silence for a very long time
- 1 Timothy 3:16The mystery that gives us our reverence for God is acknowledged to be great: He appeared in his human nature, was approved by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was announced throughout the nations, was believed in the world, and was taken to heaven in glory.
- 2 Timothy 1:10Now with the coming of our Savior Christ Jesus, he has revealed it. Christ has destroyed death, and through the Good News he has brought eternal life into full view.
- John 15:27You will declare the truth, too, because you have been with me from the beginning.”
- John 21:14This was the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after he had come back to life.
- Acts 1:22This person must have been with us from the time that John was baptizing people to the day that Jesus was taken from us.”
- Acts 2:32“God brought this man Jesus back to life. We are all witnesses to that.
- Acts 3:15and you killed the source of life. But God brought him back to life, and we are witnesses to that.
- Acts 5:32We are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
- Acts 10:41to all the people. He showed Jesus to witnesses, apostles he had already chosen. We apostles are those men who ate and drank with Jesus after he came back to life.
- 1 Peter 5:1I appeal to your spiritual leaders. I make this appeal as a spiritual leader who also witnessed Christ’s sufferings and will share in the glory that will be revealed.
Commentaries on 1 John 1:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2For the Life was manifested - The Lord Jesus, who is the creator of all things, and the fountain of life to all sentient and intellectual beings, and from whom eternal life and happiness come, was manifested in the flesh, and we have seen him, and in consequence bear witness to him as the fountain and author of eternal life; for he who was from eternity with the Father was manifested unto us his apostles, and to the whole of the Jewish nation, and…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2For 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…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2This is the life: Throughout the New Testament, the Greek word zōē (which means "life") is used to describe God’s own eternal life (for example, Ephesians 4:18). This life is found in Christ, and he gives it to all who believe in him. this is the life that was revealed to us: Jesus, the Christ, was known to his apostles as a human being during his earthly ministry.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. the life--Jesus, "the Word of life." was manifested--who had previously been "with the Father." show--Translate as in 1Jo 1:3, "declare" (compare 1Jo 1:5). Declare is the general term; write is the particular (1Jo 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 (1Jo…Read the comment
Topics related to 1 John 1:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 1 John 1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries